I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

"Limp Arbor" wrote in message
...
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead, and
fittings?

On Jan 13, 1:31*pm, Limp Arbor wrote:
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. *After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. *He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. *Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. *The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. *And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. *Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. *So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. *The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Aren't you going to need to upgrade the actual service entrance cable,
both from the meter socket to the panel, and from the pole to the
meter socket? I didn't see that mentioned in your summary above.

nate

Limp Arbor wrote:
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

It's even easier in some places.

Here, it just takes a telephone call to the power company - no forms to fill
out.

And there's no inspections or permits.

But you're right: $300 and a few hours of your time is certainly cheaper
than the (roughly) $1,300.00 that an electrical contracting company would
charge.

Here's a couple of hints:

* Take several pictures of the existing set-up with your digital camera
before you begin.
* Label each of the wires with a number and note to which size breaker each
numbered wire belongs.
* Start early in the morning. You'll probably have to make a trip or two to
the box store for some odd nut or fitting.
* You MAY need a metal hole-saw, depending on where the house wiring is
supposed to enter the box. The boxes don't have knock-outs on the back.
* There's a special lubricant or anti-oxidant paste that you should probably
slather on the primary wires.
* And be sure to tighten all the connecting screws double-tight - especially
the primaries.

On Jan 13, 2:05*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"Limp Arbor" wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. *After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. *He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. *Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. *The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. *And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. *Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. *So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. *The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead, and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

On Jan 13, 2:06*pm, wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:31:20 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor





wrote:
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. *After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. *He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. *Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. *The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. *And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. *Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. *So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. *The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

That sounds about like how it went for me. Since I was able to build
the new service before hand, (I would be using the existing as a sub
panel), it was really about a 1 hour down time. they cut the old
service, swung it over *and hooked it up. My new panel was already
inspected and marked OK for temporary service. I was able to rework
the old panel at my leisure with the feeder breaker off and still have
power from the new main panel on extension cords for the fridge and
work lights..



That part is still a little fuzzy I'll talk to the inspector more
about the exact timing since my new panel is going in the same spot as
the old. Worse comes to worse I can to the socket upgrade, get it
turned back on, then pull the meter to swap the panel.

What I plan on doing is getting up early that day and pulling the
meter before I get shut off. Put up the new panel then if I feel safe
enough run the new wires for the panel feed. That way all I should
have to do is swap the meter pan/socket after they shut me off. Then
call everybody back to get it inspected and turned back on.

On Jan 13, 2:24*pm, "HeyBub" wrote:
Limp Arbor wrote:
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. *After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. *He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. *Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. *The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. *And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. *Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. *So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. *The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

It's even easier in some places.

Here, it just takes a telephone call to the power company - no forms to fill
out.

And there's no inspections or permits.

But you're right: $300 and a few hours of your time is certainly cheaper
than the (roughly) $1,300.00 that an electrical contracting company would
charge.

Here's a couple of hints:

* Take several pictures of the existing set-up with your digital camera
before you begin.
* Label each of the wires with a number and note to which size breaker each
numbered wire belongs.
* Start early in the morning. You'll probably have to make a trip or two to
the box store for some odd nut or fitting.
* You MAY need a metal hole-saw, depending on where the house wiring is
supposed to enter the box. The boxes don't have knock-outs on the back.

Good tip. I wasn't expecting to need to drill the back.

* There's a special lubricant or anti-oxidant paste that you should probably
slather on the primary wires.
* And be sure to tighten all the connecting screws double-tight - especially
the primaries.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Limp Arbor wrote:
* You MAY need a metal hole-saw, depending on where the house wiring
is supposed to enter the box. The boxes don't have knock-outs on the
back.

Good tip. I wasn't expecting to need to drill the back.


If you do have to drill the hole (~2"), there's a big honkin' grommet that's
supposed to cushion the wires that you'll need also.

Limp Arbor wrote:
On Jan 13, 2:06 pm, wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:31:20 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor





wrote:
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into
the paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the
utility I'm starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form
while I was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it
out and I faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see
if I needed the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less
than $300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two
expensive items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for
grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

That sounds about like how it went for me. Since I was able to build
the new service before hand, (I would be using the existing as a sub
panel), it was really about a 1 hour down time. they cut the old
service, swung it over and hooked it up. My new panel was already
inspected and marked OK for temporary service. I was able to rework
the old panel at my leisure with the feeder breaker off and still
have power from the new main panel on extension cords for the fridge
and work lights..



That part is still a little fuzzy I'll talk to the inspector more
about the exact timing since my new panel is going in the same spot as
the old. Worse comes to worse I can to the socket upgrade, get it
turned back on, then pull the meter to swap the panel.

What I plan on doing is getting up early that day and pulling the
meter before I get shut off. Put up the new panel then if I feel safe
enough run the new wires for the panel feed. That way all I should
have to do is swap the meter pan/socket after they shut me off. Then
call everybody back to get it inspected and turned back on.

