anyone a working electrition that knows resadential codes
 

I am wondering if it is legal to split the power after your meter to two seperate power panels.

Steve

Steve,
Not an electrician, but I have the ALBERTA code book. It looks like you can run a second panel through your main panel. Sub panel using 2 breakers to power the new panel. It also says that if you have a 100 ampere service you will be fine. you may have to reroute two wires to the new panel to make room for the breakers.
I would suggest getting the "Electrical code simplified" for BC. Ipaid 10 bucks for the alberta one.
If you have any more questions let me know, my neighbor is an electrician.

Cheers,

Al

As you well know I am still a qualified Electrician. If I remember correctly your subpanel breakers cannot be any larger than 70% of the main breaker. You will of course require a two pole breaker for each sub panel. That may run you short of spaces in the main panel :rolleyes:

I was hoping you would answer Bob, I don't want to run it as a sub pannel.. hat I want to do is run a 125 amp pannel and a 100 amp pannel. the way it sits now I have a 100 amp pannel fed off a 60 amp breaker from the first pannel.. I want to get the full 100 amp to the new pannel though and it is 372.00 for bc hydro to upgrade my service to 200 amp.

this is what I'm talking about
http://members.shaw.ca/s.l.s/temppics/powerpannel.jpg

I do have the bc code book, just can't find it right now :rolleyes:

Steve

Nope that is illegal. Breakers are supposed to protect the wire. You have no breaker ahead of that second panel. I think any electrician will tell you it is illegal

um both pannels have main breakers. the first is a 125 amp breaker and the second mpannel is a 100 amp breaker. so the wires are protected from shorts.

Steve

You are not protecting the wire from the meter to the 100Amp panel in your diagram. Section 14 of the Electrical code states that each ungrounded conductor must be protected at the point it receives its supply. Commercially we would use a splitter at that point, and follow that with a fused disconnect and then the panel. That would be too complicated and costly in a house.

unfortunately, your idea of splitting the line before the main panels is not going to fly. It will indeed work, but its not at all recommended.

you will have to upgrade your service to 200amp, then replace your existing main panel with a 200 amp service panel. you will then have to run a 100 amp breaker to another 100 amp sub panel.

this is the only way you will get away with this legally and safely.

it sounds like a lot of complication, but rest assured, its there for a very good reason.

on another point, you sure it only costs 372.00 for a 200 amp upgrade?

the last time i checked that out, it was more like 2000.00

I think it also depends on the service that is run to your house...

If my memory serves me correct I think that my brother had 200A service run to his house because he wants to be able to run a Welder and all sorts of power tools in his garage.

I checked with an electrician here at work and he said that 200A service is Standard now for all new construcion in BC. If your service is 200A then you could possibly replace your panel with a 200A panel and then run your sub panel from there.

(I could be totaly out to lunch on this) :)

Joel

that is for bc hydro to upgrade the wires from the pole to my house from 125A capability to 200A.

I had a electrition check the wires I have now and they are only rated for 125A.

Steve