How to Install a Subpanel

In this video I show how I installed a 100 amp subpanel in my shop. I am not an electrician but I am comfortable doing a job like this myself. With that said, please do your own research before you tackle something like this on your own.

[@josephlynn8575]

As an Army Corps of Engineer Officer having received many instructional briefs, your instruction was clear, concise and easy to follow. Well done !

[@donl1410]

But incorrectly executed...

[@drguitar78]

@@donl1410 how so?

[@donl1410]

@@drguitar78 Did you read my following statement? NEC 300.3 Conductors. You must install that type wire in a complete raceway or conduit system. Just allowing those individual wires to float free from the j-box into the wall and through that PVC angle-cut nipple into the panel is non-compliant. 310.12 Single-Phase Dwelling Services and Feeders. While #2 alu meets the requirements of for a service or feeder the dwelling unit. A subpanel supplying additional circuits in a dwelling unit requires a #1 alu conductor. #2 has max load of 90 amps for this subpanel. #2 could be permitted by special permission of the AHJ

[@garybrayartgarybray3604]

I've sat thru many classes taught by professors that were a waste of time. They just couldn't teach. You have that rare teachers gene. You don't leave out the little things that hang people up and you don't try to impress with how much you know. 10 out of 10 my friend. Thanks.

[@dkaisel]

8 years later: This is by far the best, most detailed, most coherent wiring video I've watched. I'm trying to add a 240v welder to my 200A household panel, which has no more room. You've walked me through the process of adding a sub-panel so I feel comfortable doing it myself. I may ask my electrician buddy to give it an eye-over, but it seems pretty straightforward. I particularly appreciate seeing the TN inspector's sticker in your breaker box. My mom was a Vol, and I appreciate hearing such a clear, helpful and informative lesson in the same voice. Thanks!

[@pld8993]

Except for the blatant code violation of running individual conductors in a wall cavity. A real electrician, or anyone that knows what they're doing, would never do it this way.

[@johndavies2949]

You can make room in your existing panel in most cases. Replace the full size breakers with half size breakers. That will open up spots on the buss. We call them twins. If your panel is twinned out then you can add sub panel. Use to be code you could only have 42 breakers in a panel. Code changed. I've seen panels with ,60 to ,80 spaces in commercial work.

[@IanRobinsonGlobal]

This is the most helpful subpanel video I could find. Thanks for being so detailed in your description process.

[@NMranchhand]

I'm just fixing to do the same job and your show and tell was much more helpful than many of the others. You've convinced me to go pull a permit. Thanks.

[@chadjcraig]

I love this guy - Very thorough and yet down to earth and easy to understand. I watched a lot of videos on subpanels but this was the most entertaining with the same detailed info. Keep making more vids.

[@GotItMade]

+Chad Craig Thanks!!!!

[@Monkeymanxxl]

Perhaps the most straight forward, informative DIY video that I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@maddiek9]

Great video - exactly what a homeowner needs to know, especially separating the neutral and ground in the sub panel. That is a key issue not emphasized enough. Thanks

[@craig853]

Excellent work. Bonus points for getting a permit and having the panel inspected. You, sir, do neat, organized wiring. A pleasure to watch.

[@davidhoover8877]

You are a smart dude. I have watched a number of your videos from grading to electrical wiring. You really help the common man!

[@Benjamin_Reese]

This video provides some fantastic advise. I appreciate the detail and the fact that you recommended getting a permit and talking to the inspector prior to beginning the project. Since I'm not a contractor I hadn't thought about that before, thank you! I love the detail!

[@richscafe9851]

This has got to be the best explanatory video on how to wire a sub-panel that I've come across on KZbin. I wired a sub-panel about 7 years ago and need to do another one but needed some refresher as I am not an electrician and you provided me with the clarity I was looking for. Thank you for keeping this video up. Excellent work.

[@Cocoatreat]

Wow! I love how you explained everything simply! You did your homework and got the job done! A man not afraid of asking for directions! Thank you! Great job! We have some smart ones in my home state! Go Tennessee!

