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    rmatos195's Avatar
    rmatos195 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 18, 2010, 09:40 AM
    Can a 100 amp load center be used as a sub panel with a 60amp main breaker?
    Hello, I`m triying to add a sub panel to my existing main panel. There is no more room in the main panel for circuit breakers and I wanter a sub panel with at least 10 more spaces.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
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    #2

    Jun 18, 2010, 12:24 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by rmatos195 View Post
    Can a 100 amp load center be used as a sub panel with a 60amp main breaker?
    Absolutely.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #3

    Jun 18, 2010, 06:36 PM

    I'm having a hard time interpreting the question so let me give an answer.

    The 100 A panel can be fed from a 60 A feeder breaker. There is no need to change the 100 A main breaker in the sub panel to 60 A.
    rmatos195's Avatar
    rmatos195 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #4

    Jun 19, 2010, 03:58 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by stanfortyman View Post
    Absolutely.
    Thank you.
    rmatos195's Avatar
    rmatos195 Posts: 3, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jun 19, 2010, 04:46 AM
    I have a 100A main circuit breaker panel with no more room for breakers...
    I was thinking to add a sub panel right beside of the main panel. I know that I will have to remove at least 2 breakers from the main panel to add a bigger amp breaker to feed the sub panel, I was thinking to use a 60A double pole breaker. It`s hard to find a sub panel with a 60A main breaker with at least another 16 circuits, so I was going to use a 100A panel and change the main breaker to 60A. Someone also sugested to me that I did not have to change the 100A main breaker to a 60A in the sub panel. I would also like to find out what type and gauge wire should I use from the 60A breaker on the main panel to the sub panel.

    Thank you.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
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    #6

    Jun 19, 2010, 06:03 AM

    Whoa!

    You really need to have an electrician do a load calculation on your entire service as it is setup now. Than factor in what you propose to do.

    Just adding breakers and sub panels without knowing your calculated load could very well overload your main service panel and cause a fire.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
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    #7

    Jun 19, 2010, 06:14 AM

    KISS,

    This is a duplicated question. More information is contained in the second posting.
    KISS's Avatar
    KISS Posts: 12,510, Reputation: 839
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    #8

    Jun 19, 2010, 09:19 PM

    I guess they are all here now.

    Rmatos:

    There are two types of panels. A main lug and a main breaker panel. Main lug panels don't have main breakers.

    When using a main lug panel as a sub-panel, an optional ground bar kit usually has to be purchased and the neutral-ground bond screw removed.


    #6 copper can be used for 60A.
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