Shop Tour & Sub-Panel

Video - December 11, 2016

Before we get too far with the renovation details, I’d like to take a minute or two to show you the garage space itself. I’m working with about 950 square feet which is pretty respectable! There are two single car garage doors flanking a double door in the middle. I have three large windows that are all fairly high on the wall. The floor has a significant slope and because the property itself is sloped, the rear wall has a concrete bump-out that could make utilizing the wall space just a bit trickier than usual. But before we can do anything else, we need to talk about POWER!

One of the first things I did in the space was have the sub-panel installed. Without electricity, I obviously can’t connect any of my tools. So I went with a surface-mounted panel of the highest capacity the electrician recommended: 125A. That should be enough capacity for tools, heaters, computers, lights, and anything else I could possibly need considering I’m a one-man shop.

And speaking of heat, it’s starting to get cold and you’ll probably see in the background that the mini-split is already installed. More on that next time.

Discussion

Chuck December 11, 2016 10:08 pm

How do I tell what kind of service I have? I want to put in a three horse 240V table saw. I’m sure that wouldn’t be an issue, I’m comfortable enough in the box, but can I look at my meter or something to get a quick glance at my service? it’s not like I’m going to hold anyone to it. Just thinking.

Reply
- Neil Doebler December 12, 2016 11:56 am
  
  If you open the door on your main panel, you should see a main breaker on the top of the panel. The number on that breaker should be the service to your house (probably 200 amps if it’s a house build in the last few decades).
  
  Reply
- Nick December 12, 2016 12:24 pm
  
  Look at the main breaker on the box, that should tell you how many amps you have for the entire box.
  
  Reply
Ricky December 22, 2016 9:44 pm

Look at the label on the inside of the front cover. Breakers can be misleading (i.e. 400 amp panels will have a 200 amp main breaker but another spot for another 200amp breaker) google the catalog number.

Reply
Ken C. January 9, 2017 5:26 pm

The only way to tell is to look at the main breaker. Ignore what Ricky says, as that is not true. Just because you have a panel with 400A rated busing does not mean you have 400A available. 3Hp 240V single phase will be a 30A 2 pole breaker. There is more to determining if you have enough power, but I suspect you do. And Yes, I am a retired Master Electrician, Electrical Contractor, and now an Electrical Engineer.

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