Putting in a subpanel is an effective way so as to add extra circuits and improve your own home’s electrical capability. It is also a comparatively easy DIY undertaking that may prevent cash on an electrician. Nonetheless, it is necessary to notice that working with electrical energy could be harmful, so it is necessary to take all obligatory security precautions. If you happen to’re not snug working with electrical energy, it is best to rent a certified electrician to put in your subpanel.
Step one in putting in a subpanel is to decide on a location. The subpanel needs to be positioned in an accessible space that is shielded from the weather. As soon as you’ve got chosen a location, you may must run electrical conduit from the primary panel to the subpanel. Conduit is a pipe that protects electrical wires from injury. You may additionally want to put in a circuit breaker in the primary panel to guard the subpanel circuit.
As soon as the conduit is put in, you may start putting in the subpanel. Begin by mounting the subpanel on the wall after which connecting the wires from the conduit to the subpanel. Remember to observe the producer’s directions rigorously. As soon as the subpanel is put in, you may must activate the circuit breaker in the primary panel and check the subpanel to verify it is working correctly.
Mounting the Subpanel
Earlier than mounting the subpanel, you have to to assemble your supplies and instruments. You’ll need a subpanel, mounting screws, a screwdriver, a wire stripper, and electrical tape. After you have gathered your supplies and instruments, you may start the mounting course of.
1. Select a location for the subpanel. The subpanel needs to be mounted in a dry, well-ventilated space. It must also be simply accessible for future upkeep.
2. Mark the situation of the subpanel on the wall. Use a pencil to mark the situation of the highest and backside of the subpanel.
3. Drill pilot holes for the mounting screws. Use a drill bit that’s barely smaller than the diameter of the mounting screws. Drill the pilot holes on the marks you made in step 2.
4. Mount the subpanel. Place the subpanel over the pilot holes and insert the mounting screws. Tighten the mounting screws till the subpanel is securely mounted.
a. In case you are mounting the subpanel on drywall, you have to to make use of drywall anchors. Drywall anchors are small, plastic units which might be inserted into the drywall and supply a safe maintain for the mounting screws.
b. In case you are mounting the subpanel on a concrete wall, you have to to make use of concrete anchors. Concrete anchors are steel units which might be inserted into the concrete and supply a safe maintain for the mounting screws.
c. In case you are mounting the subpanel on a wooden floor, you should utilize wooden screws to safe it.
| Floor Sort | Anchor Sort |
|---|---|
| Drywall | Drywall anchors |
| Concrete | Concrete anchors |
| Wooden | Wooden screws |
5. Join {the electrical} wires to the subpanel. Use a wire stripper to strip the insulation off the ends of {the electrical} wires. Join the black wires to the black terminals on the subpanel. Join the white wires to the white terminals on the subpanel. Join the inexperienced or naked copper wire to the bottom terminal on the subpanel.
6. Safe {the electrical} wires. Use electrical tape to safe {the electrical} wires. Wrap {the electrical} tape across the wires a number of occasions to make sure that they’re safe.
7. Shut the subpanel cowl. After you have related {the electrical} wires, you may shut the subpanel cowl. Make it possible for the quilt is securely closed in order that nobody can by chance come into contact with {the electrical} wires.
Connecting Feeder Cables
1. Flip off the primary energy provide.
Earlier than starting any electrical work, all the time flip off the primary energy provide to the world the place you can be working. It will stop any accidents from occurring.
2. Establish the feeder cables.
The feeder cables are the big cables that may join the subpanel to the primary electrical panel. They’re sometimes black or purple and are sometimes bundled collectively.
3. Minimize the feeder cables to size.
The feeder cables needs to be lower to size in order that they will attain the subpanel with none extra. Remember to go away sufficient slack in order that the cables could be simply related.
4. Strip the ends of the feeder cables.
The ends of the feeder cables should be stripped as a way to make the connections. Use a wire stripper to take away about 1/2 inch of insulation from every finish of the cable.
5. Join the feeder cables to the subpanel.
The feeder cables are related to the subpanel utilizing circuit breakers. Every circuit breaker is rated for a particular amperage, so be sure you choose the proper circuit breaker for the scale of the feeder cables. To attach the feeder cables, merely insert the ends of the cables into the terminals on the circuit breaker and tighten the screws.
The next desk exhibits the wire sizes and circuit breaker amperages which might be sometimes used for subpanels:
| Wire Measurement | Circuit Breaker Amperage |
|---|---|
| 10 AWG | 30 |
| 8 AWG | 40 |
| 6 AWG | 50 |
| 4 AWG | 60 |
| 2 AWG | 70 |
| 1 AWG | 80 |
| 1/0 AWG | 90 |
| 2/0 AWG | 100 |
| 3/0 AWG | 125 |
| 4/0 AWG | 150 |
Putting in Circuit Breakers
As soon as the subpanel is put in, it is time to set up the circuit breakers. This is a step-by-step information:
1. Establish the Appropriate Circuit Breakers
Select the suitable circuit breakers for the circuits you may be connecting. Check with the subpanel’s documentation for suitable breakers.
2. Collect Obligatory Instruments
You may want a screwdriver, a torque wrench, and any specialised instruments talked about within the circuit breaker’s directions.
3. Set up the Floor Bus
Join the inexperienced floor wire from the subpanel to the bottom bus within the subpanel utilizing a torque wrench.
4. Set up the Fundamental Breaker
Insert the primary breaker into the highest slot of the subpanel and push it in till it clicks into place.
5. Set up the Circuit Breakers
Insert every circuit breaker into its designated slot. Twist it clockwise to lock it in place.
