How to Change an Electrical Panel to an Outdoor Panel

Turn off the main breaker at the primary electrical service box inside the home. Alternatively, if the outdoor panel is the main box, call the electric company or an electrician to come to your home and disconnect the meter. Failure to cut the power completely may result in electrocution and death.

Unscrew all wires from terminals inside the box one at a time, marking the position of the wires with masking tape and a permanent marker. Wires controlled by the panel should have the same placement inside the new outdoor box as the old.

Remove all wire nuts keeping the output wires in place, likely at the top or bottom of the box. Take all wires out of the box, gather them with a plastic cable tie and bend them to one side.

Determine the appropriate size of your outdoor panel to handle the electrical load. Consider any additional draws to be made at the service box if circuits for new appliances or rooms are being including. If no changes are to be made, the outdoor panel can be the same amperage as the old box. The amp level of the old box should be clearly marked inside the panel's door.

Remove the main service line at the back of the panel by unscrewing wires from connecting the main breaker and the grounding bar. Remove the bolts or screws attaching the old service box to the wall. Set aside the disconnected box.

Cover all output wires by placing them inside plastic, waterproof conduit. The pipe must have waterproof, screw-on fittings, such as elbows and couplers, to ensure the elements do not penetrate the box. Cut the conduit to the appropriate lengths so all wires are contained from where they exit the ground or house and enter the box.

Mount the new outdoor panel to the wall using the bolts or screws provided. Cover the bolts with silicone caulking to prevent moisture from entering the box.

Cover the main service line with conduit or a waterproof connector. Bring the service line into the box and connect the wires to the main breaker and grounding bar.

Snap in individual circuit breakers, if not already part of the new outdoor panel. You may be able to use breakers from the old panel after consulting with an electrician or the owner of an electrical supply store.

Bring the output lines into the box by attaching the conduit to the outdoor panel box with a waterproof fitting. Feed the fitting over the wires, then pull the wires through opening and screw the fitting to the conduit and box.

Connect each of the output wires to the breakers in the same pattern as they were placed in the original panel. Secure the wires in the terminals by screwing each tightly.

Close the door of the new outdoor electrical service panel. Examine all sides to ensure no openings exist between the rubber seal on the door and the service box.

Restore power to the box by turning on the main breaker or having the meter reconnected.