main disconnect or load center

[chevytrucks84]

I picked up the pannel for the barn opened it and now I'm wondering!!! What is the proper box for a pole barn. Can I use a load center or just return it and get a main disconnect.

 

[ryanjharvey]

I picked up the pannel for the barn opened it and now I'm wondering!!! What is the proper box for a pole barn. Can I use a load center or just return it and get a main disconnect.

Many different factors here. Lets assume a few things.

• The pole barn is a separate structure detached from the main house.
• You are feeding your pole barn out of your main house panel that has a main disconnect on it and is fed from the utility company meter socket
• You need a sub-panel and two small branch circuits fed from a double pole breaker with no downstream over-current devices in your pole barn is NOT enough power.

If these assumptions are correct, then YES, you typically need a device to simultaneously disconnect all ungrounded conductors entering this structure, and most of the time, a main breaker is the best way to do that. By having a panel in the pole barn, your feed from your house is called a "feeder" and code dictates you will need a main disconnect for the separate structure. You will also need ground rods and your neutral and ground should NOT be bonded together at the pole barn panel. All neutral and grounds should be kept separate in the pole barn panel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You ONLY need a main disconnect in a detached structure IF there is more than 6 breaker handles in the panel.

However, a main disconnect is a good idea regardless as it makes it easier to shut off power to the structure since u dont have to walk to the main service panel or subpanel that feeds the structure.

 

[chevytrucks84]

My first thoughts were get one with a disconnect but I had this one. Off to the store I go. Thanks

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You ONLY need a main disconnect in a detached structure IF there is more than 6 breaker handles in the panel.

However, a main disconnect is a good idea regardless as it makes it easier to shut off power to the structure since u dont have to walk to the main service panel or subpanel that feeds the structure.

Main breaker panels are cheap at the box stores.

 

[tlmartin84]

Main breaker panel............no question.