120 amp sub panel question

ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
Im about to fire up a 10k grow. How the hell do I figure out if I can handle that much power, my brother says that I might need a service drop but thats fucking scary, how do explain to electric company the reason I need so much electricity?
so I am a handyman for a living (mostly grower though) so ive done this kinda of work, but how can I figure out from my breaker box if I can handle a 120 amp sub panel?
 
ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
So my brother is more knowledgeable then me on how to do this, im just trying to do my own research, any info will get you rep and thank you guys
 
Velvet Elvis

Velvet Elvis

Well-Known Member
its the circuits available.... usually all basement outlets will be on one 10 or 20 amp breaker, wash machine will be on a another 20 amp breaker but have an outlet available.

my hunch is you do not have enough, tell your electrician you do some type of hobby that requires more outlets in basement. make sure it doesnt smell like herb and all supplies are put away/hidden
 
ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
Velvet Elvis said:
its the circuits available.... usually all basement outlets will be on one 10 or 20 amp breaker, wash machine will be on a another 20 amp breaker but have an outlet available.

my hunch is you do not have enough, tell your electrician you do some type of hobby that requires more outlets in basement. make sure it doesnt smell like herb and all supplies are put away/hidden
Click to expand...
Thank you but this house is ridiculously nice. Its upstairs its a fucking huge house. Im going to take a picture of breaker box. Give me a sec
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
Size of the panel does not tell you about the overall rating of the drop to your house.

You won't get 120 amps to your sub panel if the whole house is on 100 amp service... like mine.
 
ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
ttystikk said:
Size of the panel does not tell you about the overall rating of the drop to your house.

You won't get 120 amps to your sub panel if the whole house is on 100 amp service... like mine.
Click to expand...
No its 200 amp. And I think we can eliminate a good number of the breaks that exist. But then again idk. Tomorrow I will take a pic with the cover. I guess do I need to measure the thickness of the main cable running to house? I just dont understand how to tell if there is enough free amps. Another thing I noticed is that there are no power poles out front. So everything is buried. Is that easier to tap into then a pole? Lol im not trying to steal any power. I just need everything to be legit
 
ttystikk

ttystikk

Well-Known Member
If you have 200A service to the house then your sub panel will be relatively easy. Take your power from the main panel to supply it. To be fully legit- meaning 'safe'- and not miss any steps, it's just smarter to call an electrician. There are lots of details...
 
ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
Im going to start a thread on how do this, its extremely important to learn this and I haven't seen any info on RIU. It will be a learning experience for me.
 
A

ag843

Active Member
ODanksta said:
Im going to start a thread on how do this, its extremely important to learn this and I haven't seen any info on RIU. It will be a learning experience for me.
Click to expand...
im looking for the same info. if you started that thread can you post the link???
 
ProHuman

ProHuman

Well-Known Member
The only thing that keeps running through my mind, is a miscalculation or something, and that big house of yours goes up in flames. You really should have qualified professionals to do this for you. Do you really want to be the cause of an accident right next to your grow, that would have officials at your place? With all the money you are spending to set this big grow up, you can afford to hire someone to do this for you.
 
Banana444

Banana444

Well-Known Member
Why are you asking us if you have family thats and electrician? You have 200amp service to your house. To do what you wanna do you need to upgrade to 400amp service. Better have a good reason and dont live in the uk. I already see you dont live in the uk.
 
ODanksta

ODanksta

Well-Known Member
Banana444 said:
Why are you asking us if you have family thats and electrician? You have 200amp service to your house. To do what you wanna do you need to upgrade to 400amp service. Better have a good reason and dont live in the uk. I already see you dont live in the uk.
Click to expand...
We did hire a electrician and he said we would be fine with the 200 amp main. And hell no im not in the UK.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top