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    x-tnsiv's Avatar
    x-tnsiv Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    May 1, 2008, 11:19 PM
    Max Amps in a Panel and adding a sub panel for more circuits
    Hello all,

    I recently moved into a condo with a 200 amp panel (in my unit). The main panel is in the electrical room of the building and my unit was previously a commercial retail space.

    I did some remodeling and my panel is now full. The total combined amps of all the circuit breakers currently in the panel is 445 amps. During the remodel, there were no more than 3 or 4 20 amp breakers installed (the rest were pre-exsisting).

    Question 1) Am I completely over capacity of my panel? And do I need to reduce some of the circuit breaker ratings? Or what needs to be done to make it "safer"

    Question 2) I am looking to upgrade the wiring for a home theater system and to do so, I will need at least another 50 amps or so. Can this be accomplished by adding a sub panel to my main? Or is the 200 amp rating for any and all power ultimately running current through the panel?

    What can I do to get the additional 50 amps needed for the home theater?

    Thanks!
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #2

    May 2, 2008, 04:20 AM
    Adding up the rating of the breakers is a completely useless number. It means NOTHING.

    I assume you are doing this as well with the H-T? 50 amps is a LOT even for a decent H-T.

    Install your sub-panel and you are fine. You can move some circuits over to the new sub to make room in the main panel.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #3

    May 2, 2008, 07:53 AM
    A word of caution, you must be a licensed electrician to work on wiring or panel in a condo. I'm sure the NEC does not give any wiggle room on that particular mandate.

    Did you get a permit for any of the electrical work you have completed so far?
    x-tnsiv's Avatar
    x-tnsiv Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    May 2, 2008, 08:41 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by stanfortyman
    Adding up the rating of the breakers is a completely useless number. It means NOTHING.

    I assume you are doing this as well with the H-T? 50 amps is a LOT even for a decent H-T.

    Install your sub-panel and you are fine. You can move some circuits over to the new sub to make room in the main panel.
    I might just take out of my singles and install duplexes now.




    Quote Originally Posted by donf
    A word of caution, you must be a licensed electrician to work on wiring or panel in a condo. I'm sure the NEC does not give any wiggle room on that particular mandate.

    Did you get a permit for any of the electrical work you have completed so far?
    I have a licensed electrician that is going to be doing the work. I just couldn't get a hold of him to ask the proper questions.

    But thanks for the help!
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