[frohboy33]

I would like to wire 2 baseboard heaters in my basement. They are both 240v heaters. 1 is a 1500 watt and the other is a 500 watt. Each will have their own thermostat.

I currently have 100amp service to the house. There main panel is full.

A load center was added for a dishwasher.

My plan was to remove the current load center for the dishwasher and replace it with an 8 circuit, 4 place 125amp load center. I would then wire both heaters using 14-2 wire to the same 15amp double pole circuit breaker. I would move the current 20 amp circuit for the dishwasher to the new load center and there would then be 1 open spot in the new panel.

Does this sound ok? Are my wire sizes and breakers the right size? According to what I calculated I think it will work, but not sure when having different thermostats. Also what might happen if I were to add another 500 watt heater down the road?

Any help, confirmation, or guidance is highly appreciated.

I can take better pics if need be.

 

[rrolleston]

Can you post a picture inside the panel? What size wire and breaker is feeding the dishwasher panel now?

 

[frohboy33]

Can you post a picture inside the panel? What size wire and breaker is feeding the dishwasher panel now?

I can't tell what size wire it is by looking at it, sorry. There isn't any labeling on the part that I can see. The breaker for the dishwasher is a 20amp breaker. The wire size to the dishwasher is 12-2.

 

[rrolleston]

I can't tell what size wire it is by looking at it, sorry. There isn't any labeling on the part that I can see. The breaker for the dishwasher is a 10amp breaker. The wire size to the dishwasher is 12-2.

What breaker turns off the power to that panel?

 

[jbfan]

That's not a 10 amp breaker.
The size of the breaker is on the handle, and will be 15 or 20.
The wire looks to be #6.
What size breaker feeds this small panel?

 

[rrolleston]

If the wire is stranded it's possibly 8 or 6. But I would read the jacket to be sure.

 

[k_buz]

Who ever installed the subpanel installed it incorrectly/illegally. The grounds and neutrals have to be separated.

 

[frohboy33]

That's not a 10 amp breaker.
The size of the breaker is on the handle, and will be 15 or 20.
The wire looks to be #6.
What size breaker feeds this small panel?

Sorry about that its a 20amp breaker not a 10.

From what I can see there is no breaker that feeds the small panel. The small panel is connected directly to the main power from the main panel.

The previous home owner I am assuming wired this himself. That is probably why it is incorrect/illegal. What should I do about that?

 

[rrolleston]

You can't use this panel it was installed incorrectly and should be removed by a qualified electrician.

 

[k_buz]

They make Pushmatic tandem breakers. I don't know if your panel is rated for them and they are not cheap, but that is one suggestion.

The other is contact an electrical contractor for a quote on a new service.

 

[rrolleston]

It's possible that there are a lot of illegal gremlins inside that panel.

I would be really interested to see the inside of the main panel.

 

[frohboy33]

It's possible that there are a lot of illegal gremlins inside that panel.

I would be really interested to see the inside of the main panel.

I'm scared! I'll take a pic and post it up in a few.

 

[frohboy33]

Here are inside of the main panel pics.

 

[rrolleston]

Many double taps in there. I would not use that panel the way it is. Looks like you could benefit from a panel upgrade so you have more room.

 

[TarheelTerp]

Many double taps in there. I would not use that panel the way it is.
Looks like you could benefit from a panel upgrade so you have more room.

A service upgrade too.

I currently have 100amp service to the house.

 

[k_buz]

I'm pretty sure (not 100%) that those breakers are rated for two conductors of the same size. Either way, pigtailing the wires isn't a big deal. I see you have two open spaces in the main panel. You could properly feed a 40 or 50A sub panel from there.

 

[rrolleston]

There are also some double tapped neutral/grounds

 

[frohboy33]

Ok, I am not going to mess with the existing subpanel. I realize I should probably call an electrician and get it properly taken out or replaced. But we all know I'm just going to leave it as is and forget about it unless someone convinces me its a hazard.

They make Pushmatic tandem breakers. I don't know if your panel is rated for them and they are not cheap, but that is one suggestion.

The other is contact an electrical contractor for a quote on a new service.

What if I go this route? I see some on ebay. Should I buy a couple of twin 15amp single pole and clear some room in the main panel? If I clear some room, what size breaker will I need for the 240V heaters? Is 14-2 wire ok?

Grrr. I have a feeling I'm going to have to pay for some upgrades to the main service and panel. This would be the proper thing to do.

 

[TarheelTerp]

I am not going to mess with the existing sub panel.
I should call an electrician and get it properly taken out or replaced.

I have a feeling I'm going to have to pay for some upgrades to the main service and panel. This would be the proper thing to do.

Well, at least a new panel for breaker space.
Do you have gas (furnace, water heater, dryer, range) appliances?

But we all know I'm just going to leave it as is
and forget about it unless someone convinces me its a hazard.

You're a grown up now. Homeowner and everything.
You know what you need to do.

If I clear some room, what size breaker will I need for the 240V heaters? Is 14-2 wire ok?

2000W / 240V = 8.33Amps So yes, 14/2 15A will be plenty.
Still... if/when you pull wire pull 12/2.

But it's mid-February. The heating season will be over in a few weeks.
Let the baseboard work go until next fall and after the panel change is done.

 

[frohboy33]

Thank you to everyone. I know what should be done now. You're right I'll hold off on the baseboards until I've had some changes made.

One last question. Looking at the main panel again, I see that nothing is hooked up to the breaker labeled "dryer" This is a dual 30amp breaker.

The actual dryer is on the same circuit as the range. Shouldn't I switch the dryer over to the actual dryer circuit?

There are two circuits labeled range. One is a dual 40amp and the other is a dual 30amp. The dryer is connected to the dual 30amp range breaker.