Plan on a long-ass extension cord and a friendly neighbor. You may need some
power while yours is down (to run a drill).

"Limp Arbor" wrote in message
...
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Heh.... yeah, too good, too smoove.... watch out for city buses, now....

And, permits can be the trigger for "tax events", ie, a nice big hike, cuz
you took the initiaitive to improve yer own house.
Could be why they're being so nice.
--
EA

"Existential Angst" wrote in message
...
"Limp Arbor" wrote in message
...
I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Heh.... yeah, too good, too smoove.... watch out for city buses, now....

And, permits can be the trigger for "tax events", ie, a nice big hike, cuz
you took the initiaitive to improve yer own house.
Could be why they're being so nice.

Also surprised that you weren't required to use a licensed electrician.
In/about NYC, there's no mercy. But, I understand elsewhere, you can do all
the plumbing/electricity yourself, from scratch.

There was a thread some time ago, where other places require work permits if
yer gonna *wallpaper* yer g-d house.... you know what DATS all about, eh?
--
EA

--
EA

On Jan 13, 5:53*pm, "Existential Angst"
wrote:
"Existential Angst" wrote in message

...






Also surprised that you weren't required to use a licensed electrician.
In/about NYC, there's no mercy. *But, I understand elsewhere, you can do all
the plumbing/electricity yourself, from scratch.


In the suburbs of Pittsburgh you can always do your own electric. You
can also do your own plumbing if it is not new construction. If it is
a new structure no plumbing work can be done w/o a certified plumber
on site. Once you get a CO you can do all your own plumbing work.

Surprisingly in NJ, at least out in the country where I am, you can do
your own work. It might be different in Newark or Camden but I don't
ever plan on living in either one of those places.

Limp Arbor wrote the following:
On Jan 13, 5:53 pm, "Existential Angst"
wrote:

"Existential Angst" wrote in message

...






Also surprised that you weren't required to use a licensed electrician.
In/about NYC, there's no mercy. But, I understand elsewhere, you can do all
the plumbing/electricity yourself, from scratch.



In the suburbs of Pittsburgh you can always do your own electric. You
can also do your own plumbing if it is not new construction. If it is
a new structure no plumbing work can be done w/o a certified plumber
on site. Once you get a CO you can do all your own plumbing work.

Surprisingly in NJ, at least out in the country where I am, you can do
your own work. It might be different in Newark or Camden but I don't
ever plan on living in either one of those places.


In Rockland County, NY, on the Hudson River abutting NJ, you can do your
own home improvement, after you get a temporary license to do it.
That's not a building permit, but a homeowner license issued after
taking a test.
Pretty strong labor unions there.

--

Bill
In Hamptonburgh, NY
In the original Orange County. Est. 1683
To email, remove the double zeroes after @

Limp Arbor wrote:

Surprisingly in NJ, at least out in the country where I am, you can do
your own work. It might be different in Newark or Camden but I don't
ever plan on living in either one of those places.

I wouldn't call it living, either.

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"Limp Arbor" wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. *After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. *He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. *Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. *The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. *And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. *Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. *So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. *The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead, and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?

HeyBub wrote:
Limp Arbor wrote:
Surprisingly in NJ, at least out in the country where I am, you can do
your own work. It might be different in Newark or Camden but I don't
ever plan on living in either one of those places.

I wouldn't call it living, either.



Survival training perhaps? I have some relatives in NJ.

TDD

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:30:12 -0500, Metspitzer
wrote:

On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05Â*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"Limp Arbor" wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. Â*After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. Â*He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Â*Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. Â*The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. Â*And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Â*Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. Â*So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. Â*The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead, and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?
The vast majority when the services were put underground were
provisioned for 200 amps, regardless what the service installed was.
They wired them all the same - why scimp, it's going to be there a
LONG time, and changing it down the road is NOT going to be cheap.

Around here the electrical utility owns the wire to the meter base

"The Daring Dufas" wrote in message
...
HeyBub wrote:
Limp Arbor wrote:
Surprisingly in NJ, at least out in the country where I am, you can do
your own work. It might be different in Newark or Camden but I don't
ever plan on living in either one of those places.

I wouldn't call it living, either.

Survival training perhaps? I have some relatives in NJ.

Well, Camden really is a first-class ghetto, and as but one of many perks,
you got *another* first-class ghetto but a footbridge away -- Philly, of
course, with an impressive murder rate.

Someone told me the mayor of Camden sleeps with a gun.....
--
EA



TDD

On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead, and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no
specific reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the
existing drop. The only time they will increase cable size is if you
provide them with your new load requirements that show an increase that
would require the change.

"George" wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125' from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned, they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.

On 1/14/2010 18:30, RBM wrote:
wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125' from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned, they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.


Around here the utility requires that you install conduit from the meter
base to the pole or pad per their spec. They supply/install the
conductors. They previously allowed direct burial cable that they
supplied but too many people cut corners.

