120V-only Subpanel

[Mattlt]

Another thread mentioned a 120V-only subpanel. I thought if you ran a subpanel you needed to run 240V to it? Is a different kind of panel required, or is it all in the wiring?

I'm thinking of building a small shed and I'd like to have a couple of 120V circuits in it... 240 would be overkill in this situation.

I know 240 would be the ideal solution, but can someone school me on the 120V subpanels?

 

[acer66]

If you have only one phase coming in it you would have a 120V panel,
meaning both bus bars at the Sub panel are on the same phase.
You could make any 120/240V panel I ever saw a 120V only panel
via wiring but I do not know how legal that is.

 

[Norcal]

If you have only one phase coming in it you would have a 120V panel,
meaning both bus bars at the Sub panel are on the same phase.
You could make any 120/240V panel I ever saw a 120V only panel
via wiring but I do not know how legal that is.

The nomenclature "phase" is incorrect when one is refering to a single phase(1Ø) source, "leg" is a more correct choice since 3Ø power is rare in residentail in the US & 2Ø power is a obsolete power system.

 

[mrb]

how much power are you running to your shed? do you just want one (or two) circuits for lights and general use receptacles? if so you dont need a subpanel, just run 12/3 UF (or 10/3 or possibly larger depending on distance involved), or conduit in wire, and supply it with a 2P 20a breaker and youre complying with the one circuit rule that lets you not have a subpanel. not sure if a disconnect is required, i dont think so but if it is you can use a 20a 2P snap switch (toggle switch ie light switch)

 

[Mattlt]

how much power are you running to your shed? do you just want one (or two) circuits for lights and general use receptacles? if so you dont need a subpanel, just run 12/3 UF (or 10/3 or possibly larger depending on distance involved), or conduit in wire, and supply it with a 2P 20a breaker and youre complying with the one circuit rule that lets you not have a subpanel. not sure if a disconnect is required, i dont think so but if it is you can use a 20a 2P snap switch (toggle switch ie light switch)

That's a good idea. That sounds about like what I want to do.

 

[acer66]

The nomenclature "phase" is incorrect when one is refering to a single phase(1Ø) source, "leg" is a more correct choice since 3Ø power is rare in residentail in the US & 2Ø power is a obsolete power system.

Another day I learned something

 

[Berserker]

You can put for circuits in subpanel without a disconnect. You could just run 10-2 and put in a couple 15 amp breakers. For a shed, you may just run 10-2 for distance, and one breaker.

I am not sure what the code is, I haven't done it. But if you only run one hot out there and have a subpanel set up for 220, you could do a jumper between the incoming lugs.

Size up on wire for every 100 feet, for voltage drop is a good rule of thumb.

 

[Buzzy]

Wouldn't you need to run a Ground fault circit breaker as well?? I would think so because you are running a wire outside.

 

[mrb]

Wouldn't you need to run a Ground fault circit breaker as well?? I would think so because you are running a wire outside.

no. 15 and 20 amp 120v receptacles must be gfci protected when outside or in a garage, but that doesnt mean you have to have a gfci breaker. You can use gfci receptacles, (or have one gfci receptacle supplying other standard receptacles from its load terminals)