I built a detached backyard garage several years ago with a 200 amp service entrance fed from its own pole and transformer. There is a disconnect switch located on the exterior wall that is wired in between the meter and the inside service panel. I'm now adding an additional workshop area and I want to power it with its own 100 amp panel. I would like to feed this new panel through exterior conduit run from the bottom of the existing disconnect switch so that I will have a common disconnect switch at the meter for the entire garage. But this means that I will somehow have to splice the wiring for the new panel to the wiring already leading from the disconnect switch to the existing 200 amp panel. I've looked in the National Electrical Code but can't seem to find where this is addressed. Does anyone know if what I want to do is legal? If not, is there a better way? I no longer have easy access to add a sub panel inside fed from the existing 200 amp panel. TIA.
Electrical service entrance question
Mar 02, 2005
3 Replies
YOu don't say if the switch is fused or not or the distances involved, and that can make a difference.
If the switch is un fused, and if that fuse is sized appropriately to protect not just the original conductors, but also the ones you are adding, AND if the switch has lugs with terminations for the additional conductors [ you can not just cram them in to the same terminal with the original conductors], then a qualified yes.
The various tap rules may come into play depending upon distances.
If the switch is not fused, then a qualified no, unless you feed from that switch to a breaker or fused switch, and then feed your conduit..
"Terry Mayhugh" wrote:
jk
probably the size of the box vs amount of conductors in it. Box may be too small.
If you are not runn> I built a detached backyard garage several years ago with a 200 amp service
It is probably not legal to connect an additional 100 amps of service to an existing 200 amp entrance. Check with a local electrician or your lectric utility. Better to be on the legal (and safe) side.
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