TOPIC: Installing a sub panel

I am planning on finishing my basement in a few years.

My 100 amp panel is full and I want to install my own Sq. D sub.

The permit costs $30.  I figure I can do all the wiring add the box and then once I am completed I can add the 60 amp sub breaker and pull the 2 breakers that are in the main to accomadate the 60 amp sub. One is dedicated for a sump and the other is for my shed.

The sump has a water backup and I do not use my shed in the winter.

I was quoted about 700 to install. I figure I can do fior whatever the parts and time costs.

Any thoughts or ideas!!

I would suggest you purchase "Wiring a house", by Taunton Press.  It has an excellent section devoted to Sub Panels.  It certainly won't cost you anywhere near $700.00 to get what you want done. 

Ron

Contact John Sopher - he was on subs for a long time...

Sorry -- couldn't resist.

Here are the problems I see with your installation -

1.  100amps is really minimal given current electrical needs.  Why not simply upgrade the whole house to a 200amp box?  That anticipates future needs also and becomes a feature when you sell the house.  It allows you room to dedicate circuitry that probably isn't dedicated now.

2.  Be sure your insurance will cover a disaster since you are not licensed or a master electrician.  Around here illegals are doing all kinds of improper wiring.  Often they are renting the houses and doing it anyway (!!??).  Sooo, when the house burns down, which happens a lot around here, the insurance companies are backing off the claims stating that work was done not to code, or unprofessionally, or without a permit, or without their knowledge, etc., and the people then have a mortgage and no house.  Bad scene.  So, I say again, be sure your insurance company will cover you and your work if there is a disaster...

3.  Even though you are following some book's diagrams or recommendations, it would be wise to have an electrician come and evaluate your work.  You don't know what you don't know.

Love ya man!  Be good - remember who's coming in a couple of days. 

In that vein, on Saturday we had a Christmas Breakfast Social at church.  I sat on Santa's lap (okay, I have known this guy for years) and he asked me what he could get me for Christmas.  I told him I wanted the Redskins to sweep Philadelphia this year.  (You should understand at this point that I am wearing my Sonny Jurgensen jersey and a Redskin Santa's hat...)  He told me he would do what he could.  Well, Santa came through!  So, let this be a lesson to you - be good!

Seriously, Dave, I would consider 1, 2, and 3 above!  Good luck with the project!

I already have books on electrical, but I do not need as I understand how to set up the panel.

I also would pull a city permit $30 and then the city would come out after I am done and verify my work.

In regards to the size of my service you do have a point. 200Amps is overkill as I only have a 1700 Sq. ft house. The panel would allow a 125 amp main so I may have or do the main breaker switch. Now I still have the round meter base at the exterior so I would hire someone to update these componets. (I had discussions with the city and electricians and city says OK for 100 amps and it would cost about 1500.00. It is in good shape but it would be nice to update the exterior.

I may do a load calc to see what my max draw is. I have a gas range and a high efficiency heat pump.  I bet 100-125 amp panel is more than enough.

I wonder how many years it will be when 100 amp panels are considered to small.


I like doing the work and I know I would do a better job than most because it is my house and I care.

One question would be is the size of the sub panel. I was thinking about a 16 breaker box.

When I bought the house I'm in now (10 years ago), it had 100 amp service and a full panel with several multi-taps.  I had new 200-amp lines brought in underground, installed a new meter myself, a new SquareD 200-amp panel, but left the old panel and its wiring almost intact. I turned it into a sub-panel by powering it with 60-amp breakers from the new box.  I moved all the high-current stuff to the new panel (stove, AC, furnace). I love having all the extra slots and don't hesitate to run a new branch circuit when needed.

Ron

That's a good idea Ron!

I think 100amps is too small now...