[@GotItMade]

Thanks Karen. You're sweet. :-)

[@RT-rh1ws]

Thank you for posting this video. Your emphasis on safety is very well done. With electricity, you just can't be too careful. Also, the wiring you installed in both panels is superbly laid out and well organized. That makes it very easy to trace. Although you say that you're not an electrician (neither am I), your work is much better than most electrician's work I've seen. I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@GotItMade]

Richard Terzi Thank you for the kind words, Richard. I appreciate you taking a minute to share them with me.

[@williamblum8104]

The panel wiring looks like you took your time and dressed everything properly. Best looking panel I've seen in the last 60 yrs! Excellent presentation, easy to understand for laymen. Great out-takes,

[@bryanhikes]

Thank you for helping me wire my subpanel. I took your advice and spoke with my local Tennessee inspector about what he wanted before he came out. The inspector was great. The piece of mind after getting an inspection was well worth the $40 permit.

[@earthdog1961]

I like your thinking! Anything is possible today with a little effort and some dedication ( and of course the right KZbin channel). Good on you Bro!

[@tvfrance3667]

Great video, love your down to earth explanation and assuring manner.

[@pops9190]

Great clarity in your perspective and thought processes. I do like listening to people like you. Thanks, I now have my DIY subpanel in my garage here in California! Oh, and inspected too. Excellent editing and camera work.

[@jefflewis9675]

Not many 15+ minute videos I'd watch, but I enjoyed every moment of yours! Your explanation was excellent and your work seemed as professional as any. Loved the out takes at the end!

[@Gimbal]

Excellent video. Thanks for taking the time to show all the fiddly little parts to make it all fit.

[@Hiimmax25]

You “arent” an electrician yet your work looks more meticulous and well organized then a lot of the hands I’ve worked with over the years. Nice work bud. Great video. Got a real kick out of the bloopers lol

[@chadcoady9025]

Yeah, most electricians get paid for getting the job done, and don't get paid extra for making the box look like it was wired perfectly by a CNC machine. It takes a LOT of extra time to make it look pretty :)

[@ddaniels2901dd]

You said HANDS, you must be a fellow IBEW member.

[@lunchboxproductions1183]

@@chadcoady9025 That's probably one of the better rationalizations for being a hack I've heard so far.

[@jonathonspenceley3552]

Awesome Job!

[@mrzfunk]

What a great instructor! Clear and concise and great video editing.

[@garyme7201]

After looking in my existing panel, I am blown away at how clean and neat yours is.

[@craigslaunwhite579]

Scary tab. the one that makes you feel alive and dead at the same time. love that line. also the wooden pointer is a great safe way to show things.

[@edlindquist8784]

yup, laughed out loud at that

[@refusoagaino6824]

We used to use wooden poles to push dynamite into the holes, but they sharpened like pencils too quickly so they started sending us plastic covered loading sticks. Not much better. Low voltage electric blasting, no sparks please. In fact, all metal has to be non-sparking aluminum, copper or wood when near the (rock) face.

[@Liberallez]

@Vin Vin Did you miss the part where he said the MAINS ARE STILL HOT...?!?!?!?!

[@refusoagaino6824]

When I worked as a drift miner in the '70s, we used non-sparking or conducting hand tools, near the face when we were loading. $4.84 hour from a company called Texasgulf. That was in N. Ontario, Timmins.

[@brandont4545]

Thanks for sharing this! That looks great man. Im a 4 year apprentice and i have seen journeymen not do work this good. Very nice man

[@kenkre1212]

Agree with Ian. I have installed a subpanel in my shop and wish I had this before I did the work. Nice job. Thanks

[@thefamilycircuss]

"Oriented" and "Mashed", I appreciate the fore thought that you give to your work and words. Thanks for this detailed demo.

[@mon6166]

thanks, I like how it sticks to the important stuff and doesn't waste time

[@daveoverbey2032]

Yeah' I really like the way your neat & precise & the way you produced it was excellent. Thanks for your info & knowledge.

