" wrote:

Thanks Nate...that makes perfect sense. 200 amp it is. Have an
electrician coming out soon... he's a friend of a friend and is highly
recommended. I'm stopping by walmart on the way home for a fire
extinguisher, good to have around regardless of my service panel. ;-)

How can I tell if mine is a "stab-loc" type? From what I've read,
it's best to replace it no matter what kind it is, but stab-loc's are
the electrical version of napalm.

Also, has anyone had this type of work done? How much should I expect
to pay? I'd hate to pay too much just because I didn't want to wait an
extra few days for a better quote.

If it's a "stab-loc" it will usually have a label with that name on it.
If you have the cover off or can otherwise see the buss i.e. empty
breaker spaces in the cover, the bus is flat and has little triangular
holes where the breakers "stab" in. I think there are pictures on one or
more of the sites people have referenced.

Pete C.