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
I’ve never seen one of those Trilliant panels, but that black one Gerry posted is the one I have seen.
Wonder when we will be using green materials. How about a wicker box cabinet?
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”
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.
I could not remove the cover because of the plastic screws, one screw would not release.
Thanks, for all the input.
Look here for product information](http://w3.squared.com/catalog/173S/html/sections/01/pdf/SD173%2001-04.pdf)
Dont believe anyone said anything was wrong with the Trilliant panels…just the surge arrestors made specifically for them as reported by the CPSC.
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.
Hi Frank,
I’d love to see some shots of those in situe, no doubt many others would agree with me.
Regards
Gerry
I agree, Frank. …would like to see some pics. Always wanting to learn about different things.
Thanks.
OK - here are some photos of the Trilliant product installed in my basement (1 of 2-200 main panels).
- Panel with cover open
- Closeup of panel
- Panel interior.
- Closeup of romex clamping arrangement
I’ll be glad to answer any questions.
Hi Frank,
thanks for taking the time do take those, those are the first images I have ever seen of those panels in use.
Regards
Gerry
The cable clamping method was one of the more innovative things about the Trilliant panel. This same cable clamping method was used in some QO and HOM panels manufactured in the early 90’s also, but quickly abandoned, for some reason. I might guess that when the Trilliant line went by the wayside, there was no reason for that cable clamping tooling to remain in service in an economical way.
Thanks Frank…appreciate the education. 
That panel is a GE product, being that it’s full of GE twin breakers and GE twins only fit a GE loadcenter. (Search GE for the model if you wish)
It’s got a GE panelboard inside it, but the panelboard cabinet does not appear to be GE.
Violates 110.3(B)
GE Cat # TPL412C
