Hey guys, quick question. Long story short I'm helping a family member with power to a small 10x20 building. Shortest easiest way to get power to it is from the meter base. Can I install a 200 amp main service panel with 2 spaces, one 200 for the current house, and a 60 for this small shed? Then follow sub panel rules for the shed? Also does this change the bonding of the current main panel? Will I bond it at the new service panel? We are in Indiana and an inspector is not required I just have to have a licensed electrician give me the ok before they will reconnect the service. Thanks!
Outside distribution panel question
- Thread starter rbooe05
- Start date
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Yes the shed panel would be a subpanel which means 4-wire feeder, isolated neutral and 2 ground rods.
The current main panel in the house would also turn into a subpanel. This also means it will need a new 4-wire feeder, unless its fed by metal conduit. The neutral bar would need to be isolated(can prove to be difficult on older obsolete panels), and any grounds on the neutral bar would need to be moved over to a new ground bar. The GEC for the electrodes, as well as the bonding wire for the metal water line and gas piping would need to be moved to the new main service panel as well.
All of this can prove to be quite difficult if its inside finished walls.
What brand and model panel do they currently have for the main house panel?
Also, if you go to the electrical FAQs sticky, and read post #3, all of your bonding questions would be answered:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356460
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alfredeneuman
Well-known member
PVC doesn't count
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Current panel is an old push"o"matic. Ground rod is directly under the meter base and the bare ground wire runs through the wall and or concrete to get to the panel. I guess I would have to run an insulated ground to the main from the new dist. Panel. I never considered that. Metal conduit runs into the house from the meter base but without opening the wall up I don't know if it runs all the way to the current panel. Or I guess I can put a circuit tracer on the pipe and see if I pick it up in the panel. Iv never tried that before.
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
If its metal conduit and continuous from panel to panel, then no additional wire needed as the metal conduit can be used as the equipment ground.
The hard part is converting an old obsolete panel from main to subpanel.
Would need to find parts to isolate the neutral bar.
You may want to consider just upgrading that panel while youre doing the other work since its old.
The hard part is converting an old obsolete panel from main to subpanel.
Would need to find parts to isolate the neutral bar.
You may want to consider just upgrading that panel while youre doing the other work since its old.
Narrowback
New member
If you are just powering a lighting circuit and a few receptacles in the shed a sub panel is not necessary. You could get away with a multiwire branch circuit off the new house panel. No ground rods required at shed due to the fact that a Multiwire branch circuit is still considered a single circuit. GFCI protection still required. (May or May Not be OK in your area)
pattenp
Well-known member
The feeder circuit will need to be 20A or less to do this.