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    sur2baja's Avatar
    sur2baja Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jun 14, 2008, 10:33 PM
    Sub-Panel Installation
    Hello All!
    I currently have a 200 Amp main panel which is full. Five years ago we added a pool and the pool company added a sub-panel on the interior garage wall (back to back from the main panel). The two feeder breakers are 40 amp each. This sub-panel supplies the pool equipment and the pre-existing house circuits that the two feeder breakers replaced. Well now we added a pool kitchen and I want to add four more circuits. My thought is to replace the smaller sub-panel with a larger sub-panel and upgrade the feeder breakers appropriately. When I talked to the Home Depot guy in the electrical aisle, he suggested I forget about the feeder breakers and use a main load lug center.(?)
    My understanding with this configuration, the sub-panel is connect by lugs to the main panel with a main disconnect at the new sub-panel. Then each circuit would have it's own circuit breaker. Obviously I'm a little confused but doesn't the sub-panel need feeder breakers? Can you explain the best practice on attempting my project? What is the difference between the main load and lug centers?
    Thanks!
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
     
    #2

    Jun 15, 2008, 09:51 AM
    You said upgrade the feeders, and breakers appropriately. Does this mean you did a demand load calculation? I say do a DLC before moving forward.

    PS: I'm so sick of people saying they asked Home Depot! If you are planning to do it right, then stop asking associates working for Home depot, "TRUST ME!"
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Jun 15, 2008, 12:28 PM
    Something is fishy here, but to clarify some points and add enough knowledge to be dangerous:

    1) Feeder breakers come from the main panel. They are two breakes ganged and known as double pole breakers and they take up usually 2 spaces.

    2) Main lug panels do not have MAIN breakers.

    3) Main load panels have MAIN breakers

    4) Sub-panels CAN have over-rated MAIN breakers. The main breaker is used as a disconnect. They usually don't.

    5) Sub-panels keep the neutral and ground busses isolated.

    6) The sub-panel wire size would also have to be addressed.

    7) The USUAL maximum breaker size is 100 A for branch circuits.

    8) There is a way to add more 120 V circuits than spaces provided the "# of poles" specification is met with special breakers that put 2 circuits in one space.

    "Me thinks" you should have the entire electrical service evaluated. e,g Demand load calculation
    Washington1's Avatar
    Washington1 Posts: 798, Reputation: 36
    Senior Member
     
    #4

    Jun 15, 2008, 12:37 PM
    "Me thinks" you should have the entire electrical service evaluated. e,g Demand load calculation
    Sounds familiar!

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