How to Wire Electrical Breaker Panels
When installing a wiring service panel in the your home, you'll need to connect the power that comes from the power meter and street to the panel. In order to run the circuits, you'll need a voltage that is 240 volts and 200 amps. Due to the safety concerns associated with the task, its important to consult an electrician before preceding.
What You'll Need:
- Voltage tester
- 220 amp, 40 slot service panel
- Screwdriver
- 4-wood screws, 3-inches long
- Lineman's pliers
- 110-volt circuit breakers
- Speak with a representative from your local utility company to request that they turn off all the electrical power that is running to your home and electric meter from the street.
- Put the voltage tester onto the existing power cables that run from the electric meter to ensure that the power has been shut off. If there is no light present, then the power is turned off.
- Find an open area between the studs in your garage. It will need to be close to the existing wiring system that is coming from the exterior wall of the electric meter.
- Insert the service panel between the two studs with the bottom of the box at a minimum of 48 inches above the floor. Put in a screw in each of the corners of the service panel box and screw them into the wood studs.
- Take out the center punch out hole near the top of the panel box. A wire clamp should be located on the interior of the box just under this hole. This will help to secure the main feed line from going inside the box.
- Feed the line from the electric meter down through the top of the hole and inside the service panel. Use a screwdriver to tighten the wire clamp where the cables enter the box to secure it into place.
- Connect the red and black wire from the main feed line onto the two large screw connectors located at the top of the box. Tighten each of the screws down to secure the wiring into place. Connect the bare wire to the grounding strip that is located near the bottom of the service panel box.
- Verify that the main breaker is turned to the off positron in the location where the two main leads are connected.
- Take out any additional punch holes as necessary in order to run any existing cables inside the panel box from the different lighting or electrical outlets.
- Insert the circuit breakers into various slots as necessary. Complete this step by pressing the "U" shaped clamps onto the bottom of the breaker downward into the pins in the slots.
- Prepare the cables by removing the insulation.
- Connect the wiring onto each of the installed breakers. Each of the cables that enters the service panel box should be connected to its own circuit breaker. Attach the black wire to the screw on to the top of the breaker. Tighten each of the screws to secure the wires into place.
- Speak with someone from the utility company to have the power turned back on.