How To Install a Sub Panel Start to Finish! 

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I went on wire jobs with my dad when I was 4 years old. I'd pick up all the knock outs and thought I was rich with all that coin in my pockets.

Ben, I know this video was three years ago, but man, it's a lifesaver. I recently had to wire a new shed, and I couldn't have gotten the sub-panel in the right way without it. I have a friend who used to be an inspector in a neighboring county, and he came to look it over before it gets inspected next week, and he told me that my wiring was better than some electrician's stuff he'd seen. All that is because of you. Thank you!

This is the most thorough video for a sub panel I’ve come across. Thank you.

Thanks for posting this video. I just finished installing a sub panel in my house and your video was absolutely essential to my success with that project. If I hadn't come across your video, I probably would not have been able to do this. You walked me through all of the steps and helped me to make sure I had everything I needed for this project. Really terrific video!

Thanks! I successfully wired my subpanel and ran about 80' of wire and it was probably about 90% due to the information you provided in this and other videos. So fun learning and really felt great when I turned everything on and nothing exploded and all my tests and checks went perfect.. thanks to all of the helpful commenters as well.. I followed every piece of advice I could find.

For the most part you do considerably better then some journeyman and I very impressed with your level of self taught education. But some points to consider. 1) Consider a LR #2 (Locked Recess) driver. I believe some people call it a Robertson. 2) You showed EMT from the panel to the ceiling and you installed PVC. This is NEC for the physical protection of NM cable below 8'. And I would never run NM down a conduit without a connector to protect the wire. Most AHJ's would require a pipe to NM connector transition connector. 3) This next one would be a point of debate among electricians on your placement of the 1/2 PVC conduit. Myself I always work from the outside in. Reason is that when I come back to install another conduit or 2, conductors are not in my way and subject to physical damage when removing knock outs or fishing in new cable. 4) I NEVER loop my wires in a panel. It is messy. Industrial maintenance people would do this because they where constantly moving machines and motors and such. In a commercial or a residential application the odds moving that breaker in the next 20 years or so is extremely unlikely. And it makes it way more difficult to add new circuits. 5) On the neutral and ground bars I never run my wire wild thru. If there is a piece sticking thru I nip it short after installation so it is nice and clean and no sharp objects sticking thru. 6) In the video NEVER make up the main breaker first....what happens if your working with a partner, or breaker is bad or you catch it with another wire and you energize that breaker? It creates a deadly situation. Phase conductors are always last. Order of landing conductors is ground, neutral and phase. this is for your safely so a ground is established for your safety. If for some reason you had to disconnect hot then reverse order (Phase, neutral (Potential Load) and ground) is the correct method. 7) PVC inside a building i almost never do. CODE does not say you can't but some jurisdictions it is. If there is a fire PVC can emit toxic gases. 8) Always tell your subscribers every video to Check State and Local addendum's to the code that have been passed. The NEC is the bases, Local and state can regulate above and beyond the code. I say this as a legal stand point so you don't come in conflict with another city, state code addendum and your subscribers. All in all your bases of understanding surpasses most journeyman.

Great job! Super informative and you explain things very clearly! I've been in the industrial instrument and electrical trade for over 25 years. It's nice to see young guys picking up the trade and mastering it. My only advice is to always verify zero energy using a meter, saved me a few times. Great job!

Hands-down best subpanel installation video on RU-vid. Thoroughly explained in a clear and concise manner, and some of the dry comedic relief had me rolling. Great job sir! Exceptional!

Thank you so much for this video! Between what I had learned earlier and after watching you video, I installed a sub panel next to the main panel in my basement. No troubleshooting needed, worked perfectly the first time!! I already have two circuits on it. Next project will be the generator inlet since I recently scored a Tri Fuel generator on sale at Costco. Guys like you are what RU-vid should be all about. Sharing knowledge, educating, being willing to admit you don't have all the answers and just generally making peoples lives better. I have photos of the project if you are interested. Thanks again.

Great video. I really appreciate how precise, organized and clear your work. No stuttering, stammering or searching. Great job dude.

