Replies

1. 
   Houghton123 | Sep 25, 2005 01:07am | #1

   I haven't run wire in years and then I wasn't really an electrician, just a grunt, but as far as I know, you're never harmed putting a main in a subpanel, and I think there's a maximum distance from main to subpanel beyond which you must install a breaker in the subpanel.

2. 
   maddog3 | Sep 25, 2005 03:17am | #2

   whether it is in plain view will ultimately depend upon the inspector.
   BTW..... the two... panels ...would need to be within sight of each other ..... if your AHJ requires that ! perhaps that is what you meant

   the sub-panel must not have a lower rating than the breaker feeding it,

   if you use Main Lugs then the wire to the sub must be the same ampacity as the service feeders

   Now ...I don't like handing out too much info, I don't know you or your quality. So I must say that you should have your work checked . Electricity is nothing to play with

   May I ask who did the orig electric ?

   "
3. 
   pm22 | Sep 25, 2005 07:03am | #3

   Being in plain view or "in sight of" generally refers to motor disconnects and is interpreted to mean 50 feet.

   You start by determining your load which in this case is an Article 220 thing. Then you size your wire for the load. Then you select the breaker size. There is a lot of slop in the Code at this point and you can go up to the next largest size available fuse or breaker to protect the wire. [I hope I have this right].

   You do not need to use a main breaker in the subpanel. [See the tap rules.] But considering that it's for a house, it would bbe a good idea; at least it saves you a trip out to the barn in your mukluks on a snowy summer's night when the main blows.

   ~Peter

   Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

4. 
   bosn | Sep 26, 2005 01:00am | #4

   As of 2002 NEC, all buildings must have a disconnecting means.  So you have to put one in the sub that is in the house.

   If you haven't drawn blood today, you haven't done anything.