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.

Not all panels have doors, it's just more attractive especially where the
panel is in a finished location. There are various opinions regarding
breaker manufacturers and half sized breakers but Square D is always
regarded as one of the best


"Robert11" wrote in message
...
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.

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

My Murray 200 Amp panel overall measures 40" X 15 1/2 ". The door
itself measures 35 1/2" X 11" .

Mikepier posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.

My Murray 200 Amp panel overall measures 40" X 15 1/2 ". The door
itself measures 35 1/2" X 11" .


WOW!!! That's fantastic info - NOT
--

Tekkie

Tekkie=AE wrote:
WOW!!! That's fantastic info - NOT
--=20
=20
Tekkie

So what's the problem?

Mikepier posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.=20

=20
Tekkie=AE wrote:
WOW!!! That's fantastic info - NOT
--=20
=20
Tekkie
=20
So what's the problem?
=20
=20
Ok, I'll bite; once. Who cares what your electrical box & door size is?
--=20

Tekkie

Tekkie=AE wrote:

Ok, I'll bite; once. =20
Bite this.

Mikepier posted for all of us...
I don't top post - see either inline or at bottom.=20

=20
Tekkie=AE wrote:

Ok, I'll bite; once. =20
Bite this.
=20
=20
Can't find it there Milktoast. Get your tweezers out to find your string f=
irst=20
there Doogey.
--=20

Tekkie