The best DIY sub panel install video that I've seen. Excellent job.

22:25 didn't realize I was singing so loud! 🤣 *Shaking my head*

Love your videos and Electrical work! My dad was a master electrician for 40+ years and I worked many jobs with him both as a kid and adult. He passed away from cancer in 09:( and now I do all my electrical jobs with my two sons:). Your way of teaching is excellent and reminds me of my dad:) I love all things electrical!! Keep the videos coming. I'm definitely a fan!!

Unlike many DYI RU-vid videos, you actually SHOW what you are doing along with your comments. Great camera work. Oh yes, the sound is also excellent. Thank You

Hi Benjamin, Per latest NEC you do not need to derate SER wire or similar for interior use - that only applied for 2011-2014 code cycles, and was related to the use of thermal insulation. If you're using more than three *current carrying conductors* in a raceway you have to derate, but ground is not one of them. So one 4 wire SER should not be subject to deration :)

9:55 How to fix your PVC cement bottle start to finish! Once you get the cap off the PVC cement bottle, put a thin film of Vassoline on the male threads. This will prevent the cap from gluing itself onto the threads. Making it very easy to get it off the next time you use it.

Ben, for being only 16 years old, you are pretty knowledgeable! What a great teacher you are. Talented and humble at the same time. Incredible combination! (Steady camera and no dumb music is appreciated) Good luck to you.

When “chamfering” the conduit, rather than breaking and bending your utility knife blades, you can stick the nose end of your pump pliers in there and twist it around a few times. Then open them up and twist them around the outside to nab the last little jagged edges. Great video so far!

Good Day Benjamin : Over all you did very well explaining everything! I was a bit concerned though when I saw you cut open and striped your 12 gauge wire run in to the new panel box. ( 26.20 ) reference frame in video. It would be better if about a few inches from the end of the wire... use your knife as you did and cut the outer cover... Then grab hold of the 3 wires in side with one hand and outer cover with other hand and tear apart up to what is needed. Don't risk nicking the wire the way you did it. Good Job over all with all respect!

Our Canadian electrical code requires the main breaker to be in separate main panel metal section, with no load breaker wires feeding through main breaker enclosure. This would make working safe when main power is turned off. I like you showing the wiggle wire when tightening stranded . Very good teacher.

may I suggest labeling the breakers as the wires are attached, so you can easily determine which breaker needs to be 'opened' for a specific circuit/appliance

Thank you! Dude, I'm a new subscriber and love the content. I've been planning a self install new sub panel for weeks, and this is the icing on the cake. Exactly what I needed at exactly the right time. So thank you, and keep it up!

Ben, love how you present, very clear, and easy to understand, I learn a lot from this very short video. Thank you.

Do sub panels ever require ground rods?

As a former maintenance manager at a major food processing plant I would have used this video and comments as an educational video. We provided specific NFPA 70E training to our state licensed electricians but what this video shows is industrial or residential is regulated by the NFPA. Good stuff guys. Carry on.

I like your style, you're actually a great educator and you voice is not annoying, which allowed me to listen without being annoyed. Great job.

In 30 minutes you added a sub panel in your basement. Your sister sang a song. Almost burned the house down cooking. Then brought you a glass of delicious Tea. You guys are busy. My advice if Amelia is going g to continue to cook maybe you should do a video of how to install a vent hood so she quits setting of the smoke detectors when she burns her toast.😂

Good job with the video. Just a tip: I have always used lineman pliers to remove the plug when removing out the knock out plugs instead of fingers. I've gotten cut too many times when I just used my fingers for this task.

good rule of thumb, neutral, always, first on, last off. good habit to have. great vid though

Nice video. Couple of hints, always collect the metal knockouts so they do not short anything, and vacuum the panel to keep crap out of it. Oh, and make sure you do not have any cables near the panel cover screw holes, as I found out the hard way when I blew the 200 amp main breaker, and nearly crapped my self in the process.

