If I have a 100 amp coming in and a 100 amp going to a sub panel does this mean I have a 200 amp service panel?
Q. I need to be able to install a tankless electric water heater and the specs calls for 3x30 amp breakers. Obviously the one currently there will be shut off. I made a mistake first publication. The tankless water heater only takes 2x60 amp breakers. So would this be something I could do after taking out the 30 amp for my existing water heater?
Asked by Kevin P - Tue Feb 10 23:44:13 2009 - Other - Electronics - 1 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Probably not. Your service is limited to the amount of current on the main breaker in your master breaker box. Any sub-panel should run through the main breaker but it's possible that the two panels were supplied in parallel from the power drop to your building. I've never seen this unless there were separate meters feeding separate portions of a building such as an apartment building or an office building with different customers paying the bill. The size of your main breaker will depend on the wire size of the electric feed. You need bigger wire for a 200 amp service than you do a 100 amp service. You need to find out someone who can tell you if your breaker box can handle the load you want to put on it.
Answered by wires - Wed Feb 11 12:31:31 2009

how to change a 30amp service to a 50 amp service?
Q. we have a central air conditioner and the breaker keeps blowing i think the service isnt big enough any other thoughts as to what it could be?
Asked by Renee y - Sat Jun 7 12:34:50 2008 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

A. better call an electrician that box can kill you so keep your hands OUT
Answered by pescador - Sat Jun 7 12:52:57 2008

I have a refrigeration unit that is supposed to run on a minimum 20 AMP service.?
Q. What kind of voltage would I need from an electrical outlet to be able to supply enough AMPS for the specified 20 AMP Service?
Asked by Opinions Are Always Free - Tue Jun 15 11:30:46 2010 - Engineering - 1 Answers - Comments

A. It depends on what the refrigeration unit is designed for. Is in 120 V 60 Hz A.C. (U.S. standard), or 220 V 50 Hz A.C.? Or is it something else? Most refrigeration motors can run on 5% -10% less than nominal voltage. They are built for brown-out conditions.
Answered by Morningfox - Tue Jun 15 11:35:01 2010

How much would it cost to upgrade my 100 amp service to 200 amp?
Q. For insurance reasons I will need to do this. What can I expect it to cost? I live in Toronto, Ontario.
Asked by Kathleen - Thu Sep 15 21:27:52 2011 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

"What gauge and rating of wire for 200 amp service"?
Q. 2 questions actually. My service enters the house through the attic. Will the 2/0 copper have to have a special rating on the insulation since ambient temperatures get pretty warm in the attic? Or is there something similar to the "direct burial" that I can use in an attic? Of course, this will be run through 2" PVC to the panel. Also, I have PVC water lines. So I can't really run a ground to them. I do have the 6 gauge cu ground wire grounded to a copper rod outside. But, I understand you also must have service grounded through the water line. Thanks, Mike
Asked by Michael - Mon Mar 26 23:19:22 2007 - Maintenance & Repairs - 3 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Actually your service enterance cable really needs to be 3/0. Even though THHN rating is dual rated 75 celcious and 90 ceslcious, as service enterance cable should always be calculated in the 75 degree column of NEC 310.16. As far as ambient termperature, you should derate the amperage according to your warmest ambient temprerature. If you are in a code enforced area, this may be required, but the fact is, you will never draw a full 200 amps so you should be fine. If you are concerned about ambient temperature, you can either use the chart below NEC 310.16a to compute what percentage of the amapacity to derate or you can guess that 1 size larger should be fine too. I would use 3/0 if I were you. 2/0 is not big enough. The insulation type… [cont.]
Answered by RedE1 - Mon Mar 26 23:46:20 2007

I am buying a house 1900 sf with a 900 sf finished basement. Is 100 amp service okay?
Q. Home was built in 1962. "New roof, siding, windows, doors, gutters, kitchen, bathrooms, master suite, electrical service and wiring." The range is gas, and heat is gas. Central air, washer and dryer. Should I be concerned with the 100-amp service?
Asked by Sockfinder! - Wed Dec 2 11:15:14 2009 - Maintenance & Repairs - 5 Answers - Comments

