i have a 100 amp service. i see new homes with double that. can i upgrade my main panel for 200 amp? i live in alberta. do i have to apply to the city to have it approved? is it even an option?
Anything is possible with enough money. A service panel upgrade entails lots of changes usually. Possibly new service lines to the meter and definitely from the meter. Possibly a new meter and meter can. Depending on if you have underground lines or overhead lines, you may need a new service riser. A new panel and new breakers and depending on local code, it may have to be brought to code with AFCI and GFCI circuits. Also interconnected smoke detectors and new ground rods may be required as well.
Its best to talk to your local building department and ask for their requirements and if they allow unlicensed work.
The questions is why? are you adding new loads, or are you just doing it to do it. a 100a service is usually sufficient for most homes. As stated above, there is usually extra work that is required, underground service they may have to dig up from your meter to the transformer. You could always do a load test or hire an electrician to do one. Turn everything on in your house, and use an clamp-on meter around your service cables one at a time and see what you are actually using, then decide if you need an upgrade
Can you do it? Yes
Should you do it? No, don't upgrade just to keep up with the Jonses.
It's too hard/expensive to do it right.
Doing it wrong will be worse than doing nothing.
If you have some good reasons to do it that you forgot to mention, then think about it.
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