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BILDR4U · Apr 11, 2007, 03:14 PM

Thanks in advance for all help involved in my endeavors... First off let me start by saying this is an old home built in 1959 and has all fusible circuits.. The home was somewhat upgraded as far as I can tell in the 70`s with an exterior meter panel with breaker space for extra circuits,but by and large everything inside the existing home is in a loop with like 30 amp fuses(except the a/c,oven,waterheater, and dryer) and it`s scary how many existing receptacles and switches are run on each dedicated "fuseable circuit"... This is a large home... My question is that I`m wanting to install a subpanel in my basement from the meter box outside that has extra room for more breakers as well as a 50 amp breaker dedicated to a portable jacuzzi tub on the screened porch that will be done away with leaving the circuit for the basement and whatever else I need is where my query is leading... What amperage size subpanel box do I need for my basement applications?. My wife is turning our basement into the "workout/mediaroom,/dotcom biz she`s created... We needpower for 9-685 watt computers broken up into 3 circuits for 3 computers as well as needing receptacles all around the walls for everything else we need to plug in to the tune of probably another 2000 watts for my metalfab hobbies... Again... thanks... Bildr4u:D

JackT · Apr 11, 2007, 06:04 PM

First thing you need to do is split up your 30 amp fuse circuits with smaller fuses. 30 amp fuses don't provide you with good protection and could be a fire hazard. Before you add a subpanel you need to know what size service you have feeding your meter pan. It won't help adding a subpanel if you only have an old 60 or 100 amp entrance coming into your house. The cable feeding your meter should have the size on it. #2 - 100 amp. 2/0 al. 150 amp. 4/0 al 200 amp. I hope this helps you out.