u/polterjacket

I'm replacing an existing 1980s-era 150A main panel (GE) with a new panel which will become a main-lug subpanel to a new service. The current main has a Siemens subpanel that was added a few years ago as part of a renovation that is located on the other end of the room. I'm debating the benefits / drawbacks of going with ABB or Siemens for the new panel and am curious what others think "matters". Both options are 30-space with PON, plenty of bus room, etc. (so, very similar from a utility perspective).

On one hand using ABB would allow me to re-use the breakers in the current panel (where appropriate) and the panel price (including some "bonus breakers" in a package deal) is about $50 less. It has an Al bus, though :(

On the other, the Siemens panel would keep the whole home in one ecosystem even though I'd end up with a bunch of used GE breakers and have to buy multiple new ones (which are a bit pricier than the ABB). It also has a solid copper bus and although I think their front panels are a little goofy, the panel feels a little more 'solid' than the ABB...but that is pretty subjective.

What would you do in your own home and why?

I'm working on component design for a new service entrance for my home. I'd like to install a type-1 SPD but can't figure out the best way to connect it without using something like polaris lugs. The setup looks like this:

Utility -----Mast -- Meter base -200a fusible safety switch------------Main Panel

Per my utility, the G/N bond should take place in the safety switch, so I assumed that's where the SPD would go as well. Unfortunately, neither of A/B hot power lugs on the load side (or line side for that matter) are rated for multiple conductors. How do people usually connect an SPD in this setup?

I'm looking at an upgraded service in my home (new meter base in new location, etc.) due to adding some battery storage and (later) solar. This will add several things that were not in the original 1970 build, like an external service disconnect, whole-home surge protection, etc. The most invasive "change" to what's already in the home is converting my existing main panel to a subpanel and feeding it from the new service location. All neutrals and grounds will need to be separated. The line side feeders will come from the opposite side of the home, etc.

What typically triggers a "you need to make the whole home current adopted code" event with inspectors (in your experience). My town has NEC 2023 Edition, with 2026 Georgia Amendments. One such line is an exemption to 210.12(B) (AFCI requirements): Exception #3: AFCI protection shall not be required for one and two-family dwellings and townhomes. Does that imply that I don't need to worry about any circuits that require AFCI at all? The other big gap I think I might run into is having interconnected smokes. We've connected all the ones in renovated areas, but the ones on the second floor (bedrooms) are not connected.

I know this is a complex issue, just curious if this are general trends or if it varies wildly with AHJ.

I'm looking at a new service location on my home which will necessitate putting in a new "main" and convert my existing main to a sub-panel (all those fun changes notwithstanding for this question). The issue is this: I would like to route the feeder for the (new) subpanel through an existing attic cavity and down 1 floor through a chase that was previously used by the furnace in my basement. It is now unused and is basically a 6" galvanized flue going straight vertical up through the back of a closet from right near my existing panel up to right where it needs to be for the new service.

Is it permissible to use this (former) flue as a path for the new feeders? I would fire-block at both ends but there's not really a good way to attach the conductors to anything inside the cavity. Do the rules for "conduit" apply here even if it's a 6" diameter galvanized flue? If it matters, I would probably use Al SER sized for the panel (likely 150A).