Leviton Load Center - User Manual

Leviton Load Center
First Time User Guide
Thank you for choosing the Leviton Load Center!
This First Time User Guide oers tips and support.
•
Order the covers separately; clear doors are a popular
option for indoor applications.
•
Each Load Center ships with a standard Panel Schedule. Window
Doors/Covers include an alternate Panel Schedule that is compatible
with the door design. Additionally, Panel Schedules for all Indoor panel
sizes and door types can be purchased in bulk packs, and are available
as a .PDF download on Leviton.com.
•
A temporary circuit directory is supplied on the Paint Shield (Figure 1).
•
Neutral wires must terminate at the circuit breaker for all smart
and safety breakers (AF, GF, EP, Dual). However, it is the preferred
method for all circuits.
•
For 2-pole breakers that are 60A or lower, the Neutral wire must be
installed in-between the two phase wires where the “N” is denoted
on the breaker (Figure 2). For 2-Pole breakers greater than 60A, the
Neutral wire must go to the Neutral bar (Figure 3).
•
All non-electronic 2-Pole breakers, as well as -G breakers operate at
both 120/240V and 120/208V.
•
A Leviton Surge Protective Breaker can be installed in any breaker
location to provide whole-panel surge protection, as well as visual
indication of protection status. It also provides overcurrent protection
for the spaces/circuits it inhabits.
Figure 1:
30 Space Paint Shield
Figure 2:
2-pole breaker with “N” denoted to
show where to install the neutral wire

Summary

Load Center Installation and Wiring Guidance

Neutral Wire Installation

Guidance on neutral wire termination at circuit breakers and placement for 2-pole breakers.

Surge Protective Breaker

Installation of surge protective breakers for whole-panel surge protection and overcurrent protection.

Grounding and Bonding Requirements

Ground Terminal Installation

Details on factory-installed ground terminals and pre-drilled areas for additional ground bars.

Bonding Strap Usage

Instructions on using the bonding strap for service entrance panels and avoiding its use in main lug only panels.

Appliance Grounding and GFCI Compatibility

Guidance on 3-wire vs 4-wire appliance grounding and potential GFCI breaker reset issues.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

The Leviton Load Center is a sophisticated electrical panel designed for residential and light commercial applications, offering advanced features for safety, ease of installation, and flexible configuration. It serves as the central distribution point for electrical power within a building, housing circuit breakers that protect individual circuits from overcurrents and short circuits.

Function Description

The primary function of the Leviton Load Center is to safely distribute electrical power from the utility service entrance to various circuits throughout a building. It acts as a protective barrier, preventing damage to wiring and appliances, and mitigating fire hazards by automatically disconnecting power when an electrical fault occurs. The system is designed to accommodate a range of circuit breakers, including standard, smart, and safety breakers (AFCI, GFCI, EP, Dual Function), providing comprehensive protection against arc faults, ground faults, and overcurrents.

The load center's design emphasizes safety and reliability. It supports both 120/240V and 120/208V systems for non-electronic 2-pole breakers, making it versatile for different electrical setups. A key feature is its support for a Leviton Surge Protective Breaker, which can be installed in any breaker location to provide whole-panel surge protection. This not only safeguards sensitive electronics from voltage spikes but also offers visual indication of its protection status, alongside its primary function of overcurrent protection for the circuits it serves.

Usage Features

The Leviton Load Center is engineered for user-friendliness and adaptability, catering to both professional installers and end-users.

