Unless you’ve worked in and around trades you likely don’t know much about residential electrical work or electrical panels.
While it’s always advisable to work with a licensed contractor or tradesperson from a reputable company like Conductive Electrical Contracting, it’s important to understand what your needs are.
This provides you with a better understanding of the subject matter and allows you to have educated conversations with your contractor.
When it comes to upgrading electrical panels, also known as breaker panels, there is a lot to know before you choose which brand is best for your situation.
While most brands will effectively produce the same result, as long as they adhere to UL codes, there are lots of options to consider such as:
- Components needed such as the main breaker, bus bars, circuit breakers, neutral bus bars, and grounding bus bars.
- Types of breaker needed such as main breaker, sub-panel, main lug, or transfer switches.
- Required amps which can vary by need and range between 100 to 200 amps.
- Warranties
Square D QO Breaker Panels
Square D QO breaker panels can be used in both commercial and residential scenarios for power distribution. They feature quick plug-on breaker connections that require fewer overall connections, which results in faster installation and more gutter space.
The straight-in mains design also reduces cable usage. Square D QO breaker panels also come with a lifetime warranty, honored with proper care and usage, for defects in materials and craftsmanship.
Cutler Hammer Breaker Panels
Cutler Hammer breaker panels are designed to handle loads up to 600 amps, and are rated for use in residential and commercial applications.
These panels feature a one-piece silver flash plated copper bus that ensures excellent conductivity.
Additionally, these breakers have a unique “trip to off” feature, which allows homeowners to easily identify tripped circuit breakers. Cutler Hammer provides a lifetime warranty on all breaker panels and circuit breakers.
General Electric Breaker Panels
General Electric is one of the most recognizable names in not only the electrical industry, but many consumer driven industries. General Electric breaker panels make installation of new breakers fast and easy.
Their PowerMark Gold line of breaker panels feature knockouts that are faster and easier to remove, rear mounting holes for easy hanging, and stripped neutral screws so all you have to do is insert your wire and tighten the screw.
General Electric products also come with a manufacturer’s warranty, which varies from product to product.
Federal Pacific Breaker Panels
Around the early 1980’s Federal Pacific breaker panels were a more affordable option than Square D or Cutler Hammer panels and were used by homebuilders to save money.
Since then, they have been identified as dangerous options that don’t trip when loads are exceeded and can be a fire hazard. If your home or commercial building currently has a Federal Pacific breaker panel, such as a Stab-Lok breaker panel, you should have an expert inspect it and discuss your options.
These older panels serve as a warning to ensure that whatever panels you use should meet UL codes and are good quality, which can save you money down the road.
Newer models of Federal Pacific breaker are of a much higher quality and can be counted on to function properly, and offer features similar to that of competing products.
Which Panel Is Right For You?
Overall, any of these brands will provide your home or business with proper power distribution in a safe and effective manner as long as the panel you choose meets UL codes and is properly installed by a professional electrician.
The differences between brands come down to specific installation features, aesthetics, and warranties. Essentially, the right brand for you comes down to a matter of personal preference, as long as they are properly installed and are up to code.
For more information about which breaker panel is right for you, or to get professional installation assistance contact us: 302-319-4061 (Wilmington) or 302-659-5000 (Smyrna).
