Hello TMC folks and kind knowledgeable electricians and DIYers,
TLDR
If my panel has existing code issues, would it hinder inspection for a 240V addition?
Can I add a quad breaker to the top left two slots of a Homeline panel?
Long form:
I want to share my HPWC install story (ps not sure if this is the right place since charging is not MY specific), in case it may be of help to anyone, and get some feedback on my panel situation before I make the final hookup.
This is an indoor garage install, from a flush mount panel out to exposed conduit. I haven't connected it yet but am at the final stage.
I picked up my black MYP late December (hell effing yes I love it!!).
Here's the basic supplies
Wires: #6 THHN (blk/red) and #10 bare copper
Conduit: 3/4" EMT, 90 deg bends, couplings, half saddle brackets, offset connectors (no bending, only hacksaw cuts)
Conduit (in wall): 3/4" flex liquid tight PVC, chunky 'easy' connectors (straight and 90 deg)
I had pondered how to get a circuit out of a flush mount panel even before owning an EV. There are good videos, but took a while to find. This one I like in particular (ymmv):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ip38Mf093Y&t=836s&ab_channel=TheHonestCarpenter
The process (I'll post some pics of the process later)
Mounted the base of the HPWC, started mounting conduit up and across the wall to the top of the panel.
Selected a punch out on the panel top, aligned the junction box target location
Pushing a flexible camera up from the panel, I felt some resistance - using a stud finder I found a horizontal piece impeding the way (arrgh).
Cut the bottom of the PVC to length, attached a connector and connected to the panel.
One note: the offest connectors have a larger offset than both the HPWC base and my square jbox. Starting from the HPWC this didn't matter, but it off my measurements at the end jbox. However, with a little adjustment at the last bend I could keep the last run of conduit level.
So now to my three questions
My panel is a bit of a mess, it's a Homeline panel, but I see Type MH-T breakers with double wires in it. I want to get a permit, but I'm concerned the existing issues may cause problems during an inspection?
I want to replace the two top left 20A breakers with the quad breaker. Will the top left two slots accept a double pole (actually quad) breaker? I vaguely recall reading that double pole breakers can't be installed in just any two slots.
Finally, the cover is a 20 slot, but the guts are 12 slot (arrrghh). I wan't to replace the guts to get more space (it's fed by a 100A from the main panel). what say the pros?
TLDR
If my panel has existing code issues, would it hinder inspection for a 240V addition?
Can I add a quad breaker to the top left two slots of a Homeline panel?
Long form:
I want to share my HPWC install story (ps not sure if this is the right place since charging is not MY specific), in case it may be of help to anyone, and get some feedback on my panel situation before I make the final hookup.
This is an indoor garage install, from a flush mount panel out to exposed conduit. I haven't connected it yet but am at the final stage.
I picked up my black MYP late December (hell effing yes I love it!!).
Here's the basic supplies
Wires: #6 THHN (blk/red) and #10 bare copper
Conduit: 3/4" EMT, 90 deg bends, couplings, half saddle brackets, offset connectors (no bending, only hacksaw cuts)
Conduit (in wall): 3/4" flex liquid tight PVC, chunky 'easy' connectors (straight and 90 deg)
I suppose 4/3 (4/2 doesn't exist?) romex would work here in wall, and skip the conduit, but I couldn't find it by the foot, and would need to make connections in the jbox
Breaker: Square D 2020250 quad breaker (takes two slots, provides two 20A single pole and one 50A double pole circuit) I wanted a 60A circuit, but my panel was full. This will suffice for now as I want to add solar in the future and don't want to upgrade too much in terms of electrical now.
I had pondered how to get a circuit out of a flush mount panel even before owning an EV. There are good videos, but took a while to find. This one I like in particular (ymmv):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ip38Mf093Y&t=836s&ab_channel=TheHonestCarpenter
The process (I'll post some pics of the process later)
Mounted the base of the HPWC, started mounting conduit up and across the wall to the top of the panel.
Selected a punch out on the panel top, aligned the junction box target location
Pushing a flexible camera up from the panel, I felt some resistance - using a stud finder I found a horizontal piece impeding the way (arrgh).
Opened up a piece of drywall above the panel to get a drill and spade bit in there and open a 1" passage for the flex conduit
My largest bit was 1", used a rotary tool grinder bit to open it up some more to get the flex PVC through
Opened a small square above for entrance into the jbox, now I could push up the flex PVC and tug it out the top to attach a 90 deg connectorCut the bottom of the PVC to length, attached a connector and connected to the panel.
These connectors are bulky and hard to work with behind a wall, but easy to attach, no glue etc, I had to adjust the length a couple times so they helped
I stagger taped the wires and pushed them through, leaving the second 90 deg bend open. Once they made it, I added the last leg of conduit and pushed to the jboxOne note: the offest connectors have a larger offset than both the HPWC base and my square jbox. Starting from the HPWC this didn't matter, but it off my measurements at the end jbox. However, with a little adjustment at the last bend I could keep the last run of conduit level.
So now to my three questions
My panel is a bit of a mess, it's a Homeline panel, but I see Type MH-T breakers with double wires in it. I want to get a permit, but I'm concerned the existing issues may cause problems during an inspection?
I want to replace the two top left 20A breakers with the quad breaker. Will the top left two slots accept a double pole (actually quad) breaker? I vaguely recall reading that double pole breakers can't be installed in just any two slots.
Finally, the cover is a 20 slot, but the guts are 12 slot (arrrghh). I wan't to replace the guts to get more space (it's fed by a 100A from the main panel). what say the pros?
Thanks in advance for replies and advice.