Plastic Square D service panel

[Paul W. Abernathy]

yeah.....Trilliant was by Sq. D and it was manufactured from 1990-1996 and was their first attempt at a nonmetallic service panel. I guess it did not wear well as they dont manufacture it anymore.....BUT they pull a nice price on surplus forums and on flea-bay....

it was only used for NM Cable and the like and had built in clamps.....They did not sell well but if you indeed have one it will have the name on the cover.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by gbeaumont

hi to all,

I remember the thread about Trilliant panels, I am sure they were discontinued years ago.

Here's another plastic panel that I never found out the manufacturer of

Regards

Gerry

Due to the lack of space in that enclosure I would venture to say it was probably made by some manufacturer trying to make a break into the industry...probably used standard other brand components and it just never caught on....but I could be wrong.....

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

Paul,

The photo you posted is the exact same panel I saw today. It is a 150 AMP panel, it was installed 1991 in new construction.

THANKS!

When I learn how to post photos I will post the photos.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Yep.....1991 most certainly a Trilliant panel......I dont recall any problems with them that i am aware of.

I do recall a actual " RECALL " on some surge arresters that were designed specifically for the "Trilliant" panels....so if they have a surge arresters installed on it and it has a model number of (Cat. No. SDT1175SB)...again they were made specifically for those type panels and the surge arresters was recalled.

Other than that....I am aware of no problems with these panels.

[Erby Crofutt]

Given that Square D has a factory here in Lexington, KY, I've seen quite a number of these Trilliant panels.

The first time I ran into one, I called Square D about them.

No known problems. They were Square D's attempt at a "decorator" panel.

They just didn't sell well enough to continue production.

The cover is held on with four quarter turn twist lock screws. Twist the screw about 1/4 turn to unlock it and let the cover come off.

It can be a pain in the butt to get the lock screw back into the hole.

Other than that, inspect as usual.

[gbeaumont]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

Due to the lack of space in that enclosure I would venture to say it was probably made by some manufacturer trying to make a break into the industry...probably used standard other brand components and it just never caught on....but I could be wrong.....

Paul, you may be correct, I don't know why but I have the feeling that they may have also been built for a marine/RV purpose.

Regards

Gerry

[Speedy Petey]

I've never seen one of those Trilliant panels, but that black one Gerry posted is the one I have seen.

[tdietrich1]

Wonder when we will be using green materials. How about a wicker box cabinet?

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by bhartley

What are the issues with a plastic electrical service panel cover, if any?
The service panel is made by Square D.

Thanks, for you help in advance.

None, no issues, they are still listed and still permitted see, Section 408.40 in the 2008 NEC.

The term (if of metal) was added to Section 384-20 long ago to recognize this new product line described as "Trilliant Home Power System"

[Marc D. Shunk]

There was nothing wrong with the Trilliant panel, save for the fact that they were looked upon by electricians with suspicion. Pretty much all the panels in Europe are plastic, so it's in our future again, for sure. The Trilliant was the right product at the wrong time in the US marketplace. The breakers are crazy expensive nowadays. I wired a couple Habitat houses with NOS Trilliant panels and breakers someone donated. The one and only time I ever worked with the stuff.

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

I could not remove the cover because of the plastic screws, one screw would not release.

Thanks, for all the input.

[jtedesco1]

Originally Posted by Marc D. Shunk

There was nothing wrong with the Trilliant panel, save for the fact that they were looked upon by electricians with suspicion. Pretty much all the panels in Europe are plastic, so it's in our future again, for sure. The Trilliant was the right product at the wrong time in the US marketplace. The breakers are crazy expensive nowadays. I wired a couple Habitat houses with NOS Trilliant panels and breakers someone donated. The one and only time I ever worked with the stuff.

Look here for product information

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Dont believe anyone said anything was wrong with the Trilliant panels....just the surge arrestors made specifically for them as reported by the CPSC.

[Frank P. Newman]

I actually installed two 200A and on 100A Triliant panels when my home was built in about 1992. I don't think they are really plastic - probably a Lexan product. The panels had some really nice features and the breakers themselves (as I understand it) were basically the same as other Sq D breakers, just in a slightly different housing. It is a shame they were never accepted into the marketplace. Fast cable install (no need for romex connectors) but otherwise wire the same as any other panel.

I have never had a minute's trouble with them, although I did remove the surge protectors when they were recalled and seem to remember 1 or 2 early failures of ground fault breakers (would not test trip) - fortunately I had bought a few "spares".

As mentioned above, to remove the cover, just rotate the plastic screw to the unlock position marked on the cover and then PULL (on the cover) straight out. To replace, position the screw into the hole and PUSH hard. Believe me, it works - I've been into mine plenty of times - as recently as last week to add a circuit.

I'll be glad to post some photos, if anyone is interested.

[gbeaumont]

Hi Frank,

I'd love to see some shots of those in situe, no doubt many others would agree with me.

Regards

Gerry