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Posted by willshak on August 14, 2005, 11:14 am
On 8/14/2005 7:14 AM US(ET), Robert11 took fingers to keys, and typed
the following:
>Hello:
>
>Will probably have a contractor put in a new electrical service box in the
>near future, and have just started thinking about it a bit.
>
>The present box is small physically, and also has only 100 amp service.
>
>A larger box in physical dimensions can probably be put in the space that is
>available.
>(the box is recesed behind a wall with a door in the plasterboard)
>
>But -
>
>It will probably be impossible to have the usual metal door covering the
>service box
>in place, as I do not think there will be enough "swing room" for it to open
>adequately.
>
>Questions:
>
>a. How necessary is this metal door ?
> Is it mainly just to keep dust out ?
>
>b. Is it a Code requirement to have one ?
>
>c Any brands to stay away from ?
> (Sq D still considered the one to go with ?)
>
>Also: Is there any disadvantage to using those half-thickness circuit
>breakers ?
> Just as reliable, etc. ?
>
>Thanks,
>B.
>
Breaker boxes are not all the same and the doors usually do not extend
to the width of the panel. I have a Bryant 200 AMP box, installed some
20 years ago, and the panel cover size is 15-1/2" W by 25" H. The door
size is 9-1/2" W by 20-1/2" H, leaving 3" of panel cover on either
side. My door is wider than the double column of breakers to allow
writable white squares next to each breaker for identification of the
circuit controlled by the individual breakers. Recently, my neighbor had
a 200 AMP box installed to replace a 100 AMP service. His door was
narrower than mine and just covered the breakers because the writable
identification squares were on the inside of the door rather than next
to the breakers (I don't recall the make of the box).
I have a 2 duplex breakers in my panel (4-15 AMPs) , and they work just
fine. The only problem is that if one side of the duplex breaker fails,
I have to replace the whole duplex breaker. I have not had that
happen... Yet.
My 200 AMP panel will only allow 10 of the 30 breaker spaces for duplex
breakers.
--
Bill
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