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200 amp panel

16 years ago

I recently purchased a spa hot tub needs 60 amp 220v my panel is a 200 amp service with no space for another breaker its a square D panel i think i can piggy back some breakers and make room but wondering if i can just get a small sub panel and add it to my main so i can have a couple of spaces for 110v if i wanted to run 110v power to the hot tub for lighting or tv etc. What do you all recommend me doing? im on a budget so be nice

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Comments (5)

zl700
16 years ago
You should post this in the electric forum.

However, if you make room for a double breaker such as 100a in your main panel and use appropriate sized sub-panel and feed wire, it is done all the time.
repair_guy
16 years ago
Illegal to "piggy back" breakers. It's called double lugging.
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First off, if you could try and type in actual sentences with punctuation it would help us better understand what you are trying to do. Are you doing this or having an electrician do it. There are MANY important codes to be considered and if you are doing it I hope you are aware of them. This is NOT a project for the casual DIYer. If your panel can accept twins then that would definitely be the way to go. How many spaces is you panel? Is there a model number on it somewhere? Where is the tub going? Inside or out? How many extra circuits do you need? I have to also comment. Why is it folks will think nothing of dropping several thousand on a spa, yet are always on a budget when it comes to wiring it properly and safely?
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huskyridor
16 years ago
I wouldn't suggest coming off of your main disconnect.
The wire gauge will be different and you'll have the plate bite stronger on the line to the existing power center than the wire to the new subpanel. This increases the risk of arc bigtime.
The proper way is to relocate two adjacent breakers of your existing ones to the new power center and utilizing a higher amperage breaker in those spots to act as the main disconnect of the new power center.

IMO, you should contact a pro to perform this service for you.
Do you think that a 60amp double throw breaker is all you need?
If you answered yes then you REALLY need to farm this out to a pro.

You, your family, and your hot tubbing friends safety depends on a quality installation that meets code. The RISK IS NOT WORTH IT to do it improperly.

Not trying to bust your bubble, it's just my .02

See ya,
Kelly
tresw
16 years ago
I second Kelly's recommendations. Also you'll want an electrician to examine your total load to make sure you don't need to upgrade your 200a service.
zl700
16 years ago
I donÂt disagree with either of you guys; Kelly just said it in more words.

But with regards to "piggy backing" that term is too often misinterpreted.

Piggy backing according to Square D is not "double lugging" (definite no no)

Piggyback circuit breaker, a double-switch that fits in a single slot in a breaker panel. This is only if they are side-by-side in the same unit Â it does not count single half-height units which share a slot. Both are used when a panel has run out of slots, but can still accept the current. The piggyback breaker has two separate outputs, one for each circuit

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