Sub Panel-Flush to Surface Mount

[ABusDriver]

Hello Garage Electrical Guru's

I had a sub panel installed in my garage by a professional electrician at the same time my basement was finished a few years ago. The feeder cable from the main panel enters through the back of the sub panel. I've finally decided to finish my two-car attached garage and am starting on the wiring. The sub panel was flush mounted to the existing studs on the common wall with the house. That 2 x 4 wall is sheathed with 1/2" foil faced foam and 1/2" drywall. I thought it would be fairly easy to run the new wires down from above the trusses inside the stud bay and into the top of the panel. I failed to realize that the split entry construction has the upper level rim joist and sub floor just above where the panel was mounted as shown in the picture. I've shut off the sub panel breaker and removed the panel to assess the situation behind it. I would need to drill holes through the sole plate and sub floor of the upper level which would leave wires on the far side of the rim joist (in the unfinished utility room) then drill through what is the top plate (2 2x4's) and finally into the panel.

I think it would be easier to change from a flush mounted to a surface mounted panel and run the wires through a conduit and junction box above the trusses (or a 2x4 constructed chase) . I'm looking for suggestions as to whether that idea is feasible or another solution if I was to retain the flush mounted panel.

Thanks,

George

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

My stupid phone doesn't let me blow up pictures clearly enough to see things,but your panel looks surface mounted anyway.
I'd bring the wiring down inside the stud space then throw an offset in a couple of pieces of emt to transision from the Wal to the panel.
Or you could just frame a small section of the wall from floor to ceiling to enclose the surface mounted panel ,then you could use it as a chase to run wires down from ceiling before covering it with sheet rock.

 

[ForceFed70]

Sorry, I'm confused.

As mentioned, the panel in the picture is already surface mounted.

Also - I'll admit I haven't looked at a lot of sub panels before, but that one looks odd. More like a disconnect box. Where would you put your breakers?

Is what We're looking at a disconnect, and the subpanel itself is intended to go into that wall cavity?

If you've already put up the sheeting, how are you going to run your electrical everywhere?

 

[sierradmax]

Pipe out of panel to a J-box above or just below the ceiling then branch circuits can exit via romex or MC cable. Make sure j-box cover is accessible.

 

[walrus]

A licensed electrician did that?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What is that panel screwed to?

Looks like its floating.

 

[ABusDriver]

My stupid phone doesn't let me blow up pictures clearly enough to see things,but your panel looks surface mounted anyway.
I'd bring the wiring down inside the stud space then throw an offset in a couple of pieces of emt to transision from the Wal to the panel.
Or you could just frame a small section of the wall from floor to ceiling to enclose the surface mounted panel ,then you could use it as a chase to run wires down from ceiling before covering it with sheet rock.

I've pulled the panel out to see what's going on behind it and formulate a plan. That's why it looks surface mounted. I am considering both the chase option or EMT straight up to a junction.

 

[ABusDriver]

Sorry, I'm confused.

As mentioned, the panel in the picture is already surface mounted.

Also - I'll admit I haven't looked at a lot of sub panels before, but that one looks odd. More like a disconnect box. Where would you put your breakers?

Is what We're looking at a disconnect, and the subpanel itself is intended to go into that wall cavity?

If you've already put up the sheeting, how are you going to run your electrical everywhere?

I pulled the panel to have a look behind it. I've removed the cover and breaker. Since this is a common wall with the house, it had to be finished when it was originally built.

Panel specs attached. It seems GJ wants to turn my photos 90 degrees...

 

[ABusDriver]

Pipe out of panel to a J-box above or just below the ceiling then branch circuits can exit via romex or MC cable. Make sure j-box cover is accessible.

Thanks. I'm leaning this way due to ease of installation. I would prefer a "cleaner" look, but it is a garage after all.

 

[ABusDriver]

A licensed electrician did that?

What is that panel screwed to?

Looks like its floating.

It looked good before I started....

I pulled the cover and the single breaker to get a look into the wall. It is floating temporarily. If I surface mount I will have to replace insulation and drywall from previous flush mount. Then it will be securely mounted.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The sub panel was flush mounted to the existing studs on the common wall with the house.

The common wall between the garage and the dwelling is a fire rated wall.
Be sure to patch the hole completely where the panel was removed.

I'm kind of surprised that it passed an inspection previously with the panel flush mounted in the wall like that.

 

[ABusDriver]

The common wall between the garage and the dwelling is a fire rated wall.
Be sure to patch the hole completely where the panel was removed.

I'm kind of surprised that it passed an inspection previously with the panel flush mounted in the wall like that.

Yes, I realize the wall will need repairing due to its fire rating. Time for some foam insulation and sheetrock.

I know the electrician pulled a permit and the inspectors tag is signed on the main panel. But since I will be surface mounting I guess the point is moot.

Thanks.

 

[Jeffksf]

I'm going to be doing something similar in my split level w/ attached garage. I plan on surface mount and then running a 2" conduit into the garage attic. I will run my multiple romex circuits thru the 2" into the attic and then spread out to the lights, outlets, etc.

 

[ABusDriver]

I'm going to be doing something similar in my split level w/ attached garage. I plan on surface mount and then running a 2" conduit into the garage attic. I will run my multiple romex circuits thru the 2" into the attic and then spread out to the lights, outlets, etc.

I'm planning on the exact same solution. There are some specific code requirements regarding this installation. Check online and this thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341520

You can get free access to the 2017 NEC on the NFPA website. You need to register first. It's read only and the interface is not that great but cheaper than the $95 soft cover book.