Best way to run a sub-panel

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frank_n

Senior Member
Location
Central NJ
I have to run a 200A subpanel from an outside service disconnect. I want to go through the back of the disconnect, up through a wall (2"x4") through an attic, and down another wall into the sub. I doubt I could bend SER cable, and wondered what you guys suggested.

  1. I could run PVC and use an LB, but I'd have to have an access panel for the cover.
  2. I thought of using EMT and FMC and using a 90-deg connector.
  3. I also thought of using PVC and ENT with a 90-deg connector. I've never worked with ENT before, do they make 90-deg connectors?
What do you suggest?

Frank
 

jwjrw

Senior Member
I have to run a 200A subpanel from an outside service disconnect. I want to go through the back of the disconnect, up through a wall (2"x4") through an attic, and down another wall into the sub. I doubt I could bend SER cable, and wondered what you guys suggested.

  1. I could run PVC and use an LB, but I'd have to have an access panel for the cover.
  2. I thought of using EMT and FMC and using a 90-deg connector.
  3. I also thought of using PVC and ENT with a 90-deg connector. I've never worked with ENT before, do they make 90-deg connectors?
What do you suggest?

Frank


Ive bent ser the way you describe. It is a little work but may not less trouble than your other ideas. It would be easier for me if I cud see sum pics.
 

raider1

Senior Member
Staff member
Location
Logan, Utah
LB's and 90 degree connectors must be accessible so you can't bury them in a wall.

I agree with the other comments, you should be able to bend the SER cable in the wall.

Chris
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
......... It would be easier for me if I cud see sum pics.


How's dis? (4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 al)

DSC_2541.jpg
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
Wow, I didn't think you could bend 4/0,4/0,4/0,2/0 in there.

You guys are great!

Thanks,
Frank


Well, I cheated a little. I 'trained' it first. :roll:

DSC_2445.jpg

As soon as I installed it, I put the 2x4 across the face of the studs to 'train' the cable. About a week later, I took it off and installed the strap.​
 

jwjrw

Senior Member
Well, I cheated a little. I 'trained' it first. :roll:

DSC_2445.jpg

As soon as I installed it, I put the 2x4 across the face of the studs to 'train' the cable. About a week later, I took it off and installed the strap.​

Im having trouble seeing the panel in the picture, where is it fed from?
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
Im having trouble seeing the panel in the picture, where is it fed from?

The meter main on the other side of the wall.

This is a garage addition, and it was built on the side of the house with all the services coming in (gas, phone, electric & cable). So they all had to be relocated.

So I had to install a 200a meter main to refeed the existing panel in the basement (using the 4-0 al), and I fed the panel you see here with a 40a breaker. That panel runs the new garage, a freezer circuit in the old garage, and the HOs workshop in the lower level of the garage.
 

jwjrw

Senior Member
The meter main on the other side of the wall.

This is a garage addition, and it was built on the side of the house with all the services coming in (gas, phone, electric & cable). So they all had to be relocated.

So I had to install a 200a meter main to refeed the existing panel in the basement, and I fed the panel you see here with a 40a breaker. That panel runs the new garage, a freezer circuit in the old garage, and the HOs workshop in the lower level of the garage.

Is the feed wire in the panel in the pic? #8 black romex?
 

jwjrw

Senior Member
It had not been fed yet. I used a close nipple and THHNs

I was wondering because I didnt see where your nipple was and saw no feed.
If I understood you right you fed it out of 200a panel back to back.
Looked strange till you said its for garage.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Location
Iowegia
I was wondering because I didnt see where your nipple was and saw no feed.
If I understood you right you fed it out of 200a panel back to back.
Looked strange till you said its for garage.

To give you an idea:

Before any work done.... The locates are shown for the electrical and telephone.

DSC_1491a-1.jpg

I refed the existing meter with some #6 SO cord from a temp pole by the POCO transformer. The cableco and telco refed their systems as well with temp lines. After the hole was dug:

DSC_1598a-1.jpg



After the garage addition was built, I started wiring it, the lower level (workshop) and rebuilding the service:​

DSC_2294.jpg

After I installed all the gear, I refed the new meter socket with the SO cord until the service lateral could be replaced. The SO cord actually back-feeds a 2-pole 60a breaker that in turn feeds the bus bars which feeds the SER cable. The SER cable goes to the existing panel in the basement. The 200a main is LOTO'd off to prevent backfeed into the URD. This was taken the day it was re-routed into the new service, but had not been re-engergized at the transformer.

DSC_2999a.jpg

The SER goes out of the left of the meter-main, and the nipple into the garage panel goes out of the right. About a week after this was taken, I met a POCO line crew on site to make sure the temp cord was de-energized before they heated up the URD. Thay also disco'd the temp pole and everything was back to 'normal' for the HO.​
 

zappy

Senior Member
Location
CA.
After I installed all the gear, I refed the new meter socket with the SO cord until the service lateral could be replaced. The SO cord actually back-feeds a 2-pole 60a breaker that in turn feeds the bus bars which feeds the SER cable. The SER cable goes to the existing panel in the basement. The 200a main is LOTO'd off to prevent backfeed into the URD. This was taken the day it was re-routed into the new service, but had not been re-engergized at the transformer.

What is a URD?
 
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