Wiring Attached Garage

[Cudajas]

I have a small 20 X 10 attached garage. I currently have one circuit from the main panel that has 3 outlets and two lights on it.

I am planning to rewire the garage in the near future and want to make sure I am on the right track.

My plan is to run a sub panel to the garage, and run separate circuits for the outlets, lights and then dedicated outlets for welder, compressor and maybe a small heater over the workbench.

Now keep in mid this is a small space, so I do not need a load of outlets or lights, but just enough to work on stuff!

Here are a few pics of my panel in the house, I understand that it is 125 amp service, and as you can see appears to have room to add circuits. But I think it would be easier to add a sub panel in the garage.







So, am I on the right track...based on the limited information above, can I add a sub panel???

Thanks,

Jason

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I understand that it is 125 amp service, and as you can see appears to have room to add circuits. But I think it would be easier to add a sub panel in the garage.

The panel is rated to 125 amps max, however, it has a 100 amp main breaker in it, thus it is a 100 amp max service.

The Federal panels are not the greatest. Not sure how available Circuit Breakers are for them.

Charles

 

[Norcal]

The panel is rated to 125 amps max, however, it has a 100 amp main breaker in it, thus it is a 100 amp max service.

The Federal panels are not the greatest. Not sure how available Circuit Breakers are for them.

Charles

The Canadian Federal Pioneer panels do not have the same issues as FPE, understand that Schneider has discontinued them but breakers should be around.

 

[Cudajas]

so, does that mean I can not run a sub panel, or just that I need to upgrade to 125 amp service to do so?

Jason

 

[pattenp]

You can run a sub off of what you have. My off the cuff suggestion is to limit the sub to 60 amps. I don't know anything about your panel or code requirements in your area.

 

[bww_mnm]

How fr is your panel from the garage?

 

[Cudajas]

How fr is your panel from the garage?

The panel is on the other side of the house from the garage. Most of the distance is separated by a crawlspace.

Jason

 

[Cudajas]

bump???

 

[89GLH]

Im curious about this too, someone has to know the answer.

 

[frankush]

That's a lot of circuits for a 100 service. Subpanel is the way to go. I agree with 60 amp max. Upgrading to 125 would be a waste of time. Upgrading to 200 would be the way to go, but you can probably get away without it. All I see are single pole breakers, which tells me no heavy electric appliance draws except for maybe window air conditioners. The breaker with the green handle could be a 2 pole for either an electric dryer or A/C. Put the subpanel in and try it. You'll most likely be fine. Worst case is you'll trip the main either in the sub or the service panel. I don't think putting an Amprobe on the main will tell you much. The current draw will probably be low. You may pop the subpanel main if the compressor, heater and welder are all be used at the same time.

 

[abnorm]

All I see are single pole breakers,

It appears there are double pole breakers at 3/5, 4/6, 8/10, 15/17, 19/21, 20/22, 28/30

 

[frankush]

Your eyes are better than mine. Good call. That's a lot of 230V loads. OP should clarify what some of this stuff is. These could be a deal breaker.

 

[Cudajas]

thanks guys.

I will take a look at the box, and report back on what double pole there are.


Jason

 

[Cudajas]

Good eyes indeed!

The following are the double poles and the amperage.
3/5, yes 40 amp - living room
4/6, yes 15 amp
8/10, yes 15 amp
15/17, yes 30 amp
19/21, yes 15 amp
20/22,yes 15 amp
28/30 yes 30 amp

So keep in mind I am not an electrical guy...I just have a basic understanding of how to wore fixtures etc.

In all honesty I do not know what all the circuits are for. We have been in the house for about 7 months and the box was not labeled when we moved in.

I can tell you, we have a gas stove with a 230 v plug.
Central air conditioner and Jacuzzi tub that are likely on the 230 circuits.

One appears to be for our internet router (not sure why that has a double pole?)

The others, I am not sure about. I guess I need to work through the panel and find out what everything is???

Jason

 

[RickP]

This post is probably your best bet:

That's a lot of circuits for a 100 service. Subpanel is the way to go. I agree with 60 amp max. Upgrading to 125 would be a waste of time. Upgrading to 200 would be the way to go, but you can probably get away without it. All I see are single pole breakers, which tells me no heavy electric appliance draws except for maybe window air conditioners. The breaker with the green handle could be a 2 pole for either an electric dryer or A/C. Put the subpanel in and try it. You'll most likely be fine. Worst case is you'll trip the main either in the sub or the service panel. I don't think putting an Amprobe on the main will tell you much. The current draw will probably be low. You may pop the subpanel main if the compressor, heater and welder are all be used at the same time.

You won't be doing anything unsafe by adding a subpanel. Worst case is you trip a breaker and have to turn off some loads in the garage until you upgrade the main service. After running the wire to the subpanel, you should consider hiring an electrician to do the final connection at the main panel. That way you'll know it will meet Canadian codes.

 

[abnorm]

Good Eyes ?.......the double wide cases are easy to spot in that sharp photo

MWBC....(Multi Wire Branch Circuit) would explain the router on a dbl pole

If you want.....Map the circuits of your system.........Start with a list of the major electrical appliances...It can be a challenge to completely understand the wiring layout/distribution without disturbing wall surfaces...

"" So keep in mind I am not an electrical guy...I just have a basic understanding of how to WIRE fixtures etc.""

If that's the case...Consider hiring out the subpanel....I've never found an electrician willing "to (only) do the final connections"

Then have some fun wiring the garage yourself..........

 

[Cudajas]

Good Eyes ?.......the double wide cases are easy to spot in that sharp photo

MWBC....(Multi Wire Branch Circuit) would explain the router on a dbl pole

If you want.....Map the circuits of your system.........Start with a list of the major electrical appliances...It can be a challenge to completely understand the wiring layout/distribution without disturbing wall surfaces...

"" So keep in mind I am not an electrical guy...I just have a basic understanding of how to WIRE fixtures etc.""

If that's the case...Consider hiring out the subpanel....I've never found an electrician willing "to (only) do the final connections"

Then have some fun wiring the garage yourself..........

Thanks, that would be my plan.