Hi,
I am doing a large 2 story home that is all electric. The main panel is in the garage on the basement level. I was thinking about installing a sub panel on the 1st level to handle some of the loads up there.

Is this a good idea?

Any suggestions on WHERE to put it?

Thanks for any replies..

-regards

Mustang

All ways is good to have sub panel if there is suitable location. Use sub panel for lighting and receptacles loads. This way lot of long home runs and voltage drop can be avoided.

[This message has been edited by electricman786 (edited 11-08-2004).]

How big is this house? Any house over 4000 sq ft we put on a 400 amp service. Often we locate 1 panel in the basement and 1 in the garage or laundry.

Hi,
Thanks for the replies. The house is about 1800 on the 1st level and 1100 on the basement level. The laundry is in the basement.

-regards

Mustang

In or near the kitchen would be my choice.

I am doing a 5000sq ft home and will be using sub panel on 2nd floor and one in basement, opposite side from service.
Placement is the biggest problem. Do I have it in a hallway where a picture can hang over it? In a sitting room off a bedroom to avoid seeing it? In the attic, full walk up stairs?

my problem exactly...WHERE is the most unobtrusive location..

-regards

Mustang

Every sub-panel that I have installed has been located in a location where I have the shortest homeruns to my major appliances (water heaters, furnance, a/c, dryer, etc). I have put them in the walkin attic located off the 2nd floor, attached garages, and laundry rooms. It's a lot easyer to run (1) big romex to supply power to your sub-panel vs. multiple home-runs to these appliances from your distribution panel.