I'm upgrading my service panel mainly because I need more breaker space, but will eventually need more juice.

I'm an electrical engineer, but not a electrician, so I am fully aware of the principals, just not the code and best practices like electricians are, though I have been studying the code lately from my shiney new 2005 NEC Handbook.

I have a tiny (11" x 10") 1962 GE 100 amp service panel (below the meter & mast, meter outside, panel inside) with an installation location that appears to be installed out of code by todays standards. It's jammed between the garage door and a corner with less than 16" of horizontal room. The code indicates 30" of non-obstucted horizontal space must be present to install a new breaker panel: If I upgrade the panel, will I need to relocate it to accomodate new code or can I grandfather it into the same location as the existing panel? The next best location is 20 feet away.

I purchased a Siemens 200 amp service panel with spaces for main breakers, but purchased separately.

Option #1: Leave the panel where it is, add main breakers to the new panel. Code violation?

Option #2: Move the panel, add a disconnect box with breakers/fuses below the meter (where the current panel is), then run mains to the new panel 20 feet away. Also, which is better for this - fuses or breakers? I'm likely only going to install a 125 amp main because I don't need much more than 100 amps right now if everything in the house runs. I'm having trouble finding a single breaker disconnect "package" in the 125-150 amp range at Home Depot or Lowes or even online, and the larger ones are more commonly fused or for 3-phase, not for a residential applications.

Many thanks in advance.

E

tkrussell

New panels are 14 inch wide, and may fit in the space you have. There is no such thing as "grandfathering" when it comes to the NEC. Having the panel in the corner will not be a problem with the 30 in clear space. But what about putting the panel on the wall perpendicular to the wall between the garage door and the corner?

Leaving the meter location as is, and relocating the panel to another area that has more space is probably you best bet, if the perpendicular wall is not an option. You will just need to extend your existing branch circuit cables.

What do you mean by adding "main breakers" to the panel?


Use a breaker style disconnect. You can find a 200 amp meter/breaker disconnect combination all in one enclosure very easily.

125 or 150 amp are not the standard typical service sizes, 100 amp is the minimum allowed, 200 amp is very popular, and even 320 amp (derated 400 amp) is becoming more popular due to the large size of homes and the appliances now in these homes.

The new 200 amp panel will only be good for 200 amp if you install the remaining service equipment at 200 amp. If you leave the 100 amp service, you will not be able to leave the 200 amp main breaker in the new panel.