Tank room electrical DIY: subpanel or no subpanel?

BMW Rider · #1 03-30-2006, 01:34 AM

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.

A sub panel is really simple, just use a big double breaker in the main panel and run the correct sized cable to feed the new panel. Then you can wire your fish room to your hearts delight.

Delphinus · #2 03-30-2006, 05:29 AM

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:

When developing the basement or renovating existing areas, do not design the development so that panelboards are placed in clothes closets, bathrooms, stairways, or any other area where moisture or location ...
From: http://www.calgary.ca/docgallery/bu/...f/guide1-w.pdf

(It cuts off at that point, they don't finish the sentence .... sure is nice to proofread stuff once in a while!

)

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..

StirCrazy · #3 03-30-2006, 12:32 PM

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

mark · #4 03-30-2006, 01:58 PM

When I was planning my fish room had grand plans for a subpanel.

Similiar to you, had room in my main to allow for the fish circuits and still have spots left to develop basement, so thought why bother. It might have looked cooler to have a sub but electrically, function is the same just using main.

Terminated the receptacles first, run the wires back to the panel, had everything ready so power was probably off less than 1/2hour to install the breakers (couple GFI) and hook up.

I'm still able to turn of circuits separately for maintenance and expansion.

Puff · #5 06-26-2006, 02:41 AM

i did my electrical trade training in calgary...and from what i gathered they're pretty anal about that rule.

but if you installed a GFCI then it might be a bit better...wait...nevermind.lol. we're talking about panels.hahaha.

my bad my bad

StirCrazy · #6 06-26-2006, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puff

i did my electrical trade training in calgary...and from what i gathered they're pretty anal about that rule.

but if you installed a GFCI then it might be a bit better...wait...nevermind.lol. we're talking about panels.hahaha.

my bad my bad

Ah but you could feed the subpanle with a GFI breaker off the main panel.

Steve

Puff · #7 06-26-2006, 09:01 AM

true true

the safer the better in such a humid environment (fish room of course, not calgary.lol).

i would treat it the same as an outlet by a sink or bathtub. im sure the electrical inspector would realize the attempt at keeping it safe

im lucky where i live. i know the inspector quite well and he is pretty relaxed about most stuff because he knows i dont do half assed jobs.lol

Buccaneer · #8 03-30-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

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:

(It cuts off at that point, they don't finish the sentence .... sure is nice to proofread stuff once in a while!

)

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..

Well that is interesting ... because I am building my tank room in the coming weeks and my electrical panel is in the same room as the tank room ... I on the other hand have no room on my main panel to add anything but a 220 line to goto a subpanel ... will have to talk to a electrician to see how I can plan around this little obstacle

StirCrazy · #9 03-30-2006, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buk_A_neer

I on the other hand have no room on my main panel to add anything but a 220 line to goto a subpanel ... will have to talk to a electrician to see how I can plan around this little obstacle

you want to put 220 to the subpanel, you split it in the subpanel into two 110 lines. so if you send 40 amp 220 to the subpanel you have a capability of 80amps of 110.

Steve

Buccaneer · #10 03-31-2006, 12:52 AM

Thanks Steve ... I figured that as I have a buddy that did the subpanel thing for a detached garage ... what I was more worried about is the possible moisture issue as my main electrical panel ( and future subpanel ) are in the same room as my tank so need to know what will be needed to make that happen.