DIY Sub Panel Install: COMPLETE Tutorial, Save Thousands!

Installing an electrical sub panel yourself can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Learn about the requirements for each step in the process and, as always when working with electrical, be sure to consult an electrician along the way. #electrical #diy #homeimprovement

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[davej]

Great info. Just rewired my sons detached garage sub panel that was totally done wrong by previous owner that did not have full understanding of "Local and National" NEC. They had bonded the Neutral and Ground buss with the 'GREEN' screw. MANY other bad wiring issues too.

And the MAIN panel inside the house was also done wrong as it is a Modular Home and the 'Main' disconnect is on the power pole strike detached from the house, so the first panel inside is also a Sub Panel and it too was bonded with the GREEN screw. Again, many bad wiring issues inside, open grounds and loose HOT and Neutrals at outlets and switches.

Retired "Pole Dancer" and low volt electrician of 43 years. Did High voltage Power Line work until my knees said no more hiking poles.

[erice]

I just added added a Square D sub-panel off my main. It is a lot nicer than my existing HC/Eaton panel. I have a lot of DIY electrical experience and I spend a lot of time looking up code when I'm working on projects. You did convince me to finally order a torque screwdriver. One additional step I took was to coat my exposed leads with anti-corrosion grease. My panels are in the garage and I'm fairly close to the ocean.

[FarmRanchHomestead]

Thank you for the informative video. I would caution everyone about the use of a metal tape measure, however, as seen around the 7:30 minute mark. It is generally advisable to use non-conductive measuring tools around exposed electrical wiring. Folding rules made of wood or non-conductive plastic would be preferable to the metal tape measure in this application.

[poconojoe]

You’re doing great things with this channel. You make it easy to understand and follow along. I can’t thank you enough!

[DavidRussell-bf]

Thank you for posting this. I purchased a Homeline, but was confused when I didn't see any bar for the ground. I appreciate how thorough you were with this! Thanks!

[Pete]

I think it needs to be said that the subpanel, ground and neutral should not be bonded at the subpanel.

[williamduncan]

Just an observation. On the main coming into the subpanel i usually put a loop there so if something should happen there is enough wire to change it. Ive never had to change it in any panel though. The other thing that loop does is release tension on the wires at where they come out of conduit. Although once done everything should be secured at entrance in each box.

[ArmandoRodriguezJr]

Jack studs should always go to the foundation or have a continuous path to the foundation.

[leealtmansr.]

Thank you for covering the torque settings. Great job!

[garbo]

I installed a lot of120/240, 120/208, 240, & 480/277 volt single & three phase subpanels and never ran a ground from anything BUT the panel that feeds it. Did not see you seal the wires in outside of conduit to prevent condensation build up. Did not see him install the required gasket on the 1" LB. On my own house I ran a jumper ground to each of those ground bars and not depend on screws to provide a path for thousands of amps during a short circuit. The NEC has never allowed you to screw a chase hippie into any coupling ( not what u called coupler ) . Reason being rigid electrical couplings have a tapered thread and chase hippie do not have tapered threads. I would have ran a copper ground wire from service panel to sub panel and go the extra yard and install a not code required grounding lock but or grounding bushing on 1" EMT connector inside service panel. If you are in the Latest NEC code cycle you would need combination AFCI breakers for all circuits 50 amps and less in the garage. ( both 120'& 240 volt circuits ). Some locations do not require that for hard wired 50 amp 240 volt EV chargers.

[usethenoodle]

From looking through the comments it seems the ground outside the main panel directly to the ground rod is the top issue mentioned. Most say there should be a 4th wire in the conduit with the lines as a dedicated ground within the main panel. Also with the four wires (if the ground is included) the conduit should be upsized to be within the 40% rule. Other than that, great job. Thanks for the video. Nicely done. Good camera work, editing and a clear explanation. Appreciate you.

[oldscuba]

Looks good, nice work, only write-ups are, 1-Color code your ground wire. 2- Properly support the 12/3 Romex (Staple's). 3- Wire fill calculation for the 1" EMT. 4-Properly support the 1" EMT. 5-Check with the local jurisdiction, I" conduit is not rated for bonding on a 70 amp feeder.

[curtw]

I'm pretty sure the grounding conductor has to be run with the other conductors and sized according. If someone disconnects your bogus ground wire at the Ufer, then the panel is ungrounded except by the metal conduit. Use the right size conduit, this is a feeder.

[michaelkrause]

Very interesting to see these American style sub panels, as I only have seen European installations. They are quite different...greetz from Germany ❤

[jvmiller]

I had to strip some big 1 or 2 gauge wire not to long ago. I used a baby pipe cutter for copper tubing. I never seen it done before but it was in my hands reach when I was needing to strip them to make battery cables for my old 53 Chevy truck. I had them out as I used copper tubbing that just fit over then I crimp and solder the tubing to the wire a inch longer than my wire. I flatten the tubing in a vise and round the corners off of the flattened pipe and then drill a hole to attach to the starter. Us DIY folks need to stick together.

[JTsDPrints]

Well done! Fantastic channel. I wish more homeowners would watch these videos; it could save some lives and expensive headaches. One should always make sure they/electrician have full understanding of local and updated NEC. I took a whole semester long class which focused only on reading and working with NEC; it was a very interesting class. The permitting process is in place to protect you, the homeowner.

[richt]

Great video! And as you said, check local codes. The AHJ here only allows the use of existing sub panel knockouts. One can’t drill a new hole.

[paulbenoit]

Good info. I have a couple of comments. Your ground wire should run in the same conduit that your current carrying conductors are in. Second, you should always isolate the neutral bonding in the sub panel. The only place that a neutral should be bonded to ground is at the first means of disconnect, which would be at the main panel.

[douglasdunn]

Great video. One safety precaution that I would take if possible, is when you're drilling into a live panel try to either catch or divert the pieces of steel away from the breakers.

[junioryorobo]

Good morning, by the way you have some great and simple to follow instruction. My preoccupation is the follow, my house does not have a main circuit breaker. So I have decided to install one, in in the breaker box. The problem is that the only way for me to do so safely is the ask the power company to cut the power. But since there is always a another way what could be some advices, the breaker is Eaton BR 200-Amp 2 pole main breaker model BW2200