OT question pertaining to electrical service entry and sub panel

[DSM]

I am getting ready to move into a new house, which is about 7 years old. The 200A service entry is in the garage and its full. I want a sub panel in the garage so I can maybe run a 220V lathe at some point and I want a sub panel in the basement so I can frame in a loading room and other stuff. How can I do this if my service entry is full? I am not sure if the box accepts tandem breakers.

 

[TRA]

First you need to brush up on local issues.

Now for the sub panel, you would need to replace your main panel with a larger one, to have room for your sub breaker..... OR you would need to transfer some of your circuits from your main to your sub panel that you would be adding. I'd transfer circuits if it were me as a main panel replacement can become a large job in a hurry. Transferring circuits would not really be that difficult.

Keep in mind that you need to address Ground and Neutral issues in a sub panel. differently than at the main. The neutrals are not to be connected or bonded to ground in a sub panel. The only place that you connect ground and neutral is at the power source and that is your main panel. The ground from your main to your sub should be outside your conduit if you are using conduit between them. Make sure that your sub is isolated neutral capable. There's usually a bolt or connector bar that needs removed.

I've added sub panels at my house and shop and have some rather large subs in my business and I install them along with my customer installations. We hook up to 6 sub panels when using a distribution panel, usually an I-Line and all it has in it are large breakers that only protect each sub panel.

 

[DSM]

By chance, are you close to sw pa? J/k

I am not an electrician and was contemplating doing this myself. I have a basic knowledge of wiring and not afraid of adding or moving circuits. I think this might be over my head a bit.

Thanks for the insight, never thought about moving circuits from the main to a sub panel. Lets say that is the route, what if the wire on the circuits to be moved is not long enough to reach the sub? Junction box?

 

[TRA]

Thanks for the insight, never thought about moving circuits from the main to a sub panel. Lets say that is the route, what if the wire on the circuits to be moved is not long enough to reach the sub? Junction box?

I don't prefer a junction box, but your right, that's the proper device for the problem or job

Junction boxes are a necessary evil eventually. There ok it's just more splices. which are legal and okay to use as long as their done right.. Junction, or pull boxes are required when the number of conduit bents exceed the regulations, like a box for every 360 degrees of conduit bends in one run

 

[DSM]

I think I may give it a try. I can atleast get the boxes mounted and wire run. Now, should I run all wire from the service entry to the sub boxes in conduit? I was thinking of putting a sub panel beside the main. Now for the basement sub, will that run from the main service as well?

 

[4Mesh]

Now, should I run all wire from the service entry to the sub boxes in conduit?

You might want to check local codes for that. Maybe find a friend who does electrical work or a friend of a friend. Just start asking around. Don't bother trying to figure it out, it seems like every town is different.

Then too, depending on what you get done, you may be forced to hire it out. If what you do requires to have the power shut off, PP&L will not turn it back on without a certified electrician having done the work. My last box work I simply hired out. It really wasn't all that bad. I moved the entire service. (well, paid to have it moved).

Recently, I wanted to add a box as well, and just fyi, I have SquareD in the house as the main 200A box. For me to replace 3 breakers with tandem's, it was actually less money to buy an entire new Seimens box, w/mains, w/breakers, w/cable to it, and pay to have it put in. SquareD can stuff their boxes/breakers. Wow, have they gone through the roof in the past 10 years. Insane.

Then too, when you go to get the boxes, consider putting in 20s or 40s instead of say a 10 position sub box. The 20s and 40s with main breaker and busses will be half the money of the smaller boxes without. (supply / demand). Makes no sense, I know. Well, a Seimens 40 position main panel cost less than ONE SquareD 20A tandem breaker. Go figure. Just, shop smart. Bigger common stuff is usually cheaper.

I was thinking of putting a sub panel beside the main. Now for the basement sub, will that run from the main service as well?

Mine does not. Mine is a sub off the main service panel using a 50A breaker in the main box.

 

[TRA]

Personally I prefer conduit and pull individual wires in the conduit, using romex is okay for a house, but if you want any circuits say 100a or so you are going to want single wire...... as assembled wire like romex on a 100a capacity will get expensive fast.

You should also look into Arc Flash issues if you are doing it yourself

It;s really a simple modification and install, it's straight up electricity 101.....with a floating neutral thrown in and that's about 10 minutes more to the job.....it sounds all complicated and it ain't.

 

[DSM]

Thanks for the helpful info. If I run into trouble, I know a couple people who are electricians that I can call for help. I probably will once I get the boxes mounted and wire run. I think the biggest part of the job is finding and drilling from the garage to the basement.