When should you use a sub panel?

Subpanels are usually used to extend the wiring for multiple branch circuits to a specific area of a home or to a building at some distance away from the main panel. A garage, outbuilding, or a room addition might be a place to put a subpanel.

Can I use a service panel as a sub panel?





You need to ensure the only bond between ground and neutral is in the main panel. The subpanel must have separate ground and neutral bus bars. Since your panel is used a main panel now, it will currently have a bond between ground and neutral, so that’ll have to be removed.

Is a sub panel necessary?

Residential Additions

In fact, electrical codes state clearly that residents must have access to their own circuit panel. If you want to avoid code violations, as well as issues with tenants needing access to your space to reset any tripped breakers, a sub-panel is your best option.

What is the difference between a service panel and a sub panel?

The main panel (also called the service entrance panel) is the point where you can disconnect your home from the grid since it connects directly to your power company’s supply. All other panels, aside from the main one, are known as sub-panels.

Does a subpanel need a main breaker?





The subpanel may be equipped with a main breaker to allow for power interruption without having to go back to the main panel, but it is not required to have a main shutoff circuit breaker, since the feeder breaker back in the main panel serves this function.

What is the benefit of a sub panel?

This can prevent overloading the electrical system and tripping circuit breakers or melting fuses. Sub panels are also used to separate the electrical needs of specific areas. If one room—such as a home theater or home office—uses a lot of extra electricity, then a homeowner may choose to turn off the sub panel.

What is the difference between a main lug panel and a main breaker panel?

Main lug panels do not have a main breaker. Instead, the line wires run to a type of electrical connector called a lug. This type of electrical panel requires a separate disconnect. In the event of a fire, the separate disconnect at a meter lets firefighters cut the power without entering the buidling.

How far can a sub panel be from the main panel?

Depending on the voltage to the ground, you always offer at least 3 to 4 feet clearance from the panel’s sides. You should also ensure that the panel is easily accessible. It would therefore be best if you don’t install it far above the floor. The right feet would be between 4.5 to 5 feet.

How do I know if my electrical panel is full?



There are several signs that your breaker box is above its capacity, including:

  1. Flickering lights or appliances that shut off.
  2. Electrical box switches that frequently turn off.
  3. Buzzing or sparking around the electrical panel.

How do you tell if a panel is a subpanel?

The main panel of your business will provide the power to your property. Subpanels have additional slots – anywhere from 4 slots to up to 12 slots.

What makes a panel a sub panel?



The real difference between a subpanel and main panel is where the wires of system lead and the power of volts it provides. For instance, subpanels can give off 30 amp, which is about 240 volts of electricity. It is important to note that a circuit breaker subpanel does not provide additional electricity to the system.

Can I use a main lug panel as a subpanel?

The main circuit breaker provides a level of overcurrent protection for all branch circuits, as well as a single disconnect means for all loads being fed by the load center. Main lug only load centers are typically applied downstream of a main circuit breaker panel and are often referred to as a sub panel.

When can you use a main lug panel?

Main lug load centers are sometimes referred to as add-on, secondary or downstream panels. These panels are added when all circuit slots in the main breaker load center are full or when a remote panel is desired.

Where should a main breaker be located in a house?

Your main circuit breaker is on your electrical service panel box. If you are wondering where it is located in your house, look for the electrical service panel box in your basement or garage. Sometimes they are near your water heater or near the laundry.

What is bonded in sub panel?



Rule #3: In a subpanel, the terminal bar for the equipment ground (commonly known as a ground bus) should be bonded (electrically connected) to the enclosure. The reason for this rule is to provide a path to the service panel and the transformer in case of a ground fault to the subpanel enclosure.

Should neutral and ground be connected in sub panel?

When Should Grounds & Neutrals Be Connected in a SubPanel? The answer is never. Grounds and neutrals should only be connected at the last point of disconnect. This would be at main panels only.

Does a subpanel need its own ground rod?

Yes, any sub panel outside of the main building requires it’s own ground rod and a ground wire back to the main building. And yes, a sub panel in the same building as the main does not need a ground rod – only the ground wire.

Does a subpanel need a bonding screw?

The neutral and ground MUST NOT be bonded at a sub-panel. They should only be bonded at the main service panel. If you bond them anywhere other than the main service, the neutral return current now has multiple paths, including though your ground wire.

Does a subpanel need a separate ground?



The biggest difference between a subpanel and a main panel is that the ground and neutral buses on a subpanel have to be separated. Most panels come with a bar joining the two, which is easily removed. Code requires subpanels to have a ground connection that’s independent of the main panel’s.

Do you bond a main panel?

You are correct–the panel should not be bonded. Most panels will come with a bonding screw in case it is being used as a main panel and first means of disconnect, which yours isn’t.