![]() ![]() You don't need to bring over the full 200A. Since your service wires are allowed 4/0, feeder off that service need not be bigger than that, even if it supplies less than the entire dwelling. And then, 310.15(B)(7)(3), which says feeder never needs to be bigger than the service wires themselves, because that would be stupid. The reason for this is 310.15(B)(7)(1), which allows 4/0 for 200A service wiring due to a favorable derate. ![]() Panels don't need main breakers, though if they're in an outbuilding they need a disconnect switch, and choosing a main breaker panel is a cheap way to get a disconnect. a meter-main), you could simply "tee" off it with dual 4/0 to two main-lug panels. The 200A breaker alread present in the panel will suffice, and so you can use a subfeed lug kit as DrSparks advises.įor that matter, if the main breaker were out at the meter (e.g. Yes, and you don't even need another 200A breaker. Is feeding a 200A sub from a 200A main legit? Main Load Center is a Homeline HOMC30UC.Is 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum SE-R sufficient? I've seen answers for similar scenarios suggesting 250 kcmil, but I don't know why.Can the 200-amp main feed the 200-amp subpanel and stay up to code? An electrician told me it can't.It's about 20' as a straight shot, but 40' if I go up into the attic and back down, because the main panel is on the opposite side of the garage as the basement wall. Install 200-amp main breaker load center in the basement.It's not ideal to have all the breakers in the master bedroom, we plan to replace the older wiring over time, and I'd love to upgrade to a plug-on neutral load center, so I'd like to install a new load center in the basement as a subpanel. We anticipate a number of projects on this house over the next couple of years, including converting the garage to a master suite. The 200-amp main panel is in the garage, on the same wall as the meter. It looks like it was upgraded at some point to 200-amp service, with a new load center, but most of the old 2-conductor (no ground) wiring remains. If the 30A is for something that you'll only be using after deliberately turning off everything else, then it's probably not worth the expense right at the moment, but you might still regret it later when your use habits change and you start tripping the feed regularly and have to tear into the panel again to upgrade it.I just bought an older house. If the 30A line is for something that's going to be used consistently, or which starts up on its own, you may want to consider upgrading the feed line to handle more than 50A. If this happens regularly, it's both annoying and potentially wears out your breaker. Do you have more than one 15/20A circuit in the panel as well? If you do, and you try to use them all to capacity at the same time, you'll trip the feed breaker. Now, from a usability point of view, you have one circuit that might be drawing 30A at any given time. The breakers won't let you melt anything or light anything on fire just by plugging in too much stuff. As long as the wires attached to your proposed 30A breaker can handle 30A, it's safe. You have a 50A breaker on the input, so as long as the wires feeding that can handle 50A and the panel itself can handle 50A (gosh I'd hope so.) it's safe. There are two separate issues here: safety and usability.įrom a safety point of view, as long as all the breakers are sized properly for the wires to which they are attached, and in good working order, you'll be fine. ![]()
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