Hello, I was hoping to get some advice from the experts in this forum. I am doing an attic renovation in my home and need to install a subpanel. To give you background as efficiently as possible:
1. I have a permit
2. The space is a walk up attic with plenty of possible locations for a code compliant panel.
3. Need to provide power for: air handler (gas - just igniter?), full bath, bedroom, main room to be used as an office, wetbar with small refrigerator and maybe a microwave and coffee maker.
4. Probably several flat screen TV's
5. 2 or 3 ceiling fans (1 in bedroom, 2 in main room).
6. I already have one 20A and one 15A spare circuit run to the attic from the main breaker panel but I think it better to have a subpanel for the space as I may renovate the other half of the attic one day.
7. I have two 200A service panels in the first floor garage and each has plenty of space for a 2pole breaker. These panels are SquareD and use the Homeline breakers.
8. Attic is essentially the third floor.
9. There is no pre-installed conduit to make the feeder run easy.
So, my questions are:
1. What size panel to install? I think 60A is plenty big but it is difficult to find them.
2. Is it compliant to use a 100 or 125A panel while only using a 60A 2-pole breaker in the main panel to supply it? Is it wise?
3. There doesn't appear to be any easy way to run the feeder to the attic. Any tips on doing this?
4. What size feeder wire should I use? Should they be individual conductors or the bundled wire?
5. What type of wire?
6. It should be be 2 hots, neutral, and a ground. Correct?
7. If I decide to go through the walls, does NEC code specify how it needs to be run? Through conduit? Secured by staples?
Thank you for your help!
1. I have a permit
2. The space is a walk up attic with plenty of possible locations for a code compliant panel.
3. Need to provide power for: air handler (gas - just igniter?), full bath, bedroom, main room to be used as an office, wetbar with small refrigerator and maybe a microwave and coffee maker.
4. Probably several flat screen TV's
5. 2 or 3 ceiling fans (1 in bedroom, 2 in main room).
6. I already have one 20A and one 15A spare circuit run to the attic from the main breaker panel but I think it better to have a subpanel for the space as I may renovate the other half of the attic one day.
7. I have two 200A service panels in the first floor garage and each has plenty of space for a 2pole breaker. These panels are SquareD and use the Homeline breakers.
8. Attic is essentially the third floor.
9. There is no pre-installed conduit to make the feeder run easy.
So, my questions are:
1. What size panel to install? I think 60A is plenty big but it is difficult to find them.
2. Is it compliant to use a 100 or 125A panel while only using a 60A 2-pole breaker in the main panel to supply it? Is it wise?
3. There doesn't appear to be any easy way to run the feeder to the attic. Any tips on doing this?
4. What size feeder wire should I use? Should they be individual conductors or the bundled wire?
5. What type of wire?
6. It should be be 2 hots, neutral, and a ground. Correct?
7. If I decide to go through the walls, does NEC code specify how it needs to be run? Through conduit? Secured by staples?
Thank you for your help!