Convert 100 amp disconnect

[Brandonorr55]

Howdy! Looking for advice....I currently have a 100 amp disconnect right next to my service entrance feeding my detached pole barn. We are putting a hot tub on the deck approx 15 feet from this disconnect, and I need a 60 amp breaker. I was planning on converting the disconnect to an outdoor rated 100 amp 6 spot sub panel. Needing help with the grounding....Can I use the same ground rod that the meter can is hooked to? If so, do I still need to unbond the neutral and ground bus bars? Thanks for the advice! Located in the US

 

[mike93lx]

A Sub panel requires a 4 wire feed with the neutral and ground unbounded, assuming US... Stating your location will help

 

[Terry D]

You would have to have your main breaker outside after the meter, then everything after that would be a sub panel including your main panel now. You would also need to have your grounding electrode conductor out there also. I'm thinking that 100 amp disconnect you have now possibly isn't correct, unless it is just a 3-wire feed going to the barn. Can you come out of your main panel. That ground rod outside is mainly for lightning strikes. it is not your equipment ground

 

[Brandonorr55]

You would have to have your main breaker outside after the meter, then everything after that would be a sub panel including your main panel now. You would also need to have your grounding electrode conductor out there also. I'm thinking that 100 amp disconnect you have now possibly isn't correct, unless it is just a 3-wire feed going to the barn. Can you come out of your main panel. That ground rod outside is mainly for lightning strikes. it is not your equipment ground

The disconnect is simply a three wire feed going to the barn. The meter can is dual lugs, with one feed going inside the house to the main panel, and the other lug feeding the 100 amp disconnect, which in turn feeds a sub in the barn. I was planning on replacing the 100 amp disconnect with a 100 or 125 sub panel, and using one breaker (2 pole) to feed the barn sub panel.

 

[Terry D]

All sub panels now require a 4-wire feed. You would have to have your main disconnect with overcurrent protection before any sub panel. This is where your neutral, grounding electrode conductor and ground rod conductor would all be tied together. Your best bet would be to come out of your main panel or install a meter main combo outside. These have a small panel on them, but everything after that is a sub panel. So you would have to install a 4-wire feed to your main panel which would become a sub panel. Easiest thing would be to come out of you main panel.

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[Brandonorr55]

All sub panels now require a 4-wire feed. You would have to have your main disconnect with overcurrent protection before any sub panel. This is where your neutral, grounding electrode conductor and ground rod conductor would all be tied together. Your best bet would be to come out of your main panel or install a meter main combo outside. These have a small panel on them, but everything after that is a sub panel. So you would have to install a 4-wire feed to your main panel which would become a sub panel. Easiest thing would be to come out of you main panel.

Square D Homeline 200 Amp 8-Space 16-Circuit Outdoor Ringless Overhead/Underground Main Breaker CSED RC816F200C - The Home Depot

Enhance protection to your circuit system in living space with Square D Homeline 8-Space 16-Circuit Outdoor Ringless Overhead or Underground Main Breaker CSED.

www.homedepot.com

Great feedback! Could I leave the disconnect and install an 8 slot panel after that?

 

[TRWham]

On top of the 3 or 4 wire issue, if you intend to serve some circuits in or on the main building out of the new panel in addition to feeding the outbuilding, you will have a new problem with the requirement to group service disconnects (230.72). Because there is currently a disconnect inside for the main panel, you would now need to go to two different locations to deenergize all of the circuits serving the building and that is not allowed.

 

[Terry D]

On top of the 3 or 4 wire issue, if you intend to serve some circuits in or on the main building out of the new panel in addition to feeding the outbuilding, you will have a new problem with the requirement to group service disconnects (230.72). Because there is currently a disconnect inside for the main panel, you would now need to go to two different locations to deenergize all of the circuits serving the building and that is not allowed.

Good point

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Great feedback! Could I leave the disconnect and install an 8 slot panel after that?

you would still need a 4-wire feeder.