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Neighbor's Sftub wiring - not cool

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Neighbor's Sftub wiring - not cool dwhite1031 07-20-2006
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Posted by on July 20, 2006, 2:56 pm
My neighbor has just added a "Softub" hot tub on his patio. It requires
it's own 20 amp circuit as the pump/heater unit is 110v. At the rear of
his house adjacent to the patio, is his 100 amp disconnect (directly
beside the meter) and his service panel (breaker box) is in the garage
at the front of the house. He is planning to just add a breaker box
with 2 - 20 amp breakers right off the 100 amp disconnect panel becasue
he doesn't want to run wire from the patio to the service panel in the
garage thru the attic. He says this would be shorter and is nothing
more than a subpanel. I told him I was pretty sure that was against
code but can someone verify this? I thought a subpanel had to actually
come off the main service panel. I think he's treading on thin ice
here. He's also talking about doing the same thing for the above ground
pool he's ordered.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Posted by Wayne Whitney on July 20, 2006, 4:38 pm

> He is planning to just add a breaker box with 2 - 20 amp breakers
> right off the 100 amp disconnect panel becasue he doesn't want to
> run wire from the patio to the service panel in the garage thru the
> attic. He says this would be shorter and is nothing more than a
> subpanel. I told him I was pretty sure that was against code but can
> someone verify this?

First, why are you getting involved in your neighbor's wiring?

Second, I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the "service
entrance" is the panel with the service disconnect, and that anything
after that is technically a subpanel. So the "service panel in the
garage" that you refer to is a subpanel, and there is nothing wrong
with adding another subpanel off the main disconnect. Perhaps someone
else here can confirm my understanding, since I'm not an expert.

Cheers, Wayne


Posted by Glenn on July 20, 2006, 5:34 pm
GRIN. My first thought was that he should have kept his
intentions to himself and his neighbor out of it. Anyone want to
bet that an inspector will show up? <G>

> On 2006-07-20, dwhite1031@grandecom.net
>
>> He is planning to just add a breaker box with 2 - 20 amp
>> breakers right off the 100 amp disconnect panel becasue
>> he doesn't want to run wire from the patio to the
>> service panel in the garage thru the attic. He says this
>> would be shorter and is nothing more than a subpanel. I
>> told him I was pretty sure that was against code but can
>> someone verify this?
>
> First, why are you getting involved in your neighbor's
> wiring?
>
> Second, I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the
> "service entrance" is the panel with the service
> disconnect, and that anything after that is technically a
> subpanel. So the "service panel in the garage" that you
> refer to is a subpanel, and there is nothing wrong
> with adding another subpanel off the main disconnect.
> Perhaps someone else here can confirm my understanding,
> since I'm not an expert.
>
> Cheers, Wayne


Posted by dwhite1031 on July 21, 2006, 10:03 am
As I told Mr. Whitney, he asked my advice and I'm just trying to find
out some info for him. Any info may also help me and others down the
road someday. He's a policeman, and a good neighbor, so I'll help him
anyway I can.

Thanks Glenn, have a good day.

Glenn wrote:
> GRIN. My first thought was that he should have kept his
> intentions to himself and his neighbor out of it. Anyone want to
> bet that an inspector will show up? <G>
>
> > On 2006-07-20, dwhite1031@grandecom.net
> >
> >> He is planning to just add a breaker box with 2 - 20 amp
> >> breakers right off the 100 amp disconnect panel becasue
> >> he doesn't want to run wire from the patio to the
> >> service panel in the garage thru the attic. He says this
> >> would be shorter and is nothing more than a subpanel. I
> >> told him I was pretty sure that was against code but can
> >> someone verify this?
> >
> > First, why are you getting involved in your neighbor's
> > wiring?
> >
> > Second, I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the
> > "service entrance" is the panel with the service
> > disconnect, and that anything after that is technically a
> > subpanel. So the "service panel in the garage" that you
> > refer to is a subpanel, and there is nothing wrong
> > with adding another subpanel off the main disconnect.
> > Perhaps someone else here can confirm my understanding,
> > since I'm not an expert.
> >
> > Cheers, Wayne


Posted by dwhite1031 on July 21, 2006, 10:00 am
I got involved because he asked my advice. But I'm a mechanical
engineer and not an electrician. I told him I'd check and see what I
could find out, but that I suggested he call an electrician. He has 6
kids all under 12 and I'm sure he would want it to be as safe as
possible. He spoke of just tapping off the lugs for the new box and it
didn't seem kosher to me. Like I said, I'm just trying to find info
for a good neighbor, which is a good thing to have these days.

Thanks for your input.

Have a good day!

Wayne Whitney wrote:
>
> > He is planning to just add a breaker box with 2 - 20 amp breakers
> > right off the 100 amp disconnect panel becasue he doesn't want to
> > run wire from the patio to the service panel in the garage thru the
> > attic. He says this would be shorter and is nothing more than a
> > subpanel. I told him I was pretty sure that was against code but can
> > someone verify this?
>
> First, why are you getting involved in your neighbor's wiring?
>
> Second, I'm no expert, but my understanding is that the "service
> entrance" is the panel with the service disconnect, and that anything
> after that is technically a subpanel. So the "service panel in the
> garage" that you refer to is a subpanel, and there is nothing wrong
> with adding another subpanel off the main disconnect. Perhaps someone
> else here can confirm my understanding, since I'm not an expert.
>
> Cheers, Wayne


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