Electrical Panel Size

[3dd13]

So, I'm starting a 30x50 building soon and need some help sizing an electrical panel. The building will mainly be used for automotive work and will have a 2-post lift, 2-stage air compressor, and a break room\office which may have A/C. I'll also have the normal array of lights, power outlets, small tools, etc.

I know the lift, compressor, and A/C unit will require 220v service. What I don't know is which breaker box would be best. I've been looking at these two boxes from Lowe's http://www.lowes.com/pd_643681-296-HOM3060M200PCVP___?productId=50311159&pl=1&Ntt=breaker+panels and http://www.lowes.com/pd_643681-296-HOM3060M200PCVP___?productId=50311159&pl=1&Ntt=breaker+panels

Any suggestions or guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Links dont work so Im not sure what brands or sizes youre looking at.

Main thing u need to consider is what large loads u will have and if this is a one man shop or 2 or more.

Ampacity of panel isnt as important as feeder size. U can put a 200a panel on a 100a feeder.

What is the wire length from house to shop?

 

[checkthisout]

Are you going to have electric heat? If yes go with 200 AMP, if not go with 100.

Either way get "too big" of a panel with lots of space.

And depending on how you divide up your shop, you may want to have two panels so you lessen the length of your runs, especially when it comes to wiring the big stuff like your lift, compressor, heaters etc.

In other words make sure your panel isn't on the opposite end of the shop from where your big draw stuff will be.

 

[nadogail]

Rather than settle for something that just meets your present requirements and you will soon outgrow, get something you will most probably "grow into".

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Are you feeding this from an existing house service or will it be seperate?
If youre feeding it from an existing 100-150 house service panel theres no sense in buying a 200a panel when you can get the same homeline panel with a 100a main for a service disconnect,And still get a panel with 30-40 spaces for less money.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is this going to be a 1 man operations or will multiple people be working there at the same time ? If you are strictly a 1 man operation, you probably won't need more than 60A, although your typical 60A panel won't have enough breaker positions !


Wylie is right (as usual). The size of the feeder cable is more important. You may want to install an oversized panel (200A) just for the additional slots.

 

[triple0beretta]

My building is 32x24 and I put a 200 amp 20 space panel.
http://m.lowes.com/pd/Square-D-40-C...-Main-Breaker-Load-Center-Value-Pack/50311179

 

[bczygan]

Square D 42-Circuit 42-Space 200-Amp Main Breaker Load Center (Value Pack) QO with integrated neutral bar.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_643765-296-QO142M200PCVP___?productId=50311191&pl=1&Ntt=square+d+200

$220 (Use the $20 off $100 coupon code generator and order online for store pickup)

 

[3dd13]

Sorry I haven't responded to questions sooner, I just got home from church.

1. The shop will have a separate 200amp service from the power company.
2. It will be used as just a hobby shop for my sons and I, so even though there may be more than one person at a time working, we all most likely be working on the same thing.
3. The panels I've been looking at are Square D 80-Circuit 40-Space 200-Amp Main or Square D 60-Circuit 30-Space 200-Amp Main.
4. I'll also likely have a plasma cutter and wire welder, but both will most likely be 120v devices.

I think either of the panels I'm looking at will work, I'm just concerned about being locked into something that I may have trouble getting breakers for later if needed. Both panels use Square D "Homeline" breakers and I'm not familiar with these. Are they common? Are they quality?

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[bczygan]

Sorry I haven't responded to questions sooner, I just got home from church.

1. The shop will have a separate 200amp service from the power company.
2. It will be used as just a hobby shop for my sons and I, so even though there may be more than one person at a time working, we all most likely be working on the same thing.
3. The panels I've been looking at are Square D 80-Circuit 40-Space 200-Amp Main or Square D 60-Circuit 30-Space 200-Amp Main.
4. I'll also likely have a plasma cutter and wire welder, but both will most likely be 120v devices.

I think either of the panels I'm looking at will work, I'm just concerned about being locked into something that I may have trouble getting breakers for later if needed. Both panels use Square D "Homeline" breakers and I'm not familiar with these. Are they common? Are they quality?

Thanks again for all your help!

I prefer the QO panels from Square D, especially for a shop.

Do you want a plug-on neutral?

Bill

 

[Pwrgeek]

I'm building a 30x60 right now. Same overall usage as yours. I'm going with a 200A 40 space panel (Square D Homeline). I'm feeding it from a 100A breaker in my main panel. The main thing I needed is at least 40 spaces. I already have circuits assigned to 30 spaces so that leaves me 10 for future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[3dd13]

I prefer the QO panels from Square D, especially for a shop.

Do you want a plug-on neutral?

Bill

Excuse my ignorance, but What is a plug-on neutral?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Now we get the rest of the story as paul harvey would say.
Yeah if price isnt a big factor Id prefer the QO for commercial projects also,But internally the only differance between the QO breakers and homeline breakers is the visa trip(and around double the price)
If the power co is supplying a separate 200a service to feed it Id definately go with a big 200a panel,Pay attention to the number of spaces the panel has not the number of circuits.
If the number of circuits allowed in the panel is bigger than the number of spaces that just means youll be stuck with a whole bunch of really expensive tandem/half sized breakers that Ive never been a fan of.
If you need more circuits than the panel has spaces for just set another sq-d panel next to it and feed it as a sub off of the 1st panel.it will look a whole of a lot more professional and youll probably save enough money not buying the tandem breakers to pay for the sub panel.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Excuse my ignorance, but What is a plug-on neutral?

Your SQ-D panel should already be set up for it.

 

[bczygan]

Excuse my ignorance, but What is a plug-on neutral?

http://ecmweb.com/technology-tools/homeline-plug-neutral-load-centers-plug-neutral-cafi-and-dual-function-circuit-brea

http://www.schneider-electric.us/en/product-range/62053-qo-plug-on-neutral-load-centers/

Bill

 

[checkthisout]

I have the 200 AMP 40 space Square D panel.

The cover is kind of a hassle to remove as circuits are added because of it's size but I'm glad I got one that big.

240V circuits fill up a panel pretty quick.

20/20 hindsight tells me I should have gotten the Seimens panel. I like their combination AFCI/GFCI breakers they sell and the guts of their panel seem to have more integrity than the Homeline panel I have. No issues with mine of course.

 

[theoldwizard1]

1. The shop will have a separate 200amp service from the power company.
2. It will be used as just a hobby shop for my sons and I, so even though there may be more than one person at a time working, we all most likely be working on the same thing.
3. The panels I've been looking at are Square D 80-Circuit 40-Space 200-Amp Main or Square D 60-Circuit 30-Space 200-Amp Main.

200A is overkill, but if the cost difference from 100A isn't too bad, why not !