patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
They are both pretty warm. I think they are pretty even. So If I put a smaller breaker on the main panel where the 100 is won't it pop?
Electrical question 4 gauge wire
- Thread starter patrickkawi37
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patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Also the subpannel is full. If I wanted to add more breakers I would have to get a new subpannel. It is only a 100 amp subpanel
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Are you saying wire them into 2 breakers on the main panel?
BuzzD2Kill
Well-Known Member
Is the 100 amp breaker hot? Usually it will melt there first, Ive replaced alot of "loose" breakers that had one leg overheated. IMO go back, recalculate, and make better use of your power. GL
BuzzD2Kill
Well-Known Member
NO!!!
BuzzD2Kill
Well-Known Member
Leave the 100, just check if its hot. The weakest links will be your hottest points. Connections etc.
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Ok lights don't turn on until night time I will go check in a few hours and let you know .thankyou
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
Uh no.. The current running through the wire and the resistance of the wire is what determines the voltage across the length of wire. The more current through the wire length (resistor), the more voltage will be dropped across it. Having a higher wall voltage allows you to have less current through each circuit, which means less voltage drop across those lengths of wire. That in turn translates to less power lost through the wires.
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
If your wires are warm, you're risking a fire... Whoever installed that breaker put you and your family in serious risk of danger.
panhead
Well-Known Member
Shouldnt each leg be even or as close to even as possible , i was taught to make both legs even when putting breakers in the panel .
He's pulling double the amps on one leg & it makes me wonder if thats whats causing the heat .
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Do you think a dual 80 will work and be ok? I'm going to go touch and see if the 100'amp breaker is warm
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
You should hire a competent electrician. I could answer, but I'd have someone who can show you paperwork that they are journyman or master electricians rather than take advice from someone online.
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
The breaker is not warm. 30 mins after lights on. The wire on the subpanel is kinda warm. I took a pic I will try and post here in 10 mins I got to put on laptop
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
this is it 
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patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
are you serious or are you being an asshole because of the LED thing lol
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
Nope. I know to analyze circuits and design simple electronics, but this is a matter of knowing the code and regulations, which I know nothing about. The last guy you hired got insulted when you second guessed him, so how else can you be sure other than to have a licensed electrician look at it? If it was me, I'd just replace it with the next step fatter and assume that lowers the probability of fire. lol
patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Lol word I think I will go two sizes but I spent 700 on the wire im using now so I want to make sure that's what I have to do before spending a shitload for larger wire and an electrician
churchhaze
Well-Known Member
You could technically still use the wires you have for another circuit with a 75A circuit if you plan on expanding more.
jijiandfarmgang
Well-Known Member
I think your confusing yourself, because I'm confused.
The subpanel is rated for 100 amps max.......but it isn't wired for 100 amps.
The wire feeding the panel is on a 50 amp breaker. If your pulling more than 50 amps its supposed to trip.
Add up the wattage of the devices you use in general (pay no attention to the breakers in the subpanel for now)
As to whether that cable installation is rated for 50 amps, I'm pretty sure I have the answer but I'm not an electrician so I'm not going to say.
That subpanel is sloppy and a couple issues, but again Im not an electrician.
- Jiji
The subpanel is rated for 100 amps max.......but it isn't wired for 100 amps.
The wire feeding the panel is on a 50 amp breaker. If your pulling more than 50 amps its supposed to trip.
Add up the wattage of the devices you use in general (pay no attention to the breakers in the subpanel for now)
As to whether that cable installation is rated for 50 amps, I'm pretty sure I have the answer but I'm not an electrician so I'm not going to say.
That subpanel is sloppy and a couple issues, but again Im not an electrician.
- Jiji
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patrickkawi37
Well-Known Member
Thankyou for the reply. Amps added is up would be 60 amps on 240v and 30 amps on 120 . That's everything turned on. The panel outside that wires to the subpanel has a dual trigger 100 amp breaker
Broken down its 40 ish amps for the lights on 240. 18 amps for the ACs on 240. 16 amps dehumidifier , 10 amps inline fans 5 amps wall fans pumps extra stuff.