Ah, calibrated wrist to 30 inch pounds..I am familiar with that

Torque bar comes included with his hand - WOW - He is a miracle man

The only bad thing I see here: Mounting the plywood "bracket" to just a single stud. The net effect is the same (or worse, since it's wood) as just using the panel's 2 vertical mounting holes.

I found the format and length of this video to be next to perfect for a DIY homeowner like myself. Covered many small details that others tend to leave out, such as wire gauge information. Keep up the good work! Earned a sub from me.

What are those yellow power covers called in your main circuit breaker? This video was awesome, thanks....

I have been re-wiring my 140 y/o home (in Canada) and your videos have been a life saver!

Amazing content! Well shot, expertly explained, and one of the most thorough installation videos for a subpanel I've seen.

I love it! You covered my pet peeve right up front!. I have two separate sub panels away from the house. One in the horse barn and one in my pump house (water well). Neither have an isolating breaker, so I have to hump it all the way back to the house to turn off the breaker on the main panel if I have to access either one. It's nuts not to go ahead and put in a panel with a main shut off breaker. I would pay the electrician extra to do so! :-)

I learned more from this concise vid then most others. Thank You for taking the time. One question......A sub 150 ft from main, is a ground wire code connecting the two or can two grounding spikes suffice?

Ben, very helpful vid! I am about to install a sub-panel in my attached garage and this video of yours has been really perfect for what I am about to do. Thanks!!!

Enjoy your videos. I've been doing electrical work (self taught) over the last 40 years in 30 odd houses in succession. I know I was successful in my installations as none of the houses have burned down nor people dying from electrical shocks. But, I still have more to learn. I've lived overseas for 20 years (six houses) and still trying to understand their system. I'm installing a subpanel and gained insight from your video to adapt to this system. Again, no building burned down nor people shocked into the ether. I must be doing something right. Seeing how life gets in a way while you're working is refreshing from the standard technical videos. Very enjoyable.

The " Amelia... Don't sing right now " moment was cute. Sounds like a cool Bro.

Great video as usual, regarding installing a 50a breaker on my sub panel and specifically capcity. I have a new Tesla and want to add a 50a breaker on my garage 100a sub panel. Can you confirm that this is no-no please?

Hey Ben, I'm installing a 100 amp sub panel in my garage. When it comes to the grounding wire, can I run that ground wire directly to an unground, ground bar at the garage? I would still run the ground back to the main panel.

Being a father is a good thing you'll look back on it and laugh. Keep up the videos 👍

I love videos like this! The only thing I’d say is wrap more white electrical tape up the neutral wire to ensure it’s well covered and visible!

The very best "Channellocks", smh. lol

Ben!!! You steely eyed bastard I love ya. Watched the video went to home depot and two hours later i was wiring up dedicated curcuits for my garage workshop!!!!! Your the man. I have a 200 amp main and added the same exact sub panel you did with a 60 amp breaker from the main.

I haven't heard the word uff da in about 30 years when I was stationed in North Dakota in the Air Force. Great video for my upcoming electrical project.

Thank you for all your hard work and passing on your knowledge. Thank you. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into all your videos.

Where did you get the yellow caps for the mains coming into the main panel, Can you place those on while the lugs are hot?

I was wondering if you could show how to run a panel/sub-panel out to a shed/barn/DIY work room about 40-50 feet away from the house?

Great video man. I'm a pro land surveyor with a pretty extensive background in lots of things since we survey lots of electrical and plumbing. I just wanted to wire a sub panel to my shop I built but due to a packed out main panel I think I'm going to call a pro in for my application. I dug and buried 2-2-2-4 for 300 ft over my "vacation" time. With enough time I'm sure I could make it work but you electricians have a specific level of expertise. I'll pay to have a pro do my sub panel as long as they agree not to survey land. Lol.

I just installed a sub panel that only has one neutral/grounding bar. No room for an additional one to separate grnds/nutrls I did not add an additional ground wire besides the neutral from the main panel. These two panels are side by side in same garage. Everything works fine as is. So what danger is there in doing it this way? This is how they did it for many many years.

