splicing in a subpanel using lines that feed main breakers?

lettcco

hi, I am new to this forum and hope I can get some professional electrician's input on this.

I lived a condo with attached garage, the meter is located on the outside of my garage, but the main breaker is located on 2nd floor of my condo.

I am planning to get a electric vehicle so I need a 240V, 40A service in the garage. The "straight forward" way of course is to get it from the main breaker @ 2nd floor and feed the wire to the garage, but that means a lot of drilling and dry-wall removing so I am exploring alternative.

per my title, is it possible to splicing in a subpanel (essentially turning it into my main breaker by definition?) is it against code? Thanks in advance!

SD515

Essentially you would be adding a new service disconnect between the meter and your current breaker panel, not a sub panel. A sub-panel would be installed after your current main panel. A new service panel would turn your current panel into a sub-panel. The short answer is yes, it can be done. That is if your condo association and your local jurisdiction allows it. This is not a project for any inexperienced DIYer. I would contact an electrician and have them review your idea, along with your condo assoc. Also in most areas a permit would be required for this type of work.

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Kyle

Just because you can, doesn't always mean you should

joed

You might be able to get a double lug meter pan and then instal a second main panel in your garage by double tapping the meter.
If you move the main disconnect to the garage your current panel will become a sub panel. It will need a four wire feed to the existing panel and all the grounds and neutral will need to be separated.

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J. V.

This is by far the best way to accomplish this task.
However, they sell double lug adapters for this specific purpose.
Keep in mind the extended new service to the garage cannot pass through the existing dwelling (house) or any other structure.

The lugs simply attach to the existing meter lugs and allow the addition of another cable. You are merely extending the service. You will not be required to install a disconnect or OCPD. (breaker or fuses) for the service. You will need to involve the power company and your local inspection entity to ensure compliant installation.

I would hire a professional for a job like this as there is so much more involved than extending the service.

joed

Please explain. Do you mean at the meter. Certainly a disconnect(main panel with proper breaker) is required.

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a7ecorsair

JV is responding to your post suggesting a second main panel which would have a main breaker. This is how I did my garage a few years ago. The inspector said I could connect a second 2-2-4 AL to the meter and feed a main panel. The garage then is just like the house, two grounding electrodes and a common or connected neutral and ground bar in the panel.

lettcco

thank you all for the responses. I have no intention of doing this myself, just want to get informed first so that I can better communicate with my electrician. Thanks!

Jim Port

If the meter was double tapped the services would then need to be grouped. This adds its own complications.

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Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.