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Electricians: :200 amp, 8 space meter/main box outside. How many spaces can I have in the sub panel inside?
New home construction in Michigan, USA. I have a Cutler Hammer meter/main combo mounted at the service entrance with 8 spaces/16 circuits max, and feed through lugs. This will supply the barn, garage, a.c. unit and outdoor outlets.
I will be installing my 'main' breaker box inside as a sub panel. Couple questions:
1) How many spaces can I have in the indoor panel? I'd like to go with 40 or 42 but since I have breakers outside already does this limit what's allowed in the sub?
2) Since I have the main breaker outside I just need a main lug panel inside, but it looks like it'd be cheaper to buy another main breaker 'value pack' rather than special order a 42 space main lug. Any reason I can't/shouldn't leave the 2nd main breaker in place?
I am doing all the work myself, under the guidance of my friend, a licensed electrician so please don't simply tell me to hire a professional. I am just exploring options before I go to him.
Thanks in advance,
Rick
Q: why are you setting a meter/panel outside why not just a meter and a disconnect A: I'll be running a circuit to the A.C. unit a few feet away, rather than having to come outside from the house panel again. Also will be running 60A UF to the barn, and garage, plus outdoor outlets for the sewage lift pump, and whatever else I have on the patio. Just easier than running wires back outside, that's all.
Q: why are you setting a meter/panel outside why not just a meter and a disconnect
A: I'll be running a circuit to the A.C. unit a few feet away, rather than having to come outside from the house panel again. Also will be running 60A UF to the barn, and garage, plus outdoor outlets for the sewage lift pump, and whatever else I have on the patio. Just easier than running wires back outside, that's all.
9 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Yes you can go with a 40-42 space panel inside the house. Yes all you need is a main lug panel but you're right it would be cheaper for you to buy a valu-pac if you need the breakers it comes with. Yes leave the main breaker in place this can be used as a disconnecting means inside if you need it and if you take the breaker out then you have to buy a seperate lug kit for the feed wires.
P.S. Do not use the green screw (Sq D) or the little jumper (Culter Hammer) that bonds the neutral bar to the box in the sub panel. Make sure you use four wires between the meter/panel and the sub-panel 4/0 alum or 2/0 copper for the hots + neutral and a ground. Seperate all your grounds and neutrals in the sub-panel when terminating. Good Luck.
Source(s): I do this for a living. - Anonymous5 years ago
First off, check the brand of panel you have and then buy what is called a "piggy back" breaker of 20 amps, remove a 20 amp breaker in your panel nearest the empty spot and install the piggy back breaker which is actually 2 breakers in one designed for one space.This will free up to spots. Go with 10/3 or 8/3 to a sup panel in the shed. 10/3 is 30 amp and 8/3 is 50 amp. This will give you 220 volts out to your shed so this should be more than enough power for what you want and then some for future use. A sub panel in the shed is your best bet as you can control your circuits from there instead of the big panel. It may cost a little more but well worth the extra investment and will save you headaches later on down the road
- Stephen PLv 41 decade ago
You can have as many spaces in your sub panel as you want to. All you need is a main lug panel. A main disconnect makes it easy to work on if you decide to. I live in Florida and down here its code to have a meter base with the main disconnect outside with 6 circuits run from it. I personally would stay away from the "value" packs that come with the breakers all ready. There is a reason they are so cheap.
Source(s): Electrician - 1 decade ago
the amount of spaces does not matter you can only draw up to 200amp at one time , so that determines how many spaces you can put in it, it's not the amount of amps on each breaker its the amount each piece of equipment draws.
for instance a central air unit might take 40 amps to start but may only need 20 to keep running . this is example only.
- 1 decade ago
why are you setting a meter/panel outside why not just a meter and a disconnect
yes the subpanel can be a main lug panel because the shut off will be in the other panel
Source(s): electrician 8 years - Jim WLv 71 decade ago
Since your friend a qualified professional, ask him. Codes do vary state by state, The NEC ( National Electrical Code) sets basic standards for minimum requirements. If you are unsure ask the local inspector, another source online is the DIY network. You might get a quick straight answer from their personnel.
