New electrical panel recommendations needed

[Silver Surfer]

I'm looking into getting a new 200 amp service box for my old house. What is the most recommended brand to consider? Any brands to avoid?

[RBM]

These days, I don't believe there are any terrible brands on the market, such as Frank Adams, Zinsco, or Federal Pacific. Probably the general consensus is that Square D model "QO" is the best, but Murray, Cutler Hammer, Homeline, Westinghouse, GE, and all the other universals, are fine

[Nate Nagel]

I'd recommend picking a panel that has listed GFCI and AFCI breakers available, should you ever decide to bring your house completely up to current code. I've seen Siemens (ITE), GE, Square D at least at the big boxes.

nate

[RBM]

Every manufacturer making residential panels, make the required breakers for them

[John Grabowski]

Square D is coming out with a 60 circuit panel and Cutler Hammer is coming out with a panel where the AFCI breakers stab onto the neutral bar as well as the hot buss.

[Silver Surfer]

Sorry to be dense, but what is the benefit of Cutler Hammer's AFCI breaker neutral bus stabbing feature?

[hallerb]

On Jun 21, 6:40=EF=BF=BDpm, "John Grabowski" wrot= e:

thnbks a 60 circuit panel is just what i need...... thats wonderful.

[John Grabowski]

It's faster to install AFCI breakers and there is less clutter from all of those extra neutral wires from the AFCI breakers.

[Wayne Whitney]

Easier installation, neater organization due to the lack of neutral pigtails on the breakers. Normal breakers don't need a neutral connection, so the typical GFCI or AFCI breaker has a neutral pigtail. Seems like a nice idea.

Cheers, Wayne

[Stormin Mormon]

Avoid Federal Pacific Electric.

[Mark Lloyd]

It sounds like AFCI breakers could just be plugged in, like regular breakers can. It could make it a lot easier to replace one of those (AFCI breakers).

[hallerb]

i dont believe the mains are still sold in the US and replacement breakers cost a fortune,

[Caesar Romano]

On Sat, 21 Jun 2008 20:51:47 -0400, "Stormin Mormon" wrote Re Re: New electrical panel recommendations needed:

I thought they were long out of business?

[hallerb]

the name lives on in canada, and theres always a chance some contractor might dig one out of the back of a warehouse:(