"George" wrote in message
...
On 1/14/2010 18:30, RBM wrote:
wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into
the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility
I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while
I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and
I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I
needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will
work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less
than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no
specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing
drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty
much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125'
from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service
you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned,
they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns
it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.


Around here the utility requires that you install conduit from the meter
base to the pole or pad per their spec. They supply/install the
conductors. They previously allowed direct burial cable that they supplied
but too many people cut corners.


Damn, in downstate NY, ConEd requires HDPE conduit from meter to pad or
pole, which the electrician furnishes at customer expense, along with the
conductors and meter socket. The only thing the utility furnishes is the
meter, which they hydraulic lock into the customers meter socket with a case
hardened ring. In fact, I'm amazed at situations like this OP, who is having
the utility company disconnect and reconnect the service. Where I am, the
electrician is responsible to furnish the connectors, as well as disconnect
and reconnect the service.

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:30:20 -0500, "RBM" wrote:


"George" wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125' from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned, they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.

The part I was actually thinking about is the cable from the meter to
the panel.

On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:14:28 -0500, "RBM" wrote:


"George" wrote in message
...
On 1/14/2010 18:30, RBM wrote:
wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into
the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility
I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while
I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and
I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I
needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will
work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less
than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no
specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing
drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty
much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125'
from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service
you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned,
they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns
it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.


Around here the utility requires that you install conduit from the meter
base to the pole or pad per their spec. They supply/install the
conductors. They previously allowed direct burial cable that they supplied
but too many people cut corners.


Damn, in downstate NY, ConEd requires HDPE conduit from meter to pad or
pole, which the electrician furnishes at customer expense, along with the
conductors and meter socket. The only thing the utility furnishes is the
meter, which they hydraulic lock into the customers meter socket with a case
hardened ring. In fact, I'm amazed at situations like this OP, who is having
the utility company disconnect and reconnect the service. Where I am, the
electrician is responsible to furnish the connectors, as well as disconnect
and reconnect the service.

And the disconnect is a reasonably new requirement as far as houses
go.

"Metspitzer" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:30:20 -0500, "RBM" wrote:


"George" wrote in message
...
On 1/13/2010 21:30, Metspitzer wrote:
On Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:45:14 -0800 (PST), Limp Arbor
wrote:

On Jan 13, 2:05 pm, wrote:
"Limp wrote in message

...





I'm upgrading my panel from 100A to 200A and started checking into
the
paperwork needed. After talking to the inspector and the utility
I'm
starting to get worried.

Everyone is being very cooperative!

The inspector was very helpful and told me all of my grounding
requirements.

Then I called the electric company and the guy faxed me a form while
I
was on the phone with him. He walked me through filling it out and
I
faxed it back to him. Then he even called me back to see if I
needed
the paperwork done today!

The electric company will cut the power and hook it back up once I
change the meter socket, which they provide. The inspector will
work
with me to time this for a short interuption since they need to sign
off before the power is turned back on. And the electric company
won't charge me a fee unless I want to do this on a weekend or
holiday.

This is a much different experience then I had last year when all I
was doing was replacing a mud sill. Hopefully the atcual turn-off,
inspection, and turn on will go as smotthly as it seems it will. So
it looks like I will be able to upgrade my panel to 200A for less
than
$300 and only a few hours of 'down time'. The only two expensive
items are going to be the panel and the 65' of 4ga for grounding.

whodathunk it would be this easy...

Who is giving you the service entrance cable, standpipe, weatherhead,
and
fittings?


Underground service to my house and my town inspector said it wouldn't
need to be changed.

That really surprises me. Do you know what size wire you have?


No surprise in my area. If you increase a service capacity for no
specific
reason the electric company will just reconnect you to the existing
drop.
The only time they will increase cable size is if you provide them with
your new load requirements that show an increase that would require the
change.


I'm sure it varies wildly from area to area. Where I am that 's pretty
much
the case for overhead services. The utility companies typically own the
overhead from the pole to the house, provided it's within around 125' from
their pole. They run 1/0 aluminum, and use it for whatever size service
you
have. If it's underground, sometimes the utility company owns it, and
sometimes the property owner owns it. If it's utility company owned,
they'll
typically use it for whatever your load, but if the property owner owns
it,
you need to upgrade it to meet Nec standards.

The part I was actually thinking about is the cable from the meter to
the panel.

I believe the OP said that he was replacing that.

RBM wrote:


Damn, in downstate NY, ConEd requires HDPE conduit from meter to pad
or pole, which the electrician furnishes at customer expense, along
with the conductors and meter socket. The only thing the utility
furnishes is the meter, which they hydraulic lock into the customers
meter socket with a case hardened ring. In fact, I'm amazed at
situations like this OP, who is having the utility company disconnect
and reconnect the service. Where I am, the electrician is responsible
to furnish the connectors, as well as disconnect and reconnect the
service.

I suppose it varies. In my town, the utility company unlocks the meter and
notes the meter-reading. You - or your electrician - can remove the meter at
leisure. Ultimately, the utility company re-connects the seal and records
the reading again.