BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Don't buy a subpanel with a main breaker. Just get a 6 or 10 space "main lug" panel. You can feed it with a 40A double pole breaker, even if the max rating of the panel is 80A
Need some electrical advice please
- Thread starter detroit_fan
- Start date
Don't buy a subpanel with a main breaker. Just get a 6 or 10 space "main lug" panel. You can feed it with a 40A double pole breaker, even if the max rating of the panel is 80A
detroit_fan
New member
Ok, i'll look for one for those at menards.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14402251#post14402251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BeanAnimal
Don't buy a subpanel with a main breaker. Just get a 6 or 10 space "main lug" panel. You can feed it with a 40A double pole breaker, even if the max rating of the panel is 80A
You should be fine with 2 -20 amp breakers. I would not run extension cords. I would hard wire it with #12 wire and use GFCI outlets. You can use AFCI breakers if you want, you can take them out if it's a problem. I did at my house. Remember it's Watt's Divided by volts= AMPS. It's BASIC wiring.... It's not ROCKET SCIENCE!!!
slathrum
Member
Well, i guess you can do whatever you'd like. If your sub is right next to your panel, which it looks like it will be then it would be completely unnecessary to buy a main breaker panel. If it's in a seperate part of the house then why not. I mean, we're all for the AFCI's right? Let's over-engineer our equipment but not give ourselves the means to disconnect the power manually just in case.
Wet Reefer, I'm glad we can all be mature enough to take jabs at others that are trying to help. I disagree with many of the things you've said based on personal experience as an electrician. I've known many of the book-smart types that can quote codes but can't do the work. I don't know if that's you, but it kind of sounds like it. Call me not so brilliant if you want, but I've got an IQ, GPA and ACT scores that say otherwise. That's not nearly as important as the fact that there aren't many electricians that I've worked with that can outdo my work. The key is realizing you don't know everything, and the ability to learn.
Wet Reefer, I'm glad we can all be mature enough to take jabs at others that are trying to help. I disagree with many of the things you've said based on personal experience as an electrician. I've known many of the book-smart types that can quote codes but can't do the work. I don't know if that's you, but it kind of sounds like it. Call me not so brilliant if you want, but I've got an IQ, GPA and ACT scores that say otherwise. That's not nearly as important as the fact that there aren't many electricians that I've worked with that can outdo my work. The key is realizing you don't know everything, and the ability to learn.
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
There is no compelling reason to add a main breaker to a subpanel in a residential setting, it simply serves no purpose and adds $40 or more to the price of the panel. How many times does one need the convenience of throwing a local main breaker as opposed to walking over to the main panel and doing it?
