?? about Homeline panel box

[monkers]

I have a small panel box with about 10 spaces in the garage, which is fed from the main 150 amp panel. This is all in one building, wire runs inside, dont know if that matters. There is a 50 amp breaker in the main feeding the "sub" panel (not sure if its a sub panel being in the same bldg?? I dont know alot about electric) Its fed with #6 cable, alum, there are 4 wires.
Now, my question. I have a brand new "Homeline" panel box with a 100 amp breaker in it, the breaker appears to be "fixed" in it, not removable like a normal breaker. Is there a way to remove it and install a 50 amp breaker in it? Also, does this 50 amp panel box have to be bonded, or should it not be bonded? I do not understand what that really does and why sometimes its done, and other times its not.
I am going to run the 50 amps until I run larger cable from the 150 amp box, unless I decide I dont need all of that, but I do have a Lincoln Ideal Arc 250 welder, and Lincoln Square Wave 175 Tig welder, Im not sure of the amps they are rated for. Thanks guys
Craig

 

[Gary S]

You don't need to remove the 100A breaker in the sub-panel. It serves only as a disconnect. The wire between the two panels is protected by the breaker in the main panel. That one needs to be sized correctly for the wire between them.

 

[ishiboo]

You don't need to remove the 100A breaker in the sub-panel. It serves only as a disconnect. The wire between the two panels is protected by the breaker in the main panel. That one needs to be sized correctly for the wire between them.

+1. You also need a disconnect if there are more than 6 circuits in the panel, so keep it. Some load centers are "convertible" between main breaker/main lugs, others are not.

The bonding screw should be removed - the neutral bar should not be bonded/jumpered to the chassis, that will be grounded via the ground wire you run from the main panel to the ground bar you install. It's not complicated - only a single point upstream should have these bonded, i.e. never a sub.

 

[pattenp]

Some clarification on the requirement of a disconnect. If the sub-panel is located in the same structure as the main service panel a disconnect is not required in the sub-panel. If the sub-panel is in an outbuilding that is served from another structure then a disconnect is required at the outbuilding if the sub-panel has more than 6 breakers.

 

[ishiboo]

Some clarification on the requirement of a disconnect. If the sub-panel is located in the same structure as the main service panel a disconnect is not required in the sub-panel. If the sub-panel is in an outbuilding that is served from another structure then a disconnect is required at the outbuilding if the sub-panel has more than 6 breakers.

Ooops, thanks patten. Missed the "same building" part.

 

[monkers]

Thank you guys, I thought I would have to replace it with a 50 amp breaker like in the main panel. Thank you for the clarification on that. And it will have more than 6 breakers, thats the main reason for changing it, not much room in it. I will also look and see if it is a "convertible " main, i can get the part number off it and look it up online. Thanks again

 

[ishiboo]

Thank you guys, I thought I would have to replace it with a 50 amp breaker like in the main panel. Thank you for the clarification on that. And it will have more than 6 breakers, thats the main reason for changing it, not much room in it. I will also look and see if it is a "convertible " main, i can get the part number off it and look it up online. Thanks again

It won't matter - use the 100A that you have, it'll be perfect.