Detached Garage

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Does a panel in a detached garage need a main breaker if six or fewer breakers are used? My thoughts are that the six throws rule would apply therefore negating the need for a main breaker.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

You are correct-- no main needed

 

[don_resqcapt19]

If you are on the 2011 or early code, that may not be correct. The rule in 225.36 in those codes required the building disconnect to be suitable for use as service equipment. Many older small panels were labeled "suitable for use as service equipment only where a main breaker has been installed".
That requirement to be "suitable for use as service equipment" went away in the 2014 code.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Understood. We are currently on the 2017 code cycle.

 

[jusme123]

......do you need more than 2 circuits in a garage?

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

......do you need more than 2 circuits in a garage?

In a detached garage, it's very common to have several circuits. Freezers, Fridges, Air Compressors, etc.

 

[suemarkp]

And a Tesla charger or two.

I had this main breaker issue a long time ago as the wording on my panelboard was more nebulous. It was suitable for use as service equipment when not used as a lighting and appliance panelboard and if it had 6 or less breakers installed. At that time, the definition of lighting and appliance panelboard had been removed from the code (but I knew what it meant). I found another code section that got the inspector to approve it. As Don said, it is all moot now that they removed the SUSE requirement.