Understanding Sub-Panels and Neutral Wires
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Is it true that an uninsulated neutral is not allowed to be used with the power feed cable for a sub-panel? Electrical Panels with Neutral Wires and Ground Wires. |
Sub-Panels Require a 4-Wire Cable with an Insulated Neutral
Electrical Question: Is it true that an uninsulated neutral is not allowed to be used with the power feed cable for a sub-panel?
The main line coming into my home and my fathers home from the power company transformer to my main box is not insulated. There are 3 wires from the pole twisted 2 insulated and one that is not. So is this a Double Standard where the power company can do whatever they want?
This electrical question came from: Greg, a Homeowner from Durham, North Carolina.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Greg.
Wiring a Sub Panel with an Insulated Neutral and Separate Ground
Application: Wiring a Sub Panel.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor, and is not recommended for Homeowners.
Tools Required: Electricians pouch of hand tools and the various power tools necessary for installing the sub-panel.
Estimated Time: Depends on the type and size of the panel and available access to the project area.
Precaution: Any existing electrical wiring within the immediate area that may interfere with the installation of the sub panel should be identified and turned OFF and Tagged if necessary. Working in an electric panel is dangerous due to arc flash hazards and the possibility of electric shock.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring and a sub-panel should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
Understanding Electrical Panels with Neutral Wires and Ground Wires
Greg, the panel that you are referring to is a Sub-Panel, not a Main Panel, and there is a Big Difference which I will explain with the following example:
- All single phase 240 volt Sub-Panels MUST have a 4-wire cable feed which must have a separate insulated neutral wire and a separate ground wire, which may be uninsulated.
- The neutral wire used with the Main Panel overhead service feed from the electrical utility company is most always un insulated as you and your father observed. If the Main Service feed was underground then the neutral wire would be required to be insulated.
- There is no Double Standard, and the power company cannot do whatever they want because they have electrical codes to follow as well. The only difference would be in some third world countries where they do not have established codes like we do here in the USA.
See more about Wiring Electric Panels
- Sub-Panel Electrical Wiring for the Home
Electrical Sub-Panel wiring considerations for the home complete with pictures. - Careful planning for your Sub-Panel with immediate and future load considerations will help you understand how to size your Sub-Panel.
- This information will help as you consider a Sub-Panel and its size.
- House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
- This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
- Electrical Wire for the Home
- Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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I have a main panel that feeds a sub panel. On my subpanel I have a 220 volt 30 AMP ganged breaker feeding a Hot water tank. I am taking the hot water tank out and replacing with a gas hot water on demand. I want to use the this 220 as two 120 15 AMP circuits however cannot access my neutral from my sub panel BUT CAN access a neutral wire from my main panel. Can I have the two 120 power from Sub and neutral from Main panel. Alternative is to take one of the power lines from 220 in sub and put it on neutral in Sub to give me one 120 VAC 15 AMP circuit but would like to have two. Thanks in advance Floyd Wickie
Kind of off topic but why does Electrical Sub-Panels Require a a Neutral wire if the loads are all 240 volts. Can you show the code article that requires neutral wire in all feeders? Thanks.
Hi Sean,
Sub-panels may provide both 120/240 volt circuits, so a separate neutral and a separate ground conductor and their terminal strips are required.
If the you are referring to a single 240 volt disconnect then a ground wire of the circuit is required but a separate neutral is not required unless the equipment requires a neutral.
As for electrical codes, please see the following section of the website: Home Electrical Codes
Dave
My main panel, the one with meter installed has a 100 AMP main breaker feeding a sub panel located in the garage. The info stamped on the wire from Main breaker to sub panel is kind of hard to read so having trouble finding its current carry capacity. I did find this on the inside of the sub panel door:
Main Ckt Breaker
125A
1-1/0 CU-Al
This sub panel has 16 places for single breakers it currently had 3 double pole and 8 combo 15 & 20 breakers installed. This leaves only 2 single or 1 double pole addition available.
How do I determine the size of a replacement sub panel? My requirements for kitchen upgrade calls for 6 dedicated circuits. Worried if I expand the existing sub panel to include the needed circuits the main will be under rated for my new sub panel.
Hi Rudy,
The information about the sub panel that you have described is the maximum amperage rating allowed for that panel, however you have discovered that the panel is being supplied with 100 amps, so that is the maximum capacity of the sub panel. Next, you will need to determine how much ampacity is available from the sub panel by determining what the existing circuits are being used for. It would be helpful to measure the amperage load of the panel using a clamp on amp meter, however the load will fluctuate depending on what the circuits are being used for. Even though there will be 6 dedicated circuits for the kitchen project all of these circuits will not be at maximum capacity at the same time. Depending on the project, some of these new circuits may be replacing existing circuits, so you should keep this in mind. Much will need to be considered to really understand if an additional panel may be installed, or if the main panel will need to be upgraded to a larger size. Evaluating the existing panel and circuit loads, the additional circuits to be added for the kitchen, and the size of the home and any future circuits to be installed will reveal what your electrical service size should be.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Hi,
I work for an electric utility and we go by the NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) which does NOT specify minimum wire sizes as NEC requires. It’s not a double standard as we wore to demand and not maximum demand. Hope this clears up any confusion.