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Help with adding a 100amp sub-panel for my garage

TheKnout

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2020
Messages
5
Location
california
Looking for some advice.
I have a 125amp main panel with a single breaker currently running the garage electrical. I am looking to run a 100amp sub-panel in my attached garage instead. While I currently have 2 open breakers in the panel (they are not next to each other), the new sub-panel will require the elimination of the garage breaker and the relocation of one breaker so there are 2 breakers next to each other for the sub-panel. The feeder line would run from the main panel through the crawlspace under the house (26ft) then up through a garage wall cavity into the attic space, where it would travel along the attic rafters and drop down into the wall cavity housing the sub-panel (18ft). The attic scuttle is on the other side of the garage and nowhere near any of this.

My questions are:
Should I run SER cable for the entire run?
If I run SER does it need to be in the conduit at any time?
Should I run copper or aluminum? I know aluminum is cheaper but is that the only thing going for it?
Lastly, as stated before my main panel is 125amp and the house already has a 60amp sub-panel for the kitchen. If I am correct I should be able to add the 100amp sub-panel without upgrading my service.
 
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acer66

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2010
Messages
4,443
Location
Western North Carolina
Ser does not need to be in conduit and you would have to do a load calculation to know if your main will be sufficient.
How big is your house and how do you heat it etc.?
What will be the electrical loads in the in the garage and are you running a one man shop?
 

wyliesdiesels

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 14, 2012
Messages
20,257
Location
Modesto, CA
AL SER is the way to go here.

as said above, do a load calc if youre concerned about load.

since you didnt list any loads whatsoever, we have no way of knowing if your service would be sufficient....
 
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nadogail

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
32,357
Location
Coronado, CA
What portion of the 125 Main Panel Capacity will be used in the primary garage?

I would be surprised if you have less than 40 Amp load on the main panel. The maximum l would be comfortable recommending is a 100 Amp subpanel in the downstream garage.

Please be aware that I have just made a SWAG, based on Insuffient information.
 
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