Do I need to add a subpanel with

[S13Hitman]

I'm moving into a new home. It's a few years old and um not sure what rating the fuses are and whatnot but I imagine most new homes are the same for a 3 bedroom house.

I have a flower room I'm putting in and a veg room. The flower room is small and only run a 600w with 2 inline fans and a window AC. The veg room runs on a T5 light and a few smaller fans. I have a swamp cooler running and a few other odds and ends I'm forgetting.

These 2 rooms would share the same circuit. I'd like to add another 600w light in flower but with or without the extra 600w light, should I go ahead and run a subpanel for the above? Thanks all!

 

[sureshot66]

you wont be able to run all that on 1 110 circuit..you need to either locate and utilize other existing circuits or you can put in a small subpanel and run a 220 circuit for yuur lights and 110 for everything else...you cant assume with electrical, ypu need to know how many amps your main has, what youre going to draw and build the circuits accordingly so they can handle what your pulling thru each circuit, contingent of course on whether your main can provide that safely..youre not pulling that many amps with the equipment u listed but check your numbers, it takes planning

 

[Jhhnn]

It's impossible to say until you've examined the breaker panel, mapped the outlets & measured the current draw of the different components.

Even if you need to upgrade, the addition of a 20A outlet circuit or 2 will likely serve your needs.

 

[S13Hitman]

I'd rather just add a subpanel in this case since the attic is easily accessible and could run new lines fairly easy. I'd like to add in the future too so I'll go ahead and add one. A 20A should be ok then?

 

[Jhhnn]

I'd rather just add a subpanel in this case since the attic is easily accessible and could run new lines fairly easy. I'd like to add in the future too so I'll go ahead and add one. A 20A should be ok then?

If you plan on further additions, a subpanel is probably the best way to go. I'd use a 30A double pole breaker in the main panel & #10-3 w/ ground copper romex to the subpanel. If the wiring run is over 50 ft, step up to #8 wire. Using 15 or 20 A breakers in the subpanel, I'd run #12 wiring to the individual outlets or use up any of the #10 left over from a standard roll. It's safe & generally legal to use oversize wire, even if it's harder to work.

240v operation of heavy continuous loads is desirable.