DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Small Subpanel

972 Views 4 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  throrope
I would like to install a small Subpanel close to my main panel. I have an 80 Amp double pole breaker that I plan to install in the main panel to feed the Subpanel. I'm thinking of using #3/3 cable as a feeder. The subpanel will contain four 15 Amp breakers for lighting circuits, a 20 Amp double pole breaker and either two single 20 Amp breakers or another double pole 20 Amp breaker. The 20 Amp double pole breaker will be supplying power to 3750 Watts of baseboard heat. The two single 20 Amp breakers ( or another 20 Amp double pole breaker ), will be supplying power to two room air conditioners so, of course, would never be used at the same time as the baseboard heat. Will this be okay?
1 - 1 of 5 Posts
"Will this be okay?" - If you need to ask that question, I suggest you hire an electrician.

For residential wiring, the National Electric Code (NEC) is not rocket science and includes a supplementary book with additional guidance.

I suggest you evaluate your main panel to determine if capacity is available for your purpose. A DIY sub panel will not have the benefit of an electrician's underwriter's inspection sticker, which if flagged during home sale, can create complicated consequences. Installations that look like DIY can result in similar consequences.

As to adding air conditioning to electric baseboard heat, I suggest you consider a central heat pump. Expensive, but likely to pay back more in resale than energy. How many houses in your area have central systems vs baseboard and window shakers?
1 - 1 of 5 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top