[@1240jamal]

Great job explaining this really practical project. This is the most helpful subpanel video I could find. Thanks for being so detailed in your description process.

[@ArcLightAddicts]

This is the best subpanel install tutorial I've seen yet. It's to the point, explained well, and provides all the necessary information required to perform this task. PERFECT and thank you sir!

[@pld8993]

Other than the blatant and dangerous code violation where he fishes individual conductors through the wall without conduit....

[@ArcLightAddicts]

@@pld8993 If the line is dead it doesn't matter. Also, it's not code to have romex in conduit in wall.

[@pld8993]

@@ArcLightAddicts If you think it's the best sub panel tutorial you've ever seen, then you obviously don't know how it's supposed to be done properly. If there's a load on the sub panel the line isn't dead, so It does matter that he installed individual conductors in a wall cavity. Blatant code violation and an amateur move that no real electrician would ever do. While it makes no sense to put Romex in conduit in the wall, you're wrong, there's no code that says Romex cannot be in conduit in wall.

[@Shamegscr]

For someone who's not an electrican your panel is very neat man , good job .

[@danwitherow9708]

I can't believe how meticulously neat that panel was!

[@GotItMade]

Thanks Dan

[@iratodd8867]

blazingnailgun i am osha10 certified in electrical and safety so i can wire your whole house without worries and make sure it is done right and neat because im 17 and taking electrical in votec at my school and am already wiring a house that is just a frame right now and it is fun and easy because i am wiring it with my classmates

[@BlastReadingSeries]

For real, it's kind of beautiful!

[@texasjourneyman207]

ira todd no you can't wire it because ur not a journeyman electrician and u don't have a master electrician with a contracting license and I'm also pretty positive that you couldn't explain grounding and bonding and with out those main principles it would be a very unsafe and illegal house

[@iratodd8867]

derek rodano i am in votec and am wiring a house in school now fyi

[@grom7826]

I have always pulled permits on my places, resale goes so much smoother that way. I wired an old Studebaker truck and looking at your job in the main and sub panel, I would say you are a perfectionists for sure.

[@bandospooky]

Nice job, man. Good to see you being safe with all that. Thanks for posting the video.

[@christys1955]

We so enjoyed your video, especially the comment: "Makes you feel alive and dead at the same time!" You did an excellent job on all the aspects of the project! We liked your end of your video showing the bloopers too! :)

[@twg6669]

Your accent is awesome and very soothing. Thanks for the info!

[@MRrwmac]

Another great video of yours Fred. Excellent information, instruction, videography and mention of caution for safety. Getting the permit and speaking with an inspector was definitely good advice! Thanks for taking the time to make and share the video.

[@GotItMade]

MRrwmac Thanks Mr. Mac. I appreciate the encouragement!

[@elbertj9777]

Excellent video. Very thorough explanation on adding a subpanel. It gave me the confidence to install a subpanel next to my main breaker box. Wish me luck!

[@jimmysegovia2688]

wow sweeeet job man I love it!!! very meticulously done the way I like to do thing's!!!

[@jowpopper790]

You may not be an electrician, but this was the most informative video I've watched. Keep up the good work.

[@GotItMade]

+jow popper Thanks for watching and for the encouragement. I really appreciate it!

[@Jake-tt6mk]

I`m from Waycross Georgia, spent my summers on my grandpa's farm there ...and from my dad on up, they all had those great little one-liners! "So dark, you can sleep with your eye`s open!", and the like. Appreciate the video, and your sincere delivery ...something we could all use more of today! Best to you and yours!

[@chriserickson4417]

You did a great job explaining how to get er' done. Easy for anyone to understand. Thank you.

[@ricmiddletown7685]

i have paid professionals that did not have such a clean install of a panel box. awesome work.

[@douglasflandermeyer1659]

As an electrical contractor, I appreciate your attention to detail, preparation, and common sense. An experienced electrician would have either upgraded the main panel, drilled a hole in the back , and put subpanel outside, or flush mounted the sub with a nipple through the stud, next to existing panel. If you ever do this again, a piece of romex, with a connector in the panel, and one in your junction box would have been legal.

