Does adding sub panel = more lights
- Thread starter JorgeCO
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Getgrowingson
Well-Known Member
No it isnt that easy. If you want more then 200A you need another service and panel. If your overloading your panel at 200A you cant just add a pony panel to add more current. Unless what you mean is you have no circuits left ( to put breakers) then you can as long as your overall draw isnt more then 80% of your 200A so 160A TOTAL. Get a clamp on multimeter and measure the current on your mains entering your main panel with your usual load to figure out what your drawing. Make sure you test BOTH legs and add them together. I do this for a living so if you need any help just hit me up.
"Electrician" informed me it would be possible (informed me of what you stated, that it isn't as simple as adding another panel) BUT informed me the issue would be if the local electricity companies transformer holds or not. Can you elaborate what he means by that?
Getgrowingson
Well-Known Member
he means if the transformer is capable of carrying the extra load required to add an additional service. Most transformers especially in older neighbourhoods are sized to the loads required to which it feeds. although they do have some play for future expansion and varying loads throughout the day. The power company depending on what the loading of the transformer is may or may not allow you a second service depending on the load on it currently and the available load. They will most likely deem a 200A service to a residential house appropriate and if you want another service they most likely would not cover the cost of putting in a larger transformer to cover the demand should it not be able to supply you with additional power. You might be able to work out a deal with them by helping with the cost, but to be honest transformers especially larger padmounts for residential areas can get quite costly. But in the end they do want your money so i would inquire with your utility and see what they think about the idea.
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
How many lights are you doing wtf . Most people
Run out of space before amps on a residential. If you want another 200 amp service..
Plan on putting a big ass building in your backyard . Otherwise. I think they will look at you like your crazy .
Get a shop
Run out of space before amps on a residential. If you want another 200 amp service..
Plan on putting a big ass building in your backyard . Otherwise. I think they will look at you like your crazy .
Get a shop
Ha.....not quite. Wish I had the funds to have a commercial location to do a "jungle"!
It's a basement of almost 900 square feet...extremely HUGE! I found out I need to actually add another "service" of electricity to then add an extra sub panel and then problem solved. Electrician wants $5300 for this though
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Idk where you are.. But in California you must have permission from Electric company and from the home owner to upgrade or add a service. Also I heard forms must be filled out for tax reasons because the home increases in value or some shit. My buddy just upgraded from 100 amp to 200 amp and had a sub panel put in for 2 grand . So I think your electrician is a bit pricey. I would like to see pics of this 200 amps being used . How many lights ?
You are correct. Homeowner does not care as long as it is done by a certified electrician.
I am in the works of finding out if electric companies transformer will hold. They called me but I missed their call :/
Certified electrician has not informed me of any paper work needed to be filled out. Homeowner referred me to him therefore I am pretty sure nothing must be done, or its on the owner.
Got my fingers crossed the electric company tells me goods news. Will know by tomorrow.
Diabolical666
Well-Known Member
I had 50 amps not being used in my box , so my electrician wired up a sub box and it runs my whole flower room 5k w. How many lights you going to be using?
Not always as nice as the picture may seem. On a personal note, I am actually uprooting my entire family from our current state to this "legal" state due to financial hardship. My business, which was worth approx $1.2 million, went bad due to a shady partner & basically wiped me out clean. Now I have to wait for litigation to be done, therefore I figured this may be a plan for the short term. Not the ideal situation, but I guess when one door opens you must open or allow another door to open for you. Prayint everything goes well with this for the time being.All I'm going to say is that I wish I had your problems
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
Have you ever been poor? You're talking about spending 5000 dollars on upgrading your house to consume more than 200A, yet you're calling yourself unfortunate. Sorry about your business, but someone living on top ramen doesn't spend 5000 dollars on upgrading their breaker to use ridiculous amounts of power for a residential setting.
Actually not paying for any of this. Investor is. I am fortunate to have this person trust me and make this investment. As far as being poor as in home lees, thank God no. But it does suck to have to be evicted from your house, be on food stamps, and having a degree and not being able to get a job because of stupid mistakes committed when young. But we are all men here, so no point in crying over spilled milk. I feel like our destiny is defined when our backs are to the wall & we make the best of it. I do get where you come from though, someone who can just splurge $5k on some upgrade has no idea what financial hardship is. Sorry if I came across that way.
I want to go for 40
Diabolical666
Well-Known Member
better get a warehouse..