A. 100 amps could be just fine, depending upon the electrical use habits of the occupants of the house. However I would be suspicious of the claim "new electrical service and wiring" if the house has a 100 amp panel. What the heck do they mean by "new electrical service" if it doesn't refer to a new panel? Be very careful confirming all the claims of the seller. Some builders were using aluminum wiring in the 60's and 70's. There is no problem with aluminum wiring... as long as you perform yearly maintenance! Theoretically every switch, plug, and j-box with aluminum wiring is supposed to be opened up every year and every wire nut is supposed to be checked, or replaced. NO ONE does this, of course, so -god forbid- in an… [cont.]
Answered by Murphy - Wed Dec 2 11:44:04 2009

How much should it cost to reconnect 150 amp service and replace meter base?
Q. What is an average cost of having 150 amp service reconnected and meter base replaced by an electrician? Damage is from a tree hitting it when falling on the side of the house. I want to see if I got ripped off.
Asked by hkyluv - Tue Sep 22 18:48:05 2009 - Maintenance & Repairs - 2 Answers - Comments

A. If your service was damaged and needs replacing go with 200 or more amp service. 200 amp service tower and matching panel runs about 2000 bucks (Canadian). Wiring into the new panel could cost another 1000. Newer large homes are getting 300 or 400 amp service to power all those toys people have now.
Answered by Jim B - Sat Sep 26 13:57:21 2009

what is the difference between a 100 amp service and a 200 amp service?
Q. How do I tell the amps of a service entry or breaker box? Is it the conductors going in or is it the main breaker size or what else?
Asked by Vince F - Thu Nov 6 08:31:51 2008 - Home Theater - 3 Answers - Comments

A. The number on the main breaker for a typical service. And you do not add the number on each half of the switch, you use just that number on its own. A breaker with "100" on it is a 100A service. While you do in effect have a 2x100A service, you don't say that in common parlance.
Answered by classicsat - Thu Nov 6 09:35:20 2008

I found a new home with 100 amp service. Will this be OK? Or will I be throwing the circuit breaker off?
Q. I was the person last nite that thought the home was 80 amp. I found another home in a real estate guide that had 100 amp service and offered a gas stove, gas water heater, and gas water tank and had central ac, electric dish washer and refridgerator. Would anyone think that with these options in a home, that there would be any problems with 100 amp service?
Asked by Steve - Sat Jan 6 10:29:28 2007 - Maintenance & Repairs - 10 Answers - Comments

A. With no drain from and electric stove, hot water heater,you should be OK. The central air unit will be your biggest drain. If it is a smaller home with minimal electric devices, you should be fine. Most homes in our area had 60 amp boxes and were good until they upgraded to central air. Make sure the wiring in good and they haven't doubled up on the breakers in the panel.Ideally, 200 amps are best and having all the main users(microwaves,fridges,central air) on their own circuit,but sometimes you have to make do with what you have.
Answered by lumberman57 - Sat Jan 6 10:35:16 2007

I'm a realtor and wondering how can I determine what amp service a home has. I do have access to the panels.?
Q. I've been checking the main breaker and sometimes it shows the amps but sometimes not.
Asked by Flamingo Kid - Wed Apr 29 13:40:46 2009 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

A. The Main (large) breaker should say so. hope that helps.
Answered by vern2618 - Wed Apr 29 13:50:16 2009

How much should I pay to upgrade to a 200 amp electrical service?
Q. I recently got an estimate to combine 2 electrical panels into one. (A house and a small apartment) I was given a $3168 estimate for a 200 amp service. This includes the grounding and trenching. This is in a small town in New Mexico. Am I being ripped off?
Asked by sgtmckaysbaby - Mon Mar 10 17:45:06 2008 - Maintenance & Repairs - 5 Answers - Comments

A. Get a couple of more estimates hon, see what they would charge.Make sure they are liscensed !!! The price doesn't sound overly high, but I would get more estimates.
Answered by Benedict V Z - Mon Mar 10 18:05:17 2008

Installed new water heater on 20 amp service after 3 months it has started blowing the circuit breaker?
Q. The old service was the same it is wired identically. I use two 20 amp breakers although only one of the two trips.
Asked by Ron C - Sat Jan 29 13:03:04 2011 - Maintenance & Repairs - 5 Answers - Comments

