Can a breaker be added to the main disconnect panel?

Question

I know nothing about electrical code or wiring. I want to add a breaker to my main disconnect panel. Reason being it is super close to my garage compared to my panel inside my home. The main disconnect panel is a full size panel with a main switch at the top then spots for breakers below. Its located at the front corner of the home and I would simply need to run the service 10 feet. I believe it's a 200a service, installed by the previous owner in 2012 and passed inspection at that time. I would like to feed from this panel to my garage and possibly add a sub panel for some additional outlets and a 220v outlet for welding. Is it ok to do this or should I plan to budget to run from the main panel inside the home?

Answer 1

I'll first put my disclaimer out there and say I'm not an electrician.

First, pictures are worth a thousand safety tips. Can you add some pictures of the existing panel(s)? Adding a run has it's challenges. The cable size, type, conduit type are all determined by length of run, amps, and location; might be 1 or 2 others I missed.

As far as adding a sub panel, there are some very strict code and guidelines that must be followed. Namely, the previously mentioned. If this is something you're thinking of doing on your own, be sure you know what you're doing. I had been in the trades for nearly 20 years, and I've played around with electricity plenty. When it came time to adding my sub panel for my shed, I decided there's too much to account for and know to do it myself.

I believe you would be able to do what you're looking to do with relative ease. You can tell your service by the breaker size of your main panel. If the main throw is rated at 200A, it's safe to say you have a 200A service.

As I recall, if your run is interior, you would need to run metal conduit and need no less than a 4 gauge stranded run. If it's exterior, you would need to run schedule 40 or 80 non-metallic conduit. Either way, the cabling needs to be stranded.

I would suggest calling a local electrician to verify gauge for service size and run. It's also good to note, there are specific height requirement, panel types, and grounding requirements that must be considered.

Answer 2

You could run a subpanel from that main panel, but it sounds like it's probably even easier to just feed the new circuits in your garage directly from that panel.

Answer 3

Not an electrician, but after reviewing your photos I would say go for it. Consider calling the power company to pull the meter when you hookup to the main panel. Or an electrician to discuss if code allows it. On the main, you can flip that switch and normally that will kill power to the lower section of your panel to safely install a breaker. The heavy wire coming into the panel will still be very hot, and plenty powerful enough to severely harm/kill you compared to just a 20 Amp circuit. However, use common sense and assume everything is hot. Carefully pull the front cover off after flipping the main, and examine the rail. You should have a place for breakers to snap in if it's designed to be done.

Also make sure you have a easy to knock out hole in the bottom (or side) of the panel. You'll need to use the fancy fitting that takes a locknut and a rolled edge bushing/nut that doesn't chafe the wire. You'll need to run the wire in schedule 80 conduit to the proper size if it's exposed to someone being able to touch the conduit. Underground is only schedule 40 I believe, but again, not an electrician so that will need confirmed. What you are doing is both very easy and very dangerous but using your head right will save you a lot of money and be a fun project!

I wish I installed a meter socket panel with the breaker slots available right outside the home so I could run some outside circuits easily. Lucky you!