Adding a New Subpanel

[The Critic]

Greetings,

My house appears to have a "main disconnect" next to the electric meter. In this panel, there is a 100A breaker plus a 50A breaker for my A/C unit.



The 100A breaker leads to a 100A subpanel that is located in an utility room that is adjacent to the garage. As you can see from these photos, this subpanel is very full.



I would like to add a second 100A subpanel (in the garage). Obviously the goal is to add capacity for future needs. It has been suggested that I relocate the 50A A/C breaker to this new panel. Based on these photos, does this appear feasible?

 

[acer66]

Greetings,

My house appears to have a "main disconnect" next to the electric meter. In this panel, there is a 100A breaker plus a 50A breaker for my A/C unit.



The 100A breaker leads to a 100A subpanel that is located in an utility room that is adjacent to the garage. As you can see from these photos, this subpanel is very full.



I would like to add a second 100A subpanel (in the garage). Obviously the goal is to add capacity for future needs. It has been suggested that I relocate the 50A A/C breaker to this new panel. Based on these photos, does this appear feasible?

Interesting looking main panel you have there.
Sorry could not resist and you might want to update your pictures.

Good luck with your project.

 

[The Critic]

Interesting looking main panel you have there.
Sorry could not resist and you might want to update your pictures.

Good luck with your project.

Sorry, it is fixed. Not sure what happened. Thanks.

 

[infinkc]

Too bad you didn’t put the sub in when they did the solar. Doesn’t look like you have much more choice than moving the AC. Not sure if you can back feed solar from a sub, or if move that

 

[mike93lx]

What's going on with the breakers that have taped handles?

I don't think you will get a breaker that allows the PV back feed with a 100a connection for a sub.

I'd be considering replacing the existing sub panel with a larger one and then connection the new sub to that

 

[Norcal]

Only way I see is a service change to a 200A meter main, the original install was a cheap as possible job leaving absolutely no room for expansion. When I see a panel full of twin breakers, only see bad things. Circuit directory is not code compliant either.

 

[Bert_]

Do you need capacity or just extra spaces? What size is your service?

 

[Norcal]

Do you need capacity or just extra spaces? What size is your service?

The main service looks to be 200A with space for 2- 2 pole breakers, since there is a 100A 2 pole (Q2100) and a 50-30 quad, it's full & so is the 100A subpanel, unless the main can accept a 200A breaker and add a 200A panel next to the main panel, & move everything into it, but do not have a clue if it would work.

 

[Bert_]

The main service looks to be 200A with space for 2- 2 pole breakers.

Very possible but it sounds like a big assumption. I've never been around a seimens meter/main like that though so maybe you have experience with them.

 

[yatg]

You should check under the hood for labels that could tell you what's acceptable, or at least a panel catalog number.

This breaker might fit, but it only has 2 input stabs. There might be a removable mini-bus in your panel that converts the normal main breaker position into 4 slots. You need to take the front off and see what's really in there.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0052ME7M8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wyliesdiesels]

yes it does look like a 200a meter main

 

[klassenl]

Only way I see is a....change to a larger panel. The original install was a cheap as possible job leaving absolutely no room for expansion. When I see a panel full of twin breakers, it's totally fine.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Norcal]

Fixed it for you.

If that was done that way from the start, that is a sure sign the gene pool needed more chlorine, much as I dislike AFCI's cutting way back on twin breaker use since being required is one good thing.