On Mon, 15 Dec 2014 23:55:09 -0500, wrote:


Look into the Cuttler Hammer replacement panelboards. They sell them
to fit a lot of the old cans. Then it is a pretty easy swap out.
Call the PoCo and tell them you are replacing the main breaker and you
have to cut the seal. The procedure may vary from place to place but
it is worth the call. You are not trying to work the panel hot and you
avoid "alleged theft of service" problems that may arise from a cut
seal.

Anyone that tries to connect Mains which are HOT is insane. I've done
my share of replacing outlets and switches or fixtures, while HOT, but
doing anything with the Mains requires pulling the meter or having the
PoCo disconnect at the pole.

If something goes wrong when changing an outlet while HOT, a breaker or
fuse should blow, or can be turned off. But those Mains are not fused.
Yea, there is a fuse (of sorts) by the pole transformer, but before that
blows, people will die, or fires will start. And you cant just pull a
lever to disconnect.