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#1
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![]() Anyone have any thoughts on whether to, or whether not to, install an electrical subpanel in a tank room?
For the sake of convenience, I'm tempted to run a 220line from my main breaker to the tank room (which isn't yet built, only just a twinkle in my eye at this point). The reason being that where the tank room will reside and the electrical panel are not really that close to one another. I spoke to an electrician a while ago about this, and he suggested I not bother, because my main breaker panel "had lots of room in it". The problem I have with that is I'd have to run a line for every circuit in the tank room from one end of the basement to the other. Not really a big deal I guess, but if the rest of the basement eventually gets developed then it becomes a bigger deal to run a new line if needed. Whereas with a localized panel there is more flexibility, and the option might even be there to run some devices at 220 instead of 110 (I'm not sure if there's an advantage to that, but some pumps and some ballasts can be run at 220). So my thoughts are, it's a good idea to have the subpanel. Are there any reasons not to (besides cost of the panel and so on)?
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-- Tony My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills. Whee! |
#2
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![]() My Dad was an electrician and he loved to do everything in 220. as I understand it you can end up using less power with 220 than 110 in some situations.
I would also vote big time for the sub panel. This would allow you to use GFCI breakers in place rather than outlets. This way you could pretty easily minimize what else gets shut down when one circut ground faults. |
#3
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![]() plus then you can say 'I installed an electrical subpanel' which i happen to think sounds like someone who knows what they are doing
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#4
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![]() if you figure the cost of a small panel, and one wire rated to carry the 220, in the long run it would probably be cheaper (as well as easier) than running multiple lines across your house to the main panel.
just my $.02 (coming from the guy who put a sub panel in the same room as the main panel for my tank) ![]()
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Getten Outta Dodge |
#5
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![]() Subpanels are great for localized access. If you have a change to run say a pump on 220v, you would normally tie it right into the breaker. So you would want to be able to switch it off for maintenance w/o going to the main house panel. In my case, it also allows for easy expansion if you need another cct, when your basement is finished and you can't run any more wires.
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"what do you mean you need another tank??" |
#6
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![]() Quote:
Tony here is my sugestion.. figure out how many outlets/circuts you want to have. say if you have 4 lights you want each one on a different circut as well as 4 pumps and 4 heaters for example.. that way if you have a problem with one you will never loose anything. after you get this figured out (remember no more than 12 amps to a circut preferably 10 ![]() Once you have this number, lets pretend it is 6, go to home depot and buy a 50 amp 220 pannel package with breakers (or go with a 100 amp if it is cheaper) then you can get a 50 amp GFI breaker for your main pannel and run one proper wire from the main to the sub. this also GFI protects your entire fish room. Steve
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![]() Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
#7
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![]() Seems to me like a great idea. I say go big or go home, and since you are home, nothing left to do but go big.
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I retired and got a fixed income but it's broke. Ed _______________________________________ 50 gallon FOWLR, 10 gallon sump. 130 gallon reef, 20 gallon sump, 10 gallon refugium. 10 gallon quarantine. 60 gallon winter tank for pond fish. 300 gallon pond with waterfall. |
#8
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![]() Thanks for the suggestions.
![]() I did find one wrinkle. At the City of Calgary website, trying to find out what "code" requires, I found this little tidbit: Quote:
![]() I wonder how easy it would be to pass electrical inspection if it's fairly obvious that it's a tank room. The room will be well ventilated but is that enough? Also by reading between the lines a little, it sounds like enclosing the panel in a cabinet wouldn't be an option. Guess I'm going to have to do some more homework..
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-- Tony My next hobby will be flooding my basement while repeatedly banging my head against a brick wall and tearing up $100 bills. Whee! |
#9
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![]() Tony how is the room ? I mean what is on the outside walls of it. you could always put it on a outside wall and make a simple little cabnet for it to dress it up.
Steve
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![]() Some strive to be perfect.... I just strive. |
#10
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![]() Quote:
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__________________
Steve “The most important decision you make is to be in a good mood.” ― Voltaire |