Electricians on FABO - I want to add a 60Amp sub panel

roadrunnerh said

UPDATE:
I got an estimate from an electrician that came in at $1500....and he would use aluminum #2 wire.
The distance between the garage and house is 27 Ft. and although I've had two back surgeries in my past for a herniated disc, there is no way I am paying that just because of my reluctance to dig.
From talking to the electrician, I know it has to be buried 18" for code.
The panel I want to buy from Home Depot is a GE 125Amp. It does not have the spot at the top to install a 60Amp main breaker. I was told I didn't need one - if I want to shut off power when in the garage, I could shut off all the breakers. Any thoughts?

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I am lisc. in ct.
60a cb at house panel.
The sub panel needs to have a means of disconnect. if it has a main cb in it thats fine.you can only use the branch circuit cbs as a means of disconnect if there are no more than six.
18" burial in conduit. 1" pvc
(3) #6 cu L1 L2 and nuetral
(1) #8 cu grnd
(2) ground rods at detached garage. jump together w/#6 and run that #6 to sub panel and bond to panel box via a ground bar made for the panel. Your ground wire from the house will also conn ect to this ground bar.
The nuetral bar that comes with the sub-panel should not be electricaly bonded to the sub panel box it should "float".
If there is any metal piping water or gas it needs to grounded to the panel box. Especialy if it runs between the buildings.
At the house panel if it has the 200 amp main in it, then the ground and nuetral can go on either the ground or nuetral bar, makes no difference.
If the main is not in it then keep the ground and nuetral on thier respective bars. It will be obviouse. If you need more help you can pm me and we can talk. Tomorrow. You can do this but needs to be correct. I assume you will sell this house some day and wouldnt want anyone getting hurt so you could save 1500? Another idea would be to see if your building dept would issue a home owners permit. Then you could get it inspected and they would point out whats wrong.