0
In the trade this is called a sub panel. It is a complicated job in as much as you have to know wire sizes, ampacity of wires and proper electrical workmanship. Such a project should be left to a licenced electrical contractor to take out the proper permits and call for proper inspections. By taking this route it will leave you confident that if any mishaps happen to the installation down the road your insurance company will be behind you 100%.
In most places it is illegal for unlicenced person to alter electrical wiring
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
You should hire a licensed electrician to add a breaker to an existing electrical panel. This ensures the work is done safely and in compliance with building codes. Attempting to modify an electrical panel without the proper training can be dangerous.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoTypically yes. Sometimes there are spares already installed. If the panel is completely full, there are often dual breakers that take up only a single slot. There could be an issue of overloading the main breaker, but that would be rare.
\
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Can you run an additional breaker panel parallel to the existing one?
It is generally not recommended to run an additional breaker panel in parallel with an existing one. This can create potential safety hazards, overload circuits, and violate electrical codes. It is best to consult with a licensed electrician to properly assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Breaker box is full?
If your breaker box is full, you may need to add a subpanel to accommodate more circuits. Contact a licensed electrician to assess your electrical needs and make any necessary upgrades to your electrical system. Avoid overloading circuits as it poses a fire hazard.
Can you add a second main breaker box to control breakers in the out buildings on a farm?
Yes, you can add a subpanel or second main breaker box to control breakers in outbuildings on a farm. This subpanel will be supplied power from the main panel in your primary building using appropriate wiring methods and breaker sizes. Make sure to consult with a licensed electrician to ensure proper installation and compliance with local electrical codes.
Can I add a circuit breaker wired in parrell to a current breaker to reduce the load on the breaker?
Adding a circuit breaker in parallel with an existing breaker may not reduce the load on the breaker. It is important to size the breaker according to the electrical requirements of the circuit and not to bypass the original breaker. Consult with a qualified electrician to ensure the proper installation and function of the circuit breaker.
Can you install a tandem breaker?
Tandem breakers, often called split breakers or double breakers, provide two separate circuits in the space of a regular sized breaker opening. Every circuit breaker panel has a limited number of circuit openings available. The problem is that when the openings are all used up and you still need to add another circuit, what do you do? You could change the electrical panel or double up circuits on a breaker, but this could place too much load on a particular circuit. So what then? The answer that many have found is a tandem breaker. This type breaker is the same size as any other breaker, but it has its difference. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker. Each has its own breaker switch and the breaker snaps in just like a regular breaker. With this simple innovation, you can add a circuit and protect the circuit on its own dedicated line.
Can you run an additional breaker panel parallel to the existing one?
It is generally not recommended to run an additional breaker panel in parallel with an existing one. This can create potential safety hazards, overload circuits, and violate electrical codes. It is best to consult with a licensed electrician to properly assess the situation and determine the best course of action.
Have existing a 125 amp main need more breakers spaces?
You can swap a single breaker for two mini breakers or you can add a sub-panel. If you only need a couple of extra circuits then just add mini-breakers.
Can you load an electrical panel with only 20 amps?
If you mean can you put a single 20 amp breaker in an electric panel, the answer is yes. An electric panel is typically made to handle more breakers with values that add up to more than the rating of the panel on the supposition that you will never draw full load on all breakers. If you do the main breaker would trip. In your case you are under utilizing the panel, but this is not a problem.
Breaker box is full?
If your breaker box is full, you may need to add a subpanel to accommodate more circuits. Contact a licensed electrician to assess your electrical needs and make any necessary upgrades to your electrical system. Avoid overloading circuits as it poses a fire hazard.
Can you add a second main breaker box to control breakers in the out buildings on a farm?
Yes, you can add a subpanel or second main breaker box to control breakers in outbuildings on a farm. This subpanel will be supplied power from the main panel in your primary building using appropriate wiring methods and breaker sizes. Make sure to consult with a licensed electrician to ensure proper installation and compliance with local electrical codes.
Can I add a circuit breaker wired in parrell to a current breaker to reduce the load on the breaker?
