bigger box or sub box?
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 44
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
bigger box or sub box?
Ok I need some advice. I have completed inspections for electrical.
I have on my own with your guys help added
Bath
Kitchenette
bedroom
movie room
living room
I found out that a kitchen does not need arc protection in CO however a kitchenette does. ;(
So before final inspection I need to have arc breakers for the kitchenette. Sure you say cool just add them well that’s the problem. I am out of room. I need to add a sub box or a larger main box.
Any recommendations? I spend a few min with the inspector nice guy by the way. He told me if I put in a bigger box I would have to run a bigger ground to the water line coming in and add a #4 to the water jumper whatever that is. How hard would it be and would I have as much code to worry about if I placed a sub box to the side of the main box? What are my limitations and what electrical codes do I need to be aware of? Do I still need to run a new bigger copper line to the water main and so on? What’s the limitations on the amps a sub can be ect?
Thanks for all the great help guys.
Rob
I have on my own with your guys help added
Bath
Kitchenette
bedroom
movie room
living room
I found out that a kitchen does not need arc protection in CO however a kitchenette does. ;(
So before final inspection I need to have arc breakers for the kitchenette. Sure you say cool just add them well that’s the problem. I am out of room. I need to add a sub box or a larger main box.
Any recommendations? I spend a few min with the inspector nice guy by the way. He told me if I put in a bigger box I would have to run a bigger ground to the water line coming in and add a #4 to the water jumper whatever that is. How hard would it be and would I have as much code to worry about if I placed a sub box to the side of the main box? What are my limitations and what electrical codes do I need to be aware of? Do I still need to run a new bigger copper line to the water main and so on? What’s the limitations on the amps a sub can be ect?
Thanks for all the great help guys.
Rob
#2
Rob, if the kitchenette is already wired why can't you change to an AFCI breaker?
The term larger panel needs to be clarified. A higher amperage panel will require a larger conductor to the water lines. A panel with just more breaker spaces, but thge same ampacity would not. A subpanel would not.
The subpanel should be sized for the loads to be expected on it.
The term larger panel needs to be clarified. A higher amperage panel will require a larger conductor to the water lines. A panel with just more breaker spaces, but thge same ampacity would not. A subpanel would not.
The subpanel should be sized for the loads to be expected on it.
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 44
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
He was saying a larger panel. Not larger amps from my understanding. I have 150amps coming in or at least the main breakers say 150 on all 4. He was just saying a bigger main panel or put in a sub panel. It sounds like a sub is easier to me. I would put in a 125 amp sub I think if I went that direction. My problem is room arc breakers are so big and I will have 10 of them at 15/20 amps. So it’s more of a room issue not amp issue from my understanding.
#6
Oooo, That is one of the reasons I do not care for GE panels.
Adding a subpanel will be MUCH cheaper then changing out a whole panel. 150 amps should be plenty. Just move some smaller loads to the sub panel.
Adding a subpanel will be MUCH cheaper then changing out a whole panel. 150 amps should be plenty. Just move some smaller loads to the sub panel.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 44
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
I got a 125 amp sub. I think at this point the only question i have is according to 2011 nec how do i ground the sub? Do i just run a ground from the main which will be like 3 feet away for me or do i have to run a brand new ground to the main water pipe in the basement?
#8
I think at this point the only question i have is according to 2011 nec how do i ground the sub? Do i just run a ground from the main which will be like 3 feet away for me or do i have to run a brand new ground to the main water pipe in the basement?
#11
What size breaker are you using to feed the subpanel?
If the green screw or bond strap is already installed it should be removed. The ground bar only connects to the enclosure.
If the green screw or bond strap is already installed it should be removed. The ground bar only connects to the enclosure.
#12
i bought a sub that has the neutral isolated and ground bonded already.
What size ground for a 125 amp sub do i need to run from the main to the sub?
Originally Posted by pcboss
What size breaker are you using to feed the subpanel?
#13
What size ground for a 125 amp sub do i need to run from the main to the sub?
Last edited by pcboss; 09-13-12 at 06:00 PM. Reason: added conductor material