Questions about my panel and installing the Vue 2

[vandalence]

I recently ordered the Vue 2 after moving into a new house (1980) and having some larger than expected electric bills. I received it yesterday and have been studying up on how to install.

I opened the cover to my panel and noticed not everything is labeled (thanks previous owner lol). I searched around for 2 15 amp circuits that are together but noticed I have no 15 amp circuits. I seen something from Emporia online about using 20 amps, but just making sure you use a 12 gauge bridge instead of the 14 that comes with the set, if you are piggybacking. Well I noticed two adjacent 20 amps in the panel that have nothing going to them (and left on apparently but I cut off after the photo). I drew arrows on those two (left side). Are these two I can use for installing the harness, and will I still need to purchase a 12 gauge bridge in order to install there if nothing is currently on those?

Also, I noticed that my panel has what looks to be 3 mains coming into it (along with the ground). I think the right hand main wire is going out to a sub-panel I have right near it. Does that look to be the case? (drew arrows for these as well) If so, would I be clamping the left and center main?

TLDR: I don’t have 15 amp circuits at all. Will the two 20 amp circuits with arrows near them work for installing the hardness, and which of the main lines coming in the top should I clamp.

Thanks!

[flyoffacliff]

You should clamp the center and the left main. Not sure what’s going on with the service neutral and the third main. Are you in The United States? It should have nothing to do with your subpanel though.

If the 20a breakers are not used then go for it. The bridge is for if you’re using an existing breaker that’s in use (since you can only have one wire screwed to the breaker by code)

Your sub panel would be coming off one of the breakers.

[vandalence]

Yes, I am in the U.S. The house was built in 1980, but not sure if it’s the same original panel. I do have a pool w/ pool house, outbuildings, and am on a well if that makes a difference in understanding what that third main line is there for.

The reason I thought it might be running off to the subpanel is because that is located less than a foot away on that side of the main panel. I probably should have an electrician come out and check out what’s going on in my panel. Especially considering the main reason for buying the Emporia is my $500/mo electric bills. The electric bills at my previous house only hit $300 once the whole time I was there. I know there could be lots of reasons for the difference, but hopefully I will know tomorrow when I hook this up.

My panel also doesn’t look like others I have seen on YouTube videos when people did installs. The neutral strips aren’t going down the sides. Should I be adding the blue/white wires from the harness to the silver screws at the top near the main neutral where all the other white wires are going to?

• This reply was modified 1 year, 1 month ago by vandalence.

[emporiacs]

From what we can see in the picture, using the empty slots on the left side breaker will work perfectly! If you have any issues please contact Customer Support directly.

[Author]

Posts