Load center mounting

[nate379]

Ok riddle me this...

Now I assumed a load center would be 14.5" wide to fit between a 16" O.C. studded wall.

The one I bought and also several others I've looked at to include my main panel at are 12.5" wide.

How the heck do I mount the thing? Wouldn't be too bad if it was 11.5 so I could put a 2x4 on each side, but I don't know of easy to get lumber that would be 1" or 2" thick.

Would it make sense to hang it just with 2 screws against 1 stud??

 

[Underdog]

I don't remember what the old one's were but they sure fit just right between two studs on 16" oc.

 

[Boyd Who]

I mounted my panel to a piece of plywood that mounts over the studs.

 

[nate379]

Would like to flush mount it, though I won't be able to insulate behind it if I do that.

Dunno at this point.


Another question, to run a wire through a wall corner, is there an easy way to do that?

 

[pattenp]

What brand of load centers are these? Main breaker load centers for residential are usually sized to fit between 16" centered studs which makes them 14.5 inches or a little less. I haven't seen one that's 12.5".

 

[klhitman]

maybe use some one by fours. maybe

 

[ddawg16]

Are you sure it's a recessed mount one and not a surface mount LC? You can usually tell by the front cover....

 

[nmanitou]

I did something like this: provide support on one existing stud, then provide the other side support on a ripped 2 x 4 to fit the space. I screwed a piece of OSB onto the ripped 2x4, then screwed the OSB to the other existing stud. I used the sides for support since my wiring would all be from the top and bottom, but YMMV. Hope that makes sense, but here's a pic to help.

 

[nate379]

This is what I got:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_94657-1318-E1020MB1100FCGP_5003699__?productId=3129843&Ntt=siemen+load+center&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_50%2B100_5003699__s%3FNtt%3Dsiemen%2Bload%2Bcenter&facetInfo=$50%20-%20$100]

I think I'm going to return it and get a different panel instead.

This one here is 1/2 the price and looks to be the correct width, also can use Main Lug or Main Breaker per the specs..
http://www.lowes.com/pd_71424-1318-G1224L1125CU_5003699__?productId=3129431&Ntt=siemen+load+center&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_50%2B100_5003699__s%3FNtt%3Dsiemen%2Bload%2Bcenter&facetInfo=$50%20-%20$100

 

[ddawg16]

The first one you got? I have the exact same one in my garage. I screwed it on one side, put a block along the bottom spaning the two studs...achored it there...and cut a block to fill in the space at the top corner.

I think your better off with the second one...you will have the main breaker which means you don't have a limit on the number of breakers you can have in the panel. Without a main breaker, you are limited to 6 breakers. Ask me how I know.

 

[Gooch]

The first one you got? I have the exact same one in my garage. I screwed it on one side, put a block along the bottom spaning the two studs...achored it there...and cut a block to fill in the space at the top corner.

I think your better off with the second one...you will have the main breaker which means you don't have a limit on the number of breakers you can have in the panel. Without a main breaker, you are limited to 6 breakers. Ask me how I know.

how do you know? because i've installed ALOT of subpanels that are main lug that have ALOT more than 6 breakers. That were inspected and passed.

 

[mrb]

how do you know? because i've installed ALOT of subpanels that are main lug that have ALOT more than 6 breakers. That were inspected and passed.

detached structure requires a disconnect (either a seperate disco or main breaker in the panel) if there are more than 6 breaker handles. You could put in an 84 space panel, but install over 6 breakers you need the main or disco.

 

[nate379]

I will only have 4 handles, but I'd rather just have a main breaker anyhow. It's worth the $20 for the breaker to me.

 

[Gooch]

detached structure requires a disconnect (either a seperate disco or main breaker in the panel) if there are more than 6 breaker handles. You could put in an 84 space panel, but install over 6 breakers you need the main or disco.

didn't realize we were talking about a detached structure.

 

[mrb]

didn't realize we were talking about a detached structure.

i was thinking this thread was about his shed, then discovered it was in his other thread

 

[MrMark]

That's the way the load centers are commonly designed.

All you do is cut 3.5" strips of 1/2" plywood by the height of the load center to fill. Screw or nail the plywood stips to the stud to make the cavity 12.5 and screw the load center through the sides into the studs. I'd put two strips (1 inch) on each stud so it would be centered and look nice.

You don't want any blocking above or below as that is where the wires go.

Oh, you do need to nail 1 X 4 laid flat about 10" above and below the load center to secure all your wires to.

 

[MrMark]

For example, the Square D 125 amp load center that I have, Made in USA and purchased at Home Depot, and that is why I bought it, is 14.25" wide. My cavity was 15". Nothing is ever perfect on a retrofit. I used 1/2 and 3/8 plywood stips to make up the difference. I installed through the sides.

I like to keep various sizes of scrap plywood around for just this type of situation.

 

[Steevo]

The second one you listed is what I used in my shop.
I filled all of the spaces, too!