• Flexible Cover Options: The load center allows for separate ordering of covers, with clear doors being a popular choice for indoor installations. This provides visibility into the panel's status without needing to open it.
• Standard and Alternate Panel Schedules: Each load center ships with a standard panel schedule, which is a directory of circuits. For installations using window doors/covers, an alternate panel schedule compatible with the door design is provided. Additional panel schedules for all indoor panel sizes and door types can be purchased in bulk or downloaded as a PDF from Leviton.com, ensuring easy customization and replacement.
• Temporary Circuit Directory: A temporary circuit directory is conveniently supplied on the paint shield (Figure 1), aiding in initial setup and identification during installation or maintenance.
• Neutral Wire Termination: For all smart and safety breakers (AF, GF, EP, Dual), neutral wires must terminate at the circuit breaker itself. This is also the preferred method for all other circuits, simplifying wiring and ensuring proper operation of advanced protection features.
• 2-Pole Breaker Wiring: Specific guidelines are provided for 2-pole breakers:
  • For 2-pole breakers 60A or lower, the neutral wire must be installed between the two phase wires where "N" is denoted on the breaker (Figure 2).
  • For 2-pole breakers greater than 60A, the neutral wire must go to the neutral bar (Figure 3), accommodating higher current applications.
• Grounding System: All panels 20-space and larger come with 23 factory-installed ground terminals, each rated for landing multiple wires, enhancing grounding capacity and flexibility. Additionally, there are six pre-drilled areas on the back of the enclosure for installing additional ground bars, allowing for future expansion or specific grounding requirements.
• Bonding Strap for Service Entrance Panels: For all service entrance panels, the bonding strap (Figure 4) must be utilized. It is crucial not to use the bonding strap in a main lug only panel, ensuring correct electrical configuration and safety.
• Integrated Bonding Screw: The design eliminates the need to remove the screw that bonds the structure back to the enclosure, streamlining installation and maintaining structural integrity.
• NEC® 2020 Code Compliance (3-Wire vs 4-Wire 240V Appliance Circuit Grounding): The load center addresses modern electrical codes, particularly regarding 240V appliance wiring. Many older 240V appliances connect ground and neutral wires internally, suitable for 3-wire hookups without a separate ground. However, for new installations with 3 wires and a ground, the ground and neutral wires must be separated by removing the ground strap within the appliance. Failure to do so will prevent GFCI breakers from resetting, highlighting the importance of proper wiring for safety and functionality.
• Whole-Panel Surge Protection: The ability to install a Leviton Surge Protective Breaker in any location provides comprehensive surge protection for the entire panel, safeguarding all connected circuits and devices from transient voltage spikes. This breaker also offers visual status indication, allowing for quick assessment of its protection status.

Maintenance Features

The Leviton Load Center is designed with minimal ongoing maintenance in mind, focusing on reliability and ease of inspection.

• Visual Inspection: The availability of clear doors (an optional feature) allows for quick visual inspection of the breakers and wiring connections without needing to open the panel, making routine checks more convenient.
• Accessible Panel Schedules: The ability to easily replace or download panel schedules ensures that the circuit directory remains accurate and legible over time, which is crucial for safe maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Simplified Wiring for Troubleshooting: The preferred method of terminating neutral wires at the circuit breaker for all circuits, especially smart and safety breakers, simplifies troubleshooting. This direct connection makes it easier to isolate and diagnose issues within individual circuits.
• Surge Protection Status Indication: For panels equipped with a Leviton Surge Protective Breaker, a visual indication of its protection status allows for immediate assessment of its functionality. This helps in determining if the surge protector is still active or if it needs replacement after a significant surge event.
• Robust Grounding System: The generous number of factory-installed ground terminals and provisions for additional ground bars ensure a robust and reliable grounding system, which is fundamental for electrical safety and reduces the likelihood of grounding-related issues requiring maintenance.
• Compliance with Modern Codes: Adherence to NEC® 2020 code, particularly concerning grounding and neutral separation for 240V appliances, ensures that the installation is up to current safety standards, reducing the need for corrective maintenance due to code violations.

In summary, the Leviton Load Center is a comprehensive, safe, and adaptable electrical distribution solution. Its thoughtful design, incorporating advanced protection features, flexible configuration options, and adherence to modern electrical codes, makes it an excellent choice for managing electrical power in various settings. The emphasis on clear documentation, easy installation, and straightforward maintenance contributes to its overall value and user experience.

Leviton Load Center Specifications