[@sethtaylor5938]

I also commented in a separate posting that NEC requires all current carrying conductors be in a *continuous* raceway. Another approach may have been to use a piece of Greenfield or liquid tite. ST

[@adagre]

Do you just merret the 2 types of wire together?

[@dgehringer]

Great Video. Exactly what I needed to see to install a subpanel in our motor home. Thanks for being so detailed.

[@Dead-people-dont-drink-water]

Just stumbled on this video and found it very informative! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. My father was a master union electrician in his day. Local 58 Detroit electrical workers Union. I know just enough to be dangerous. I needed this to update my little pea brain for a replace job in my place this year. Thanks again for posting this.

[@YakMotley]

Awesome video ! Thanks!

[@cassumabdulai3210]

I am appreciated your video shows His carefully !

[@stringfellowhawk4843]

Probably one of the best instructionals on this ever! Hate to say it but I thought the accent by Larry the Cable Guy was fake but you talk just like him in real life. LOL. I love it dude. You should make more tutorials. How about one running a wire underground from a garage to a shed. That would be awesome.

[@cmdr_scotty]

thank you so much for making this video. my home has a pretty badly set up breaker and subpanel that's showing age and lack of inspection. This has given me some ideas on how best to remedy it.

[@darrques101]

Love the bloopers bud but thank you so much you have no idea how much this helped me. Thank you, happy holidays and god bless.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

"I'm not an electrician but I ain't afraid to fool with it." I think I'll use that quote lol.

[@RayleighCriterion]

I'm not a gynecologist, but I'll take a look.

[@MrVampiro82]

@@RayleighCriterion 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@kelly806]

Great video. I do my own electrical stunts too...and I'm not an electrician. You're right though...do the research, be careful and you can do near anything electrical in your own house.

[@cassumabdulai3210]

You should know what you're doing Lire neutral & earth grand bar earthrod

[@TheBudgetMindedMotorist]

Man, I loved the outtakes at the end. Makes me feel better knowing I'm not the only KZbinr with moments like that. Thanks for the video, it was very informative!

[@GotItMade]

Hahaha.

[@ezseeker]

This video is one that a person can actually follow. Thanks a lot for your great visual demonstration and clear voice in your explanation.

[@wilassguess]

Good video and well articulated southern accent. Appreciate you....

[@garypayne423]

Hell yeah bro, can tell your a good ol boy, godd bless you brother great job on those panels

[@frankmarkham8664]

Great job, clear example for my next electrical project. I too, need more circuits for a personal wood working shop.

[@ronhenley7197]

This video is GREAT! It reinforced what I already know and a couple things I wasn't sure about. I like the way he explains in simple easy to understand English. Thanks....

[@DanielA-vi3ud]

Good instruction and good videography. Thanks!!

[@williamneilambrosini1334]

You are a gifted and cool soul. I wish we could hang out.

[@critterallywithjohnernest.]

For not being an electrician you do an awesome job my friend. Very professional and eye pleasing as well. Nothing worse than opening up a panel to see a spider's nest of wires. Job well done!

[@klarman555]

I like the way you explain everything and your tidy electrical panel. Well done! Especially like the outtakes!

[@sellakc]

