Replies

1. 
   George_Roberts | Nov 11, 2001 01:13am | #1

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   Call your electric company they will tell you all you need to know.

   Upgrading is often easy. You mount a new box next to the old box (per the electric company's specs). Include a 100amp breaker with wires to your old box. Have the power company connect up the new and disconnect the old. You connect the wires to the old box and throw the mains on the new box -- easy power.

   But ... generally hire a professional for doing this job.

1. 
   Bob_Walker | Nov 11, 2001 02:26am | #2

   *The power co is typically responsibel for the service lines from the pole to the weatherheadThose lines do not have to be sized the same as the lines in and into the house because they can dissapate heat into the air; thus, they will often be a smaller size than would be used into the box itself.It's up to your elctrician and power company.Note: the lines from the weatherhead to the meter and from the meter to your new panel have to be upgraded.

1. 
   r__ignacki | Nov 13, 2001 12:01am | #3

   *I was flabbergasted when the power co. gave me their screweye to install. (for a new overhead service)."We don't install these" the guy said.They can distribute the power but can't hang it on a house.

1. 
   Dave_Richeson | Nov 13, 2001 02:52am | #4

   *Attachments to the house are ussualy the home owner or builders responsibility around here. Wheather it is underground or overhead, meter base, mast to weather head, or riser to meter base, they are both considered a part of the structure. The utility company furnishes specifcation and drawings for both. Failure to meet thier specs, means no service. An eyebolt improperly installed could pull out under sever weather conditions such as an ice storm. Liability then becomes a big issue. Who pays for the damage or injuries that could result?If you are unsure of the attachment, ask for thier drawing and spec. sheet. Or hire an electrician and let him assume the liability.

1. 
   r__ignacki | Nov 13, 2001 03:31am | #5

   *I've got a funny feeling the sparkie knew that, he probably didn't want to get his ladder out when he built the service.

2. 
   darrel1 | Nov 13, 2001 04:12am | #6

   *Well, as a homeowner, here was my experience:We had a 100 amp panel (fuses) and we needed to upgrade to breaker and, I thought, we should upgrade to 200 amp service as the current circuitry was a bit over-extended (the second floor remodel was just tapped into the first floor's circuits) and we only had 5 empty circuits for a future remodel.However, the electrician recommended that we simply upgrade the panel and stick with 100 amp service as that is all we really needed for this size of house. He also said that if we DID want to go to 200 amps, he'd not only have to add a second panel, but he'd have to re-wire the main line coming into the panel up to the outside of the house, which meant some serious demolition work and more $$$.The problem is that since I live in MN, we had to use a senior-level electrician to do a panel upgrade (which meant $$$). That was combined with the fact that we only had a 12 hour notice as to when the electrician was coming out and we pretty much had to make decisions on the spot, as it may very well be another 3 months to get someone out.So, in hindsight, I'm not really sure if the electrician gave me sound advice, or if he was just to lazy to spend the time adding 200 amp service.To be fair, the inspector sided with the electrician. Peronsally, if I were to do it again, I'd spend the money on 200 amp service...you can't have too many circuits...especially when you start figuring in whirlpool tubs and central air units(which is something I need to do and will probably leave me with 0 circuits left before the basement is finished.)One other thought is that if you DO decide to upgrade to 200 amp service, you may want to have the Electric company bury the lines while they are at it. In our state, from my understanding, they are only allowed to charge a relatively low fee to upgrade your service lines and bury them for you.

3. 
   p_m | Nov 13, 2001 07:14am | #7

   *You can get 199 amps from a 100 amp panel. -Peter

4. 
   darrel1 | Nov 13, 2001 07:27am | #8

   *i You can get 199 amps from a 100 amp panel.Can you exlain that to me?Even if that is 199 amps, you still have the same number of circuits, right?

5. 
   Ron_Teti | Nov 13, 2001 08:20am | #9

   *Here in So Cal, edison hooks up from the pole to the stack and attaches and puts a seal on the meter as well.

2. 
   nick_grant | Nov 13, 2001 08:20am | #10

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   I have an older home built in the late 30's with 100 amp service . The main panel has circuit breakers. Line running from the utility pole is #4 size wire. I want to upgrade to a 200 amp panel and would like to know what is involved. I know the panel needs to be replaced by a larger one but do you also have to run a larger wire out to the pole to handle the increased supply desired. What does the power company do versus the hired electrician on this kind of a job, ie hangin new line/meter etc? Any suggs would be appreciated. Thanks