Mark,


You've seen my Service Disconnect box. Is it common to have a separate
service disconnect box as I do? Had it been wired correctly, couldn't I
have just used the panelboard which has it's own 100 AMP breaker) and
then
skip the current Service Disconnect box?

This seems to be a regional thing. Some areas demand an outside disconnect.
Where I live, the disconnects can be inside the house as long as they are
very near where the service cables enter. Since your second panel is also
outside, you meet the outside disconnect rule. The only other issue would
be
if your area has a limitation on how far the main disconnect needs to be
from the meter. If they have one, it may be short, like 5 feet. The intent
here is to minimize the length of unfused service conductors and the amount
of structure they will damage should they flame up.

Actually, both my Service Disconnect and Panelboard are inside the house.
Outside the house there is only a meter. All in all, having a separate
Service Disconnect is fine for now, although I think I'll replace it with
the Cutler Hammer box you suggested. Of course the Power Co will have to
someone disconnect power for the Service Disconnect to be rewired. How does
the Power Co go about shutting down power? Do they have to climb the pole
or is there something they can do at the meter?

My main service breaker only allows for 100amps. I've read that a 100
breaker usually means you can go 200 or more, but I've totaled up the
amps
of the circuits in my panel box and it's around 500! However, in the two
years I've lived here, I've never once thrown a breaker. Also, some of
the
circuits are used seasonally. I've got 60 amps dedicated to the AC, but
I
also have 160 amps dedicated to space heaters which I almost never use,
not
even in the winter time (because that same room also has a wood stove).
Is
it time to upgrade to 200amps?

Again a local thing. Here, all services must be wired for 200A, but you
could put in a 100A breakered panel if you want to. The wires will have to
be sized for 200A though. If your service wires are 100A, then you can't
increase to 200A without replacing them. Same with your meter base -- is it
100A or 200A? You can put a 200A breakered panel on a 100A service if
you've
done a load calculation and it indicates you're not exceeding the 100A
service. Finally, check with your utility to see how big your transformer
is. You'll want at least a 20 KVA for a 200A service, and preferably a 25
or
30 KVA.

The meter says something like "200cl 240v 3w" I'll give the Power Co a call
and look into it. I'm sure it's not a black and white issue, but if I'm not
throwing breakers, is it fair to say I don't really need 200A at this time?
I hate to rewire everything only to decide later that I need to upgrade the
panelboard too.