6. Tighten the Terminals
Tighten the terminal screws on every circuit breaker utilizing a torque wrench. Observe the producer’s torque specs to make sure correct connections.
Tip: Check with the subpanel’s person guide for detailed directions and security precautions.
Wiring the Circuits to the Breakers
As soon as the breakers are put in, it is time to wire the circuits to them. This can be a comparatively easy activity, nevertheless it’s necessary to take your time and be sure that all of the connections are safe. Listed here are the steps on the right way to do it:
1. Begin by slicing the circuit wires to the suitable size. They need to be lengthy sufficient to achieve the breakers with out being too lengthy or too brief.
2. Strip the insulation off the ends of the wires about 1/2 inch.
3. Bend the naked wires right into a U-shape.
4. Push the U-shaped wires onto the terminals on the breakers.
5. Tighten the screws on the terminals to safe the wires.
6. Repeat these steps for the entire circuits.
7. As soon as the entire circuits are wired, double-check the entire connections to be sure that they’re safe.
8. Lastly, activate the primary breaker to energy up the subpanel and check the entire circuits to be sure that they’re working correctly.
| Circuit | Breaker Measurement | Wire Gauge |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting | 15 amps | 14 AWG |
| Retailers | 20 amps | 12 AWG |
| Home equipment | 30 amps | 10 AWG |
Finalizing the Set up
1. Set up the Cowl: Safe the subpanel's cowl onto the enclosure utilizing the supplied screws. Guarantee it's correctly fixed and aligned.
2. Connect Conduit and Wire: Join the conduit and wires from the primary panel to the subpanel's corresponding terminals.
3. Tighten Terminals: Use a torque wrench to securely tighten all terminal screw connections. Guarantee they meet the producer's really useful torque specs.
4. Take a look at Polarity: Verify the proper polarity utilizing a voltage tester. Make sure the impartial and floor wires are related correctly.
5. Restore Energy: Flip the primary breaker in the primary panel again on to energise the subpanel.
6. Examine for Warmth: Observe the subpanel for any extreme warmth or free connections utilizing a thermal imaging digital camera or different appropriate gadget.
7. Label and Doc: Affix a label on the subpanel indicating its goal, voltage, and amperage. Moreover, doc the set up particulars for future reference.
Circuit Labeling and Identification:
8. Establish every circuit within the subpanel clearly utilizing labels or tags. This facilitates straightforward troubleshooting and upkeep.
9. Create a circuit listing or set up a listing holder on the subpanel's inside. This permits for fast identification of circuit areas.
10. Frequently examine your subpanel to make sure it stays in good working order and handle any potential points promptly. Examine terminal connections for tightness, examine for any free wires or injury, and make sure the cowl is securely connected. By following these steps and sustaining your subpanel, you may improve security and reliability.
How To Set up A Subpanel
Putting in a subpanel is an effective way so as to add extra circuits to your own home with out having to improve your essential electrical panel. A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel that’s related to your essential panel and offers energy to further circuits. Putting in a subpanel is a comparatively easy course of, however it is very important observe the entire directions rigorously to make sure that it’s finished safely and accurately.
To put in a subpanel, you have to the next instruments and supplies:
- A subpanel
- Electrical wire
- Conduit
- A circuit breaker
- A screwdriver
- A wire cutter
- A stage
After you have the entire obligatory instruments and supplies, you may start the set up course of. Step one is to decide on a location for the subpanel. The subpanel needs to be positioned in a dry, well-ventilated space that’s simply accessible. After you have chosen a location, that you must mount the subpanel to the wall. The subpanel needs to be mounted securely utilizing screws or bolts.
The subsequent step is to attach {the electrical} wire to the subpanel. {The electrical} wire needs to be sized based on the amperage of the circuit breaker that you can be utilizing. The wire needs to be lower to the suitable size after which stripped on the ends. The stripped ends of the wire ought to then be related to the terminals on the subpanel. The connections needs to be made securely utilizing a screwdriver.
As soon as {the electrical} wire has been related to the subpanel, you may set up the circuit breaker. The circuit breaker needs to be put in within the acceptable slot on the subpanel. The circuit breaker needs to be turned off earlier than it’s put in. As soon as the circuit breaker is put in, you may flip it on.
The ultimate step is to attach the conduit to the subpanel. The conduit needs to be sized based on the variety of wires that can be working via it. The conduit needs to be lower to the suitable size after which connected to the subpanel utilizing a conduit connector. The wires ought to then be pulled via the conduit and related to the suitable terminals on the subpanel.
As soon as the subpanel is put in, you need to check it to be sure that it’s working correctly. To check the subpanel, activate the entire circuit breakers. If the circuit breakers journey, then there’s a downside with the set up. The issue needs to be corrected earlier than the subpanel is used.
Folks Additionally Ask About How To Set up A Subpanel
What’s a subpanel?
A subpanel is a smaller electrical panel that’s related to your essential panel and offers energy to further circuits.
Why would I would like to put in a subpanel?
You could want to put in a subpanel if that you must add extra circuits to your own home with out having to improve your essential electrical panel.
How do I select a subpanel?
When selecting a subpanel, that you must take into account the amperage of the circuits that you can be utilizing. You additionally want to think about the variety of circuits that you will want.
How do I set up a subpanel?
To put in a subpanel, you have to to observe the steps outlined on this article.
What are the hazards of putting in a subpanel?
There are a number of risks related to putting in a subpanel, together with electrical shock, fireplace, and explosion. You will need to observe the entire directions rigorously to make sure that the set up is finished safely and accurately.
