2006-10-18 09:35:27 · 6 answers · asked by donmell2000 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
In order to upgrade your main panel, you should contact the power company to disconnect electricity to the house. The main feeder lines are not over current protected. If you plan to increase the amperage capacity of the panel the wires from the pole and the vertical wire stack to the meter may also have to be upgraded. All this work will require a wiring permit, inspections, and must be performed by a certified electrician. Alternately, an electrician may be able to pull the meter to disconnect power.
As a do it yourself project, it will be easier and much safer to install a second smaller panel. Feed it from a spare set of breakers in the main panel. Wire your new circuits to the second panel. This will obviously not increase total service amperage available...
Have you considered installing a generator transfer panel as the sub panel? Move your essential loads to the transfer panel, and this will free up space in the main panel for other loads. Added bonus is that you will have emergency power available during power outages. Read more about this on my web page...
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html
Don't mess with electricity. Used with respect it is perfectly safe and a great tool. However if treated improperly it has the potential to burn and kill. Treat it with respect and you will be safe and happy.
2006-10-18 09:45:16 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Warren. As a do it yourself project add a satellite panel. However, you want to upgrade your service and that will not solve your problem.
Installing a new panel to upgrade service is a lengthy ordeal. What would be worse is if you began your project and then half way through you realized you couldn't do it. No licensed electrical contractor will touch it after that.
The recommended plan of action here should be hire a licensed, insured, electrical contractor that will start and finish as scheduled. The cost involved is probably not as much as you think. Depending on your location you may be able to complete the job for between $800 and $1500.00.
I hope this helps and good luck!
2006-10-18 20:11:04 · answer #2 · answered by onemelbgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call you Local IBEW Union Hall and ask them to refer you a contractor or if they have a man outta work that needs a side job. You hire a scab/rat who knows what kinda under-qualified idiot they will send you. You need to call city hall and get a homeowner's permit if you hire an individual electrician, if you hire a company they will get it for you and charge you later. DTE or Edision or whoever you supplier is will provide a meter can. If you call them in advance you can go to their office and pick it up. They supply it and install the meter once your done--that's it. They don't unhook your power at the house--that's the electrician's job--not the lineman's. If your panel upgrade is a typical swap out you should be able to hire a decent electrician and pay for all the material for around a thousand bucks depending on the quality of the equipment you buy.
You know--you can get your electrical service, phone, cable installed underground from the nearest power pole--it costs a few bucks more for the excavation work but it sure looks good!!
Remember this--the two wires coming into your house from the pole are not on a circuit breaker. If you go to ground your looking at 10,000 volts--Hire the right help.
2006-10-18 23:19:20 · answer #3 · answered by scottyurb 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This should be done by someone with electrical experience.I changed mine but had a electrician to go over what i had done just about every step of the way
2006-10-21 11:02:42 · answer #4 · answered by Billy T 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you need to ask, hire an electrician.
- general contractor
2006-10-20 14:10:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
call an electrician,,,sounds risky.....
2006-10-18 16:37:39 · answer #6 · answered by Life....it blows! 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