Great and very neat work. A couple of issues to watch, though. My comments are meant to be helpful, and not critical. The NEC requires a conduit system to be completely installed. The big hole in the back of the box would be a code violation, since the conduit system is not complete. Great job on the separating of neutral and ground - this is often violated. I would ensure the wires are torqued properly per the manufacturer listing, especially with aluminum. I have investigated several fires that were caused by improperly torqued aluminum conductors. Too tight can be just as bad as too loose - one damages the wiring and one creates arcing under the terminal. Great job with the comment on the rust inhibitor - typically electricians use something like NOALOX by Ideal or something similar (many brands of this). The 100 amp breaker, although it fits, can sometimes violate the max breaker size in the cabinet allowed by the manufacturer. Usually this is stamped on the inside of the breaker cabinet - something like MAX C/B SIZE 75A, etc. Some panels will max out at 60 amps, some at 75 amps, as high as 120 amps. Square D QO is a good series to use - better quality than the Homeline Series by the same company. Always check this for max load circuit breaker size. Some comments have been made about wire ampacity and usign 90 degree C wire ampacity. 90 degree C rated wiring in a typical panel cannot be loaded to that amperage, because the limiting factor is the terminal rating. Most home breaker panels are limited to either 60 degrees or 75 degrees C, so if you are using the NEC to determine wire size and max amps, you have to follow whatever the terminals on the circuit breaker (both supply and load end) and limit your amps to that amount. Again, great job with your neat install - better than many electricians' work I've inspected.

[@MR-nl8xr]

Kenneth. good comment.

[@jmequineservices4766]

If you "inspected" any work and allowed those conductors to fish in a wall like that... you need your ticket pulled.

[@sellakc]

J/M Equine Services No one said I would have passed this whatsoever. Perhaps you didn't read the lengthy suggestions above, including not allowing wires to be installed unless in a complete conduit system. I was attempting to be cordial and point out code compliance issues, not be a jerk and make comments like yours. This helps no one, in my opinion. Had this been an inspection, I would have not approved it until corrected, and I have seen so-called licensed electricians do much worse than this.

[@caligulathegod]

I was wondering about that myself. BTW, J/M wasn't talking about you, he meant a general inspector should not have approved that. He was just using the generic "you."

[@Sparky-ce9yy]

Kenneth Sellars it passed inspection

[@d34thztorm]

Hahah Love the end!!! great video man!!

[@jusfucksingmeupG]

Thank you so much for this video you made. Being a newbie to installing electrical panel, it helped me so much in getting my sub panel installed and passing inspection. Again thanks for sharing.

[@mikefroi3520]

love to see those wires on the main panel. well arranged and very neat.

[@larrylemoine3687]

You did a nice job. It's all correct, and I would think you were a trained and licensed electrician just like me. A+++ man!

[@damienkinchen]

"just hush I don't want to hear it" I love it lol

[@daddydawg1902]

Thanks for the video. Very clear, concise instructions. I also like the consult you did with the inspector prior to the job... Makes a lot of sense. I'm not an electrician ither but have done and will do some simpler jobs soon. These videos by folks like yourself help save a TON of grief and rework. Thanks again.

[@GotItMade]

Wrath Claw Thanks for the kind words and encouragement, Wrath. Glad the video helped out!

[@TheDesmoMan2012]

Man I like the way you are so precise and explain all things, this is really good stuff for us DIY'ers! Thanks!

[@javiergalvan6026]

"Make you feel alive and dead at the same time " 😂😂😂

[@lamboiah]

😃

[@craigslaunwhite579]

Yeah Electricity seems so peaceful when no touches it. And then the alive can become dead

[@Lanceb131]

EXACTLY what I was going to comment! This guy is funny IMO. Lol

[@Sandburn58]

Sort of like Schrödinger's cat huh?

[@mikez4132]

Funny sh*t lol

[@Uhlan_]

Had to watch it twice. The first time I got to "that shiny bit that makes you feel alive and dead at the same time" and had to start over.

[@blakenorthrup]

Brother, love how you lay it out there about how it is. Thanks for the video. Subscribed.

[@ACT189]

Impressive and neat wiring! Thanks for a great video and clear explanation. I'm doing a shed and this is extremely helpful even if I hire an electrician!

[@bryanhk1982]

bloopers at the end *Two thumps up* good stuff

[@DavidRobinson-cy8hj]

Damn good instruction! Hell of a DIYer!

[@GotItMade]

+David Robinson Thanks!!!!!

[@kodzo02]

David Robinson jjss dos

[@kodzo02]

blazingnailgun weeo

[@kodzo02]

blazingnailgun is wwww

[@kodzo02]

blazingnailgun fde

[@brittanythompson4366]

I appreciated that you explained even the simplest parts of this installation.

