Sub Panel Installation

ironnickwhite

Building an addition to my house, master BR, bath, laundry. Plans call for a 100A subpanel, exterior mounted. 9 circuits.

-can the panel be mounted after the stucco is installed, as long as the mounting screws are long enough to penetrate the OSB sheathing?

-can all 9 circuit cables enter the back of the panel through the same 2" knockout? it's the only knockout on the back of the panel, and i'd rather not have 5-10 penetrations through the side of the house, if i can have one that's hidden by the panel itself. i'm not sure if there's a clamp that would hold all of the cables in that 2" knockout though.

-i bought a 6 space, 12 circuit panel. planned on using slimline breakers, but maybe a panel with more spaces would have been more appropriate...

thanks guys.

Do It Right

Are you sure they mean exterior, as in outside?
That's not common, a watertight panel is rather expensive, and could be prone to moisture problems.
Maybe they meant surface mounted?

You mentioned you bought a panel, it would need to be weatherproof.
A six circuit is too small, you don't want to plan ahead with slim-line breakers and no room for expansion.
Also you will need arc-fault breakers, which may not be available in slim-line.

brric

3R panels are not overly expensive. Yes, unless you have an inspector that objects, use a short PVC nipple through the wall to accomodate your cables.

ironnickwhite

the panel i bought was a outdoor/rainproof Square D enclosure. tried to keep it as small as possible, but definitely need more spaces, room for expansion, good call.
and definitely need AFCI breakers, didn't realize they don't come slimline. thanks a bunch.

Do It Right

IronNick,
Why does the panel need to be outside?

ironnickwhite

I suppose it doesn't have to be. Plans call for it to be outside. Feeder cable from main panel would hit new addition at the bathroom. If I put the panel at same point just inside instead of outside it would be either above toilet or above vanity. I'm guessing that's why plans were drawn the way they are.

vsheetz

Electric panels mounted on the exterior are common here in Southern Califorina.

HouseHelper

An electrical panel cannot be in a bathroom, so it would either have to go outside or in another room (hallway, laundry, or bedroom, if you can meet the clearance requirements).

__________________
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Do It Right

Given the choice, I'd put it in a room or hallway, and hide it behind a hinged mirror or painting (like they do at resorts).

ironnickwhite

I'm in southern Arizona so I'm guessing exterior mounted isn't too big of a deal. Less than 8" of precipitation per year and only a handful of frosts...

InmatesRunWild

It's very common to have them mounted externally here in Colorado and we get a lot more cold weather and precipitation than AZ.