question about wiring basement with garage panel

1acman · 01-18-2011, 10:00 PM

Hi all, I have a question on which panel to use to finish off my 2800 sq ft basement. The 200 amp panel in the basement only has a few spaces left in it, where as the detached garage has 1/2 to 3/4 of all spaces left in it. I do have a few conduits run under ground from the garage to the basement, I installed these when I built the garage due to the driveway is between the two structures. The basement will also have 2800 ft finished which will include 2 bathes, 1 bedroom, 1 office, a wet bar, kitchen, game room and living room with projector and stereo. Which panel should I pull the sub panel off of?
Thanks

kbsparky · 01-19-2011, 04:31 AM

You only need 2 spaces in the main panel to feed a sub-panel in the basement.

I'd leave the garage panel alone.

1acman · 01-19-2011, 11:32 AM

An electrician thought I would have to upgrade my service to 400 amps and install another 200 amp panel for the basement due to the amount of circuits and appliances that are being installed. That is why I thought about getting the service off the garage meter/panel. Is it against code to take power from a different location (separate meter) and run back to main dwelling? Would wafer breakers be an option or would that possibly overload the panel?
Thanks

jbfan · 01-19-2011, 12:17 PM

Yes. That would be condisered 2 feeds to the same structure.
I think the other electician is right.
What part of GA?

1acman · 01-19-2011, 12:44 PM

near Alpharetta and Canton

01-18-2011, 10:00 PM	#1
1acman HVAC Contractor Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 12	question about wiring basement with garage panel Hi all, I have a question on which panel to use to finish off my 2800 sq ft basement. The 200 amp panel in the basement only has a few spaces left in it, where as the detached garage has 1/2 to 3/4 of all spaces left in it. I do have a few conduits run under ground from the garage to the basement, I installed these when I built the garage due to the driveway is between the two structures. The basement will also have 2800 ft finished which will include 2 bathes, 1 bedroom, 1 office, a wet bar, kitchen, game room and living room with projector and stereo. Which panel should I pull the sub panel off of? Thanks

01-19-2011, 04:31 AM	#2
kbsparky Electrical Contractor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Delmarva Posts: 3,148	question about wiring basement with garage panel You only need 2 spaces in the main panel to feed a sub-panel in the basement. I'd leave the garage panel alone. __________________ -KB Life is uncertain -- eat dessert first!! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

01-19-2011, 11:32 AM	#3
1acman HVAC Contractor Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 12	question about wiring basement with garage panel An electrician thought I would have to upgrade my service to 400 amps and install another 200 amp panel for the basement due to the amount of circuits and appliances that are being installed. That is why I thought about getting the service off the garage meter/panel. Is it against code to take power from a different location (separate meter) and run back to main dwelling? Would wafer breakers be an option or would that possibly overload the panel? Thanks

01-19-2011, 12:17 PM	#4
jbfan Electrical Contractor Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Newnan GA Posts: 5,081	question about wiring basement with garage panel Yes. That would be condisered 2 feeds to the same structure. I think the other electician is right. What part of GA? __________________ Yes I am a Pirate, 200 years too late. "Jimmy Buffett"

01-19-2011, 12:44 PM	#5
1acman HVAC Contractor Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Georgia Posts: 12	question about wiring basement with garage panel near Alpharetta and Canton

question about wiring basement with garage panel