Sub Panels
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Sub Panels
I would like to install a sub panel on a 100amp main. I would like to know how many sub panels can you install on a 100amp main and what is the maxuim rating of each sub panel? I have a sub panel with 60 amps right now with 6 circuits, all of which are 20amps. I nees three more circuits and need to know if I can use a bigger sub panel with more space or if I should add another sub panel.
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Well let's see. You could place twenty 240 volt breakers in a 100 amp panel. Each of those could feed a sub panel. Each of those sub panels could contain twenty 240 volt breakers, and so on, and so on, and so on.
In theory you can keep going forever. In reality you can't.
The answer to your question is that you can install another sub panel, you can replace the existing sub panel, you can replace the main panel, or some combination of the above.
However, before proceeding you need to understand what these new circuits are for and what they may do to your demand at any one time. If you are splitting existing circuits or adding new circuits but don’t plan on changing the load then you won’t change your demand.
However, if you are adding new circuits for new loads then you may need to change your incoming service. For example, if you are adding a welder because you want to weld in your garage or if you are adding a hot tub then you may need more power into your house to drive these loads.
In theory you can keep going forever. In reality you can't.
The answer to your question is that you can install another sub panel, you can replace the existing sub panel, you can replace the main panel, or some combination of the above.
However, before proceeding you need to understand what these new circuits are for and what they may do to your demand at any one time. If you are splitting existing circuits or adding new circuits but don’t plan on changing the load then you won’t change your demand.
However, if you are adding new circuits for new loads then you may need to change your incoming service. For example, if you are adding a welder because you want to weld in your garage or if you are adding a hot tub then you may need more power into your house to drive these loads.