Hello:

Will be contacting a few local contractors in the area to put in a new
Service Box for us, as our present one is about 30 years old. Present
capacity is 100 amps; imagine 150 or 200 would be adequate. I have 2
central A/C's, though, in house (the split type with the condensers outside)

Before I do, would like to learn a bit more about what is involved.

I guess my main questions a

- What do I want to ask him ?

- What do I want to be sure to get ?

- GFCI's and ArcFault breakers (good idea; for where ?)

- whole house Surge Protector ? What brand and type ?

- Brands, and which to avoid ?

- etc.

Wandering around HD, it seems that a new 200 amp box, loaded up, should be
no more than about $250.
Think I can get a "good" installation for $1,000 or so ? (Boston area)

Any thoughts on what to be sure to discuss with him would be most
appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

"Robert11" wrote in message

Will be contacting a few local contractors in the area to put in a new
Service Box for us, as our present one is about 30 years old. Present
capacity is 100 amps; imagine 150 or 200 would be adequate.
- What do I want to ask him ?

You wnat to ask him what needs to be done to upgrade to a higher amp
capacity. It is more than just the service panel. In most cases, the main
line to the meter must be replaced, possibly the meter box. Why do yo want
a new panel? What problems are you having? Future plans?

- GFCI's and ArcFault breakers (good idea; for where ?)

Any outside or near water applications must have GFCI. If you hae GFCI
recepticals, you don't want the breaker. If you go witht he reaker youcan
change out recepticals. Your electrician can help. That is what he does
for a living.


Wandering around HD, it seems that a new 200 amp box, loaded up, should be
no more than about $250.
Think I can get a "good" installation for $1,000 or so ? (Boston area)

Depends on many factors. How far from the street? That new service cable
is not cheap. Overhead or underground?

You can end up with double your projected cost.

Just for a comparison, in the burbs around NYC a garden variety overhead 200
amp service with 40 circuit panel runs between $2000 and $2500. Don't even
bother with a 150 amp, it's the same work and only a few dollars cheaper on
materials.



"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Will be contacting a few local contractors in the area to put in a new
Service Box for us, as our present one is about 30 years old. Present
capacity is 100 amps; imagine 150 or 200 would be adequate. I have 2
central A/C's, though, in house (the split type with the condensers
outside)

Before I do, would like to learn a bit more about what is involved.

I guess my main questions a

- What do I want to ask him ?

- What do I want to be sure to get ?

- GFCI's and ArcFault breakers (good idea; for where ?)

- whole house Surge Protector ? What brand and type ?

- Brands, and which to avoid ?

- etc.

Wandering around HD, it seems that a new 200 amp box, loaded up, should be
no more than about $250.
Think I can get a "good" installation for $1,000 or so ? (Boston area)

Any thoughts on what to be sure to discuss with him would be most
appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

Instead of asking the contractor, you might be better off coming up with
your own specifications. That way when you get competitive bids each
contractor will be bidding on the same job rather than their own
interpretation. You will also be more likely to get what you want. Forget
about 150 amp. 200 amp is almost the same price.

For instance:

200 amp 40 circuit panel (Full spaces) with main. Square D or GE? There is
a slight price difference.
Require that the contractor upon acceptance provide you with a certificate
of insurance.
Require that a permit be taken out and the job be inspected.
Do you want service entrance cable (Aluminum or copper) or conduit (PVC,
EMT, or Rigid). Aluminum is not a bad way to go for the service entrance
conductors whether in cable or conduit.
There are many brands of surge protectors which can add a few hundred
dollars to the overall cost. Not a bad idea if you live in an area subject
to transients, spikes, and lightning.
2 ground rods 16' feet apart is much better than the code minimum required
6', but will require a longer grounding electrode conductor.
All grounding electrode conductors and bonding jumpers should be copper.
Aluminum is permitted, but I don't recommend it.
Specify that the water pipe and gas pipe points of connection be cleaned
with sandpaper or emery cloth for good contact.
If you're thinking of putting an addition on or plan to refinish the
basement, you could specify the installation of a subpanel somewhere for
future use.

Not sure about the Boston area, but in NJ you should figure $2000.00 -
$3000.00 depending if you go cheap or decide to live it up. I'm assuming
that this is an overhead service.

The total material cost could be around $500.00. There are many more
components to a service upgrade than just the panel box.

There are probably more things I could suggest, but I can't see your house
from here.


John Grabowski
http://www.mrelectrician.tv



"Robert11" wrote in message
...
Hello:

Will be contacting a few local contractors in the area to put in a new
Service Box for us, as our present one is about 30 years old. Present
capacity is 100 amps; imagine 150 or 200 would be adequate. I have 2
central A/C's, though, in house (the split type with the condensers
outside)

Before I do, would like to learn a bit more about what is involved.

I guess my main questions a

- What do I want to ask him ?

- What do I want to be sure to get ?

- GFCI's and ArcFault breakers (good idea; for where ?)

- whole house Surge Protector ? What brand and type ?

- Brands, and which to avoid ?

- etc.

Wandering around HD, it seems that a new 200 amp box, loaded up, should be
no more than about $250.
Think I can get a "good" installation for $1,000 or so ? (Boston area)

Any thoughts on what to be sure to discuss with him would be most
appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...
Instead of asking the contractor, you might be better off coming up with
your own specifications. That way when you get competitive bids each
contractor will be bidding on the same job rather than their own
interpretation. You will also be more likely to get what you want.
Forget
about 150 amp. 200 amp is almost the same price.

For instance:

Do you want service entrance cable (Aluminum or copper) or conduit (PVC,
EMT, or Rigid). Aluminum is not a bad way to go for the service entrance
conductors whether in cable or conduit.

You want him to write specifications, but you present him with an array of
choices that make no sense to the average homeowner. Perhaps each
electrician will have his own interretation and reasons for it. Talk to
them and ask why their method is better than others. Then make a decision.

He is more likeley to get what he wants with a spec, but the problem is, he
does not know what he wants. That is what you rely on the professionals do
know and help you with.

Aside from all of this, only a person seeing the job can determine if
circuits should be broken down, new one run, etc.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...
Instead of asking the contractor, you might be better off coming up with
your own specifications. That way when you get competitive bids each
contractor will be bidding on the same job rather than their own
interpretation. You will also be more likely to get what you want.
Forget
about 150 amp. 200 amp is almost the same price.

For instance:

Do you want service entrance cable (Aluminum or copper) or conduit (PVC,
EMT, or Rigid). Aluminum is not a bad way to go for the service
entrance
conductors whether in cable or conduit.

You want him to write specifications, but you present him with an array of
choices that make no sense to the average homeowner. Perhaps each
electrician will have his own interretation and reasons for it. Talk to
them and ask why their method is better than others. Then make a
decision.

He is more likeley to get what he wants with a spec, but the problem is,
he
does not know what he wants. That is what you rely on the professionals
do
know and help you with.

Aside from all of this, only a person seeing the job can determine if
circuits should be broken down, new one run, etc.



Touche Ed. I guess I got carried away. :-) At least he has some food for
thought. It is always difficult to determine if someone wants a good job or
the cheapest price possible with minimum standards.

Since he had posted a problem previously with a furnace circuit board and
surmised that a surge protector would prevent it from happening again, I
suggested the grounding upgrade which would also provide protection.