100 amp sub panel feed?

[Hookah79]

Ok ASAIK if you want to install a 100amp sub panel,you're going to bring your feed from your main electrical panel.I spoke to a gentleman who has knowledge on electrical work that said the feed can come from your electrical meter,that way you're not putting that 100 amp load on your main panel.It kind of makes sense but every where i looked ,the feed came off the main panel....

Was also told that the connection would be made by connecting the new wire to the wire going to the main 200 amp panel inside the meter,so both wires would go thru the same lug.

The lug connection part i am not too sure about,especially that it's aluminum.What do you guys think??

 

[daveyhouse]

Your messing with 220v in there. If you are unsure don't do it, get someone qualified

I would think he is talking about hooking in behind the meter itself, where the leads are coming from meter.

If you hook into where the leads come in at the panel, then you are still taxing your 200 amp leads to the panel

 

[daveyhouse]

You can get 60 amp breakers and tap into that to power a 60 amp sub panel.
How much power are you looking to pull?

Another factor would be the length of the run from the main panel to the sub panel

 

[daveyhouse]

divide your wattage by you voltage and that will give you the amps you are going to pull

 

[Hookah79]

I've done work on 220, and yes he was referring to running the feed from the meter .The panel is for a 10-16k set up.The guy suggested to take the stress off the main feed (4/0 from meter to 200 amp main panel) which makes sense.But again afaik sub panels are ran off the main panel.He suggested to squeeze the aluminum wires going to main panel and sub panel thru the same lugs,which i am really not comfortable with and don't even think it's code.The sub panel is would be installed a couple of feet from the main.

 

[daveyhouse]

oh wow that IS a lot power. At 110v, 16k is 145 amps

 

[daveyhouse]

Or split it in half for 220v, 73 amps off each lug.

Should almost have another dedicated meter installed.

 

[Pangea]

Talk to a pro, not a "person knowledgeable".

How big is the transformer?
Cant use a "sub" panel without it connected to a main, youd have to use a 100A main so as to have a main breaker/switch.
You have to have the energy co come and de-energize your power or pull the meter socket, so that you could splice in a new panel(cant work on a live load).
What happens if you pull full loads on both panels, thats 300A, is your meter and transformer rated to handle such loads?


The risk at the extreme is death and fire which depending on your location that risk extends to the families and neighbors around you.

 

[Hookah79]

Talk to a pro, not a "person knowledgeable".

How big is the transformer?
Cant use a "sub" panel without it connected to a main, youd have to use a 100A main so as to have a main breaker/switch.
You have to have the energy co come and de-energize your power or pull the meter socket, so that you could splice in a new panel(cant work on a live load).
What happens if you pull full loads on both panels, thats 300A, is your meter and transformer rated to handle such loads?


The risk at the extreme is death and fire which depending on your location that risk extends to the families and neighbors around you.

The guy is HVAC certified,but again this is why i posted here because it did sound shady when he said it was ok to tap into the meter for a separate run to a sub panel and screwing 2 panel wires with one lug.Appreciate the info...

 

[Hookah79]

Or split it in half for 220v, 73 amps off each lug.

Should almost have another dedicated meter installed.

There are folks running 20k plus lights,1-5 ton ac ,a 2ton house ac with no issues wht so ever on 200 amp panels.

 

[Bud Green]

"HVAC certified" doesn't even come close to qualifying someone for the upgrade you're describing. You need an electrician with his journeyman's or master's license..

 

[Hookah79]

"HVAC certified" doesn't even come close to qualifying someone for the upgrade you're describing. You need an electrician with his journeyman's or master's license..

I agree.But you would think a professional that installs ac's would have common sense on matters,but no every one's out to make a quick buck.I've dealt with electricians and you'd be surprised from the answers that you'd get from some of them or the work they do.

 

[Floridian]

You cant come off the meter you'd have no overcurrent protection,you have to come off a breaker in the main panel.What happened to all the electrician around here?

 

[mowood3479]

There is a wiring thread in this sub forum that rives pretty much lays out step by step instructions for any electrical question.
I'd second that the sub panel should come from the main panel... I don't think I've ever seen a sub panel that came directly from the meter..
Iam not an expert but I can copy people's work or follow directions..
Anyway I've never seen a house wired with the ops proposed configurations... So idk?

 

[CeelingFanz]

 

[CeelingFanz]

nevermind, that diagram is showing 2 different service entrance (if overhead/underground) possibilities. You can have 2 main panels connected to 1 meter though.

 

[Floridian]

You want to use #4 AWG copper and be sure to have the neutral separated from the ground.You can use a smaller wire for the noodle and ground you'd have to check the chart

 

[Hookah79]

You want to use #4 AWG copper and be sure to have the neutral separated from the ground.You can use a smaller wire for the noodle and ground you'd have to check the chart

I went ahead and I installed the sub panel off the main panel.Used #3 copper for the 3 wires,and a #6 for ground.

 

[Floridian]

You should have no continuity between the neutral and ground in the subpanel

 

[Hookah79]

You should have no continuity between the neutral and ground in the subpanel

There is no bonding between the neutral and the ground bars in the sub panel,only in the main one.The ground bar is screwed in the sub panel with no rubber padding under it.