garage subpanels
- Thread starter rachel
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Logan, Utah
Re: garage subpanels
Check out 230.71 if this is a service as defined in article 100. Or 225.33 if this is a feeder from another building.
The reason I say to check out these sections is with the limited amount of info it is hard to give a difinitive answer.
Chris
Check out 230.71 if this is a service as defined in article 100. Or 225.33 if this is a feeder from another building.
The reason I say to check out these sections is with the limited amount of info it is hard to give a difinitive answer.
Chris
Re: garage subpanels
If I understand your question correctly this is the way I look at it.
Is price important since a panel with a main breaker is more than one with main lugs but that depends upon how many branch circuits in the subpanel. If you are out to save a few buck and can't afford a sub panel with a main breaker you may not need one anyway. I assume that you're a qualified person and are familiar with safe electrical practices and procedures and are aware of what you need to do to feed this subpanel from the service entrance per NEC art 250.32 and when a EGC needs to be included with the L-L-N conductors feeding the subpanel. Also, if you should isolate the neutral from the ground bar and when a ground rod is required the neutral and ground bonded together.
But, other than cost, with a panel that is located remotely from the main I like to spend the few extra buck and get a main breaker panel. If you feed the panel from the main with a 60AT breaker and the subpanel has a 100AT main, no big deal as the 100AT breaker acts as a main disconnect and really serves no other purpose.
If I understand your question correctly this is the way I look at it.
Is price important since a panel with a main breaker is more than one with main lugs but that depends upon how many branch circuits in the subpanel. If you are out to save a few buck and can't afford a sub panel with a main breaker you may not need one anyway. I assume that you're a qualified person and are familiar with safe electrical practices and procedures and are aware of what you need to do to feed this subpanel from the service entrance per NEC art 250.32 and when a EGC needs to be included with the L-L-N conductors feeding the subpanel. Also, if you should isolate the neutral from the ground bar and when a ground rod is required the neutral and ground bonded together.
But, other than cost, with a panel that is located remotely from the main I like to spend the few extra buck and get a main breaker panel. If you feed the panel from the main with a 60AT breaker and the subpanel has a 100AT main, no big deal as the 100AT breaker acts as a main disconnect and really serves no other purpose.
- Location
- Lockport, IL
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrical Engineer
Re: garage subpanels
To give a precise answer to your question, a panel never has to have a main breaker. Never.
However, there are many circumstances that would require a "disconnecting means," and many other circumstances that would require "overcurrent protection." Having a main breaker in a panel is one way to fulfill both of these requirements. If the panel does not have a main breaker, it may be necessary to install a separate disconnect just ahead of the panel, or to do something else that might not be convenient or cost effective.
Sub-panels in garages offer several outstandingly subtle opportunities to install something wrong. I hope you are planning to hire an electrical contractor to build this for you. If you are planning to do it yourself, then the Forum rules prohibit us from giving you any assistance.
To give a precise answer to your question, a panel never has to have a main breaker. Never.
However, there are many circumstances that would require a "disconnecting means," and many other circumstances that would require "overcurrent protection." Having a main breaker in a panel is one way to fulfill both of these requirements. If the panel does not have a main breaker, it may be necessary to install a separate disconnect just ahead of the panel, or to do something else that might not be convenient or cost effective.
Sub-panels in garages offer several outstandingly subtle opportunities to install something wrong. I hope you are planning to hire an electrical contractor to build this for you. If you are planning to do it yourself, then the Forum rules prohibit us from giving you any assistance.
- Status