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gallagher0001

Several panel and sub panel questions

7 years ago

I’m adding a sub panel and want to run a 50 amp supply breaker with #6 wire. Can I connect the panels and run those 4 wires plus 2 #12 wires through conduit? Inch size?


I can splice in the panel? For larger wire sizes should I be using Waygos? Can’t spell it. Or just wirenuts?

Can I protect the sub panel with a GFCI 50 amp double pole breaker on the supply

side?

Check out the photo and tell me this connection is to code. I see it regularly.

Thanks

Comments (15)

  • 7 years ago

    I’d be running those 5 hot wires through only 1 ft of conduit. Distance between main and sub panel. Should I put a GFCI breaker on the main panel feed? Thanks for the guidance.

  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Is there a reason that you want to use conduit? Just run the cables between the panels. Then you don't have to worry about conduit size, derating or whatever.

    Is there a reason you want to use a GFCI breaker? You aren't required to but you can if you want. I see no reason for the added expense.

    gallagher0001 thanked greg_2015
  • 7 years ago

    I am in suburban Chicago and conduit is required in many local codes. Tha

    nks for clarifying that the GFCI is optional.

  • 7 years ago

    There's no exemption for conduit length. You need to size the conductors appropriately using the 80% derating and put them all in a legitimately sized conduit.

    A GFCI breaker is not required here.

    You need to explain what the load you intend to install in the subpanel to tell if the feeder you propose is legitimate. Then tell me what sort of conduit you want and what type of wire (specifically the insulation rating) you are envisioning. (Like THHN or what?).

  • 7 years ago

    I want to install a 50 amp double pole breaker on the supply side to feed the new sub panel. #6 THHN wire 4 wires. I also want to transfer 2 circuits both 20 amp with #12 wire THHN to the new sub panel that’s 6 more wires. So total that’s 4 conductors with 4 neutrals and 4 ground. What size conduit should I use?

    I want to use the bendable conduit. Want to use circuits to power up a work shop and some dedicated lines for exercise equipment like a treadmill etc. If I’ve been vague or confusing I’ll be happy to clarify.

  • 7 years ago

    Whats the purpose of the two #12 circuits running in the same conduit to a subpanel? Why cant they be run from the subpanel, not the main panel?

  • 7 years ago

    I need to free up some space for the 50 amp double pole breaker and since everything is in conduit I thought it would be easier.

  • 7 years ago

    I suspect he's out of poles in the original panel so the two circuits he's moving are ones he is getting out of the way so he can put the feeder breaker in.

    There's no such conduit called bendable conduit. FMC, LFMC, and FMT are restricted in their use in the Chicago code and I do not believe they can be used here. LFNC is not permitted at all.

    If you run RMC or EMT, you can likely use the conduit itself as the equipment ground.

    The THHN 12g Copper is fine for 20A even after derating.
    For a 50A feed, derated, you could get away with 8g Cooper.

    To stuff 4 #6 and 4 #12 in EMT, 3/4 is too small, 1" would be the smallest allowable size.

  • 7 years ago

    It’s EMT sorry about that. Thanks for checking the conduit size.

  • 7 years ago

    Ah, by bendable you meant you can bend it with a proper tool, not that it is inherently flexible. Yes, EMT will work fine.

    gallagher0001 thanked Ron Natalie
  • 7 years ago

    I need some advice on how to understand these resistance readings from my multimeter. From the panel to the first box the hot reads 0L From there to the outlet it reads 123,6 ohms The breaker is off. What do these readings mean?

  • 7 years ago

    I suspect you're not measuring what you think you're measuring. Where exactly are you putting each of the probes?


  • 7 years ago

    I have the black lead clipped on the metal box and the red to the hot wire. The line was deactivated. I set the dial to measure ohms and those numbers are the result. I was trying to use the meter to check for a short circuit.

  • 7 years ago

    High resistance (OL) is what you'd expect. Are you sure you've removed all loads from the circuit when you measured the other voltage? Even a GFCI receptacle can throw things off with a DC meter.

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