Hi , we just finished building a pole barn. We plan on installing electricity to it this week. I’ll tap into the breaker panel that’s in the detached garage. The new pole barn will only need breakers for overhead LED lights and wall outlets..No electric tool . The local inspector said it needs to have a main breaker on it. I was thinking of a box with room for 6or8 breakers. What are your thoughts. Thanks, Fredski53
Pole barn sub-panel
- Thread starter Fredski53
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Main breaker was only required if you needed more than 6 throws to shut everything off up until the 2020 nec or if you had a local written amendment.
One option is a multi wire branch circuit (MWBC) if two 120v circuits is enough. You run a 4 conductor cable (like 10/3 or 12/3 UF depending on distance, or thwn in conduit) to a dual pole switch and then have one leg feed the receptacles and one feed the lights. No panel, no breakers, just a switch. This is how I am setting up a pool shed this winter. About as simple and cheap as can be. Also saves you from needing to drive ground rods
If you need more, I would do a 12 space, 100a panel. Homeline is under $100 and you won't regret a larger panel if even just for wiring space. 8 space would save you about $20
One option is a multi wire branch circuit (MWBC) if two 120v circuits is enough. You run a 4 conductor cable (like 10/3 or 12/3 UF depending on distance, or thwn in conduit) to a dual pole switch and then have one leg feed the receptacles and one feed the lights. No panel, no breakers, just a switch. This is how I am setting up a pool shed this winter. About as simple and cheap as can be. Also saves you from needing to drive ground rods
If you need more, I would do a 12 space, 100a panel. Homeline is under $100 and you won't regret a larger panel if even just for wiring space. 8 space would save you about $20
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yep, that's the one I was looking at, just from big orange, not big blue
they have an 8 spot too. just impossible to find in stock for under 100 bucks.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The 20 space is available and cheaper than both the 8 and 12
Square D Homeline 100 Amp 20-Space 40-Circuit Indoor Main Breaker Plug-On Neutral Load Center with Cover HOM2040M100PC - The Home Depot
Save expensive cable and time in your home with Square D Homeline Indoor Main Breaker PlugOn Neutral Load Center with Cover.
www.homedepot.com
The 20 space is available and cheaper than both the 8 and 12
Square D Homeline 100 Amp 20-Space 40-Circuit Indoor Main Breaker Plug-On Neutral Load Center with Cover HOM2040M100PC - The Home Depot
Save expensive cable and time in your home with Square D Homeline Indoor Main Breaker PlugOn Neutral Load Center with Cover.www.homedepot.com
and thats how he ended up with MHF "just in case" and a 12" concrete floor with radiant heat.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Hey, this is at least a cheaper option...and I even lead with a suggestion of a MWBC with a $10 switch...
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
If you put in a panel you'd have to install a separate grounding system (2 driven ground rods)
Not so if you just run a MWBC
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Should have asked, where are you located? Any advice I am giving is US only
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I even mentioned that
