stainless load center
#1
05-26-23, 11:37 AM
stainless load center
I have never seen a SS load center, not sure they are in production.
There is a 100A subpanel on my salt water dock, mounted on a piling. SqD, and after a couple of years, it is starting to show rust at the edges of the door and the bottom panel. Is there a workaround in getting a salt resistant panel?
There is a 100A subpanel on my salt water dock, mounted on a piling. SqD, and after a couple of years, it is starting to show rust at the edges of the door and the bottom panel. Is there a workaround in getting a salt resistant panel?
#2
05-26-23, 12:47 PM
Group Moderator
I don't know what you mean by a workaround? either you do it or not? Are you asking if you can touch up the paint?
I would consider getting a stainless NEMA 4 or 4X panelboard. This could be made pretty tight to extremely limit the amount of salt air that gets into the panel.
I would consider getting a stainless NEMA 4 or 4X panelboard. This could be made pretty tight to extremely limit the amount of salt air that gets into the panel.
#3
05-26-23, 02:43 PM
Member
For a small panel check out this non-metallic Eaton loadcenter.
https://www.cityelectricsupply.com/e...lic-loadcenter
For stainless steel expect to pay quite a lot more.
https://spikeelectric.com/s4xpb-and-...s-panelboards/
https://www.cityelectricsupply.com/e...lic-loadcenter
For stainless steel expect to pay quite a lot more.
https://spikeelectric.com/s4xpb-and-...s-panelboards/
telecom guy
voted this post useful.
#4
05-26-23, 04:31 PM
Group Moderator
You will likely not find a load center in stainless steel, but as Joe posted, they are available in panelboards. It might be easier/cheaper to install the load center in a stainless or PVC enclosure. Another option is to paint it with cold galvanization compound. It does an excellent job of preventing rust. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Rust-Ole...E&gclsrc=aw.ds
#6
05-28-23, 02:39 PM
Group Moderator
You can also check industrial suppliers. Stainless steel is commonly used in many food and pharmaceutical plants.
CasualJoe
voted this post useful.
#7
05-31-23, 04:36 PM
Member
From my past experience aluminum conduit is much more prevalent in food manufacturing plants and in clean rooms than stainless steel. It's been a long time, but I recall several Conagra projects where aluminum conduit was spec'd. Also, where aluminum conduit was used in MEMC clean rooms in the manufacture of silicon wafers for the computer chip industry.
