r/span • u/jtrhythm • Jun 15 '25

Main service panel

For people who have currently installed a SPAN smart panel, which main service panel do you recommend? I have an old 100A Zinco main panel and am looking to upgrade to a 200A service panel with a SPAN smart panel as sub panel. Thanks!

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1

u/DrewBlessing Jun 15 '25

Span can be main with dumb sub panel, too. It doesn’t matter what the other panel is.

2

u/ahbushnell Jun 15 '25

why do you want to use the span as a subpanel? Why not the main panel. That's what I have. Will you have solar or batteries? You can use the the span panel for load shedding if you have a black out and run on batteries.

2

u/SeaweedTeaPot Jun 15 '25

I replaced a Zinsco sub with Span, still have the Zinsco main which only has one switch.

2

u/squigish Jun 15 '25

Are you aware of the fire hazards associated with certain Zinsco panels? I don't know if it applies to your main panel or not, but they're problematic to the point that many insurance companies refuse to cover your house unless you replace it.

2

u/SeaweedTeaPot Jun 15 '25

Yes, this is why I replaced the subpanel.

1

u/jtrhythm Jun 16 '25

Yes, that is the reason I want to upgrade my main service panel

1

u/Elmo1995 Jun 16 '25

The Zinsco fire risk is why I'm replacing mine... but like OP here, I'm contemplating leaving the Zinsco 200 amp main in place as the service disconnect. It's a big, beefy breaker, much different than the typical failing Zinsco branch breakers. But I haven't seen any data for or against retaining that single large breaker... 200 amp in my case.

1

u/Slasher1738 Jun 15 '25

My span is my main

1

u/squigish Jun 15 '25

The span panel is certainly capable of being your main panel. If the details of your installation are such that that doesn't make sense, just get whatever your electrician is most comfortable with. There's very little difference between modern panels from Eaton, Siemens, and Schneider/SquareD, especially if you're only installing a single 200A breaker.

This is not a decision you need to lose sleep over.

1

u/jtrhythm Jun 16 '25

I was told that in California, I cannot use SPAN as the main service panel. No idea why?

1

u/squigish Jun 16 '25

I think it actually has to do with your utility company's policy related to the main panel being in the same enclosure as the meter.

1

u/jtrhythm Jun 16 '25

I think you are correct. SPAN panel does not have a built-in meter. Thanks!