Parts list for each panel
1 x 50 amp breaker
8 x 15 amp GFCI breakers
6/3 wire (need enough from breaker to range plug and from plug to panel)
1 x 50 amp range recepticle
1 x 50 amp range plug
Couple of 2x4s
1/2 sheet of plywood
2 x 4-gang work boxes - "old" or "new" will work
2 x 4-gang wall plate covers
Longer wall plate screws
#12 romex
1.5" strain relief
8 x plastic grommet strain relief
Main Lug Load Center (can use breaker if ML is not available)
In 2008 I realized that I would need a small electrical upgrade to get by with 16,000 lights. To accomplish this, I had 8 dedicated 15 amp circuits installed in the garage. Each GFCI is on its own separate breaker giving me two circuits per 2 gang box. This is perfect for lighting controllers as most controllers consist of 16 channels, powered by two 15-amp circuits. In the event of low current draw on the entire controller, both power input cords can be connected to a single circuit (in this case, 1 GFCI recepticle).
I would also like to point out that I have installed GFCIs for 100% of the circuits used in the Christmas light show. This is for the safety of everyone involved. While many advocate the use of standard circuits and breakers because of the inconvenience of popped GFCIs during rain storms, we felt it simply wasn't worth the risk to bypass any essential safety equipment for our show. There is just no reason to bypass the only item that could save your life should something go wrong during the show.
For 2009, adding approximately 64,000 lights, I knew I would need even more power for adequate distribution. Upon reading solutions to the problem at
PlanetChristmas, I decided the best solution would be to install 2 sub-panels.
Each subpanel feeds 8 x 15 amp circuits. The subpanels themselves run off 50-amp x 220 range plugs I added to the "Wall of Power."
By utilizing commonly available 50-amp range plugs, I could keep the cost relatively low due to market availability. Had I chosen to use something like a 100-amp Hubble connector, the costs would have quickly skyrocketed. A second benefit to using the range outlets is that I can take these panels with me should I move. This allows me to add a couple of 50-amp circuits in any home I live in without the cost of an additional load center / GFCI outlets, and breakers.
When I added the 15-amp circuits on the portable sub-panels, I also upgraded the original circuits to 20-amp circuits. If you look closely in the first photo on this page, you will notice the sideways blade on the left recepticle. This allows me to provide a little more juice to the lighting controllers for those units under heavy usage.
To power the sub-panels, I used a nice, heavy guage wire. This 6/4 will adequately handle any load this panel will demand without getting hot.