Adding a circuit breaker in parallel with an existing breaker may not reduce the load on the breaker. It is important to size the breaker according to the electrical requirements of the circuit and not to bypass the original breaker. Consult with a qualified electrician to ensure the proper installation and function of the circuit breaker.
What should you do if your 200A breaker panel is full and you need to add three forty amp two pole singal throw breakers?
First you need to determine if addition of the new breakers will exceed the 200A service under normal operating conditions. If so you will need to go to power company and increase service and put in a larger main panel. If you have the capacity for the extra current you can add a sub-panel and add the breakers there as well as the breakers you will remove from main panel to accommodate the sub-panel breaker. Another way depends on what breakers are in current panel. There are some breakers that can be duplexed in the same space as a single breaker.
Can you install a tandem breaker?
Tandem breakers, often called split breakers or double breakers, provide two separate circuits in the space of a regular sized breaker opening. Every circuit breaker panel has a limited number of circuit openings available. The problem is that when the openings are all used up and you still need to add another circuit, what do you do? You could change the electrical panel or double up circuits on a breaker, but this could place too much load on a particular circuit. So what then? The answer that many have found is a tandem breaker. This type breaker is the same size as any other breaker, but it has its difference. This breaker sports two smaller breakers built into one regular sized breaker. Each has its own breaker switch and the breaker snaps in just like a regular breaker. With this simple innovation, you can add a circuit and protect the circuit on its own dedicated line.
Can you take out fuse box and put a breaker box in using the same wires?
There are a few things to consider before doing this. If the branch circuits have a ground wire in the cable sets then they can be used again. Replacing a fuse box with a breaker panel is half the step. A fuse box suggests that the home is an older type home. The new breaker panel should not be traded straight across circuit for circuit but should be upgraded to at least a 200 amp panel these days. This will mean a new service mast, meter base and larger wire for the upgraded service. There will have to be an electrical permit taken out even for a fuse box to breaker panel change out. If there is a service disconnect switch ahead of the fuse box the job will be a bit simpler. Most good electrical contractors will give you a free estimate as to what your costs will be so you will be able to set a budget for the project. In most jurisdictions if you have work done on existing electrical installations the rest of the home has to be brought up to current code regulations. This will add to the expense depending on how old the home is.
How do you add a circuit when panel is full?
To add a circuit when the panel is full, you have a few options. You can either install a subpanel to create additional space for new circuits, replace the existing panel with a larger one to accommodate more circuits, or use tandem breakers to double up on circuits in existing slots. It's important to consult with a licensed electrician to determine the safest and most appropriate solution for your specific situation.
What is needed to put a 240V outlet in a garage very close to a circuit panel with NO open slots available?
an electrician. you may have to upgrade your service if not you will need an additional box to accomodate the new breaker Assuming you meet local code and license requirements, and know how to shut things off while you're working: The full circuit panel may be a service panel or a sub-panel with main lugs only (no main disconnect). If it's a sub-panel you need to find the breaker that feeds it from the service panel (if any) to make sure it has enough ampacity to run your 220 appliance on top of whatever is there already. Assuming the breaker and feeder conductors will support the additional load, you can add another subpanel (or replace the existing subpanel with a larger one). If not, you can wire a completely new feeder from the service panel to a new subpanel (or just a 220 disconnect/fuse for your new appliance). If the wiring is old, the minimum disturbance to the existing wiring is recommended: put in a new circuit from the service panel. Some subpanels include extra main lug terminals for feeding other subpanels. Otherwise you can either add another tap to the main lugs and run them to the new subpanel, or else replace two of the existing breakers with a 2-pole breaker that feeds the new subpanel. Put the new 220 circuit into the new panel along with the two old circuits removed from the old full panel to make room for the subfeed breakers.
Can you put a 60amp breaker and a 50amp breaker on a 60amp subpanel just as long as they are not being used at the same time?
You can. Using these size breakers in a 60 amp sub panel might be pushing the limit for breaking the sub panels feeder breaker. The breaker feeding the sub panel will have to be no bigger than 60 amps because of the main bus bar capacity of the sub panel. It would be better to install a 100 amp sub panel and then there would be a bit of a buffer and you will have the ability to add additional small load circuits.
