Throughout our discussion of panelboards and switchboards, we have identified a number of questions you will need to ask the customer to match a product to the application.

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Helping the Customer

Throughout our discussion of panelboards and switchboards, we have identified a number of questions you will need to ask the customer to match a product to the application.

It may be helpful to spend a moment reviewing the information needed so that you are more prepared to knowledgeably recommend a product to the customer.

Matching a Panelboard to an Application

As you talk with the panelboard customer, be sure to obtain the following information:

System type (including voltage, number of phases, and number of wires)

Required amperage rating

AIC rating or short circuit current rating

Service entrance equipment or distribution?

Main breaker or main lug only?

Top- or bottom-fed?

Flush- or surface-mount?

NEMA Type enclosure

Any desired special modifications

Required shipping timeframe

Shipped assembled or as components?

Armed with this information, you should be able to consult your product catalog and make a good product recommendation.

Matching a Switchboard to an Application

The questions you are required to ask of a switchboard customer are somewhat different. To save time, we have come up with a questionnaire-style form that should speed up the interview process. It is reproduced here.

Figure 22. Switchboard Questionnaire

Help the customer to complete this form thoroughly. This information should provide a good start on matching a switchboard to the customer’s application.

With this information in hand, you might then try using the form below to sketch out the proposed switchboard.

Figure 23. Switchboard Layout Form

This should help you and the customer fine-tune the switchboard’s features to best serve the application.