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    jman2012's Avatar
    jman2012 Posts: 29, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Feb 20, 2015, 08:23 AM
    Does sub pannel in attached space require main breaker?
    I have a sub panel in the basement that has 10 breakers to power the basement. The sub panel is fed off the main panel that is in the attached garage. The sub panel does not have a main breaker. Does anyone know if that is compliant with NEC?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Feb 20, 2015, 10:17 AM
    How is the sub panel fed, from a breaker?
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    jman2012 Posts: 29, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Feb 20, 2015, 10:51 AM
    Yes, the sub panel is fed from a 60 amp circuit breaker in the main panel.
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    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #4

    Feb 20, 2015, 04:19 PM
    That is fine, the 60 acts as your "main" breaker and is acceptable per NEC. However, without knowing how the subpanel is wired, I would hesitate to say if the subpanel install is NEC compliant as there are specific requirements to wiring a subpanel.
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    jman2012 Posts: 29, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Feb 20, 2015, 05:10 PM
    Attached are pictures of how the sub panel is wired. Let me know what you think.Name: Wire 1.PNG Views: 98 Size: 642.9 KBName: Wire 2.PNG Views: 88 Size: 409.4 KBName: Wire 3.PNG Views: 138 Size: 1.07 MBName: Wire 4.PNG Views: 244 Size: 828.2 KB
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    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #6

    Feb 21, 2015, 06:32 PM
    What is the white wire on the 3rd breaker on the left or is that just a splice? If a splice or junction, needs to be wire nutted.
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    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
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    #7

    Feb 22, 2015, 03:54 AM
    I'm concerned about the number of 3 wire cables and the fact that the two breakers on the top left appear to be multi-wire branch circuits. If this is true then the rules for those circuits need to bee followed.

    Also, I do not see an emergency cut off if something gose wrong.
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    jman2012 Posts: 29, Reputation: 1
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    #8

    Feb 22, 2015, 07:21 AM
    It has to do with the angle of the picture. The fourth breaker on the left is a GFCI breaker that has the neutrals passing through it with the termination being the curled white.
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    jman2012 Posts: 29, Reputation: 1
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    #9

    Feb 22, 2015, 07:36 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by donf View Post
    I'm concerned about the number of 3 wire cables and the fact that the two breakers on the top left appear to be multi-wire branch circuits. If this is true then the rules for those circuits need to bee followed.


    Also, I do not see an emergency cut off if something gose wrong.
    The top two on the left are wired with 12-2-2, so each has its own neutral. It was run this way to be more efficient with the run. There are no shared neutrals.


    The cut off would be the main panel in the attached garage. The cut off would be both the main breaker in the garage panel but also the circuit breaker that feeds the basement sub panel. The sub panel is literally 37 footsteps away from the main panel.

    Let me know what you think.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #10

    Feb 22, 2015, 03:45 PM
    A main breaker in your subpanel is not "required" by NEC. It may be nice to have but as close as you are, throwing the 60 is adequate.
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