Putting in a subpanel is a good way so as to add extra circuits and improve your private home’s electrical capability. It is also a comparatively easy DIY mission that may prevent cash on an electrician. Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that working with electrical energy will be harmful, so it is necessary to take all vital security precautions. For those who’re not comfy working with electrical energy, it is best to rent a certified electrician to put in your subpanel.
Step one in putting in a subpanel is to decide on a location. The subpanel must be situated in an accessible space that is protected against the weather. As soon as you’ve got chosen a location, you may have to run electrical conduit from the principle panel to the subpanel. Conduit is a pipe that protects electrical wires from injury. You will additionally want to put in a circuit breaker in the principle panel to guard the subpanel circuit.
As soon as the conduit is put in, you’ll be able to start putting in the subpanel. Begin by mounting the subpanel on the wall after which connecting the wires from the conduit to the subpanel. Remember to observe the producer’s directions rigorously. As soon as the subpanel is put in, you may have to activate the circuit breaker in the principle panel and check the subpanel to verify it is working correctly.
Mounting the Subpanel
Earlier than mounting the subpanel, you have to to collect your supplies and instruments. You will have a subpanel, mounting screws, a screwdriver, a wire stripper, and electrical tape. After you have gathered your supplies and instruments, you’ll be able to start the mounting course of.
1. Select a location for the subpanel. The subpanel must be mounted in a dry, well-ventilated space. It also needs to be simply accessible for future upkeep.
2. Mark the situation of the subpanel on the wall. Use a pencil to mark the situation of the highest and backside of the subpanel.
3. Drill pilot holes for the mounting screws. Use a drill bit that’s barely smaller than the diameter of the mounting screws. Drill the pilot holes on the marks you made in step 2.
4. Mount the subpanel. Place the subpanel over the pilot holes and insert the mounting screws. Tighten the mounting screws till the subpanel is securely mounted.
a. If you’re mounting the subpanel on drywall, you have to to make use of drywall anchors. Drywall anchors are small, plastic units which might be inserted into the drywall and supply a safe maintain for the mounting screws.
b. If you’re mounting the subpanel on a concrete wall, you have to to make use of concrete anchors. Concrete anchors are steel units which might be inserted into the concrete and supply a safe maintain for the mounting screws.
c. If you’re mounting the subpanel on a wooden floor, you need to use wooden screws to safe it.
| Floor Kind | Anchor Kind |
|---|---|
| Drywall | Drywall anchors |
| Concrete | Concrete anchors |
| Wooden | Wooden screws |
5. Join {the electrical} wires to the subpanel. Use a wire stripper to strip the insulation off the ends of {the electrical} wires. Join the black wires to the black terminals on the subpanel. Join the white wires to the white terminals on the subpanel. Join the inexperienced or naked copper wire to the bottom terminal on the subpanel.
6. Safe {the electrical} wires. Use electrical tape to safe {the electrical} wires. Wrap {the electrical} tape across the wires a number of instances to make sure that they’re safe.
7. Shut the subpanel cowl. After you have linked {the electrical} wires, you’ll be able to shut the subpanel cowl. Make it possible for the duvet is securely closed in order that nobody can by chance come into contact with {the electrical} wires.
Connecting Feeder Cables
1. Flip off the principle energy provide.
Earlier than starting any electrical work, all the time flip off the principle energy provide to the world the place you’ll be working. It will forestall any accidents from occurring.
2. Determine the feeder cables.
The feeder cables are the big cables that can join the subpanel to the principle electrical panel. They’re sometimes black or purple and are sometimes bundled collectively.
3. Minimize the feeder cables to size.
The feeder cables must be lower to size in order that they’ll attain the subpanel with none extra. Remember to go away sufficient slack in order that the cables will be simply linked.
4. Strip the ends of the feeder cables.
The ends of the feeder cables should be stripped to be able to make the connections. Use a wire stripper to take away about 1/2 inch of insulation from every finish of the cable.
5. Join the feeder cables to the subpanel.
The feeder cables are linked to the subpanel utilizing circuit breakers. Every circuit breaker is rated for a selected amperage, so make sure to choose the right circuit breaker for the scale of the feeder cables. To attach the feeder cables, merely insert the ends of the cables into the terminals on the circuit breaker and tighten the screws.
The next desk reveals the wire sizes and circuit breaker amperages which might be sometimes used for subpanels:
| Wire Dimension | Circuit Breaker Amperage |
|---|---|
| 10 AWG | 30 |
| 8 AWG | 40 |
| 6 AWG | 50 |
| 4 AWG | 60 |
| 2 AWG | 70 |
| 1 AWG | 80 |
| 1/0 AWG | 90 |
| 2/0 AWG | 100 |
| 3/0 AWG | 125 |
| 4/0 AWG | 150 |
Putting in Circuit Breakers
As soon as the subpanel is put in, it is time to set up the circuit breakers. Here is a step-by-step information:
1. Determine the Right Circuit Breakers
Select the suitable circuit breakers for the circuits you may be connecting. Seek advice from the subpanel’s documentation for suitable breakers.
2. Collect Essential Instruments
You will want a screwdriver, a torque wrench, and any specialised instruments talked about within the circuit breaker’s directions.
3. Set up the Floor Bus
Join the inexperienced floor wire from the subpanel to the bottom bus within the subpanel utilizing a torque wrench.
4. Set up the Predominant Breaker
Insert the principle breaker into the highest slot of the subpanel and push it in till it clicks into place.
