Breaker Box Brands

Okay, I've decided I want to replace the breaker box in my house with a larger (physically, that is) one.

At Home Depot and Lowes, the biggest I can find is 200 amp, 40 space, 40 circuit boxes from several manufacturers.

Question: you pros out there, which brands do you like and which do you not like?

And why is Square-D so much more expensive than the others?

Thanks!

-Noggin

 

Quality can be illustrated by using the example of a horse owner who is buying oats. If they want nice clean fresh oats they must pay a fair price. If they can be content with oats that have already been through another horse they can get those oats for slightly less.

Square D, QO, load center buss bars are solid copper with a tin plating. Many manufacturers use aluminum or aluminum clad steel buss bars. These are of course less expensive.
--
Tom

 

Square D is by far the best. However in some jobs ive used GE and Cutler-Hammer. These are also good. Ive had GE in my home since 1987. They work very well.

 

I've looked at Home Depot and at Lowes and given my particular situation, I think that I like the Square D Homeline series of panels.

The problem is that neither H.D. nor Lowes carries the 200 amp, 40 space panel in this product line.

Anyone know where I can get one?

Thx!

 

Square "D" has a web site they have on it their dealer network you should be able to use it to find the closest Square "D" supplier to you. Almost all the electric wholesales carry Square "D" as it is most likey the most popular panel out there.

 

Home Depot does carry Square D 200A in both the Homeline and QO series remodeler's pack, which consists of the panel, cover, 200A main breaker, five 20A breakers, and a 2-pole 30A. If your particular HD doesn't have them, they can transfer them from another store. Every HD i have ever been in stocks these panels. Ask them to do a stock transfer on the item. Hope this helps.

 

Wirenut: I've seen the 30 space/40 circuit panels and "contractor kits," but not any 40-space Homeline panels either at HD or Lowes.

I might go with the 30-space/40-circuit, but part of me's thinking that if I'm going to the trouble to do all this work, I wanna put in the biggest panel I can and be done with it.

I guess somewhere along the line I picked up a distrust of the tandem breakers and want the capacity to add 40 fullsize breakers. Maybe this is an unjustified opinion?

 

I may have been thinking of just the panel/cover combo vs. the remodeler's pack, but i do believe they carry the 40-slot 200A panel. I used to work at HD, and i know they carry it, although it may not be in every store, as different stores carry slightly different merchandise.

 

I have a Square D QO load center with tandems installed for just about all of the 15 and 20 amp branch circuits. I have had no problems with them and the house is almost 30 years old. I have seen them trip twice: once when I miswired an old computer power switch, and a second time when my old dishwasher motor bit the dust, just like they were supposed to. While many would probably prefer not to use tandems or 1/2 size breakers, I just wanted to point out my experience with them. I don't think it would be the end of the world if you had to install one or two into that 30 space panel.

 

My Home Depot "Pro Book" lists a Square D 200 amp 40/40 QO main breaker load center on page 395. SKU 371044 for $191.00

Square D 200 amp 40/40 Homeline load center on page 397. SKU 516111 for $128.00

(Whenever I think HD doesn't carry something, I find out I'm wrong).

 

Rhhjr, you DA MAN! (or woman, as appropriate.)

Where do I get me one of them there "Pro books?"

 

They are free for the asking at the service desk at Home Depot.

 

Hello i just bought a 200 amp panal at lowes it has 30spaces and 40 circuits and comes with a 50amp double, and a 30 amp double
6 20 amp and 6 15 amp breakers. the number on the box is HOMVP9----- 88411 if this helps any. cork

 

I am an electrical designer for a major engineering company and can highly recommend Square D. We also specify GE and Cuttler Hammer. I bougt a120 year old house with 60 amp/4-space fuse box and replaced last year with 150 amp/30 space Square D Homeline package. Am very satisfied with quality and price, no problems whatsoever, but if you can afford it I would recommend Square D QO for reasons cited by hornetd. You must realize that if upping the panel's amps you must upgrade the service entrance cable and get the utility and local permitting/inspector involved. Hope that helps.

Juice

 

Thanks juice any information is helpful, and i did buy a square D box. thanks again cork