How to Install an Electrical Sub Panel

by DoItYourself Staff

what you'll need

Electrical Sub Panel
Cable
Wire Strippers
Wire Cutters

Your home electrical panel will have wires connecting all around your home; this can make an electrical sub panel useful. If your home's electrical panel is too physically full then you might want to consider adding a sub panel. It's not a good idea to continue cramming in electrical wiring into an overloaded electrical panel - instead a sub electrical panel is a much better idea.

If you don't feel comfortable working with electrical systems then you should consider employing a professional to help complete the project for you. If you are used to it then you will be able to attempt the project yourself. Quite often, these sub panels are required by law in the case of a packed electrical panel.

Step 1 - Planning

Before starting work on a project like this it is essential that you plan where you are going to locate the sub panel. If you fail to plan properly then you won't be able to successfully complete this project.

You must also switch the power off before starting any work on the electrical panels in your home. By switching the power off you will be able to safely work on the electrical circuits without causing any harm. It's also important to check that you can do the work yourself; in some states you will need to hire a professional to do this.

Before starting work ensure that you have everything required to complete the job. This is the sort of project that you won't be able to stop once you've started. You will need to have everything on hand to ensure that the project can be completed as quickly as possible.

Step 2 - Preparation

Make sure that you have enough light available where you are installing the electrical sub panel. You must be able to see everything that you are doing. Some of these things are very small, which is why it's so important to concentrate on improving the lighting.

Set up the sub panel so that it can be mounted on the wall. Normally this will involve removing the doors, partitions and covers which are on the sub panel.

Step 3 - Back Board

If there isn't already a backboard for the sub panel you should mount one on the wall, this can be made out of plywood. A mounting panel might not be required if you are fixing the panel in the same location as your main electrical panel.

Step 4 - Installing the Sub Panel

Now the sub panel can be installed on the wall, follow the instructions which were included with the electrical sub panel. Make sure that the hardware you use to fix the sub panel are long enough to do the job properly. Most of these panels are secured using four or eight screws.

Step 5 - Installing Breakers

The breaker panel needs to be installed inside the sub panel according to the instructions. Make sure that you follow the standard electrical wiring schemes.

Step 6 - Wiring the Sub Panel

The sub feed cables then need to be pulled from the main panel and routed to the sub panel. Make sure that this is done safely and satisfies electrical standards.