1

enter image description hereWhy would the electrician put in a 150-amp rated panel if i have 200-amp service. And is that legal. Is this a common practice? And is this up to code? I live in Florida.

enter image description here

Improve this question
9
  • 1
    You may actually have a meter main with the 150A panel technically a subpanel. Please upload pictures of: meter and any stuff next to it, the 150A panel, any subpanels you have, if any. There may be far more going on than you realize. 200A panels are dirt cheap, so your panel is likely 200A rated with a 150A breaker, but there are many unknowns.
    – manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact
    Sep 21 at 14:45
  • On the invoice it says 150 amp surface indoor top quality cutler hammer/QO panel.
    – Ronald Pekarski SR
    Sep 21 at 14:51
  • 1
    Click edit below your post, click in the body box where you want the pic in relation to text, in the icon box above text click the square icon with mountains and moon.
    – NoSparksPlease
    Sep 21 at 15:09
  • 1
    What is the number on the handle of the main breaker there? Is there a breaker out at the meter, and what's the number on its breaker handle?
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Sep 21 at 17:16
  • 1
    on the main breaker inside the panel 200. I don't see any breaker outside.
    – Ronald Pekarski SR
    Sep 21 at 17:19

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

Based on pictures and comments, you've got a 200A Square D QO panel. The invoice said 150A Cutler Hammer or QO. I think the invoice is, for better or worse, a generic "heavy up whatever" statement that means "we'll put in at least 150A panel of one of these two major good quality types of panels".

It may be that this company does so many heavy-ups that barring extras like solar hookups they just have a few boilerplate prices - 150A-250A CH/QO, maybe <150A CH/QO, maybe 250A+ CH/QO (i.e., for the class 320/400 double 200A panels) and maybe a low-ball BR/Homeline price when they're hungry.

It seems a little odd to me for electrical because there are so many variables. But sometimes easier than keeping track of all the little details. Similar to when I had a hot water tank replacement last year - I sent them pictures, they sent me an all-inclusive flat price, and they didn't itemize the expansion tank, fittings, valves, etc.

Improve this answer
0
1

That's a 40 or 42 space QO panel. Wouldn't be out of place in the Tesla Gigafactory, as it's one of two industrial-tier panels in the consumer market (the other being Eaton CH aka Cutler Hammer). And they went for the largest number of spaces generally available at sane cost, which is what we recommend.

Square D doesn't make 40/42s with 150A busing. I don't think anyone does, because it would be a separate SKU and an odd duck product that no distributor would want to stock, only to save 40 cents a unit of copper or a nickel of aluminum. Panels of this size generally have 200A or 225A busing.

If you're after solar, that'll give you 40A or 70A of solar, respectively.

I don't know why they wrote 150A+ given their intentions of giving you this panel.

Improve this answer
0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.