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BuyPanel Schedule Builder Troubleshooting — Multi-Pole, VA & JSON
Non-adjacent multi-pole errors, demand confusion, positions, and save/load failures
Diagnose Panel Schedule Builder problems: impossible multi-pole placement across columns, treating connected VA as NEC demand, wrong total positions, and JSON save/load errors.
Fix placement or data, then re-export
Most issues are multi-pole placement rules, confusing VA totals with NEC demand, or bad JSON files.
Open Panel Schedule Builder → Builder vs Calculator →Multi-Pole Across Non-Adjacent Slots (Impossible)
A 2-pole breaker cannot straddle left and right columns — it must occupy two consecutive odd numbers (5 and 7) or two consecutive even numbers (6 and 8) in the same column. A 3-pole on a single-phase panel is also rejected. If the editor shows “Multi-pole slots must stay in one column”, move the start circuit to a valid position or reduce poles.
Confusing VA Total with NEC Demand
The summary “Total connected” kVA is the sum of VA you typed. It does not apply dwelling-unit demand factors, commercial occupancy tables, continuous-load 125%, or motor largest-load rules. Comparing that number to a 200A service and declaring the panel “legal” is a common mistake. Run NEC demand in the Residential Load Calculator or Commercial Load Calculator, then document results on the schedule.
Wrong Total Positions
If the grid shows fewer rows than your physical panel, increase Total positions in the header (12, 20, 42, etc.). Changing positions drops circuits that no longer fit — save JSON first. Spaces and multi-pole breakers both consume positions; a 2-pole uses two physical slots.
JSON Save / Load Errors
Load fails with “Could not read that file” when the JSON is not a Panel Schedule Builder export. Valid files include a circuits object and positions field. Re-save from a working session or fix corrupted JSON. Loading a file from another tool will not work.
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-pole error on save | Cross-column or overlap | Pick same-column start; clear conflicting breaker |
| VA looks like service load | Raw connected sum vs NEC demand | Use residential/commercial load calcs |
| Circuits vanished | Positions reduced | Reload JSON; set positions first |
| Load JSON fails | Wrong or corrupt file | Use Save (JSON) export from this tool |
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