My house has CCA (copper coated aluminum) wiring with 2 outlets and 1 ceiling fixture in the garage. I want a sub panel in the garage with more outlets. Can this be done off the existing main panel (providing there is room)? I obviously want all the new work to be copper. Thanks
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Copper and Aluminum?
- Thread starter dgarage
- Start date
pattenp
Well-known member
Most likely, Yes. But it would help to know more about the main panel to get a more definite answer.
It's called Copper Clad Aluminum, and assuming there is sufficient capacity I would see no reason why a subpanel in the garage could not be installed. The branch circuit wiring material should have no bearing on additional circuits, or a feeder to a subpanel.
Copper clad AL was used to have the "economy" of aluminum, & ease of terminating like copper, instead of using CO/ALR rated devices, but the only reason aluminum branch circuit wiring was used is it was cheaper then copper, the copper cladding was a attempt to fix issues with AL wiring.
Copper clad AL was used to have the "economy" of aluminum, & ease of terminating like copper, instead of using CO/ALR rated devices, but the only reason aluminum branch circuit wiring was used is it was cheaper then copper, the copper cladding was a attempt to fix issues with AL wiring.
Zeke
Well-known member
FYI, AL wiring was not necessarily used because it was cheaper although that is a factor. During the Viet Nam War era copper was in short supply and needed for ordinance. Worse in WWII when pennys were zinc plated steel and few houses were built at all. But during VN housing continued to be built at a pretty good pace and there just wasn't enough copper.
Most likely, Yes. But it would help to know more about the main panel to get a more definite answer.
Thank you all who replied. All I can tell you is that the main box is on the opposite end of the house (of course!). All the circuit breaker cutouts are used except one. What else can I try to tell you to help?
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
How about some pics? Brand of panel? What electric loads do u have? What is your location?
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justsam
Well-known member
My house has CCA (copper coated aluminum) wiring with 2 outlets and 1 ceiling fixture in the garage. I want a sub panel in the garage with more outlets. Can this be done off the existing main panel (providing there is room)? I obviously want all the new work to be copper. Thanks
Is the garage attached or detached?
If attached you can just add the panel and leave existing circuits, however it sounds like you are short on breaker space. Can you use half size (tandem) breakers?
If detached you can have only one circuit to the garage, and this would be your proposed subpanel. The existing circuit(s) would need to be removed and re-homed to the new panel.
The garage is attached, small one car. After thinking about it I may just run the one last circuit to the garage if I have the capacity off the main. I only want it for more lights and outlet convenience for small hand and bench tools. I believe It's a 200 amp service so I'll have to see what I'm using already.
Thanks all for the input, I may be back...
Thanks all for the input, I may be back...
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