ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues Sub panel

Went into addition friend of mine is doing and he had a 125a sub panel w/no main breaker.It was feed from a 200 amp panel.He says the builder told him that since he only had 3 wires coming to the 200a panel all he needed was 3 to the sub.I`m I correct in that if the panel he`s feeding from has more than 6 breakers he needs the main?He also needs 4 wire to the sub panel.Thanks in advance.

Talk to an electrician. Talk to an electrician. Talk to an electrician.

The sub-panel does not need a main breaker in it. The number of circuits doesn't matter.

The wires feeding the 125A sub-panel DO need a breaker in the 200A main panel.

There must be 4 wires from the main panel to the sub-panel (2 hots, neutral, and ground), unless the feed is in grounded metal conduit.

JBD did your enter key get stuck or you just not having a good day.That was the purpose of the post was to ask an electrician.Sorry if the question somehow bothered you.I detect sarcasome in the post. If it did why even respond.ThanksThanksThanks.I just wasn`t sure about the main.I`ll get a code book and find what had me confused something about if the panel feeding from had 6 ocp`s the panel would need a main but seems I`m wrong.Quess thats why I`m but a we helper maybe one day I`ll be a code wizz like you guys.Maybe I`m not having a good day
Sorry

Im with JBD Im with JBD Im with JBD

read 408.16, 230.71
read 408.16, 230.71
read 408.16, 230.71

Oh c'mon guys, Reel-Break's one of us ain't he?



I mean: I've asked some fairly elementary Q's about control work cuz I ain't done much of it, give 'em a break on the resi Q's...

We're all on the same side here!




[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 08-06-2002).]

Reel-Break

I always think it's a good idea to have a main in the sub panel, but you may be thinking of 230.71(A) which talks about when a Main is required for the Service. Take a look and see if that's what you're thinking of.

Bill

Bill

Is installing a main breaker in sub panels pretty standard for your area or is it something you just like to do? Out here on the west coast you almost never find a main breaker in a panel unless its the service or connected to a xmfr. Most of our residential services are combination panels (meter, main and load center). I have noticed that most of the load center in mail order catalogs have main breakers. Out here the supply houses stock very few with mains. If a main breaker is needed you usually have to back feed one with a retainer clip.

Curt

Curt,

Retail stores really only carry MB panelboards or smaller MLO (4 to 12 cir). We don't put loadcenters outside houses here. I've never seen one. Maybe no one wants to go outside in the snow ??

Meter-Mains aren't very common either. They are generally only used when they have to be because a 200A Meter-Main runs over $400 and I've paid as much as $8 /ft. for 2/0 SER cable (Copper here) So that means the the main must be in the Panelboard.

Many times when I've installed residential sub panels it it for a Workshop or Apartment. I think that most people generally like having a Main for the panel, especially nowadays when more people are attempting varying degrees of electrical work. It's just a bit more convenient I think and maybe a little more feeling of security if they don't have to worry about someone turning the power back on from another location.

Some of the GE panels are convertible from MLO to MB with a little kit too that goes on top and screws right into the lugs.

Bill

Sub-panels over here usually have a main switch (not a main C/B) on them as well, at least in residential work.