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jhzr2

Repurposing 50A Range Circuit

JHZR2
9 years ago

Hello,

Changing a kitchen range from electric to gas. This means that there is a 50A branch circuit that is available, with IIRC 6ga 4-conductor NM-B.

The question becomes if one can repurpose that for use as a sub-panel for the kitchen. The existing 200A service is running short on circuits, and it would also make all the runs to the kitchen mush shorter and more convenient, which is a great thing.

So does anyone see any issues with doing this? FWIW, we did add another 100A subpanel elsewhere in the home, really to support the installation of multiple mini-split systems, each of which only uses a few Amps but each of which is 240V, so would overfill our panel and again require a lot more wire pulled. Not sure if there are concerns with multiple sub panels. Certainly the load analysis we have performed indicates that 200A is more than sufficient.

If we use this, the appropriate AFCI/GFCI would likely be installed at the breaker level at the subpanel.

Also, given the modest ampacity of 6ga NM-B, is there any consideration for the total allowed breaker rating at the subpanel, load analysis performed or not? For example, given code says 2x20A small appliance circuits in a kitchen, is that all we can have in the subpanel, or can we also put in a 15A lighting curcuit and/or a few other 15/20A breakers for other loads (e.g. refrigerator, disposal, etc.)?

Thanks for your guidance! Using this line for a subpanel would be excellent!

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