Where can it be , how far from the meter is allowed, what may or may not be adjacent to the new panel, what are acceptable j-boxes for use when extending length of original panel wiring? I f you have more to offer, please do. Thank You

Way too many what if's to cover. I would have to write a book.

This will be much better if you give us the details of what you have, what your plans are, and we can go from there

Gentlemen and TK in particular,
Thank you for response and interest.
I guess at this point I am not prepared to get specific, as I am still in the "what if" stage of planning my changes. I thought there might be some general guidelines or requirements pertaining to service panels that would help me in my planning stages. I guess my ignorance is showing. When I do get my ideas in order I will resubmit them. In closing I would like to say thank you again and I look forward to my return to this site after I learn to properly ask for help.

Wait a minute please!

Are you talking about replacing and existing main panelboard for matainence reasons or are you upgrading the service into the residence?

Or are you asking about feeding an additional panelboard from the main panelboard?

All three are governed by different articles sections within the NEC.

If you can post some photos of the building, general photos, we can envision better what the obstacles may be.

Your first impression, where would you like the panel?

Explain what the new service purpose is.

Just a brief narrative to describe the situation and your plans.

See, there are no general rules. Each situation is different, and subject to most but not all the rules. Hard to explain, but the National Electric Code is, well, you need to experience it, to understand.

To list the general rules, I would need to publish the entire code book.

If you in the planning stage, fine, why? What are you building or why do you need power? Once we have an idea of what your doing, we can go from there with specifics.

Hi Guys,
I'm going to do my best to clarify my request for "service panel guidelines"
I recently purchased a home built in 1962 it was a small 1 level 800 sq. Ft ranch, then the cellar was turned into living space and then an 800 sq. Ft. addition was tacked on to the rear the 2400' living space is serviced by a 100 amp panel with a 60 amp sub panel. The main panel has a 40 amp 220 breaker for the stove a 60 amp 220 breaker for the sub panel along with 16 other 120 volt circuits. The sub panel has a 30 amp 220 breaker for a dryer, 20 amp 220 breaker for the A/C and 15 amp 220 breaker for the well along with 7 other 20 amp 120 volt circuits. I am thinking that my service is at capacity. I am adding a 450 sq ft garage/workshop that I would like to electrify. So I am planning an upgrade to 200 amps, in my area I have to have the main connections performed by a licensed electrician and these questions that I am about to ask are so I know what it is that I will ask this electrician to do, bear with me. First a little more of the picture. At the present the service panel is located in a 5' x 6' enclosed utility room in the corner. Directly underneath the panel is the expansion tank for the well and directly in line with the tank and the panel is a water softener. Along with it being difficult to reach the panel and sub-panel I can't imagine it being OK with the code. Right now the meter is back to back with the panel but outside the structure.

I am planning to leave the expansion tank in the corner it is in, move the softener to the opposite corner and put the new panel in the 36" space in between the two. That would make it about 48" away from the meter.
- Is that acceptable?

Also about 8 of the circuits (all 120 volts) will have to be extended from the present location.
- Can the junctions be made in the original panel after it has been gutted?

If either or both of my assumptions are not acceptable what might be an alternative?

I know my first submission was quite vague, I hope I have not gone too far the other way.
Thanks in advance
woodbutcher09

My comments to your questions are in red.



Hi Guys,
I am planning to leave the expansion tank in the corner it is in, move the softener to the opposite corner and put the new panel in the 36" space in between the two.

A panel needs a min of 30 inch wide clearance of wall space, and does not need to be centered of the panel, can be either left or right edge of panel.

Floor space in front of panel needs to be min of 36 inch deep. This is enough for a person to stand in fron of panel and work safely.


That would make it about 48" away from the meter.
- Is that acceptable?

Since the meter is now back to back of panel, having the conductors from the meter to new panel location 48 inches longer may or may not be a problem. Need to consult with the electrician and local inspector on this. These conductors from the meter, assuming there is not a main circuit breaker at the meter, are not protected by a circuit breaker in the event of a short circuit. Code states a CB shall be " inside the nearest point of entracne of the service conductors".

Some inspectors may not want to see 48 inch of raceway or cable exposed without short circuit protection, and may require a main breaker out at the meter.

Also about 8 of the circuits (all 120 volts) will have to be extended from the present location.
- Can the junctions be made in the original panel after it has been gutted?

Better to use a large junction box to splice and extend these cables, instead of using an old panel as a junction box.

woodbutcher09

TK, your content and timely response was just outstanding! Thanks Again,
Woodbutcher01