Breaker box questions

[Mdaddyrabbit]

I have an outside box for the A/C, Range and a few other items as seen in the images attached. Since this box is full my electrician says I need to put another box beside it so I can expand and be able to go to the barn. I bought a GE 12 Circuit 6 space 126 amp load center for inside the barn, also in the images below. My questions are will the box inside the barn be what I need? Next question what type of box will I need to expand the box on my house?

Link for new box that will be in the barn.
[B]http://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-12-Circuit-6-Space-126-Amp-Main-Lug-Convertible-Load-Center/1083441[/B]

 

[GarageWidget]

Can either replace current outside distribution panel or supplement it. Either way it has to be an outside rated enclosure. If the large pipe is your feed (looks to be 1") you may not have enough power to support daisy chaining these enclosures.

You inside box (GE) looks fine for a dry location install and is usually fed up to 60 amps.

Does the residence have enough amperage coming into it 150+ to support all of these appliances? If not your talking a service change in which they should change this enclosure anyway.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional electrician. Good luck.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I have an outside box for the A/C, Range and a few other items as seen in the images attached. Since this box is full my electrician says I need to put another box beside it so I can expand and be able to go to the barn. I bought a GE 12 Circuit 6 space 120 amp load center for inside the barn, also in the images below. My questions are will the box inside the barn be what I need? Next question what type of box will I need to expand the box on my house?

Link for new box that will be in the barn.
http://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-12-Circuit-6-Space-126-Amp-Main-Lug-Convertible-Load-Center/1083441

Where is your main service panel?

What size breaker feeds this subpanel?

The box you bought for the barn wont work if u will have more than 6 breaker handles. U will need a main breaker panel instead if thats the case.

One thing I noticed in your panel is its an ITE and there is a sq D breaker in the center position on the right hand side. this needs to be changed to an ITE, which are obsolete, or a siemens/murray. Siemens bought out ITE and are code permissible.

Can either replace current outside distribution panel or supplement it. Either way it has to be an outside rated enclosure. If the large pipe is your feed (looks to be 1") you may not have enough power to support daisy chaining these enclosures.

You inside box (GE) looks fine for a dry location install and is usually fed up to 60 amps.

Does the residence have enough amperage coming into it 150+ to support all of these appliances? If not your talking a service change in which they should change this enclosure anyway.

Disclaimer: I am not a professional electrician. Good luck.

No way is that his main service panel. Those are all double pole 240v breakers. If that was his main, he would need some single pole breakers or a larger breaker feeding s sub. This is most likely a 240v only panel for appliances...

And there would be no way to know that that panel doesnt have enough capacity just based on what appliances are fed from it. would need to do a load calc to determine that as well as know what size feeder feeds it.

 

[Mdaddyrabbit]

No, that is not my main panel. That is some of the 240v I have another panel under the garage of the house that handles everything else. I am adding a image for it. I just want to be able to put a 100 amp breaker at the house and a 100 amp main breaker in the barn box and run the receptacles and the lights along with a 120v 30 amp wire welder.

Where is your main service panel?

What size breaker feeds this subpanel?

The box you bought for the barn wont work if u will have more than 6 breaker handles. U will need a main breaker panel instead if thats the case.

One thing I noticed in that panel is its an ITE and there is a sq D breaker in the lower right corner. that needs to be changed to an ITE, which are obsolete, or a siemens/murray. Siemens bought out ITE and are code permissible.



No way is that his main service panel. Those are all double pole 240v breakers. If that was his main, he would need some single pole breakers or a larger breaker feeding s sub. This is most likely a 240v only panel for appliances...

And there would be no way to know that that panel doesnt have enough capacity just based on what appliances are fed from it. would need to do a load calc to determine that as well as know what size feeder feeds it.

 

[Norcal]

Instead of using GE (AKA Good Enough) Siemens panels should be used to keep things the same.


SQ D HOM breakers are not UL classified to be used in any panel, only UL listed for use in SQ D Homeline panels only.

 

[Mdaddyrabbit]

What kind of expansion box would you use at the house and what kind of breaker box would you use in the barn?

Instead of using GE (AKA Good Enough) Siemens panels should be used to keep things the same.


SQ D HOM breakers are not UL classified to be used in any panel, only UL listed for use in SQ D Homeline panels only.

 

[Norcal]

Siemens, as they are the successor to ITE Imperial Corp., Unless a panel is obsolete or a pile of **** like FPE, or Zinsco/Sylvania, (those makes are both), it is a sign that someone was thinking when things were kept somewhat the same instead of a hodge podge of panel makes. I am not really fond of GE either.

 

[Mdaddyrabbit]

I may take the box I have and trade it for a Square D http://www.lowes.com/pd/Square-D-48...-Main-Breaker-Load-Center-Value-Pack/50311147

Siemens, as they are the successor to ITE Imperial Corp., Unless a panel is obsolete or a pile of **** like FPE, or Zinsco/Sylvania, (those makes are both), it is a sign that someone was thinking when things were kept somewhat the same instead of a hodge podge of panel makes. I am not really fond of GE either.

 

[Stuff]

Where is your electric meter? Is there a panel or breaker/disconnect there?

My guess is the first pic is your main disconnect/service panel as it has six double pole breakers (the limit) and the 100 amp breaker feeds your panel under the garage.

If you have a real electrician it should be simple for him to mount another box next to the current one. As mentioned, go with Siemens to keep consistent. He would need to move one of the breakers (30amp?) to the new panel to free up space. Then you would have a spot for your garage panel.

 

[Norcal]

I may take the box I have and trade it for a Square D http://www.lowes.com/pd/Square-D-48...-Main-Breaker-Load-Center-Value-Pack/50311147

I would not use Homeline either, you lose any interchangeability between panels, plus HOM is AL bus (as are the ITE panels) but there is a option of copper bus w/ Siemens.

 

[Mdaddyrabbit]

The meter is beside the box I have pictured with the double throws. I am wanting to do exactly what you said with a new box. I just wanted to get my own box and have it mounted so the electrician doesn't charge for something I can do. Could you recommend the right Siemens box so I can go ahead and pick that up and mount it?

Where is your electric meter? Is there a panel or breaker/disconnect there?

My guess is the first pic is your main disconnect/service panel as it has six double pole breakers (the limit) and the 100 amp breaker feeds your panel under the garage.

If you have a real electrician it should be simple for him to mount another box next to the current one. As mentioned, go with Siemens to keep consistent. He would need to move one of the breakers (30amp?) to the new panel to free up space. Then you would have a spot for your garage panel.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Why not just replace the existing outdoor panel with a bigger outdoor panel?