Do I need a bigger fuse panel box? No space left?

[snopro753]

Hello, I recently moved in with my now fiance and this is the fuse panel in the garage. I believe it to feed the whole house. I was wanting to add another circuit in the garage. Currently there is only one. I want to run a 120v air compressor, 2hp, draw on literature says 16amps. So a 20 to 25 amp circuit is needed?

Anyways, I took off the panel door and I don't think I have any available slots left. Am I correct? Can I put in a different breaker that takes up only one slot?

If not, a bigger panel would be needed if I have the available amperage/service? Does this look like 100 amp service? Thanks in advance.

 

[Innovate1]

There should be a number on the large main switch at the top - on the handle. That is the amps of the panel. If you are only adding the garage outlet you can probably get by with the current panel. You should be able to replace one breaker with two half thickness breakers and get the needed additional 20A breaker. This should be enough for a 16A compressor.

Since the panel is in the garage running the wire to the outlet should be easy.
You haven't said anything about the other loads in the house or future plans so it's hard to say if you should consider putting in a higher amperage panel or not. Just from the pictures it looks like you don't have many large loads so 100A may be ok.

 

[mm08822]

You’re at a point where anything additional needs piggyback circuit breakers and the neutrals and grounds need to double up on the neutral block. Typically 2 ground wires can be under a screw but only 1 neutral wire under a screw. You already have a few exceptions to that.

For now add a piggyback breaker to get your air compressor running. Anything further will really require at least a larger panel having more branch circuit spaces. Currently you have 20 branch circuit spaces in your 100 amp service panel. Whether you need a larger service 200A or just a larger 100A panel depends on your future plans and current simultaneous loads. Need to do a load calculation for present and future loads.

You could easily put a larger 100a panel in with minimal sheetrock work.

Looks like your panel is also missing the green bonding screw.

 

[NUTTSGT]

That's a 100amp panel. Look at your main, you can see the 100 on it.

You plan on staying there for awhile ? Getting married and be your home ? Maybe time to update to a larger 200A box.


Oh, btw, it's not a fuse panel, those are breakers. If you inquire with a electrical contractor, it might help to use the correct language.

 

[redidbull]

You could put in a couple twin breakers, 2 breakers the size of 1 slot, for a light use circuit or 2. There is a limit to how many though and I would not use them on compressor, fridge, etc. Jim

 

[mike93lx]

i would upgrade, but i think you'll be surprised at how expensive it will be since it sounds like you aren't very familiar with the work.

around here, an upgrade to 200a and a panel swap would be $2k.

 

[snopro753]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. If I can add a double breaker for a pair of low use circuits and gain the space for a new 20amp breaker for my compressor and garage use, I'm going that route. We are getting married this year and I'm hoping to move or build a new house the following year.

Currently it's just the two of us. No kids. Furnace is the biggest draw. Washer and Dryer next. Usually only one TV on. I don't think 200A upgrade is necessary.

Any suggestions about a source to read up on my type of breakers and what is compatible with my box?

 

[slow]

That is a Square D "QO" panel, and only takes QO breakers.

 

[snopro753]

That is a Square D "QO" panel, and only takes QO breakers.

Thanks!

 

[mark flucke]

excellent catch-I am a union electrician and appreciate folks that have attention to detail/safety

 

[mark flucke]

you really need to consult an electrician-the furnace is NOT the biggest draw-you have a 2 pole gfci in the panel/hot tub?-that is your largest draw

 

[Radix2]

You could put in a couple twin breakers, 2 breakers the size of 1 slot, for a light use circuit or 2. There is a limit to how many though and I would not use them on compressor, fridge, etc. Jim

You wouldn't use them on some loads?

Either they are correct QO breakers for that panel or not.

Either they are designed correctly for their markings or not.

Sometimes size really doesn't matter...

 

[snopro753]

you really need to consult an electrician-the furnace is NOT the biggest draw-you have a 2 pole gfci in the panel/hot tub?-that is your largest draw

We don't have a hot tub. Might have been one at one time. I need to check for a plug outside. Maybe I could take that breaker out. I definitely need to do more research. I am open to having an electrician come out and tell me my options. Pay for the work. I have family friends that are union electricians locally also.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If I can add a double breaker for a pair of low use circuits and gain the space for a new 20amp breaker for my compressor and garage use, I'm going that route.

The more correct term is "tandem" breaker. Double would imply a 2 pole, 240V breaker, although they do make tandem double pole breakers (two 240v load only taking 2 slots instead of 4).

Be careful ! Many load centers (breaker panels) only allow tandem breakers in certain, limited locations, typically at the bottom.

Another "Buyer Beware", that I learned the hard way when I needed to add 4 circuits for my daughter's kitchen remodel. Older (20 ?, 30? yo) Square D QO load centers are NOT compatible with current day tandem breakers ! Square D confirmed this and said the old tandem breakers have been out of production for awhile. Luckily I was able to locate "new, old stock" for a reasonable price.

As for neutrals and grounds I will yield to the experts. I don't know what is the best solution that is NEC approved. Possibilities are

• multiple grounds under one screw
• splice multiple (3 ?, 4?) grounds together and run a pigtail to the screw
• splice multiple neutral together and run run one INSULATED pigtail to the screw
• Purchase and install a new ground bus bar, but most of these kits assume you have a place to mount it in the box and I do not see one

 

[redidbull]

You wouldn't use them on some loads?

Either they are correct QO breakers for that panel or not.

Either they are designed correctly for their markings or not.

Sometimes size really doesn't matter...

When I worked for an electrician many years ago he only liked to use them on lighting circuits. I guess that just stayed with me. I agree there probably is no reason not to use it as it is marked. Jim