Hey everyone, hoping to get some advice on the most economical way to add a 200A subpanel.
Existing system is a 200amp main distribution exterior panel that only has one tap (4 available) used to feed a 200A interior main breaker box (~50ft away)
The main breaker box has only one circuit left open out of 40 total circuits. Most are taken up from individual lighting and outlet branch circuits.
The home still has an unfinished basement that will require several electrical circuits, hvac, and would like the possibility of adding on a pool at a later date.
From experience and research there are two possible ways to go about this.
The entire home is protected by the 200A main on exterior and then the interior breaker also has a redundant 200A breaker. A load calc puts me around 115A right now.
First method would be to run a new 4/0 AL feed from the exterior panel to the new 200A panel (~50ft away)
Second method would be to change over a few circuits from exisitng panel to the new panel and install passthrough lugs from existing panel to feed subpanel (~2 ft away)
Leaning towards second method due to cost of feeder wire and for simplicity. Codes here are 2018 International Residential Code and 2017 NEC.
Anyone have constructive input on this?
Thanks,
S
Existing system is a 200amp main distribution exterior panel that only has one tap (4 available) used to feed a 200A interior main breaker box (~50ft away)
The main breaker box has only one circuit left open out of 40 total circuits. Most are taken up from individual lighting and outlet branch circuits.
The home still has an unfinished basement that will require several electrical circuits, hvac, and would like the possibility of adding on a pool at a later date.
From experience and research there are two possible ways to go about this.
The entire home is protected by the 200A main on exterior and then the interior breaker also has a redundant 200A breaker. A load calc puts me around 115A right now.
First method would be to run a new 4/0 AL feed from the exterior panel to the new 200A panel (~50ft away)
Second method would be to change over a few circuits from exisitng panel to the new panel and install passthrough lugs from existing panel to feed subpanel (~2 ft away)
Leaning towards second method due to cost of feeder wire and for simplicity. Codes here are 2018 International Residential Code and 2017 NEC.
Anyone have constructive input on this?
Thanks,
S