Service panel Upgrade

11 years ago

I am planning to move the outside electric Meter since it is under the deck and not in a good place.. I will be using a state licensed electric contractor to do this work. This is requires County permit. So during this work, I want to upgrade the service panel, install GFCI outlets as well. Is there anything I else that I should upgrade that needs to be done while doing this work? Is 225 AMPS panel good? Any important thing that I should look out for while doing this work?

I read that the weakest link in an old electrical system is the wire and not
necessarily an outdated fused service panel. The wire's age, condition
and lack of grounding are the main concern . How do I address this? My home 40 years old and hate to tear the walls to change the wires

Thanks

Featured Answer

ionized_gw

11 years ago

225 amps is a big panel, but it all depends on the load. What is your current panel and what loads have been added or removed in the 40 years?

Honestly, I would not replace a meter unless the power company requires it. What is the point? Wires gone bad? Not unless they've been overheated because someone used fuses to large for the cable. The house is 40 years old so it should have all grounded circuits. Installation of GFI outlets should be easy.

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Comments (8)

Love Trees
Original Author
11 years ago
Ok. Current panel is 150 Amps. No electrical issues at present. The meter is in a tricky place under the deck, so thought of moving it. That's all.
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Ron Natalie
11 years ago
The way to determine is to do a load analysis. Panels were definitely getting larger as more electrical stuff got added going from typically 60 to 100 to 200 to 400. Things are typically retreating back to 200 now that things are getting more energy efficient.
weedmeister
11 years ago
My house was built in the 70's, so it is around 40 years old. There is nothing wrong with 40-yr old wiring per se. I think grounded outlets were required at that time. There are some other stranger things, like no GFCI's in the kitchen or bath but that is easily fixed. Also the counter top appliance outlets in the kitchen are not dedicated to the kitchen but that is also fixable.

Are you saying you have a panel with fuses, not breakers? You could certainly think about upgrading from 150A to 200A if you need the additional load (more breakers, HP, garage shop equipment, etc).
Love Trees thanked weedmeister
ionized_gw
11 years ago
Weedmeister, I would not say that the fact that counter top outlets in the kitchen are shared means that they need to be fixed. Maybe they should be if not installed properly at the time, or there are tripping problems now. Wiring with grounds came in ca. 1959. The house I grew up in was built then and had all cables with grounds excepting switch loops. The original outlets were, however, two-prong.

As Ron pointed out, you really have to question the need for a larger service in this day an age if there is not a large addition or large added loads in the plans. It used to be that larger service was taken for granted as a good idea. That said, my dad is going to 200 A from 125 this week in a project under my direction. I'd have rather stayed at 125, but the smallest main breaker for the specialized panel that I want is 150A and it is a 200A panel. We decided to go the whole 9 yards since a new meter pan, cabling to the drop and cable from the meter to the service panel are needed anyway.
Love Trees thanked ionized_gw
Vith
11 years ago
Upgrading your panel amps may require a new line run to the power line and may be more costly. If it isnt needed then dont do it. If its needed then do it.
smarterthandog
11 years ago
I left my 100 amp service as it was when I got a new panel. But I did convert my electric range and dryer to gas. Also went all LED lighting and replaced the room air conditioners with a Mini-split unit. I never have a problem with 100 amp service because of the efficiency of the home.
Love Trees
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you all. Based on what i read here, I don't need the service panel upgrade. You all saved me at least 3000 dollars/ Grateful for the suggestions..