On Mar 20, 1:51*pm, aemeijers wrote:
On 3/20/2011 1:31 PM, bob haller wrote:





On Mar 20, 1:10 pm, "John *wrote:
.

** You can add as many as you have panel space to accommodate. You'll
still
be limited by the 50 amp feeder and main

I guess what I'm trying to ask is there any restriction as to what
size cabinet I can put in?
I am limited to space, but if I could , is there any code violation if
I put in lets say a 20/40 panel?
I thought the main service dictates how big of a panel you can put in..

*No violation. *Put in as big a panel as you think you will need for the
life of the condo. *The 50 amp main circuit breaker will protect it from
being overloaded. *If the 50 amp main breaker is old, you might want to
install a new one for the best protection. *New FPE breakers are still
available for the price of a mortgage payment.

might be a good idea to upgrade serive from the meter location to a
minimum of 100 amps and price a 200 amp upgrade. which might be very
little more

50 amps is really low for any home today

It's a condo. He doesn't own the meter base or the distribution wires,
if it is like most. Most condos, even the work 'inside the 4 walls' that
he has described, would have to be done by an association or management
company approved electrician. The whole building may only have 200 or
400 amp service, split among 4-6-8 units. If it has window A/C units, it
probably wasn't built as a condo, it is probably an old converted
apartment building from 1960s at newest, if the 240v outlets are
original. *We just don't know, unless OP cares to post more details.

Being a glorified apartment, 50 amps is likely adequate, unless he is
planning on installing a server farm or ceramics kiln.

--
aem sends...- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Well at this point investigating options is a good idea and likely
free

ACs, electric water heaters, electric stoves, kitchen appliances, hair
dryers and curling irons, todays homes are power hungry.

Years ago a customer of mine reported he lived in a condo and his main
panel was bad and only 50 amps, and he couldnt go larger.

the power company put in a service drop at their expense just for him
for free A side benefit.... it freed up capacity for the other 3
residences, after that they upgraded too, although he didnt know the
details

he said it was a PIA getting everyone to agree but his cost was
minimal which he liked