Hi,I have a 30 amp subpanel fed by a 10/3 wire.My electrician told me that the code stipulates that the panel contain no more than 4 circuits.Why such a limitation? Why can't I split 30 amps among 40 circuits if I want to? Doesn't the 30amp breaker protect against overloading?Thanks!Aaron

I would question what section of code he's making reference to

why limit number of circuits

Sep 18, 2009 22 Replies

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jamesgangnc 16 years ago

A bit of change in the subject but still in the area. I'm building a garage. I'm running a 70amp circuit out to it and was hoping to avoid having a main in the sub panel. The garage has living space above it so it's going to be a bit tricky to meet the 6 limit. I was thinking about ganging a couple of the lighting breakers. Will that trick work to keep me under the 6? It's all about 6 hand movements, right? Nothing to do with what's on the breakers. (That's also why I was asking about the exceptions.)

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dpb 16 years ago

jamesgangnc wrote: ...

I don't follow what you precisely mean w/ "ganging a couple of the lighting breakers."

It'll be the inspector who makes the call for your jurisdiction anyhow, but I'd say not to be a cheapskate and put in a panel of adequate size including some for the inevitable "wish I'da done that" growth. Only place/reason I'd see for really trying to skrimp so closely would be if this is purely for a very short term purpose such as an imminent-sale fixup.

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gfretwell 16 years ago

If you ran multiwire circuits you would have to use 2 pole breakers and I suppose that makes your installation "hold your nose" legal if the total comes in at 6 or less ... assuming you are on the 2008 code. In the 2005 the AHJ can still require a main breaker for a lighting and appliance panel. What is your reluctance to a main breaker? A 70 is pretty cheap.

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