Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My main house breaker panel is shot, corrosion on the bus bar causing arcing between bus and a couple of breakers. I've managed to shut down enough circuits and shuffled the remainder so all are on still good spots of the bus. Obviously need to replace the entire panel. Right now is a 100 amp panel, minimal size, standard tract home crapola, never spend any more than they have to. Anyways, I'm planning on replacing the small 100A panel with a larger 150A or 200A panel but still with 100A service. That will give me room to spread out the breakers I do have several of which are multiple breakers for one bus spot (or pair) like two 15A breakers on one bus lug or one 220V breaker and two 110V breakers on a pair of bus lugs.

Anyways, I've done some electrical work before and was wondering if there are any electricians out there who could steer me away from any pitfalls!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
24.36 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Contact the electric company and run it by them. You would have to notify them anyway and tell them that you need to pull the meter in order to replace the panel. They will either send someone out or give you permission to pull the meter (probably send someone out). Unless your area is different, you can not replace a 100a panel with something larger, without upgrading the service. This will probably not pass inspection. As you probably know, running more than 100a through it will cause a short and result in a house fire if you do not upgrade the entire service. The inspectors are not just going to accept your "promise" that you will never exceed 100a in a 150a or 200a panel. This type of project must pass inspection. Its not something you can just do on your own (you can do the work, but it must be inspected, and pass, before the electric company will replace the meter). I highly suggest consulting with your local authorities to insure you complete the work, or have it completed, within the proper codes. Your state should have established codes but if you live in a city, local codes may exist also. It will cost a bit more, but you are better off replacing the service. Is your service above or under ground? Replacing an above ground service is cheaper. I am going to guess it is above ground since most residential areas began running underground only after 200a became the norm. A local contractor may come out and do a free estimate. Even if you didn't use them to do the work, you would have the opportunity to "pick their brain" for what your local codes require. Sorry for the long post.

Bart

Good points, I'll check the main (meter) panel to see what it's rated for. I was talking about the sub panel with all the multiple breakers. I know the neighbor has already done the same thing (through an electrical contractor).

>>Contact the electric company and run it by them. You would have to notify them anyway and tell them that you need to pull the meter in order to replace the panel. They will either send someone out or give you permission to pull the meter (probably send someone out). Unless your area is different, you can not replace a 100a panel with something larger, without upgrading the service. This will probably not pass inspection. As you probably know, running more than 100a through it will cause a short and result in a house fire if you do not upgrade the entire service. The inspectors are not just going to accept your "promise" that you will never exceed 100a in a 150a or 200a panel. This type of project must pass inspection. Its not something you can just do on your own (you can do the work, but it must be inspected, and pass, before the electric company will replace the meter). I highly suggest consulting with your local authorities to insure you complete the work, or have it completed, within the proper codes. Your state should have established codes but if you live in a city, local codes may exist also. It will cost a bit more, but you are better off replacing the service. Is your service above or under ground? Replacing an above ground service is cheaper. I am going to guess it is above ground since most residential areas began running underground only after 200a became the norm. A local contractor may come out and do a free estimate. Even if you didn't use them to do the work, you would have the opportunity to "pick their brain" for what your local codes require. Sorry for the long post.
>>
>>Bart
>>
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
24.36 BRB
19.19 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave,

First that sucks!

Second I rarly give out electrical help here so if you would like a more in depth conversation feel free to email me.

All right to the point you have afew options none are going to be cheap. The other poster was correct the only way to replace teh faulty panel is to pull the meter. That will be the cheapest route.

If you would like to upgrade to a learger panel the expense is not in the box its in the additional stuff.

Primarly the codes changed back in Jan in most areas and while the NEC 2007 eedition may still be under revision some of the things it addresses are going to cost you.

The main additions to the NEC addressed dual meters, 2 1/2" conduit, and upgraded drops.

As a homeowner you will have to pay for the meter the conduit and the box. I believe most electrical coop's don't charge for an upgraded drop as it goes under a national upgrade program. In fact you may already have a 200amp drop and they just saved money on the breaker box. Keep in mind all underground service will cost more to upgrade as well as the additional labor of doing the work.

As a fellow herper I would recommend going with the 200amp panel the cost is about the same as the 150 but you get that much more. Also if you have to upgrade your drop for a 150 you might as well go for the 200.

The other possibility and one that would save the most money is to replace the 100amp. A replacement isn't required to meet current codes only new additions or upgrades. The panel the drop and the second meter will all be work you "can't" do yourself. The replacement isn't either but its cheaper! Than to meet your needs you can simply add a sub-panel to your needs locations. I for example have a sub-panel in my garage and my reptile room both running 60amps off a 100amp main.

Those are some thoughts and ideas but it really depends on what you currently have. The best bet is to get some quotes, than work out what you can do before and after to meet your needs have the pro's do the rest.

NEC says "homeowners may do all ther own electrical work so long as the work is inspected by a certified individual prior to the completion of work"

Good Luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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