My home has 60 amp service with screw -in type fuses. I plan on adding a electric dryer and would like to upgrade to 100 amp service and add a breaker panel. However, I cannot afford to upgrade the entire house yet.
So - would it be ok to have 100 amp service installed with a 100 amp breaker box - wiring the dryer directly out of the new box - but adding a 50/60 amp breaker and wiring the old screw in fuse box to the new box using that circuit? Allowing me to upgrade the rest at a later time ...
Would this be a feasable solution? I believe so, but wanted to ask ...
2007-11-27 04:05:33 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Your plan is feasible.
Those Edison Base fuses wouldn't meet current Code,
but should be OK with a Circuit breaker in front of them.
(IIRC most places the minimum new service is 150A.)
2007-11-27 07:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by Irv S 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That two wire shielded and 3 wire romex is most likely 10 or 12 gauge and you don't have to worry about it being able to handle 100 amps because those wires should be terminated on a 20 or 30 amp breaker and the older wires aren't the best but most likely can continue serving however depending on the city and the authorities having jurisdiction you may have to re-wire to make sure all branches coming from the panel have a grounding conductor . When you say you want to upgrade to a 100 amp panel you have to get a larger gauge wire not the wire coming from the pole but larger wires where they come down the pole into your house and to the panel. You will need to get a new panel and breakers as well.
2016-05-26 02:59:59 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have a qualified electrician install a 100 amp service panel to replace the 60 amp fuse box. It only cost about $800-$1,000, and he will bring in new lines from the street, so a clothes dryer, stove and other 220 applications made be made safely. You don't want a fire!
2007-11-27 04:12:48 · answer #3 · answered by DR W 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Install the new entry line, weatherhead, meter-base, and service box. Wire your new circuits and just connect your old wiring to the new service. In the future you can determine if all old wiring needs replaced, or just some of it.
I do recommend to upgrade wiring ASAP if the existing wire is bare, no ground, or too small! I also recommend to go with a 200A service rather than 100A.
AFCI breakers are required now for all bedrooms, at least in my area.
2007-11-27 04:23:00 · answer #4 · answered by Kurtis G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Subfeeding the 60A out of a new 100A will work but it would be a poor use of your money. Most of the 100A capacity would be consumed feeding the existing panel, leaving no room for growth. And you have to run new service wire back through the meter anyway.
It'll be a chunk of work and some additional expense but I support Kurtis G's suggestion - new service drop and just replace the entire panelboard with a 200A.
2007-11-27 05:04:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes homeowner's insurances offer an upgrade reinbursement, check with yours.
2007-11-27 05:09:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