OVERVIEW
Loadcenters are enclosures specifically designed to house the branch circuit breakers and wiring required to distribute power to individual circuits. They contain either a main breaker when used at the service entrance point or a main lug when used as a sub-panel to add circuits to existing service. The main breaker protects the main entire panel and can be used as a service disconnect. The branch breakers protect the wires leading to individual electrical loads such as fixtures and outlets.
Features and Benefits:
Eaton’s Type BR loadcenters have standard tin-plated aluminum bus with a limited availability of copper bus. The sum of the handle ratings connected to any stab is limited to 150 A maximum on the 100 and 125 A loadcenters, and 200 A on loadcenters with 150 A or higher main bus. NEMA Type 1 boxes or enclosures are manufactured from galvanized steel. Raintight boxes are manufactured from galvanized steel, then finished using an electrostatic powder coat, baked urethane paint process.
Eaton Type CH loadcenters feature two types of neutrals:
- Insulated/Bondable Split Neutral
Panels are supplied with split insulated neutrals with an insulated cross strap. For service entrance applications, the neutral must be bonded by using the bonding strap supplied with the panel. For non-service entrance (subpanel) applications, the panel may be installed with the bonding strap not connected to the neutral. Separate ground bars must be used on non-service entrance panels.
- Insulated/Bondable Single Neutral Panels are supplied with a single insulated neutral. For service entrance applications, all that is required to bond the neutral is to loosen the bonding screw and the neutral screw directly beside it, insert the bonding strap into the neutral bar, and retighten both connections. The single neutral can be moved by the contractor to the other side of the panel, if desired. When used as a service entrance panel, unused neutral connections may be used for the termination of equipment grounds. For nonservice entrance (sub-panel) applications, the panel may be installed with the bonding strap not connected to the neutral. Separate ground bars must be used on non-service entrance panels.
- Grounds
In service entrance applications where the neutral is bonded, unused neutral holes may be used for terminating ground conductors. In sub-feed panels, the neutral must be isolated (non-bonded), and ground wires must be terminated on a separate ground bar.
Loadcenters are not UL listed as wiring troughs. Therefore, gutter splicing of riser cables to tap off to the main device is not permitted
Due to the numerous openings in both loadcenter boxes and trims, they should not be mounted in firewalls. There is no approved method for sealing the enclosures for this application.
Complete home surge protection is available in multiple options, including a factory-installed option that provides the highest level of surge protection in a residential design.