New electrical panel question

[WM75Guy]

Go with the 200A service and never worry about having enough capacity. I just had a 200A panel put in my shop for $1200 turnkey. The cost of the install included building a 4'X8' wall section to mount the panel, setting the meter base outside and panel inside, putting in 6 20A 120V circuits with individual breakers and duplex outlets, and 1 240v outlet for welding, all surface mounted just below the panel. The only difference in cost would be between the 100A and the 200A panel and that difference is $63 more for the 200A panel at Home Depot.

Square D Homeline 200 Amp 40-Space 80-Circuit Indoor Main Breaker Plug-On Neutral Load Center with Cover - Value Pack-HOM4080M200PCVP - The Home Depot

 

[teejk]

Yes I have heard you can get 3 phase machinary cheap at times, since it can be hard to sell.

But has anyone asked him if he plans on having some big *** machines, or if he even have room on the property to put a shop? What does 3 phase service cost?

We're kinda straying from the OP's question but I have a farmer friend wanting to bring 3ph into his corn dryer...I think he said $10,000. He stayed with LP and single phase electric. He dries a lot of corn but not that much. I'll let others opine on the monthly "upcharge" for 3ph since I have no idea.

 

[Zerk]

Square D Homeline 200 Amp 40-Space 80-Circuit Indoor Main Breaker Plug-On Neutral Load Center with Cover - Value Pack-HOM4080M200PCVP - The Home Depot

Do not get the Homeline version of SQD, it is the cheap version. Get SQD QO, or Cutler/Eaton. Don't get the cheap Homeline version.

 

[Zerk]

We're kinda straying from the OP's question but I have a farmer friend wanting to bring 3ph into his corn dryer...I think he said $10,000. He stayed with LP and single phase electric. He dries a lot of corn but not that much. I'll let others opine on the monthly "upcharge" for 3ph since I have no idea.

Not sure where you are going with this.

The cost to upgrade a 60 amp service to 100 or 200 amp single phase, is not comparable to 3 phase installation.

Also not everyone is runnig a machine shop or farm.

 

[teejk]

Not sure where you are going with this.

The cost to upgrade a 60 amp service to 100 or 200 amp single phase, is not comparable to 3 phase installation.

Also not everyone is runnig a machine shop or farm.

I think I already said we were way off topic...was merely adding to your original question. Sorry...

 

[teejk]

Do not get the Homeline version of SQD, it is the cheap version. Get SQD QO, or Cutler/Eaton. Don't get the cheap Homeline version.

Why not go with Homeline? Both are UL approved. Better question is what is the advantage of the QO? I've owned 4 homes now that ranged from Federal Pacific to Cutler to some other brand and now with SqD Homeline...availability of the breakers should be high on the list even though they rarely fail but sometimes one wants to add a new circuit. SqD in either Homeline or QO are widely distributed (not the case with some of my other boxes).

 

[Zerk]

It is cheap version of QO. As far as parts QO is the way to go.

Why do they have a QO and Homeline version?

I guess I am just a snob.

 

[LD1]

Cheap don't mean bad.

I've had both HOM and QO. Only difference I notice is in the pocket book. Panels run about the same, but QO breakers cost double what a HOM breaker cost.

So without some other evidence to back it up........

 

[moriboy]

Like others have said, go with 200A. I don't know anyone that has ever said "gee, I wish I would've just gone with a 100A service instead of the 200A".

 

[buickanddeere]

Cheap don't mean bad.

I've had both HOM and QO. Only difference I notice is in the pocket book. Panels run about the same, but QO breakers cost double what a HOM breaker cost.

So without some other evidence to back it up........

Cheap breakers do not perform as well on the test bench. They cut corners somewhere to lower the price.