Man. The more I am reading, the more confused I am getting. I'm hoping to sort out my confusion so I can proceed. I don't want to ask stupid questions, but I don't want to keep reading in circles any longer either 
. I am comfortable doing the installation work and wiring. I just want to make sure I am using the right stuff.
My 200A main panel is pretty close to full (see pics below). I still have yet to add:
The first thing I want to do is move the two top right breakers to the bottom for a generator feed interlock. I will need to extend the hots. From my understanding, it's allowable to splice an extension onto a wire. Is there any thing "nicer" than a twist-on wire nut?
I don't see any reason not to run a 125A subpanel (max current load center breaker size) next to the main panel. I can't predict every thing I'm going to have through the future, but, it's not much extra cost to just do a 125A from the start.
Does this breaker follow the "80% rule" in which case I'd want to limit the subpanel load capacity to 100A?
(Have to forgive the thumbnails -- might have to click them. I tried uploading pics as an album and inserting as BB code, but they come out blurry.)
If I am limited to 100A, then, following the 75° column, I would use 3AWG Copper or 1AWG Aluminum. If I should be sizing to 125A, then it would be 1AWG Copper (1-1-1-3 SER) or 1/0 Aluminum (1/0-1/0-1/0-2 SER).
Is SER the best option? Or conduit with THHN?
It's only going to be a couple foot run, so cost will be negligible anyways, even in the Copper vs. Aluminum debate. I see people arguing for both sides, but I don't have a horse in the race. Aluminum is cheaper, but for such a small length, it doesn't matter. I'd want whatever is easier to work with (bend and move around) I guess.
. I am comfortable doing the installation work and wiring. I just want to make sure I am using the right stuff.My 200A main panel is pretty close to full (see pics below). I still have yet to add:
- Generator Interlock (2 slots)
- Air Compressor (2 slots)
- Garage Subpanel (2 slots)
- Shed Subpanel (1 or 2 slots)
- Basement Wiring (currently unfinished -- multiple slots)
The first thing I want to do is move the two top right breakers to the bottom for a generator feed interlock. I will need to extend the hots. From my understanding, it's allowable to splice an extension onto a wire. Is there any thing "nicer" than a twist-on wire nut?
I don't see any reason not to run a 125A subpanel (max current load center breaker size) next to the main panel. I can't predict every thing I'm going to have through the future, but, it's not much extra cost to just do a 125A from the start.
Does this breaker follow the "80% rule" in which case I'd want to limit the subpanel load capacity to 100A?
(Have to forgive the thumbnails -- might have to click them. I tried uploading pics as an album and inserting as BB code, but they come out blurry.)
If I am limited to 100A, then, following the 75° column, I would use 3AWG Copper or 1AWG Aluminum. If I should be sizing to 125A, then it would be 1AWG Copper (1-1-1-3 SER) or 1/0 Aluminum (1/0-1/0-1/0-2 SER).
Is SER the best option? Or conduit with THHN?
It's only going to be a couple foot run, so cost will be negligible anyways, even in the Copper vs. Aluminum debate. I see people arguing for both sides, but I don't have a horse in the race. Aluminum is cheaper, but for such a small length, it doesn't matter. I'd want whatever is easier to work with (bend and move around) I guess.
