An electric sub panel is installed for one or more reasons. You may need to add a sub-panel to provide additional breaker slots. Let's say your Load Center (main panel) is in your garage and every breaker slot is occupied. But you want to add a few breakers for outlets and lighting in your garage. Adding a sub-panel will help you. Another example may be you want a panel in an different area. For instance, you want to build a workshop in your basement but, your main panel is in the garage. You want the freedom to add a few breakers for your power tools or additional lighting. Adding a sub-panel to your workshop area will give you that freedom.

Please use these quick jump points to skip ahead.
0:00 Installation of Sub-Panel
1:39 Unboxing of Siemens panel P2020B1100CU
2:14 Mounting of panel
3:40 Mounting of Romex connectors to secure 2-0 wire
4:51 Installation of Wire
7:03 Landing of wire in Sub-Panel
10:57 Installation of 100Amp double pole breaker in main panel to receive 2-0 wire that feeds sub-panel
13:10 Cleanup of main panel wiring
14:57 Replacement of 20Amp standard breaker with combination AFCI/GFCI breaker
16:29 Testing of the breakers within panel after cleanup of wiring
17:40 Preparation of landing 2-0 wire in main panel
19:17 Application of anti-oxidation compound to aluminum wiring and landing wiring to ground and neutral bus bars.
23:47 Application of anti-oxidation compound to aluminum wiring and landing wiring to breaker

Siemens panel P2020B1100CU: https://amzn.to/3T7holf

The electrical tools used in my installation are available here: https://amzn.to/3gCphBs

The general contractor tools used in my installation are available here: https://amzn.to/3TyMaUR

The materials used in my installation are available here: https://amzn.to/3N54QcC

For more details about installing the sub-panel, what tools and materials were used, and frequently asked questions please visit this U Do It™️ article: https://udoit.me/how-to-install-an-el...

Parts List Used:
Siemens 2-pole 100Amp standard breaker Q2100P
14 feet 2-0 gauge 4-Wire
4x8 Sheet of 7/16" thick OSB (oriented strand board)
Anti-Oxidation Compound
Wire nuts (if connecting wires within panel)
Siemens PL Series 100Amp Load Center P2020B1100CU
Siemens AFCI/GFCI Dual Function 20 Amp Breaker Q120DFP

Please consult a licensed electrician before you attempt any of this on your own if you do not have detailed knowledge of electricity. An improper installation could result in ineffective GFI protection, shock, electrocution or fire. Please follow all safety precautions when working with electricity. If you are not comfortable performing this work then please hire or consult a licensed electrician. This is not something that you can take an approach where you'll just wing it. A slight misstep could result in shock or electrocution. But don't consider the only hazard the electricity. Your work area could be equally as dangerous. Observe all reasonable safety precautions from every level from standing on a ladder to installing the panel to landing the wires. Even improperly handling a knife or wire cutters could result in injury.

Please ensure proper electrical bonding by torqueing all setscrews and lugs down to the proper torque. Proper electrical bonding helps to ensure good flow of electricity with negligible resistance impeding the flow.

Please follow your local and stand ordinances and electric and building codes when installing a sub panel. Consult the latest National Electric Code guidebook and read the relevant sections. The NEC book is contains a standard for wiring in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Follow the appropriate section and take all codes seriously. These were created for safe operation and maintenance of your electrical distribution system.

This demonstrations shows half-way through that it would be nearly impossible to tie-in the sub-panel with the bundle of wires that occupied the right half of the panel. It was necessary to shorten all wires and reroute them for better layout to avoid any obstructions to the 2-0 wire that needed to be landed in a 2 pole 100 Amp breaker. Skip ahead of this section if it does not apply to your panel setup.

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Video Credits:
Video Production: U Do It™️ Studios a Division of No Cheese Records™️ LLC All Rights Reserved.

Credits:
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Siemens Brand