I heard "Uffda!"🤣 Are you Norwegian? Love your videos... Your enthusiasm, you passion for what you do. You inspire me so much and I have learned so much from you! Thanks for making RU-vid a great place. It's people like you that makes this a wonderful platform for all of us to share our knowledge and learn ramdom stuff! Sending much love and blessings all the way from Long Island, NY! Thank you! Thank you!

I will most definitely be referring back to this video in the future, thanks dude.

Around here, Commercial applications requires conduit to at least the plate line or above a suspended ceiling. In residential, you can staple to the backer board.

Very nice of your sister to bring you a shake! Awesome video and a great refresher as I need to install a subpanel for a second ac unit in my home. Greatly detailed and explained. Can you provide a link to those gloves? Sub’d🎉

Always,end at the main,don't start at it. Otherwise, young man, good job,clean,and concise. I'd use you.

I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. Thanks.

One thing to add: I would highly recommend spanning two joists with your plywood mounting panel. Relying on one stud to mount the panel allows it to wiggle side to side and will likely become loose over time with use.

You are so great at your job. You explain everything so well. You're awesome!

Why aren't your main cables going to the sub panel colored. Here in Canada, it would be black, red ,white,and bare copper ground. This way the common wire white is never put in the wrong place.

When installing a sub panel,,do you run the ground from the main panel over to the sub panel and connect it to the ground bar? I installed a sub panel in my garage.Now I am getting feedback from the outlets through my stereo if I plug something in when the radio is on..If I unplug the charger, the interference goes away. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Scott

I like to strip wires as you show, by circumscribing the wire, but the inspector mentioned that the conductor could be damaged that way and possibly break. Also, he wants to see about 1/8" of conductor exposed outside of the socket to insure that no insulation is accidentally clamped into the socket.

I may need to install a sub panel for my workshop. I have a bunch of Everlast welders and tools that require 220v which isn't available to me there at the moment.

Ben, Coming from a career mechanical engineer, MBA Ohio State, and military jet pilot and instructor. Exposed to lots of public speaking training and experience including "charm school where they teach you how to Teach". ---- Probably one of the best how-to videos I've ever seen ! ----- Not only was the tech top-notch, continually emphasizing turning the power on and off and calling out the Hot lugs was fantastic. THANKS. Good job.

Nobody's talking about the bare ground in conduit? That's a fail. Why not just install one large pvc sleeve instead of singles every time you add a wire? That ground doesnt need to hit the second ground bar. The enclosure bonds that bar. Any electrician can see this is a rookie install, everyone should consult a professional before trying this at home and dont minic this install, it costs more to have it reworked than to have it done right in the first place.

I'd recommend tightening the lug, loosen it, then tighten to final torque spec. Just wiggling is not sufficient enough. I've come across plenty of lugs that were not properly torqued. That said, use a torque wrench(screwdriver). Wiha makes some great torque screwdrivers. Also, invest in the correct tool for the job. Get the Wiha interchangeable bit set.

Due to electricians being so busy, I wired my new shop build and am preparing to connect sub-panel in the shop from another sub-panel. This video placed many of the puzzle pieces together for me to continue progress on doing that. Much appreciated and I DIG the singing interruption and the facial expressions.

Great job, as always Ben. 1. Use cable cutters/"eagle beaks" to cut the bigger cable. Should be easier than the diagonal side cutters. 2. In addition to a torque screwdriver, a torque wrench for those bigger lug bolts. 3. No use of an antioxidant compound for the feeder cables into the main lugs? Might want to explain that in the video... probably don't need since you're using copper wire, but you should explain when it is required. 4. Please explain when you need some strapping/support for the conduit between the panels and then for the branch circuit conduit going up to the ceiling bays. 5. I usually wrap as much of the wire I can (i.e. from the lug all the way to the conduit bushing) in red or white tape. Just a 1 inch wrap is hard to see.

This guy is in the 97 percentile top instructors, imo.

