One for the electricians (with pics)

[Jason Garza]

Ok, so first off I am by no means a electrician but I have wired a few switches and I know enough to know that some of this is best left to the pros but I don't have pro money so I am hoping you guys can help me.

So I have a panel in the garage.

And then I have this panel outside

This is the inside of the outside panel

Ok so my question is. Is there a way that I can pop a couple more breakers in the outside box and run the wires inside and add 2 220 one for welder and and one for compressor and then add a couple breakers for four plugs on each side of the garage? If so can you recommend amperage for breakers and wire gauge?

 

[Thumper68]

why not just add the breakers to the inside box, you have 7 open spaces.

 

[mod9]

just a question. why don't you use the inside panel for the wanted circuits ??

 

[Jason Garza]

It will be so much easier to add them to the box outside just don't know if I can not sure what this panel is even used for.

 

[Jason Garza]

mod9 if i use the outside box all i have to do is put a box on inside with plugs and then run conduit up and over garage door and add another box with plugs. This wall is concrete block and does not have dry wall and is covered with conduit so the wife doesn't care but she said she would prefer if I didn't run wires all over the dry wall. I agree it will look nicer but its a garage at the end of the day and makes things a little harder. So thats why i was hoping i could use this outside box.

 

[pattenp]

Yes you can add more breakers in the outside panel for circuits to the garage. What is the one 240 circuit going back into the house via the large conduit that also carries the main feeder to the inside panel? Also don't shove anymore wire through the large conduit, it will most likely be over filled.

 

[Jason Garza]

I don't know what any of that goes to is this called a sub panel? What is this panel usually used for?

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I don't know what any of that goes to is this called a sub panel? What is this panel usually used for?

I've got one of those and it's for my wellpump. It covers a few other things, like lights in the crawlspace.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The outside panel, because it has a disconnect, is your main panel. The inside panel is, technically, a subpanel. The outside panel will hold 8 full size breakers, or 16 tandems. The stabs are notched for tandems.

Clearly the single breaker in the outside panel is for the receptacle below it. The double pole (240v) breaker may supply your outside air conditioner unit, or a well pump, or clothes dryer if it is close by.

Charles

 

[walrus]

is that feedthru panel(outdoors) common in other areas of the country, never seen one before

 

[CJCar]

is that feedthru panel(outdoors) common in other areas of the country, never seen one before

Visited the in-laws in Alabama recently. They are in a new development and all of the houses are done this way. Was the first I saw this type of panel in actual use - seen them in the catalog before but couldn't see the benefit.

In this new development, the combo load center is on one end of the house, it fed: 60a air handler, 30a condenser, 30a grinder pump, 50a range - most of which were with in 15 feet of the load center. It then fed a 100a sub panel on the opposite end of the house in the garage. Made for a very nice install.