Splices in breaker panel

3137 Views 3 Replies 3 Participants Last post by JonCiccarone, Feb 20, 2016

JonCiccarone

Discussion Starter · Feb 19, 2016

Hi,

I'm putting in a sub panel right next to my main load center, because I've run out of spaces and have multiple remodels/additions planned in the near future. For organizational purposes, I'd like to put all of the basement circuits in my house on this sub panel. Workshop, electric heat, well pump, a couple sump pumps, furnace, lights and receptacle circuits, etc. My question is, can I splice the wires of these circuits inside the main breaker panel, and run pigtails in conduit or new romex to the sub panel? Most of the cables coming into the breaker panel aren't long enough to reroute to the sub panel, which is why I'm asking this question. One other option I thought of was removing each cable that I'm rerouting to the sub panel from the breaker panel, and then splicing them in handy boxes and running romex from the handy boxes to the sub panel. But this option would take more time and look ugly outside the panels.

Let me know what you guys think, any suggestions are seriously appreciated!

JC

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Mark Harvey

· #2 · Feb 19, 2016

splicing wires

Jon, I would strongly suggest that you can a local electrician because it may be a special situation in your area and you should be aware of any code restrictions. A local master electrician can provide a quick answer (probably free of charge) and give you piece of mind.

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Oso954

· #3 · Feb 19, 2016 (Edited)

While you can do it, I don't think it is advisable to do so. You will be generating 3-4 splices for every circuit that you move. Depending on how many you are actually moving you will have a cluster of splices in the panel or other JBs.

It would be a lot cleaner to move the 1-2 circuits needed to free space for your feeder breaker. Leave every thing else in place. All new circuits whether caused by new addition or the remodel go in the sub-panel.

If you move a bunch of circuits, I hope you have a circuit tracer. When you have trouble on one of the relocated circuits in the future, you may need one to find the right splices to check.

If you had an electrical reason for moving them, I'd say do it. But not just for "organizing".

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JonCiccarone

Discussion Starter · #4 · Feb 20, 2016

Oso954 said:
While you can do it, I don't think it is advisable to do so. You will be generating 3-4 splices for every circuit that you move. Depending on how many you are actually moving you will have a cluster of splices in the panel or other JBs.

It would be a lot cleaner to move the 1-2 circuits needed to free space for your feeder breaker. Leave every thing else in place. All new circuits whether caused by new addition or the remodel go in the sub-panel.

If you move a bunch of circuits, I hope you have a circuit tracer. When you have trouble on one of the relocated circuits in the future, you may need one to find the right splices to check.

If you had an electrical reason for moving them, I'd say do it. But not just for "organizing".

Hey Oso, thanks for the suggestion. I think I'm just going to do that. I'll move the 2 circuits that are being replaced with the 100 sub panel feeder, and only splice those two circuits to new sub panel. I don't have a circuit tracer, but I do have a circuit breaker finder? Maybe they're the same thing? I plan to label any wires that I splice in the panel so hopefully it won't be a problem. Thanks! ?

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