Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking about having my electrical panel upgraded and would appreciate some advise.
I live in CO and my house was built in 1968. I think the panel is the original as it has a 50amp main breaker with aluminum supply lines from the meter, and it looks old
.
I want to upgrade for a few reasons.
1) It is only 50amp
2) All cables inside the house are copper (upgraded a few years ago when I bought the house) as there was a mix of copper and aluminum, so I want to complete the job with a new panel as well.
3) We have added a few more circuits since moving in, so the 50amp box is at capacity (maximum number of breakers installed and being used).
My first question is that if the main breaker is 50amp, I'm assuming that if I upgrade to 200amp (what most people advise me to do) I'm guessing the service cables from the transformer will need to be replaced? If so, will Xcel Energy cover this cost as it's about 100+ feet away from my panel and I don't want to pay for that.
The panel is currently outside. Can I replace this with a panel inside? Same location, but inside the house (I would prefer it inside).
Do you need to install AFCI's now? If so, do I need to rewire the rooms that need AFCI's? (I'm not exactly sure how AFCI circuit work, or if they are different to regular circuits?)
I really appreciate anyone's suggestions.
I'm thinking about having my electrical panel upgraded and would appreciate some advise.
I live in CO and my house was built in 1968. I think the panel is the original as it has a 50amp main breaker with aluminum supply lines from the meter, and it looks old
I want to upgrade for a few reasons.
1) It is only 50amp
2) All cables inside the house are copper (upgraded a few years ago when I bought the house) as there was a mix of copper and aluminum, so I want to complete the job with a new panel as well.
3) We have added a few more circuits since moving in, so the 50amp box is at capacity (maximum number of breakers installed and being used).
My first question is that if the main breaker is 50amp, I'm assuming that if I upgrade to 200amp (what most people advise me to do) I'm guessing the service cables from the transformer will need to be replaced? If so, will Xcel Energy cover this cost as it's about 100+ feet away from my panel and I don't want to pay for that.
The panel is currently outside. Can I replace this with a panel inside? Same location, but inside the house (I would prefer it inside).
Do you need to install AFCI's now? If so, do I need to rewire the rooms that need AFCI's? (I'm not exactly sure how AFCI circuit work, or if they are different to regular circuits?)
I really appreciate anyone's suggestions.