A main panel is an installed box where the power from the utility company enters the premises. A subpanel is an installed features that acts as a middle ground for the main panel and other types of circuits that are connected to your property.

Can you use a sub panel as a main panel?

There’s no problem with having a main breaker in a subpanel. It’s required if your panel is in a separate building and has more than six breakers, but there’s nothing prohibiting it in any other case.

Does a sub panel need a main?





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.

Why would I need a sub panel?

An electrician might add a sub panel to take the load off of the main circuit breaker 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.

Should I add a sub panel or upgrade main panel?

Because there are only so many switches on a main electrical panel, subpanels can be useful to add extra room. Because the two panels are very similar and are connected to the same flow of energy, the subpanel is useful if you want to have more room for circuits in your house.

Can subpanel be bigger than main panel?

if the subpanel’s main breaker is larger than the supply breaker, it has no effect. if smaller than the supply breaker, the subpanel’s main breaker protects the subpanel.

Can you run a 100 amp sub panel off a 100 amp main panel?





Let me try and answer some of your questions. First the panels you are looking at that are rated 100A simply means you can use them for any application up to 100A.

How many circuits can a subpanel have?

The subpanel will contain about four to twelve breaker slots. It’s supplied with a 240V circuit breaker from the main panel. In this case, the main panel is referred to as the feeder breaker. However, a 200amp subpanel can be connected to a 200amp feeder panel as long as the load is 160amps or less.

How much does it cost to install a subpanel?

between $400 and $1,750

The average cost of installing a subpanel is between $400 and $1,750, depending on the amperage and number of circuits installed. Typically subpanels have 4 to 20 or more circuits and between 100 and 150 amps.

How far can a subpanel be from the main panel?



The right feet would be between 4.5 to 5 feet.



The cable running from your main panel to the subpanel depends on the amperage rating. For instance, for a 30A panel, use a 10 AWG, three-wire conductor.

How many breakers can you have in a 30 amp sub panel?

The amount of current that is required for the connected loads can only be supported by a 30 Amp sub-panel. The maximum quantity of branch circuits can be determined with a load calculation. Two 15amp breakers or one 15amp and one 20amp can be used on a 30amp circuit.

Can I feed a 200 amp sub panel with a 100 amp breaker?

Yes. There is no real NEC provision that would prohibit this so it’s allowed. The 200 amp CB is simply being used as a disconnect if the feeder is protected by a 100 amp OCPD at it’s origin.

How many sub panels can you have on a 200 amp service?



200 AMP Service – Feeding 3 Sub-Panels – Wire Size and Set Up Help Needed.

How far can a subpanel be from the main panel?

The right feet would be between 4.5 to 5 feet.



The cable running from your main panel to the subpanel depends on the amperage rating. For instance, for a 30A panel, use a 10 AWG, three-wire conductor.

Does a subpanel need a disconnect?

It’s ok for a subpanel to have a main disconnect, but it’s not required. In this case, the disconnect was located outside of the condo unit. On condo buildings, it’s common for all of the main panels to be located in a single room, usually in the basement of the building.

How many circuits can a subpanel have?

A subpanel requires two hot wires connected to a 240-volt double-pole breaker in the main panel. It also needs a neutral wire and a ground wire.

How do you wire a sub panel?



Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Together in the neutral bar because in the main panel the neutrals and grounds are bonded together by a bonding strap.

Can I run a 100 amp sub panel off 200 amp main?

Can you add a 100 amp breaker to your main panel? Yes you have 12 slots the double pole breaker will only take 2 slots.

Can you run a 200 amp sub panel off 200 amp main?

Is feeding a 200A sub from a 200A main legit? Yes, and you don’t even need another 200A breaker. The 200A breaker alread present in the panel will suffice, and so you can use a subfeed lug kit as DrSparks advises.

Does a subpanel need to be grounded to the main panel?

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.

Does a sub panel in same building need a ground rod?



You must, must, must, in every case run a ground ~ from the main to the subpanel. Doesn’t matter if you’re running it 3 feet, to an outbuilding or up a space elevator. You have to run a ground ~ or you are out of Code.

Does a sub panel need 2 ground rods?

Yes, any sub panel outside of the main building requires it’s own ground rod and a ground wire back to the main building.