Electrical subpanel questions

[aunsafe2015]

I've attached a picture of a main 200 amp panel that has two subpanels attached to it. One is breaker labeled "subpanel" and the other is the breaker above that labeled "garage."

Do those breakers indicate that the bottom subpanel is a 90 amp subpanel? Or does the fact that there are two 90s mean it is a 180 amp subpanel? And is the one labeled garage 30 amps or 60 amps?

One last question. Both subpanels are pretty far away from the main panel, and one of the subpanels is for the kitchen and family room. If I were to ever add solar panels to this house, would having the panels divided up like this be a problem? Or would the solar just be connected to the main panel regardless?

Thanks for any input. I also have pictures of both subpanels if that would be helpful.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

It means you've got a 240 volt 90 amp sub panel and either another 240 volt 30 amp sub panel to your garage, or a 240 volt 30 amp circuit to your garage

 

[aunsafe2015]

It means you've got a 240 volt 90 amp sub panel and either another 240 volt 30 amp sub panel to your garage, or a 240 volt 30 amp circuit to your garage

Thanks! There's an actual subpanel in the garage... Thanks for confirming 30 amps. I figured they were 30 and 90 but didn't know for sure.

 

[ard]

All you can see is the breaker handles and labels.

You need to verify the breakers go to wires which goes to subs- AND verify the wire is sized properly.

IMO

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wow that oanel is a mess.

What brand panel is that? Looks like siemens...

However, you have several mismatched breakers in there that should be replaced

 

[ard]

^ Kinda what I was thinking but didn't quite verbalize:

Based on the mess you can see, I would NOT assume that under the panel everything is done to code; that breakers are sized to the wire, etc, etc.

Take the cover off, snap some pictures.

 

[aunsafe2015]

^ Kinda what I was thinking but didn't quite verbalize:

Based on the mess you can see, I would NOT assume that under the panel everything is done to code; that breakers are sized to the wire, etc, etc.

Take the cover off, snap some pictures.

Thanks. But based on what you can see, the first response is correct, right? That the subpanel appears to be 90 amps and the garage subpanel 30?

 

[aunsafe2015]

Wow that oanel is a mess.

What brand panel is that? Looks like siemens...

However, you have several mismatched breakers in there that should be replaced

ITE Imperial is the name on the panel. Both subpanels are Siemens though.

Out of curiosity, anybody have a ballpark guess what it would cost to replace the panel and clean it all up?

Assuming that the actual wiring under the panel is correct and code compliant?

Are we talking hundreds or thousands $$?

Obviously if the wiring is bad and needs to be replaced/fixed, cost would be way more...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Siemens is the successor to ITE, bought in 1983.

Any breakers that arent siemens or ITE dont belong in there including the red handled Bryant/BR

As for cost, its hard to say as prices vary so much by area. Plan on $1K-$2K

The solar system would probably connect to your main. Connecting to subs can be an issue depending on load calcs.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Siemens is the successor to ITE, bought in 1983.

Any breakers that arent siemens or ITE dont belong in there including the red handled Bryant/BR

As for cost, its hard to say as prices vary so much by area. Plan on $1K-$2K

The solar system would probably connect to your main. Connecting to subs can be an issue depending on load calcs.

Awesome thanks. And good eye on the panel manufacturer!

 

[Norcal]

Wow that oanel is a mess.

What brand panel is that? Looks like siemens...

However, you have several mismatched breakers in there that should be replaced

I would say it's a ITE panel, pre-Siemens, there are only 2 breakers that don't belong there, a GE, & BR (Zinsco II), the rest are pre-Gould, (ITE Imperial) and the Gould/ ITE design still used today by Siemens. Gould Inc owned ITE from 1976-1984 when they sold to Siemens/Allis. Did not read the last few posts prior to posting comments.

 

[aunsafe2015]

I would say it's a ITE panel, pre-Siemens, there are only 2 breakers that don't belong there, a GE, & BR (Zinsco II), the rest are pre-Gould, (ITE Imperial) and the Gould/ ITE design still used today by Siemens. Gould Inc owned ITE from 1976-1984 when they sold to Siemens/Allis. Did not read the last few posts prior to posting comments.

Good eye. It is ITE. Wish I knew as much as you guys about this stuff!

 

[Norcal]

One other comment, someone used Cutler-Hammer filler plates in a attempt to close the openings in the panel front, Siemens filler plates are available at HD.