How would you determine if the wire running TO the box is 200amp?

CoconutPete

Can I piggy back on this? When we start our kitchen remodel I plan on having our old 100amp box replaced w/ a new 200amp one. How would you determine if the wire running TO the box is 200amp?

Jim Port

It would have been better to start your own thread.

Typically the service entrance conductors are sized for the service installed. There is additional cost to install over-sized conductors that will not be able to be utilized.

To determine the size you would need to see if the cable or conductors are labeled with their size.

__________________
Answers based on the National Electrical Code. Local amendments may apply. Check with your local building officials.

Scuba_Dave

POCO should be able to verify if their service feed will work for 200a

CoconutPete

Hm - I guess it's not a huge deal. When it comes time to replace the panel (probably around the fall) I will be calling someone to do it. I am NOT interested in DIY'ing this thing. I'll need a 200 amp panel and if the main cable needs to be replaced then it needs to be replaced.

I'm not even sure if it would be a good idea to install a sub-panel in the garage since I'll be needing a lot of juice out there periodically.

Everything is all messed up right now, a breaker popped the other day and it took out the fridge, microwave and a lamp! WTF!!!

Furthermore I shut off another breaker to replace a broken outlet and it seemed to take out both upstairs bedrooms and the bathroom - 1 breaker !!!!!!!!!!

Scuba_Dave

When I moved in I had one circuit that fed the entire downstairs bath, lights all over, 2nd floor bedroom, main room & lights in bathroom
Plus it had the dining rm & back bedroom outlets too

Well before you plan to upgrade -or buy anything- call the POCO & find out if there is any problem upgrading you to 200a
I was considering an upgrade to 300/400a & had to call to make sure they had enough power to feed me (not just the wire)

CoconutPete

Good idea - never thought about that. That will be my first call.

Do you have a subpanel in your garage? I'm trying to figure out what i'll have running out there and trying to determine if it'll be worth it or not.

Scuba_Dave

I opted to have my sub-panel off the new great room - 100a
Main reason is the sub will be my main power distribution for my Christmas display
2nd reason is I have to go thru the basement to get to the garage

The sub is right above the garage & running circuits from either the Main panel or the sub will be very easy
Main reason to access the sub will be if an outside circuit kicks out due to rain/snow around Christmas
It's actually a 200a panel - 40 spaces being fed w/100a
---and I expect to fill most of the breaker spaces

I thought of another small sub in the garage
But at present I do not have any huge need for power out there
If I am using a tool I usually have not had a breaker kick off
And with multiple circuits (5 or more) in the garage I'll be able to split up any loads

boman47k

Are you saying you have 200 amp upgraded main panel being fed by the 100 amp wire going back to the meter?
One circuit for...I forget, sounded like way too much. If you have all that on one circuit, what are the other 39 circuits feeding? Please don't tell me the next 2 houses up the street.

Scuba_Dave

Do you know what a sub-panel is ?
I have a 200a Main panel feeding a 100a sub that is rated at 200a & has 40 spaces
All what on one circuit ?

boman47k

You know, I do have a good idea what a sub panel is.
Maybe I misread. That is why I asked the question in bold. I thought you had a 200 main panel being supplied from the meter or pole with 100 amp wires. I hope you understand what I typed now.
I have a ( 60 amp) sub panel in my shop, but my 200 amp main is being supplied with 200 amp lines from the pole to the meter to the panel.
You or or someone posted what sounded like half a house on one circuit. Sounded a little strange to me. I could have misread that also.

The comment about the 2 houses was sort of a weak attempt at humor. Sorry about that. No offense intended.

Sometimes I get sort of read dumb, kind like being rum dumb (overlload).

boman47k

Okay Dave, where I made my mistake was at post #5. I failed to take into account this part ' When I moved in ' when I commented on the one circuit. I think I was shocked to the point of over reacting and was blind to what you were actually saying.

Scuba_Dave

Ah I see...yeah 55 year old house....waddya gonna do
I had more updates to do then I thought, but at least it was a 200a feed
I somehow thought you meant the whole sub was running off "1 circuit"
I will soon have ~20 outside 20a circuits for my Christmas display
So the 100a sub is mainly to control power to the display

Someone just posted & the house they are looking at is running off 60a service
30a of that is going to the dryer/washer

boman47k

I saw that and may have still been a little rattled by it. I bought and old trailer sevral years ago . Someone had come off one side of a 220 , and I think, did the same thing.
Now that I think about it, I don't remember changing it. I do remember tying the hots and nuetrals together at the rec's, disconnecting at the panel, and checking for continuity to see what was what. Or vise versa.
This getting old is not what it is cracked up to be!

I sold that trailer to my bil and finaced for him. I'm sure I told him about the piggyback thing. It is hard to believe I left it like that. But, I may have back then, if there were no more circuits.