[@flynnblu6992]

Dude, this is perfection. About to run 2-2-2-4 AL SER cable to a 100A panel in my attached garage and this is just what I needed. Thanks!

[@losnex1]

“That shiny part that makes you feel alive and dead at the same time” lol

[@GotItMade]

Hahaha

[@johnfuller6212]

very nice, love the bloopers at the end. lol

[@edwardrahm5435]

Exactly the project (and equipment) that I'm getting ready to do. Very very helpful! Thank you.

[@stephansmith8731]

This is a very informative and enjoyable video. Not being an electrician myself, you make an important point to always make sure to do your research ahead of time. Thanks so much. P.S. the bloopers were funny, too!

[@marknichols7861]

"...Feeling alive and dead all at the same time..." Classic!

[@surgeesquivez1140]

great video thanks....!!!!

[@1724nine]

Hey I just wanted to thank you for the knowledge and confidence you've given me. This video was just what i needed. I followed all codes. I called inspector in washington state and just like you said aluminum is totally fine. Thanks so much for all the advice. Today i installed a 240 direct wire forced air heater from my garage rafters. It kept me warm so i could work on my 1968 f100. Thanks again.

[@GotItMade]

+Billy Davis Great compliments, Billy. I appreciate it!

[@gordonmercer6742]

This is gold. We just had a pole building built and its time for the electric. After calling electricians for a quote, I will be doing my own. I just hope my inspector is as helpfull as your's. thank you, Gordon Mercer, Spearfish, SD

[@timfalardeau9753]

"Make ya feel alive and dead all at the same time" --- LOL

[@nathanhollis8496]

Quote of the day!!!

[@doctorwork]

I put some electrical tape over the main lugs in my panel just to make it that much harder to accidentally touch something that is hot when I'm working with the cover off.

[@refusoagaino6824]

This guy is one of the best because he puts himself into our situation, answering our questions before they're asked. He should have been a lawyer. I don't know about cutting/stripping the wire insulation with a knife. I invested in those $20 wire strippers 10 years ago and they've been a charm ever since. They don't score (no chance) the aluminum, which can be bad over time. I'm a klux at conduits and pulling wires around corners and the rest, this guy is an expert.

[@MrDragonUTube]

Thanks for the helpful video that you made. I installed a 100 amp subpanel over the weekend and it came out really good.

[@donniebrown2896]

Love the out takes! Lol

[@AusJackal]

nice job. You can tell a sparky didn't wire that panel... it's super tidy... ;-)

[@borisb1831]

a sparky?

[@TheMrFrugal]

Sparky=Electrician

[@neilmontgomery6144]

Boris Navy background?

[@refusoagaino6824]

No kidding.

[@clinicalcynical6758]

Thank you very much for taking the time to produce this video, you even posted the mistakes. Your detail oriented and safety driven humble and informative approach are absolutely appreciated. Thank you. I just sub'd and look forward to all of your content.

[@mikeflores996]

Thinking of adding a sub panel in my garage only because the wiring was not done properly ( three wires overhead) going to trench it from the main panel. I’ve looked at many videos on how to proceed, your video has given me more confidence on tackling it myself! Thank you for posting!

[@troysgarage]

"Alive and dead all at the same time" - I love it!!!! hahaha

[@LiveInTheNow247]

you didn't show the video of the actual wiring

[@wagnergitirana]

This man is very smart and his ideas are great. Thank you for this video, it helped me a lot with my electrical projects.

[@robertbarnett7993]

Brother, I've been looking at videos for hours to see a close up of a 100 amp sub panel installation and wiring instructions. You'd think there would be tons of them but there's not. I'm running a 100 amp sub panel to my shop and using 3 2/0 AL wires and 1 1/0 AL ground, believe it or not your video was the only one that I found using AL wire and actually explaining the install, the neutral wire lug is what I was looking for. Thank you for sharing.