I have a new home, and it currently has a pool with just 15A breakers for lights and pump. We got a quote for a heat pump and the guy said we'll need a 50A breaker for the pump.

We plan to add separate hottub which I know will need a 50A breaker as well.

The current subpanel doesnt have enoguh space for the extra two 50A breakers so I will add an 8 space subpanel.

Question is, can I use a 100A subpanel or do is it better to go with 125A?

I need a ground bar kit?

 

For the min cost of the larger panel it is cheap insurance that you will be covered for some future need!

 

A panel can always be larger in amperage than required. Never smaller.

Yes you will need ground bars.
Most spas require 50A @ 240v. This would be two wires plus a ground.
Some spas require 50A @ 120/240v. This would be three wires plus a ground.
You are required to have a disconnect and a receptacle near the spa.

Your pool sub panel will require three wires and a ground.
Any ground wiring to a pool or spa must be insulated.
No buried UF feeders.

 

That will depend on what size breaker you are going to feed it with. 100A or 125A?

 

Should all the breakers in the panel be GFCI?

 

I think we will just feed it with 100A breaker.

So right now, the current 4 space panel is using a 15A single pole and a 15A double. The pool only has pool lights, a filter, and a instamatic thing. We gonna add a heater with 50A and a spa likely 50A. None of the breakers are GFCI but I do see the pool lights run through a GFCI outlet box right at the current panel. See picture below. I'm not sure if this GFCI thing is only protecting the lgihts and the outlet or if it protects the whole panel.



I ordered this 8 space 100A panel.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...RBCP/100185592

Assume his panel will work? I got the ground bar for it as well.

 

That panel should be fine for a 100 amp feed.

You can, but the NEC only requires GFCI protection for certain locations.

 

For the 100 amp feed, which wire do you suggest? My dad told me 2 AWG . I checked online and I only see THHN wire for the larger wires at home depot. The description says you cant use that for residential.

 

What size main service do you have. Adding this much to an existing service is a lot.

Many DIYers are not aware of the fact that adding a sub panel does not provide a higher service for the home.
Example: If you have 100amp main service coming into the home and then add a 100 amp sub panel to that service you don't now have 200amp service in the home. You will still only have 100amp service in total.

What is your home service now? What other electric big power eaters do you have now like, range, dryer, hot water heater heat etc . If you have a lot of electric appliances like these you may want to do a load calculation to see if you need to upgrade your present service to be able to handle what you plan to add.

 

We ended up getting 2, 2, 2, 6 and 1.5” conduit.

Currently have a 50amp car charger, a hvac heat pump, tankless water heater, and other common appliances. Adding that 50 amp pool heat pump and adding the 50 amp hottub later this year.

Current service is 150amp from the utility provider. I actually submitted a project request a few days ago to have the service upgraded to 200 amps. I figure we wont install the hottub until the sericce upgrade and main panel is updated.

I assume if I do install the hottub early, I could alternate the pool heater and hot tub to run at different times of the day until I get the main service updated so as to not overload?

 

I assume the panel being within 5 feet of the spa will suffice? The panel itself doesn't have a main disconnect but the spa will have its breaker, which can be flipped?