Schwartz633 shows an elegant solution on Page 1.
For the reasons cited above and some others, I too would recommend hiring an EC if the panel really needs to be changed. I am not convinced it does need to be changed.
In Washington, homeowners can do their own electrical mods but there still needs to be a permit and inspection. Power does need to be shut off and unless there is a disconnect between the panel and the meter, then I think this means pulling the meter, which then involves the power company.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jyl
Jeez. Even I know you are supposed to have a tidy panel with parallel wires all easily traced at a glance.
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Inspections can fail for "workmanship" reasons if the installation is ugly enough, but this is not common. In my experience, inspectors are perhaps more likely to refuse approval on "workmanship" bases where the installer was a licensed professional, compared to a homeowner. Those guys should know better, and the inspectors in my state seemed to hold them to a higher standard.
One last time: If your existing panel is a modern 200A panel, the consider another sub panel. Even if, like Schwarz633, it is a big sub panel. Also, it sounds like those basement circuits could just be consolidated. Wire nuts are allowed in main panels.