5. Set up the Circuit Breakers
Insert every circuit breaker into its designated slot. Twist it clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Tighten the Terminals
Tighten the terminal screws on every circuit breaker utilizing a torque wrench. Comply with the producer’s torque specs to make sure correct connections.
Tip: Seek advice from the subpanel’s consumer guide for detailed directions and security precautions.
Wiring the Circuits to the Breakers
As soon as the breakers are put in, it is time to wire the circuits to them. This can be a comparatively easy process, nevertheless it’s necessary to take your time and guarantee that all of the connections are safe. Listed here are the steps on methods to do it:
1. Begin by reducing the circuit wires to the suitable size. They need to be lengthy sufficient to succeed in the breakers with out being too lengthy or too quick.
2. Strip the insulation off the ends of the wires about 1/2 inch.
3. Bend the naked wires right into a U-shape.
4. Push the U-shaped wires onto the terminals on the breakers.
5. Tighten the screws on the terminals to safe the wires.
6. Repeat these steps for the entire circuits.
7. As soon as the entire circuits are wired, double-check the entire connections to guarantee that they’re safe.
8. Lastly, activate the principle breaker to energy up the subpanel and check the entire circuits to guarantee that they’re working correctly.
| Circuit | Breaker Dimension | Wire Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 15 amps | 14 AWG |
| Shops | 20 amps | 12 AWG |
| Home equipment | 30 amps | 10 AWG |
Finalizing the Set up
1. Set up the Cowl: Safe the subpanel's cowl onto the enclosure utilizing the offered screws. Guarantee it's correctly mounted and aligned.
2. Connect Conduit and Wire: Join the conduit and wires from the principle panel to the subpanel's corresponding terminals.
3. Tighten Terminals: Use a torque wrench to securely tighten all terminal screw connections. Guarantee they meet the producer's advisable torque specs.
4. Take a look at Polarity: Affirm the right polarity utilizing a voltage tester. Make sure the impartial and floor wires are linked correctly.
5. Restore Energy: Flip the principle breaker in the principle panel again on to energise the subpanel.
6. Examine for Warmth: Observe the subpanel for any extreme warmth or unfastened connections utilizing a thermal imaging digital camera or different appropriate system.
7. Label and Doc: Affix a label on the subpanel indicating its function, voltage, and amperage. Moreover, doc the set up particulars for future reference.
Circuit Labeling and Identification:
8. Determine every circuit within the subpanel clearly utilizing labels or tags. This facilitates simple troubleshooting and upkeep.
9. Create a circuit listing or set up a listing holder on the subpanel's inside. This enables for fast identification of circuit places.
10. Commonly examine your subpanel to make sure it stays in good working order and tackle any potential points promptly. Examine terminal connections for tightness, verify for any unfastened wires or injury, and make sure the cowl is securely hooked up. By following these steps and sustaining your subpanel, you’ll be able to improve security and reliability.
How To Set up A Subpanel
Putting in a subpanel is a good way so as to add extra circuits to your private home with out having to improve your fundamental electrical panel. A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel that’s linked to your fundamental panel and supplies energy to further circuits. Putting in a subpanel is a comparatively easy course of, however it is very important observe the entire directions rigorously to make sure that it’s carried out safely and accurately.
To put in a subpanel, you have to the next instruments and supplies:
- A subpanel
- Electrical wire
- Conduit
- A circuit breaker
- A screwdriver
- A wire cutter
- A stage
After you have the entire vital instruments and supplies, you’ll be able to start the set up course of. Step one is to decide on a location for the subpanel. The subpanel must be situated in a dry, well-ventilated space that’s simply accessible. After you have chosen a location, you should mount the subpanel to the wall. The subpanel must be mounted securely utilizing screws or bolts.
The subsequent step is to attach {the electrical} wire to the subpanel. {The electrical} wire must be sized in response to the amperage of the circuit breaker that you’ll be utilizing. The wire must be lower to the suitable size after which stripped on the ends. The stripped ends of the wire ought to then be linked to the terminals on the subpanel. The connections must be made securely utilizing a screwdriver.
As soon as {the electrical} wire has been linked to the subpanel, you’ll be able to set up the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker must be put in within the acceptable slot on the subpanel. The circuit breaker must be turned off earlier than it’s put in. As soon as the circuit breaker is put in, you’ll be able to flip it on.
The ultimate step is to attach the conduit to the subpanel. The conduit must be sized in response to the variety of wires that will likely be operating by it. The conduit must be lower to the suitable size after which hooked up to the subpanel utilizing a conduit connector. The wires ought to then be pulled by the conduit and linked to the suitable terminals on the subpanel.
As soon as the subpanel is put in, it is best to check it to guarantee that it’s working correctly. To check the subpanel, activate the entire circuit breakers. If the circuit breakers journey, then there’s a downside with the set up. The issue must be corrected earlier than the subpanel is used.
Individuals Additionally Ask About How To Set up A Subpanel
What’s a subpanel?
A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel that’s linked to your fundamental panel and supplies energy to further circuits.
Why would I want to put in a subpanel?
It’s possible you’ll want to put in a subpanel if you should add extra circuits to your private home with out having to improve your fundamental electrical panel.
How do I select a subpanel?
When selecting a subpanel, you should contemplate the amperage of the circuits that you’ll be utilizing. You additionally want to think about the variety of circuits that you’ll want.
How do I set up a subpanel?
To put in a subpanel, you have to to observe the steps outlined on this article.
What are the hazards of putting in a subpanel?
There are a number of risks related to putting in a subpanel, together with electrical shock, fireplace, and explosion. You will need to observe the entire directions rigorously to make sure that the set up is completed safely and accurately.
