Wiring weather heads and meters

rick32

First of all, hello to everyone I have a question about my electrical service from the weather head to the box. The bank was here to inspect and said we need to update our service before we can mortgage our house. What i need is a list of things to buy to lessen the cost on my end . I dont know what to buy so i need help with wire gages n stuff. I have two appartments. I live in the lower and rent out the upper. Both run on seperate 100 amp boxes and meters. I need to know what size weather head to use,wire guage from head to box, what size box(es),and wire guages from meters to breaker boxes. Now i know local laws varry from state to state so i live in western new york if that helps any. I would greately appreciate any help or words of wisdom.............thanks.........Rick

Sportbilly

They can even vary from city to city, check with your AHJ (authority Having Jusisdiction, local electrical inspector, for example), they should be able to tell you what their minimum requirements are.

In my part of the country (Council Bluffs, IA) they told me to consult with the POCO (Power Company) and they filled me in on all the requirements, minumum clearances, minumum guages etc.

Speedy Petey

Here's my advice. Don't buy anything!

If someone were to say to me "I have all the material, come and do my service", I would either say ok, the price will be 20% less, or I would flat out refuse.
Buying the material "to save money" is both annoying and insulting to a contractor. So many folks think they are going to be gouged by contractors they think buying the material themselves will be some huge cost savings. This can many times be the opposite of what happens.
You will NEVER get everything that is needed or required. Also, you will likely not get stuff a contractor wants to use, especially if you go to a "home center".
If something is missing or needed it will a) cost you time in getting it immediately so the job can get done, or b) the contractor will charge you dearly for it IF he has it with him. (I know I would).


This is just my opinion and should be taken with whatever importance you want to give it.

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

mdshunk

I do services sometimes when the homeowner says they "have the stuff". I take along everything anyhow. There will always be missing things, wrong things, and brands/styles that I find objectionable to use. In those cases, I use what I brought along instead of yours.

By the way, when I show up to do work where the customer is providing material, I already hate you.

rick32

Thanks for the input guys. I have a firsthand knowlege on electric basics. im not lookin to save a quik buck as much as im lookin to educate myself. If contractors prefer a cirtian type and or brand i want to know. Unfortunately my area has a lot of crackpots claimimg they can save me money. i just want the facts............thanks again.,.....Rick

mdshunk

Rick... here's a pretty decent primer on doing a service. http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/homew...eter/index.htm

Speedy Petey

Marc's link is the best service replacement tutorial I know of.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

rick32

thanks again fellas