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QUESTION:I asked an electrician for pricing to install a subpanel in a
workshop/shed and I found out that I do have some problems that I should
not ignore. This is the situation that came with the house:
- From the meter on exterior garage wall, the service goes inside
garage, to a Federal Pacific 200A main panel. It appears this FP panel
by itself is a fire hazard and should be replaced.
- Outside, just by the meter, there is a small subpanel that is also
connected to the meter. This I have been told is a code violation, and
since it appears to be rather old and also Federal Pacific, it is a
candidate for replacement.
- The subpanel feeds directly a distant well pump and in a separate
direction a second remote subpanel for the swimming pool equipment.
The pool subpanel has a couple of Intermatic timers and what I believe
is a freeze protection relay. It is probably 20 years old and does not
look too good.
- The workshop is very close to the well, so I am thinking in having a
subpanel in the workshop and feed the pump from it.
Here is what the electrician suggested ($$$$):
1 - Install new 200A panel by meter with feed through lugs(?). This I
believe is a very big empty box, with nothing but a single main breaker
and a set of lugs(?). (There was a comment "like in mobile homes")
2 - Replace existing 200A main breaker panel in garage.
3 - Replace external subpanel, feeding it from (1) instead of directly
from meter.
4 - Install new subpanel in workshop
5 - Replace swimming pool panel.
My question centers around step #1. I am not sure it is needed. In
fact I am not sure #3 is needed either. Would it be feasible to feed
the two remote subpanels, pool and workshop from the new main panel
inside the garage?
Also, there is the possibility that in the future I may need more that
200A service. I wonder if I can plan for it, but for now, avoid the
expense of replacing the access line to the meter. Is it possible to
install a 300A or 400A main panel but downgrade the main breaker to
200A?
Later I could have the access upgraded and the bigger breaker put back
in place.
ANSWER: This is a code violation. Because the outside panel is fed directly from
the service, it is not a sub-panel, but a service panel, and each circuit
breaker it contains is a service disconnect. Some code concerns about a
service panel include:
1. There can be no more than six service disconnects.
2. All the service disconnects must be in a group. In this case, the 200a
main panel is indoors and the small panel is outdoors, violating this
rule.
3. A panel used as service equipment must be rated and identified
(labeled) as suitable for the purpose.
> The pool subpanel has a couple of Intermatic timers and what I believe
> is a freeze protection relay. It is probably 20 years old and does not
> look too good.
The pool equipment is a good place to take no chances because of the shock
hazard potential. If it looks bad, be suspicious. It is cheap life
insurance to repair or replace it. Replacement is frequently the less
costly of the two. Pool wiring is a specialty, and for some reason, often
badly done. Make sure all the complex code requirements are met,
especially the GFI requirements.
> - The workshop is very close to the well, so I am thinking in having a
> subpanel in the workshop and feed the pump from it.
Nothing wrong with that idea. Do whichever is most efficient. As a first
approximation, do whichever involves the shorter wire length.
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