Main becomes Subpanel

[euclid43]

A meter/panel is located on the side of house where garage is added (attached). Owner wants service to relocate outside garage.

This makes the old location a subpanel (200amp).

I am gonna make the new location a 200 amp panel, so does the new subpanel get protected with a 125 amp breaker?

 

[augie47]

You would feed it with a circuit adequate for the load with the wire sized per 310.16 and the appropriate breaker.
Note that the old panel might now need a seperate ground and neutral conductor run depending on which Code cycle is enforced and the provisions of 250.32

 

[euclid43]

Doesn't the subpanel have to be rated lower than the new 200 amp service? In other words, I don't think I am allowed to have a 200 amp service with a 200 amp subpanel, correct? If no, I am wondering if the subpanel is 80% of the main, or something.

 

[Sierrasparky]

Doesn't the subpanel have to be rated lower than the new 200 amp service? In other words, I don't think I am allowed to have a 200 amp service with a 200 amp subpanel, correct? If no, I am wondering if the subpanel is 80% of the main, or something.

not correct. You rate the old sub panel based on the wire size and sub panel ratings.
What out you some (most)main service panels have a limit to the size of a Branch breaker. I have seen some al low as 75 amps. You can purchase a Meter main combo with feed thru lugs which will give you 200 at the sub.

 

[augie47]

The only rule effecting the size of the circuit to the subpanel of which I am aware is to feed it for the calculated load as a minimum.
As SierraSparky pointed out, your garage panel could be a feed-thru and you could maintain the full 200 amp rating on the existing sub panel (provided it's fed by a 200 amp conductor)
You really need to start by determining the load on the existing panel and the proposed load on the added garage and build accordingly.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I can have a 200 amp panel and feed 10 --200 amp panels from the first one as long as the load is calculated properly and protected properly.

 

[bob]

Why can you not install just the meter and a 200 amp service and run the cable on the outside of the house to the existing location?

 

[euclid43]

how are tehe feeder wires protected?

 

[Sierrasparky]

how are tehe feeder wires protected?

The main breaker at/in the service where the meter is.

 

[celtic]

Doesn't the subpanel have to be rated lower than the new 200 amp service? In other words, I don't think I am allowed to have a 200 amp service with a 200 amp subpanel, correct? If no, I am wondering if the subpanel is 80% of the main, or something.

I'll be the voice of disagreement here

Where can you find a 200A 1? resi panel w/MCB that will allow another 200A CB to be installed

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I'll be the voice of disagreement here

Where can you find a 200A 1? resi panel w/MCB that will allow another 200A CB to be installed

200 amp main breaker panel with fed thru lugs but I think we are talking code not the logistics to make it happen.

 

[celtic]

200 amp main breaker panel with fed thru lugs but I think we are talking code not the logistics to make it happen.

Do they make a 200A 1? feed through panel?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Do they make a 200A 1? feed through panel?

Yep. The ones I use are Weatherproof (outdoor panels)

 

[Sierrasparky]

both Square d and Murray make a meter combo 200 amp with a 20 space load center with feed thru lugs

 

[mcclary's electrical]

I'll be the voice of disagreement here

Where can you find a 200A 1? resi panel w/MCB that will allow another 200A CB to be installed

http://www.hardwarestore.com/pop-print/larger-image.aspx?prodNo=30453

 

[celtic]

http://www.hardwarestore.com/pop-print/larger-image.aspx?prodNo=30453

That's a breaker.

Now show us what 200A 1? panel will accept it....
....and don't forget ~ modifying the cover is probably a 110.3(B) no-no
....and those pesky wire bending requirements.....

 

[mcclary's electrical]

That's a breaker.

Now show us what 200A 1? panel will accept it....
....and don't forget ~ modifying the cover is probably a 110.3(B) no-no
....and those pesky wire bending requirements.....

It doesn't have to be done with a breaker, I've got a set of double pole lugs, that plug right to the bus, just like a breaker does, and you can fit 4/0 al in them. They look like blanks when the panel cover is on. The wires are protected by the main.

 

[Sierrasparky]

It doesn't have to be done with a breaker, I've got a set of double pole lugs, that plug right to the bus, just like a breaker does, and you can fit 4/0 al in them. They look like blanks when the panel cover is on. The wires are protected by the main.

that would be the same as feed through lugs , I would prefer lugs to a push in connection any day.

 

[justdavemamm]

You would feed it with a circuit adequate for the load with the wire sized per 310.16 and the appropriate breaker.
Note that the old panel might now need a seperate ground and neutral conductor run depending on which Code cycle is enforced and the provisions of 250.32

And wouldn't you have to separate the [possible] connection of the grounds and neutrals in the panel, ie. not have the neutrals grounded there?

 

[augie47]

you would (or should)