If you wish to add extra circuits to your house however do not have room in your panel field, a sub-panel permits for enlargement. Not having sufficient area in your breaker field is a standard downside, particularly in older properties. In the event you determine so as to add a facet panel to your house, it is vital to know your limitations.
In case you have a 100 amp outlet in your house, you may set up a subpanel as much as twice the scale. Meaning you may set up a subpanel with as much as 200 amps of a 100 amp service. An important factor about your subpanel is that it’s correctly and securely put in.
Nevertheless, there’s nonetheless much more to find out about subpanels earlier than deciding to put in one. This text informs you about crucial issues it is best to know earlier than putting in a subpanel.
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Contents
What’s a sub panel?
A sub-panel is an extra panel, often smaller, that you simply add to your house. A sub panel is principally a second panel field powered by the primary panel in your house. It has circuit breakers identical to these in your foremost switchboard.
What’s the function of a subpanel?
Subpanels are put in for a lot of causes, however the function is all the time the identical: for extra efficiency. There are two foremost causes folks set up subpanels.
1. As a result of the primary change field has run out of area
A typical 100 amp junction field has restricted area for circuit breakers. As soon as these slots are gone and also you need to add extra breakers, you could have a restricted variety of choices. You possibly can both rewire your panel field and attempt to combine circuit breakers collectively. Or you may add a subpanel and add considerably extra circuit breaker choices.
2. So as to add energy to a particular location in or round your house
Subpanels are additionally an awesome choice for powering a workshop, storage or barn. In the event you add a sub-panel to one among these places, you need to have the ability to management it from the identical location. When a circuit breaker journeys in your workshop or barn, you do not need to should go right down to your basement to repair the issue.
It is vital that the subpanel is shut by for comfort and security causes. In the event you use energy instruments or different digital units, it is best to have entry to the breaker that controls them.
What wire dimension do I want for various subpanels?
Totally different sized subpanels require completely different wire sizes and kinds. Here’s a chart explaining the scale of copper or aluminum wire you want for various board sizes.
| Service panel dimension | copper cable | aluminum wire |
| 50 amp service | An 8 gauge wire with 3 conductors | A 6 gauge 3 conductor wire |
| 60 amp service | A 6 gauge 3 conductor wire | A 4 gauge 3 conductor wire |
| 100 amp service | A 4 gauge 3 conductor wire | A 2 gauge 3 conductor wire |
| 150 amp service | A 2 gauge 3 conductor wire | A 3-conductor, 1/0 gauge wire |
| 200 amp service | A 1 gauge 3 conductor wire | A 3-conductor, 2/0 gauge wire |
Probably the most vital issues to contemplate when putting in a subpanel is the proper wire dimension. A wire that’s too small is not going to present enough energy to your subpanel. This results in frequent tripping of breakers.
What are the parts of your house’s electrical system?
The whole electrical system of your house consists of a number of completely different parts together with the primary switchboard, sub switchboards and circuit breakers. We have already coated the subpanel, so let us take a look at the opposite two parts.
The primary panel
The primary panel in your house is just like a management panel. Your whole lights, shops and home equipment are powered from the primary panel in your house. As well as, any subpanels you need to add can even be powered by the primary panel.
Also called the fuse field or distribution field, the primary electrical panel is usually positioned within the basement or storage of most properties. No matter its location, the primary panel controls the whole lot electrical in your house.
The circuit breakers
The circuit breakers are the person electrical circuits that management completely different components of your house. For instance, a 100 amp field has particular person circuit breakers for the kitchen, lavatory, lights, and shops.
Particular person units comparable to fridges, air conditioners, stoves and dryers usually have their very own circuits. Principally, circuit breakers are particular person switches that you should utilize to regulate each a part of your house. They help you flip off energy to particular areas as a substitute of getting to show off the primary change.
Can I’ve a number of subpanels?
The truth is, if want dictates, you may have a number of sub-panels branching off from a foremost panel. You possibly can even department off a subpanel from a subpanel if you happen to like.
The primary factor is that you’ve got your subpanels put in professionally in order that you do not overload your system. You additionally need to make sure that your subpanels do not get underpowered.
associated questions
How a lot does it value to put in a subpanel?
The price of putting in a subpanel relies upon largely on who you rent to do the work. Most electricians cost a mean of $80 an hour. The set up of subpanels takes between 1 and a couple of days. You possibly can count on to pay anyplace from $2,000 to $4,000 to put in a subpanel.
What number of breakers can I’ve on a 100 amp panel?
Sometimes you solely see about 20 circuits on a 100 amp panel. Nevertheless, relying on the scale of the circuits, you may have as much as 30 or much more circuits.
Can I set up a subpanel myself?
Except you could have enough electrical expertise, you shouldn’t try to put in a subpanel your self. Working with electrical energy is extraordinarily sophisticated and harmful work. Solely individuals with electrical engineering expertise are certified to put in a subpanel.
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Last Ideas
Subpanels are an awesome product so as to add to a house, storage, barn or workshop space. They’re additionally good for including some additional or further electronics to your house.
Regardless of the cause, the primary factor is that your subpanel is put in professionally. This can guarantee your subpanel is put in appropriately and with security in thoughts.