Have a 1950 concrete blk on slab house in Fl. with 100 amp breaker box and 200 amp meter.I am interested in upping to 200 amp breaker box. The meter is about 12 feet from the breaker box which is on the block kitchen wall.The wire from the meter runs in steel in the joist bay over the carport to the breaker box.Just thought to install a 200 amp box tied into existing wire from meter.Now I have an electrician telling me its best to install a 100 amp panel with the meter,outside?,subpanel?,and just clean up the 100 amp breaker box in the kitchen which will give me 200 amps from two places? Also maybe saying new wire needed from meter to one 200amp kitchen breaker box? Is two breaker box idea a good idea,what are the pros and cons??Thanks for the help,lotsa of goood info here,makes for good reading.
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Greetings h,
This post, in response to your question, will bump the thread through the 'recent discussion' listing again which will increase it's viewing.
Perhaps it will catch someone's attention that can help you with advice.
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Rez,Thanks for the help,Sparky said something like because of the house being concrete blk. I would probably be running the extra outlets/service needs outside the house anyway??
One of the things you pay a pro for is his opinion ,,, err, "professional judgment."
The electrician my be responding to what you really want to do (as opposed to what you asked for), and taking into consideration many details specific to your building.
When folks ask for a 'larger service,' in most cases the existing service is plenty large enough. What the people are asking for are more circuits.
More circuits = more breakers = more wires -> a lot more clutter at the top of the panel. It makes sense to split this into smaller groupings, with separate panels located more closely to where the circuits are needed. In today's homes, it's easy for a kitchen to fill a panel all by itself.
So, the electrician might actually be on the right track.
Thanks,renosteinke for the help.I am thinking about central H/A later and also 100 amps just doesn't sound like enough for three or four people/use?? in a house.Also because of the house being concrete block the sparky said I would probably run new needs outside the house anyway??
All I can say is .... sit down with the sparky, lay all your plans on the table, and ask him for his opinion. There is no need for everything to pass 'through' one panel. The Sparky may - after seeing the house - make the decision that you're better served by setting up your "main" outside. After all, that's where the air conditioners sit! If you are not convinced, send the guy a C-note, a nice 'thank you' card, and ask someone else what they think. The only caution I offer is: make sure that you are talking to REAL electrical contractors (and not the handyman types), and that everyone is clear that there WILL be permits and inspections involved. I stress the last part, because "make believe" EC's tend to run into problems at City Hall, and at the power company. If a contractor starts talking about working on your 'homeowner permit' ... that's a real warning sign! Going to City Hall, signing off on the plans, meeting the inspectors, etc., are all regular parts of a real contractors' job.