Sounds to me like it is getting a bit crowded in there.

I would get a new panel. The panel itself is not very expensive, so get a
large one. I think I paid $150 for a 200 amp 40 slot panel a few years ago.

The breakers are expensive though.

So far as getting a permit, I would advise getting a permit for any
electrical work you do like this. The permit is not that expensive and you
get an expert to check your work to be sure it is safe. You can also ask an
inspector questions beforehand so you do the correct things. (Don't need to
re-do work.)

Just call your local inspector and find out when you can go in to ask
questions. Take plenty of pictures of everything. Cover removed from panel,
service entrance where wires come in, grounding of electrical panels, etc.

Once you have a nice new panel with plenty of room, it will be easy to add
additional circuits or rewire existing circuits.


"cfjwang" wrote in message
I have an old Cutler Hammer panel . I can add more circuits by using the
"duplex" circuit breakers. But the neutral and ground buss bar areas are
very crowded already. The panel has two metal bars shorted together and
the previous owner use the two bars interchangeably for both ground and
neutral. One solution is to add a dedicated ground buss bar and connect it
back to the two original ground/neutral bars (I plan to use the original
two bars for neutral only).

1. Is this the right thing to do?
2. Does it require a permit?
3. Can I just find a mounting bracket and just bolt the assembly inside
the control panel?
4. What other things do I need to pay attention to?

Thanks for the help!

Jerry