ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 what's the best way to install a sub panel, i'm probaly going to get one this summer because i'm completely out of power. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BaldEagleChristmas 24 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 what's the best way to install a sub panel, i'm probaly going to get one this summer because i'm completely out of power. I'm not an electrician, but if you are "completely out of power" I don't understand how adding a sub panel will help. Doesn't a sub panel just redirect or allocate power, not add it? Hence "sub," Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JeffRo 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 what's the best way to install a sub panel, i'm probaly going to get one this summer because i'm completely out of power. I'm getting ready to add a subpanel as well. From the sounds of it, I seem to have a couple of key things that you might need: 1) A friend that's an electrician. He's already checked out my current service, drafted up a plan and is sending me out to procure stuff. I'm the intern, he's the surgeon. And, he works for beer. 2) Available space in my circuit panel, available amperage/wattage/voltage within my existing service, etc. I've got room to grow. I would highly recommend consulting with an electrician, especially if you've maxxed out your power as-is. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tony Furst 0 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 I agree, the first step is to determine if your existing service can support additional load. If so then determine the best methodology and then put it in place. If you don't have the skills to do the work yourself then call an electrician. Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bill V 65 Posted November 6, 2009 Report Share Posted November 6, 2009 I agree, the first step is to determine if your existing service can support additional load. If so then determine the best methodology and then put it in place. If you don't have the skills to do the work yourself then call an electrician. Tony Like Tony said, A sub panel will do little good if your current service panel cant support the additional load. Start by determining capacity and then load....It may mean a" heavy up " of the service entrance panel would be the more appropriate route. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 Oh thanks everyone, i understand what you mean know, i'm hoping i can do something, because i need more power. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Philip 0 Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 when you say "out of power" do you mean as in what you can pull from the single outlet on the front of the house? no more breakers in the current box? or have you maxed out the consumption for the entire house? I added my own sub last year and it was easier than I expected. The largest cost (aside from labor for hiring an electrician) will be the wire to run from the main to the sub. You should use at least 6g for a 50A bouble pole breaker which will alot you 100A @ 110 on the back end Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 8, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 when you say "out of power" do you mean as in what you can pull from the single outlet on the front of the house? no more breakers in the current box? or have you maxed out the consumption for the entire house? I added my own sub last year and it was easier than I expected. The largest cost (aside from labor for hiring an electrician) will be the wire to run from the main to the sub. You should use at least 6g for a 50A bouble pole breaker which will alot you 100A @ 110 on the back end Well it's hard to tell becuase i'm not an electrician or anything but, i think i'm out of power in the whole panel because there's no extra slots left and i've used up all my extra outlets. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Tim 0 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 Well it's hard to tell becuase i'm not an electrician or anything but, i think i'm out of power in the whole panel because there's no extra slots left and i've used up all my extra outlets. Out of space does not necessarily mean out of power. How much does your display draw? What size is your main breaker? The main breaker is usually at the top of you panel in the center, or it could be at the meter outside. Should say 100 or 200 most likely. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Philip 0 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 first how many electrical panels do you have? find the one with the big breaker for your A/C unit - this is most likely your main panel. is there a large breaker at the top of this panel? this is the total power you have to work with if there's not a top breaker, there is probably one at the meter. find that one - it should be one single breaker switch by itself figure out how much power you show is drawing, consider that using animation will typically max out about 75% of your total max potential. You say your electrical panel is full, if you can't hire an electrician the other option is to add one yourself, which will run you about $250 -$300 not including a permit. you'll need space in your main panel for a 40A or 50A double pole breaker too (which will provide 80-100A worth of usable power at 110V Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taybrynn 1 Posted November 8, 2009 Report Share Posted November 8, 2009 You should take a picture of your current electrical panel and post it here. What year was the home built? Is it 100a or 200a power you have? How many circuits or in the panel currently? You should to inventory how many slots you currently have and how many single and double circuit breakers you have and their amp ratings and how they are used. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 Alright i will, and i know the house was built in 2005, but i dont know about everthing else. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taybrynn 1 Posted November 9, 2009 Report Share Posted November 9, 2009 I'd say its very likely that you have 200a service then. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 thanks i just talked to my neighbor who is an electrician and he said he's coming over this week to see what we can do. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ErnieHorning 2 Posted November 10, 2009 Report Share Posted November 10, 2009 .. I just talked to my neighbor who is an electrician...Good idea! If you don't really know what you're doing, it's best to leave it to someone who does. Once you let the smoke out of your house, it's pretty expencive to put it back in. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ryanchristmas 0 Posted November 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2009 Good idea! If you don't really know what you're doing, it's best to leave it to someone who does. Once you let the smoke out of your house, it's pretty expencive to put it back in. Yes it is lol, my neighbor said he'd whip something up for me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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