BiloxiBoy wrote:
Since Hurricane Katrina gutted my home - and took all the sheetrock
with it - I am upgrading ALL of the wiring (used to be "mostly"
ungrounded throughout). Consequently, I want to add a new sub-panel
inside the home to which all circuits will run. This will eliminate
the present setup of an ungrounded 4-circuit box and another grounded
(but very old) fuse panel. The home is small - only about 1,000 sq.
feet. To power that sub-panel, here's the way I've got it sketched
out:

Outside and adjacent to the meter, I will add a single 100A main
circuit breaker in a dedicated box. That breaker will then supply
power to the sub-panel (about 30 feet away) via a #4, four-wire romex
cable with two hots, a neutral, and a ground. I will bond the ground
and neutral at the main circuit breaker outside and separate them at
the sub. The sub contains 12 breakers and has no main breaker. To
ground the system, I will run #6 copper wire from the 100A breaker box
outside to an 8-foot grounding rod just below the box.

Currently, another panel is also connected to the meter and it provides
power to the A/C, a detached shop, and the two old panels listed above.
My plan is to leave it in place as is (minus the two 60A breakers for
the old panels) and wire the new 100A breaker box to the meter as well.

Can I wire both boxes to the load side of the meter, or is there a
better or another way?

Any input on my plan or the question would be appreciated.


That existing outdoor panel is your service equipment. You will need to
answer some questions first before we can provide valid answers. How
many breakers is the existing outdoor panel, that is supplied directly
from the meter, capable of holding? What is the listed ampacity of the
existing outdoor panel? Is your service overhead or underground? What
size in amperes is the meter can? What wire gage are the Service entry
conductors that supply your meter from the end of your service drop of
lateral? Do you have the room to install a wiring trough between the
meter can and the existing service equipment? Do you have any way to
post photographs of the existing panels and meter.

I really do want to help. You folks have been through enough without
having problems with misinformation during reconstruction. I would
welcome direct Email or telephone contact. If you Email your telephone
number I will call you to save you the cost of the call or if you would
prefer you can ask for my number and I will give it to you.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison