Electrical Service

[pskkd930]

I'm trying to figure out the work necessary for connecting the electrical to our new pool so I can estimate appropriately. I'm comparing two contractor quotes. One does electrical and gas and one does not, so I need to understand how much we'd have to pay out of pocket to know what makes sense.

We currently have 300 amp service with the main breakers on the meter box (along with two 15 amp circuits for some reason). The meter box is pretty large with one half sealed off by the electric company for the meter and the other half for the breakers. We then have two main panels inside the home. From what I've read I don't think we'll need to upgrade to 400 amp service, but I'm not 100% sure. We have a hot tub and 3 AC(2 3 ton and 1 3.5 ton) units which would be the biggest draws of power.

Plan is to put in 2 Intelliflo VS pumps and a NG heater in addition to automation, pool lights, etc which doesn't seem like a ton of running amps. Second pump is for water features and I don't think it will ever run all that hard.

Does it sound like the subpanel can be pulled from the meter or will it have to be pulled from the main panel inside?

 

[ajw22]

You connect the pool sub panel to a 240V breaker in the main panel.

If you are not planning for a heat pump then a 60 amp feed to the pool sub panel would be adequate. NG heater and LED lights do not use much power.

 

[pskkd930]

You connect the pool sub panel to a 240V breaker in the main panel.

If you are not planning for a heat pump then a 60 amp feed to the pool sub panel would be adequate. NG heater and LED lights do not use much power.

Thank you. And by main panel you mean the panel(s) inside, correct? Is it possible to connect to the panel at the meter?

 

[pskkd930]

I think I understand now after reading a little more. I think my main panel is actually outside next to the meter(combined actually) since it has the main disconnects. Technically the panels inside are sub panels. So I think they should be able to attach something from that main panel outside. It has about 10 breaker slots in it and as I mentioned, two are used with 15amp breakers. The others are open.

 

[ajw22]

Post pics of your panels.

A house only has one main panel. Sub panels can feed other sub panels.

Each sub panel feed will have a CB on the feeding panel and it will be more then a 15 amp CB.

There are likely multiple ways to connect your pool sub panel.

 

[pskkd930]

Really appreciate the feedback.

 

[ajw22]

I don’t know what the two 15A breakers in the outdoor panel are for.

I would put a 60 amp breaker in the bottom on one of your two panels and connect the pool sub panel to it.

 

[klanel]

I have a 400 amp main on the house with two 200 amp disconnects. One for the house and another for the shop. I had planned on connecting to the outdoor disconnect on two of the available knockouts but when I took the cover off, I realized that although there appears to be available breaker slots, each of the 200 amp breakers use all them inside the cabinet. I don't know if this is clear but I would connect to wherever it is easiest to get to from the pool. But if you intend on connecting to the outside disconnect, take the cover panel off and make sure that you indeed have breaker spaces open behind the knockouts on the metal panel. In my case, I did not have positions available outside and will have to get into my house basement to find an open breaker location. From the photo you posted inside, you have spaces inside.

 

[pskkd930]

Thanks everyone! I talked to an electrician today and they said based on my set up they would either use a breaker slot if available and if not, they would likely upgrade the meter rather then run inside. Will find out shortly as we are moving forward with the project....finally

 

[Wire4money]

Really appreciate the feedback.

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That is a 400a residential (320 continuous) service.