Can I-Line interiors with vertically-mounted main circuit breakers be converted into Main Lugs Only interiors in the field?

Issue:
I-Line field modification from main circuit breaker to main lugs only

Product Line:
Panelboards

Environment:
I-Line Panelboards

Resolution:
No. An I-Line interior with vertically-mounted main circuit breaker should not be converted to have main lugs only in the field.

Subfeed lugs should also not be considered as a resolution for the following reasons:
a. We do not have a filler plate to cover the hole the vertically-mounted main will leave once removed,
b. We do not have a deadfront replacement component that does not have a hole to accommodate the main breaker,
c. Leaving the main breaker in the panelboard is not a safe practice due to the fact that visually, the vertically-mounted main may give an impression that it is the main breaker to someone who is not familiar with the history of the panelboard.

HCR-U and HCP-SU interiors are excempted to this rule since they do not have a vertically mounted main. Instead, their mains are always group-mounted, in other terms, back-fed main.

Publicado para: Schneider Electric Mexico