"Anthony Diodati" mrbreezeet1NO wrote in message
news:HCw_j.8087$9H6.6011@trnddc04...
"buffalobill's" short and sweet answer is correct.

What it does,basically, is gives you extra spaces for more breakers,so you
can run additional circuits. More or less an extension off of the main
panel.
The only way to increase the amount of
current that enters your house , or better said, the amount of current
available
to use in your house, is a service up grade.

Legally, it's possible to install a second "main" panel close by the orginal
service panel.

Things might have changed but not too many years ago it was permitted to
have up to six (6) service panels connected to one service.

With two "parallel" service panels you can easily do some "stuff." For
example, your "new" panel can be a type that incorporates a transfer switch.
If and when you get a generator, you can supply the "new" panel and transfer
those loads to the "new" panel when you may want to keep going when the
local grid is down. Other than that, the parallel panel only lets you
exceed the 42 breaker rule at the main service.

The advantage of a "sub" panel is that you can add circuits in, say, a new
wing or addition to your home and only run four (4) wires back to the main
service panel. If you servce a shop area, for example, you can clear
overload trips without having to walk back to the service panel.




** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **