Subpanel features to look out for.

[acer66]

Hello,

I am running out of space in my main panel which is an Eaton BR with 120V AFCI and non AFCIs 240V breakers, yes I know, that I have not had any problems with.
All inspected and signed off a few years back.

So I want to add a sub panel right next to it and was wondering what if any features I should look out for in it.

I am not married to use an Eaton BR even I have some spare non AFCI 120/240 breakers.

But to stay within code, I am under NEC2020 I have to get AFCI breakers anyway since I do not have any of those left.

Another question is would it make sense to make the sub panel a dedicated kitchen panel?

Thank you.

 

[dave*99]

Does your existing panel have plug on neutral? It's a worthwhile feature.

Do you have or need an interlock and inlet for a generator? Give thought to current or future needs for a backup generator. Whole house or portable. Some folks will put essential loads on a subpanel and feed that from a portable generator via an interlock.

 

[acer66]

The old one does not have a plug on neutral.

Another good point, I myself never had the need for an interlock since I moved in here in 2016.
I can only recall two times where the power was out for a couple of days and I am also a hermit enough to embrace those times but I so far live alone which might change soon.

But an interlock setup or possibility by grouping essential things into the sub panel might be also a good selling point when the time comes to move on.

Thank you.

 

[dave*99]

You can also put the interlock in the main and label the essential load breakers in both panels.
You would move stuff around between the 2 panels to make room in the main for the interlocked generator breaker.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another question is would it make sense to make the sub panel a dedicated kitchen panel?

I did that on a friends kitchen remodel years ago !

There was no space in the main panel, but there was a feed for an electric stove and the new stove was going to be gas, so we used that breaker and cable. We put the sub panel inside the new kitchen pantry (probably not code compliant). Worked great ! Lots of circuits. We could easily accommodate 20A left and right counter top circuits plus everything else in the kitchen.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Another good point, I myself never had the need for an interlock since I moved in here in 2016.

I have been in this house since 2007. It still has a FUSE BOX ! I have had a portable 5KW generator since about 2000. Only used it 2-3 times since then.

Maybe some day (when I have too much money), I will install a breaker panel, run 240VAC to the garage (less than 25') and install a generator interlock. Upside of no generator inlet is, I can place the generator behind the garage and run a 12/3 extension cord to the house and split it down from there.

 

[Two Door]

I haven't seen a generator transfer switch explicitly mentioned. Since you would move loads over to it, it would function as a subpanel.

 

[dave*99]

I haven't seen a generator transfer switch explicitly mentioned. Since you would move loads over to it, it would function as a subpanel.

If you are referring to one of these:


The OP mentioned the need for AFCI for code compliance. I've not seen this type with AFCI. But I have not seen everything

 

[mm08822]

I have been in this house since 2007. It still has a FUSE BOX !

60A service too ?

 

[mm08822]

We don't have all of the details, but what about a larger main panel.....more circuit spaces.

Keep it BR to re-use any of the existing cb's.

Leave room for a gen interlocked cb even if you don't install it now.

 

[dscheidt]

60A service too ?

I was outbid on a house with a 200A fuse panel about ten years ago. I had never seen such a thing.

 

[Norcal]

While a BR panel is a ****** panel, I would stay with BR. There always has to be the make at the bottom & Eaton BR is the Yugo of the electrical industry.

 

[acer66]

We don't have all of the details, but what about a larger main panel.....more circuit spaces.

Keep it BR to re-use any of the existing cb's.

Leave room for a gen interlocked cb even if you don't install it now.

The panel is a 200A with 40 spaces and it is not as full as I thought but I have to add another 40A breaker for a double wall oven.

The labeling is a bit outdated and I could defiantly free up some breaker space because I like to keep receptacles and lights separate and rather have one more circuit than not.
Heating of the house about 1600sf, water heater and dryer is done using NG so little loads there.

Biggest loads are ac, kitchen stove top and oven.


I need to put the AFCI in the lower right slot again because I had to take it out since my 120V welder kept blowing it.

I have not thought about an interlock for a generator but I really like the idea.
It’s getting pretty busy in the main which technically is a sub because I created a bit of a rats nest in there over the years so I would maybe still go with another sub.

Thank you.

 

[PCustoms]

The panel is a 200A with 40 spaces and it is not as full as I thought but I have to add another 40A breaker for a double wall oven.

The labeling is a bit outdated and I could defiantly free up some breaker space because I like to keep receptacles and lights separate and rather have one more circuit than not.
Heating of the house about 1600sf, water heater and dryer is done using NG so little loads there.

Biggest loads are ac, kitchen stove top and oven.


I need to put the AFCI in the lower right slot again because I had to take it out since my 120V welder kept blowing it.

I have not thought about an interlock for a generator but I really like the idea.
It’s getting pretty busy in the main which technically is a sub because I created a bit of a rats nest in there over the years so I would maybe still go with another sub.

Thank you.

Looks like a few circuits could be combined to free up some space.

And you aren't even using twins yet. Plenty of room!

 

[mm08822]

Panel only allows 10 twins. OP has MANY AFCIs. Kills most opportunity for twins. With all of those AFCIs stick with BR.

Consider quads and replace a few 2pole cbs. Check where the quads can fit first - label is useless. You may need to shift things around.

Even a 60 or 80 space panel won't help. A 60 is only 30 slots and the 80 is only 40 slots(what you have now).