Attic sub panel size

[mrVanagon]

Greetings all. I have an 1100 sqf bungalow with a finished attic (about 300 sqf). I'm planning to install a sub panel in a closet off the finished attic. I'm moving the existing first floor light circuit and attic circuit (each a 15A@120v) from the main panel to the sub in the attic. I also want to power a window unit AC (20A@120v) and a wall heater (15A@240v). How big does the feeder need to be? The calcs in the NEC don't seem to be exactly related to this situation since, for example, the lighting circuit only powers 4 fixture @60w each.

My thought was that a 40amp breaker powered by a 25' run of 8-3 romex should be plenty but I welcome input for the GJ hive-mind.

 

[ard]

If you dont already own them- Instead of buying two 'things', is there a small minisplit you can install that doenst take up window space that would do your heating and cooling?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I'd find someplace besides the closet to I stall the panel.

 

[Stuff]

Be aware that electrical panels are not allowed in clothes closets.

 

[walta]

Do you think your local officials will approve a panel in a closet? I think most will required to have 3 foot by 3 foot clear space in front of the panel, with no storage allowed

Walta

 

[mrVanagon]

Thanks for the input all. I already have the wall heater and the window AC. Since their total cost was about $300 and require no holes in the exterior of the house, they're pretty hard to beat.

The closet I'm talking about is a knee wall closet that runs the entire length of the house. There is no room for a clothes bar but I take the point about storage. At the moment there is already a small panel there but I took the guts out and used it like a big junction box. I considered rewiring that to make it a sub so that I could add the wall heater to the attic more easily but, on further thought, that won't be easier than just pulling a new line of romex up from the basement to feed the heater. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Stuff]

A knee wall closet probably wouldn't have the 6'6" height requirement either.

To halve the number of runs from the main panel look at using Muliti-Wire Branch Circuits (MWBC). Then split them at the junction box.

 

[ford33]

Take a look at the electrical code your city or village uses to determine panel location. You might be surprised at how restrictive the location for a panel is today.

Install it correctly and do it safely.