New power panel

[Slednut]

I'm doing a new addition to the garage and house. Installed a new panel today. My neighbor’s son who is an electrician did the job for $650 which is time and material. He is also dealing with the permit. Pictures are the old panel and the new. I think I got a good deal.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is this the main service panel or a subpanel?

 

[cort]

Is this the main service panel or a subpanel?

Can't imagine that an electrician would get it wrong, so assume it is a mains panel. If it is a subpanel, then you've got a bit of a problem with your grounding configuration.

Not a whole lot of room for expansion. Lots of tandem breakers. If you are replacing a panel then why not choose one with more slots from the get go?

Nevertheless, wiring looks neat and tidy.

 

[Slednut]

It's the main panel, no floating neutral.

 

[Norcal]

Old one looks like a Zinsco/Sylvania, if so good choice to dump, cheap **** when new, crazy expensive for ChiCom built replacement breakers now.


When Siemens bought the ITE brand, they had the cleanest panel fronts, their current offerings has all the worst designs from Murray.

 

[Slednut]

Not a whole lot of room for expansion. Lots of tandem breakers. If you are replacing a panel then why not choose one with more slots from the get go?

It has 20 more available circuits.

 

[Aceman]

Did you ask your electrician why he installed such a small panel? And why he twinned all you circuits up?

This is a new panel. You should be starting with full width breakers, the twin breakers are for later, after the fact when you are completely out of room and want to add some circuits. You don't twin a brand new panel, that tells me he's inexperienced or doesn't care. It's a shame when he makes the wiring look nice but cheaps out on the panel.

Looks to be aluminum buss as well....

 

[Norcal]

Did you ask your electrician why he installed such a small panel? And why he twinned all you circuits up?

This is a new panel. You should be starting with full width breakers, the twin breakers are for later, after the fact when you are completely out of room and want to add some circuits. You don't twin a brand new panel, that tells me he's inexperienced or doesn't care. It's a shame when he makes the wiring look nice but cheaps out on the panel.

Looks to be aluminum buss as well....

Agreed,I have voiced my opinion of twin breakers & a new install show lack of proper planning when stuffed w/ twins. Siemens indoor loadcenters are AL bussed as standard.

 

[Slednut]

We just didn't see it needing anymore that this panel is capable of. Thought I received a pretty good deal, didn't think I would be flamed for posting it.

 

[Diesel Dan]

We just didn't see it needing anymore that this panel is capable of. Thought I received a pretty good deal, didn't think I would be flamed for posting it.

I don't think they are putting any blame on you.
It is the electrician that is receiving the scrutiny here. For a new install I always use a box with full sized breakers and I'm not an electrician, just read enough about the subject to pass on the twin breakers. It is the choice of materials that has people wondering.

 

[Slednut]

I hear ya talkin.

 

[jvitez]

Did you ask your electrician why he installed such a small panel? And why he twinned all you circuits up?

This is a new panel. You should be starting with full width breakers.....

Interesting point. I'm in Canada. Our 7 year old house has 400 amp service with two 200 amp 40/80 Siemens panels, one for the lighting/recept loads mostly, and one for the larger loads (heat pumps, backup heating strips, water heaters, etc.). The first panel has 51 circuits including dual pole well pump, irrigation pump, and kitchen MBW. So, it has mostly tandem 15 amp breakers. This was how the electrical contractor installed it new, and I had the irrigation circuits added when we did the landscaping.

In a situation like this, is it reasonable to use so many tandem breakers or would some contractors have added a third panel as a sub to allow the use of full size breakers?

 

[EOC_Jason]

In a situation like this, is it reasonable to use so many tandem breakers or would some contractors have added a third panel as a sub to allow the use of full size breakers?

I would say it would just depend on how crammed things get in there. Running a bunch of 20 amp circuits you will notice how much empty space you have in the panel. Start pulling 60 or 100 amps circuits and it can start to get tight.

Unless there is a size restriction when placing a panel, for me bigger is always better.