Umair Gaines
An electrical subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel that expands the main circuit breaker panel or provides a more convenient control point for remote electrical needs. It is a way to add extra circuits to your home's electrical system. A subpanel does not add amps to your home's electrical system because it feeds off the current from the main panel, but it does help take the load off the main circuit breaker. Subpanels are typically used to extend the wiring for multiple branch circuits to a specific area of a home or building that is at a distance from the main panel. The main panel of your business will provide the power to your property, while subpanels have additional slots, anywhere from four to 12.
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What You'll Learn
A subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel
An electrical subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel that expands the main circuit breaker panel or provides a more convenient control point for remote electrical needs, such as in an addition, basement, or workshop. All homes with electrical power have a main electric service panel, sometimes called a circuit breaker board. This panel transfers electrical power from the main outside power lines to the home's system. Most electrical panels have 200-, 300-, or 400-amp capacities and enough room for up to 84 circuits.
A subpanel is a smaller circuit panel breaker fed from a 240-volt circuit breaker in the main electric service panel. It looks and operates just like the main panel, but it's smaller and contains fewer circuit breakers. The subpanel may be equipped with a main breaker to allow for power interruption without returning to the main panel. However, a main shutoff circuit breaker is not required since the feeder breaker in the main panel serves this function.
The subpanel is fed by a double-pole 240-volt breaker at the main service panel, and this single-feed circuit is divided into additional branch circuits at the subpanel. A subpanel does not add amps to your home's electrical system because it feeds off the current from the main panel, but it does help take the load off of the main circuit breaker. Subpanels are usually used to extend the wiring for multiple branch circuits to a specific area of a home or a building at some distance away from the main panel. The space that may need a subpanel usually has specific or heavy electric needs.
The main panel of your business will provide the power to your property. Subpanels have additional slots—anywhere from 4 slots to up to 12 slots. If you have a large building, outdoor area with lighting, or do not have any room in your main panel to install additional breakers, or need a control point near a certain area of your property, you should purchase subpanels.
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It expands the main circuit breaker panel
A subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel that expands the main circuit breaker panel. It allows you to add extra circuits to your main panel, which can be useful if you have a large building, an outdoor area with lighting, or specific heavy electric needs in certain areas.
The subpanel is fed by a double-pole 240-volt breaker at the main service panel, and this single-feed circuit is then divided into additional branch circuits at the subpanel. It's important to note that a subpanel does not add amps to your electrical system because it feeds off the current from the main panel. However, it does help take the load off the main circuit breaker.
When installing a subpanel, it's crucial to calculate how much load it can handle and ensure it has the proper capacity to handle the required amperage. The size of the subpanel will depend on its intended application. For example, a subpanel for light tools or a television may only need to serve up to 60 amps, while a 100-amp subpanel can support a small home with modest electrical needs.
In some cases, a subpanel may be equipped with a main breaker to allow for power interruption without returning to the main panel. However, this is not a requirement since the feeder breaker in the main panel serves this function.
By adding a subpanel, you can separate circuits and efficiently manage your electrical needs, especially in remote locations or areas with specific power requirements.
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It offers a convenient control point for remote electrical needs
An electrical subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel that provides a convenient control point for remote electrical needs. It is a cost-effective way to extend the wiring for multiple branch circuits to a specific area of a home or building that is located at a distance from the main panel.
The subpanel is ideal for areas with specific or heavy electrical needs, such as a garage, outbuilding, basement, or workshop. It offers a more convenient way to control circuits in these remote locations. For instance, if you have a large building with outdoor lighting, a subpanel can provide the necessary control point near the desired area.
The installation of a subpanel typically requires an electrical permit and should be done by a licensed electrician to ensure compliance with local and national codes. The electrician will need to calculate the load that the subpanel can handle, ensuring it has the proper capacity to manage the required amperage.
A subpanel is fed by a double-pole 240-volt breaker at the main service panel, and this single-feed circuit is then divided into additional branch circuits at the subpanel. It is important to note that a subpanel does not increase the amps in your electrical system but helps to reduce the load on the main circuit breaker.
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Subpanels are usually used to extend wiring for multiple branch circuits
A subpanel is a smaller service panel that distributes power to a specific area of a home or other buildings on the property. It is essentially a satellite circuit breaker panel that has its own breakers and can be placed anywhere inside or outside of the house, as long as it is at least a foot away from the main circuit breaker box. Subpanels are typically used to extend wiring for multiple branch circuits to a specific area of a home or a building that is located some distance away from the main panel.
The main panel of your business or home will provide the power to your property. Subpanels have additional slots, anywhere from 4 to 12. If you have a large building, an outdoor area with lighting, or no room in your main panel to install additional breakers, or need a control point near a certain area of your property, you should consider purchasing subpanels.
The subpanel is fed by a double-pole 240-volt breaker at the main service panel, and this single-feed circuit is divided into additional branch circuits at the subpanel. A subpanel does not add amps to your home's electrical system because it feeds off the current from the main panel, but it does help take the load off of the main circuit breaker. However, you or your electrician will need to calculate how much load a subpanel can handle.
The cable used for this run is known as a "three-wire cable with ground." The two hot wires, called feeder wires, will provide all of the power to the subpanel. This cable run connects to a 240-volt main breaker or main lugs in the subpanel, which feeds power down through two hot bus bars. Individual circuit breakers will connect to these bus bars to distribute power to the branch circuits running out from the subpanel.
When installing a subpanel, it is important to consult a professional electrician to ensure that the structure and wiring are set according to the local and national codes required in your area.
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A subpanel does not add amps to your electrical system
A subpanel is a smaller circuit panel breaker that is fed from a 240-volt circuit breaker in the main electric service panel. It looks and operates like the main panel, but it is smaller and contains fewer circuit breakers. Subpanels are added to a system for three common reasons: space, convenience, and efficiency. For example, when all the breaker slots in the main service panel are full and cannot accept any more circuits, a subpanel can be an ideal way to add additional circuits.
However, a subpanel does not increase the amperage of your electrical system. It feeds off the current from the main panel and helps to take the load off the main circuit breaker. The subpanel receives electricity from the main panel and divides it into multiple branch circuits. These branch circuits can then power light circuits, outlet circuits, or appliance circuits.
The size of the subpanel you require will depend on the application. If you need a subpanel for light tools or an area with a television, a 60-amp panel would suffice. However, if you require more power, you may need a subpanel ranging from 60 amps to 100 amps. It's important to calculate how much load a subpanel can handle to ensure it has the proper capacity to manage the amperage you need.
In summary, while a subpanel can provide additional circuits and improve the efficiency of your electrical system, it does not add amps to your overall system. The amperage is still dependent on the capacity of the main panel.
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Frequently asked questions
An electrical subpanel is a secondary circuit breaker panel that expands the main circuit breaker panel or gives you a more convenient control point for remote electrical needs.
A subpanel does not require a main shutoff circuit breaker as the feeder breaker in the main panel serves this function. However, a subpanel can have a main breaker to allow for power interruption without returning to the main panel.
By adding subpanels, you have the ability to separate circuits so that your business may operate in the most efficient manner possible. They are also useful if you have a large building, outdoor area with lighting, or do not have any room in your main panel to install additional breakers.