The only time you can put bare copper in conduit is only for your ground rods go for green wire next time and what you just did is technically paralleled grounds

***** SOMETHING NEW ***** DIFERENCE BETWEEN PANEL AND SUBPANEL ? ANSWER- INSIDE THE PANEL A NEUTRAL BAR IS CONNECTED WITH A GROWND BAR BY A CONDUCTOR STRIP. IN SUBPANEL THIS STRIP IS REMOVED .

Great videos! "uff da!" a true Scandinavian! LOL

I heard that Uff Da, for sure you're from Mn.

Hi Ben, 1st off thanks for the informative video. 2 Questions: 1) How do you know if you need a sub panel? I have a 200amp panel with a total load demand of 148 amps and I'll be wiring a work shop with 2- 220 amp circuits as well as various 110 circuits. 2) Am I exceeding the load on the main panel if I install a 100amp sub panel? Thanks in advance.

Thank you so much for doing a start to finish from the main panel to the subpanel. I’ve been watching for hours different videos. Yours is the only one inclusive that tells the whole story. Thanks again man.

Best explanation I've seen yet. Thanks so much for the video.

When installing high current connections in battery operated systems I like to slip a short section of copper tube(home made ferrule) over the stranded wire before tightening the screw. That eliminates the problem of creep and loosening over time. Would this be a problem with NEMA or code?

Outstanding content as always. Your effort is greatly appreciated. Thumbs-up !

When you looped the new feeder wire into the main panel and wired it to the breaker (still looped), what it the breaker was "accidentally on"? Wouldn't it be safer to feed to the sub-panel and connect there first? Or not feed a looped wire? I apologize if this is a redundant question.

Dude, well done! Even my wife sitting over there on the couch commented how direct and concise you were. Right to the point. Nice bits of family comedy weren't a distraction either. Keep it up young man!

Exelent , From Fresno California iced coffee too keeps the engine . going ,

Perfect timing that I found this. I just built a shop and am getting ready to do my sub panel 👍🏼

These videos are always so great and informative. Keep up the great work. 👍

Muy buenos videos, bién explicitos..

i’m not an electrician. when adding an outlet or panel allways start with attaching the wires to the power source last. wire to the outlet or sub panel first . than connect wires to the main panel .

Yeah brother you do a great job with the whole gig. From explaining what your doing and why (hardest part not every one can do that) to describing tools and equipment and knowing what your doing. It’s pretty funny it looks like we learned from the same school, but there’s a ton of little details that we do exactly the same. I was the big orange boxes electrical pro 13 years in Ohio. By the way everyone that watches your videos knows you didn’t install that main at your sisters place. Peace and God Bless

This is really good. The detailed instructions at a comprehensible pace added to the "reasons" for everything. This could make the total difference for what I'm trying to learn!

Thank you for the thorough details. I'm an engineering technician so journeyman skills aren't foreign but I'm by no means an expert. Very informative and helpful, thank you.

Thank you, I am considering doing a skilled trade and I feel like I can actually do this. Keep them coming.

A SUB PANEL SHOULD BE INSTALLED AHEAD OF A MAIN PANEL TO FEED THAT PANEL-2020 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE SECTION F-72.

When i added my 100 amp subpanel a few years ago, i used 2ga THHN and was able to get it in the right colors at homedepot. Although, they were special order, which they screwed up and had to order again.. so it took forever, but I didnt need the panel for a few months at that point.

Great job youth 👍 I've learned a lot from your videos

Your presentation was great.You made it so simple that even without a knowledge of electrical most people could DYI.Wish videos like these would have been available years ago.Fortrantly people don't mind sharing their knowledge for those of us who don't mind working .Instead of having to wait on a appointment just to get a quote.

Just one comment, probably made by others as well. I always hook up the hot ends last, i,e. start at the subpanel and work toward the main panel so the hot connec tions are the final ones made. You've got the breaker, of course, but why not be as aafe as possible?

I would prefer strippers over tea😅😅😅. But that’s just me.

Good job. Had to smile when you put your sister on. Ether camera shy. Or just wasn’t expecting the surprise sudden camera exposure. Thanks for the clear and very informative video.