Subpanel vs breakers in main panel

   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #13  
Here in Idaho they allow the tied breaker to feed another building BUT that building has to have a toggle switch (or decora switch) at the first junction box that will cut off all power to that building. It doesnt need to be a breaker, but a switch is required (or 2 switches in a tandem circuit). Anything more requires a subpanel.

Personally, since the trance is the most expensive part of this operation, id run a 40 amp , 240 circuit to a 8 space, $30.00 panel. This will give you more options in the future. And wont cost that much more overall. Like i said, the tranch and trenching labor is the most expensive part. so do it only 1 time
 
   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel
  • Thread Starter
#14  
Personally, since the trance is the most expensive part of this operation, id run a 40 amp , 240 circuit to a 8 space, $30.00 panel. This will give you more options in the future. And wont cost that much more overall. Like i said, the tranch and trenching labor is the most expensive part. so do it only 1 time

Yes I think I'm spending more time trying to out clever myself than it would take to just put in the subpanel. I haven't put anything in this building yet and it's already too small, so I'm guessing the electric will follow the same pattern.
 
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   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #15  
Rock Knocker has a good handle on the topic.
You will be happiest with four #4 conductors to a 60 amp panel in the shed. Requires a ground rod at the shed sub panel and the bond opened between the ground bar and neutral bar. To keep neutral current off the ground system.
 
   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #16  
does a sub panel in your house need to have a ground rod to it? Im talking i have a 200A pannel in house and on an addition they had a sub panel that is 40A. I replaced it with current box and romex and did it just like it was. Neutral and ground are not bonded and it is on a 40A breaker and has 2, 20A breakers in the sub. There is no ground rod though? Is that right? or do i need a ground rod to the sub?
 
   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #18  
compared to a sub-panel, an MWBC requires less wire -- and wire is expensive these days. for a pair of 20A circuits using an MWBC, you need qty 2 #12 black, qty 1 #12 white, and qty 1 #12 green. an MWBC does require a switch at the detached structure, which could be as simple as an A/C cutoff switch mounted in a plastic box.

a sub-panel is going to require more infrastructure,and is therefore costlier. heavier wire for the feeder, two ground rods, the panel itself, breakers, ground bars, etc. a panel does give more options in terms of circuit separation, and growth.

Wrooster
 
   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #19  
Sub panel at the out building or not. There should be a ground rod driven at the outbuilding and the ground attached.
 
   / Subpanel vs breakers in main panel #20  
compared to a sub-panel, an MWBC requires less wire -- and wire is expensive these days. for a pair of 20A circuits using an MWBC, you need qty 2 #12 black, qty 1 #12 white, and qty 1 #12 green. an MWBC does require a switch at the detached structure, which could be as simple as an A/C cutoff switch mounted in a plastic box.
If you used a 20 amp 220v breaker and a small (2 space?) subpanel, that is also all that you would need...

Aaron Z
 

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