How can i increase amperage in a condo i just bought? (have only 30A !!! in a 750s.f. apartment.?

Question

The current electrical fuse box shows a 15A and a 20A fuse. The apartment is in a 50 unit buidling. If I want to increase the amperage in the apartment to 80 or 100 amps can I just replace the electrical box with more fuses (and rewire what's necessary in the apartment). Or, do I need to rewire everithing down to the basement electrical panel? What exactly is required to increase the amperage for the apartment?

Answer 1

USA There is not enough info. Why do you need more amperes? If you need more circuits, check out the existing fuse box. It might already be a 60 amp or 100 amp rated box, and there might be spaces for more fuses in the box. If that is the situation, then you can install new wiring from the fuse box to whatever you are adding, assuming you are adding some lights or convenience receptacles, and not adding equipment that draws a lot of current.

If you do not have room for more fuses, then check the size of the wire feeding your fuse box, and check the size of the fuses or circuit breakers at the source (probably the basement). If the feeder cable is #3 copper or #2 aluminum, and not longer than 100 feet of measured cable length (not straight-line distance), then you can safely replace your fuse box with a 100 amp circuit breaker panel. If the feeders are #6 copper, then you can't go higher than 50 amps. Make sure the fuse or breaker feeding your unit is the proper rating for the wire size.

The building owner or manager can inform you how the building is wired. The building owner or manager should be informed of what you want to do before you do it - make sure you have their permission. If they allow you to have the work done, have it done by a licensed electrician. The work you do might very well be considered commercial work, and the electrical code must be followed. You don't want to be the cause of a fire that destroys your building and kills a lot of persons. I would also make sure your insurance covers work performed by you.

Answer 2

First question: is your landlord going to allow you to do this work?
Second: is this current electrical fuse box in your apartment or somewhere else in the building?
Third: is it possible to pull wires through the walls or conduit from the basement to your apartment?
Fourth: will the box (and I hope you mean breaker box, not fuse box) in the basement handle a 100A breaker for your apartment?
Fifth: how comfortable are you dealing with voltages that may kill you or (if you screw it up) set the building on fire?
Sounds like you're living in an older building that hasn't been upgraded. If you start putting in new wiring from the basement you may overload the entire complex.
The whole place needs to be upgraded to replace the fuse boxes with breaker boxes.
If the main panel in the basement can handle the amperage then run 10/3 up to your box in the apartment then string 12/2 to all the new GROUNDED outlets you install.
Depending on where you live you may (most likely) need a permit to do this sort of installation.
Since your landlord hasn't paid for the upgrade to the building he'll either be very grateful for you putting in the new service or kick you out for causing him so much trouble.
Luck!

Answer 3

You will have to replace the wires feeding from the basement. The wiring is sized to carry 30 amps safely. Increasing the current without increasing the size of the wiring can lead to over heating, and fire.

This is no easy task, way within the realm of a professional. You will probably have to get approval of property manager, building maintenance, local municipal, and have it inspected for safety.

If you are needing additional capacity, you might consider alternative ideas. See the sources.

This might also be of help... I am an amateur radio operator, and I didn't have enough capacity in the room where my radios were located. So, I bought a pair of deep cycle batteries, and charged them with a charger that was plugged into the wall. What needed to run off of 12volt came directly off the batteries. For larger 120volt ac loads (computer, monitor, printer, 500 watt amplifier), I ran off an inverter that also fed off the batteries. The charger charged the batteries at a 10 amp rate, and would fully charge them overnight so that they were ready to go in the morning. I left the charger on them al the time, so that when I had light loads during the day, the charger itself helped power the loads and inverter when it was used. With the computer equipment turned on, and using the amplifier, I generally have an operating time of about 9-11 hours before the batteries discharged to 50%, at which point I would be turning into bed anyways and they would charge during the night.

Answer 4

If you replace your breakers with a higher amperage, you will probably exceed the amperage rating of your conductors downstream. If you have space in your breaker box, you might pull an extra circut to an overloaded area. Specifically for microwave or hairdryer etc.
To me, apartment implies you do not own the building or condo. In my area it is not legal for a renter to make any such modifications. If you follow through with this project, I recommend you leave final connections open until it can be inspected by a qualified contractor. There are publications at the DIY section of most hardware stores. Also refer to the NEC. Get help, this is more than a handyman's chore.

Answer 5

Unfortunately you would have to pull new wire back to the main feed to up your amperage. The wire that's currently carrying your 30 amps will be significantly undersized for a 100 amp panel.

Answer 6

Since it is a condo, you'll have to go through the association to do anything outside of your apartment. I doubt that they will allow you to do it. even if they do, then you will have to get a licensed electrician to perform the work, and have the work inspected. If you modify the wiring and there is a fire and the building burns down, it could all come back to you, Don't leave yourself that open for a lot of trouble and heart ache. Good luck,

Answer 7

What you will need is heavier feed in wires to carry the additional load you are planning on---plus a larger service box,and more outlets around the walls ,etc.
If you have to ask about this ---- then don"t fool around with it yourself.
This sounds like a good job for a electrician to do ---
Not a aspiring handyman
Reading what you typed out in your question
and how you worded it ~~~~~~
tells me enough to say to you
GET A ELECTRICIAN.
Don"t try it yourself
"Learn not to burn"
Have a nice day

Answer 8

Your information is lacking somewhere. The important consideration here is the size of wire running to your apartment. and if you have two black wires and a white and a green. In other words, do you have 120v or 220v. I hate to say this to a do-it-yourself-er, but you may need to get an electrician.

Answer 9

have to know the size of the incoming wire

does each unit have its own electric meter need a new wire from that electric meter to your apt and a 100A panel.

the whold building needs a upgrade

Answer 10

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