I hove posted several times now and appreciate the information and help I get every time. Maybe sometime I’ll be able to help someone esle. My saga… Building a new house myself (2nd time) and installed a subpanel for the 2nd floor circuits. I am considering a subpanel for the first floor as well, considering the distance from the main panel to especially the kitchen. Is this recommended not recommended? The new kitchen will have 3 small apliance circuits, a cooktop and separate ovens, a fridge’, a DW and a Microwave.
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Replies
I like the idea of a second floor box. Seems to me that you would save a pile in wire and kill some many end runs. On the other hand second floors are typically bedrooms so maybe you only have three or so circuits up there.
As a side note. Where would you put the subpanel? Closets are not allowed and I never like the idea of a panel just stuck on the wall in a hall or bedroom.
The second floor box is all done - made a lot of sense to me because the house is big and the laundry room with 2 dryers is on the second floor. It's actualy located in the laundry room. I'm wondering, now, about another sub-panel adjacent to the kitchen which is a decent run from the main box and includes all the "stuff" in my original post. How big a sub-panel can I run for the kitchen, having already run the 2nd-floor sub?
I think it makes sense, if you have a good place to put the subpanel in the kitchen area, assuming that since the house is big you also have a big kitchen with a lot of circuits. As to how big it can be, that depends on the size of the main panel and how many/how big the circuits are for the kitchen.
" How big a sub-panel can I run for the kitchen, having already run the 2nd-floor sub?"Have you done a load calculation for the whole house?If you have a 200 amp service then you could hve 2 200 amp sub-panels.For kitchen sub-panel you use the calcualtions on load calulation worksheets things like stoves and the two small appliance circuits. For fixed appliacnes use the name plate rating.But you can't use the diversity deductions that the code allows.I see nothing wrong to having multiple panels. All depends on the layout and where the loads are.But it may not be the best to do it upstairs/down stairs.Focus the panels where the large loads (both on size and number). And it looks like you have.Then run to other circuits to the nearest panel.
Yes, a panel on each floor for each floor is a good idea. That way you never have to climb stairs in the dark. Here in LA, the cheap way a lot of houses get built is with only one panel, outside next to the meter. Trip a breaker on a rainy night, no fun at all....
-- J.S.
I've always wondered about those panels mounted on the outside of your houses out there...I assume they have locking covers on them, so the neighborhood kids can't go around flipping off everyone's lights.
There's a place to put a little padlock if you need. In most cases, they aren't used. I hate having them outside because of the weather and condensation. The boxes get pretty grubby inside.
-- J.S.
I have heard that is some older communities there have been a problem where breakers from obsolete brands are being stolen.
I wouldn't doubt it. There's a store I drive by going to work that specializes just in circuit breakers. So far I haven't needed any obuscure ones, but I know where to go if I do.
-- J.S.
Obso breakers being stolen?
Perhaps the old Bulldog Pushmatics - the '60s version without the stab. Lot of them around here. I got some from a guy in Michigan who was remodeling a summer cottage.
The new version is stocked at our local HD, for a $$$. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Meter-mains.
Very common in So Cal. Which probably means they are the cheapest solution anyone can think of. We are known for production framing, but not high quality building. The details I see...
Which is fine. It funds my tool habit. (I can quit any time, but who would want to?)The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.