A. Well I would do it as below Ron, First, check to see if your new water heater is identically same as your old one, total load (wattage, W and Amperage A). It is very important that you should determine that size of the circuit breaker according to size of your water heater (or electrical equipment etc.). Next, you should always use a proper type of circuit breaker which is in this case; double pole 20 amp circuit breaker (if the size is correct). Good luck! excuses my grammar/ spelling
Answered by EJ - Sat Jan 29 13:21:40 2011

Can a 150 amp service panel feed a 100 amp sub service panel without causing potential problems?
Q. I have a newly built 1700 sq ft home with 150amp service panel. It has 100 amp CB feeding a 100 amp service panel in a detached 1200 sf shop garage. This concerns me of frequent overload on the house.
Asked by Marty A A - Sat Aug 23 16:02:55 2008 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

A. If you have not been experiencing any problems to date, you probably will not at anytime in the near future. Just because the current may be available to use, it is not going to "go" anywhere without any utilization equipment drawing power. Look at it this way, by Code; you can put any number of receptacles you want to on a residential general lighting & appliance branch circuit. The circuit may be rated at 15 Amps, but if all you have on it is a table light with a 75 Watt lamp burning, that's all the current it will be using. You could plug in 19 more of the same before you began to come close to having a problem. You have 15 Amps of available current, but the 75 Watt lamp uses only 5/8 of an Amp. The same applies for the… [cont.]
Answered by Electrical Inspector - Sat Aug 23 21:49:32 2008

How long can I run #10 copper wire for 30 AMP service and still meet code?
Q. I need to power an 11 amp boat lift but would like to keep the circuit rating at 30 amp. Thanks!
Asked by Tex - Wed Aug 1 15:15:34 2007 - Do It Yourself (DIY) - 3 Answers - Comments

A. You didn't specify the service voltage, but for 120vac single phase, #10 copper wire @ 30 amps, the voltage drop is a tad over 6 volts per 100 ft. The voltage drop is linear so you can extrapolate. This means there will only be about 114 vac available to the load at 100 ft. For 115 vac the length is about 80 ft. Since you wish to maintain 30 amp service you'll need to consider that as the load rather than the intended use load. Some appliances will operate at 110 vac, so you can have about 155 ft of wire before the voltage drops to 110 vac. The voltage drop will be different for different types of service, i.e. different voltages and/or multi-phase service. See the site below for more info. There is a calculator at the bottom of the page.
Answered by wry humor - Wed Aug 1 17:08:47 2007

Is it ok to upgrade a electrical service on your residence up to 200 amp?
Q. My electrical service panel is old, still has fuses it is located in a closet inside the house, I will upgrade the panel and move it to the outside of the house with a 200 amp service panel box, and also wire my outside storage building using conduit under ground.
Asked by Christopher V - Wed Feb 7 06:54:00 2007 - Maintenance & Repairs - 7 Answers - Comments

A. This is not an easy task for DIY. The meter location is determined by the utility company and not your choice. You will probably need to get a new meter base from the utility company. Putting the circuit breaker panel outside is not the best choice. While Nema 3R Raintite panels are available, they are still subject to weather and if you have a location in the house, you should try to put it there. If you don't put it in the same location as the exiting panel, you will have to extend the existing circuits from a junction box to the new panel location. This junction box must remain accessible. The panel must have a main disconnect. Either next to the meter or within the circuit breaker panel. If the main is in the circuit breaker panel, the… [cont.]
Answered by William T - Wed Feb 7 09:46:29 2007

what size ground do i use for a 400 amp service?
Q. i cant remember what size ground wire to use for a 400 amp service. is it 2# or 2 /o
Asked by wife and the hubby - Thu Mar 29 19:20:25 2007 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

A. in our area a #4 solid wire is required for a 400 amp service ground...KY utilities...or American electric power...plus you have to have two 6ft ground rods bonded together 6ft apart
Answered by wwwstat - Thu Mar 29 23:35:41 2007

How do I find out how to fix an partial outage with 60 amp service?
Q. I replaced a light in the bathroom and at first it was fine,then when I turned on the switch,it flickered and now I have no power to 3 rooms in my house.I believe it is on the same fuse but the fuses were already replaced and still no power.I already had the electric company come out and they said everything was fine from there end.Help!Everything in this house is old and original.It was built in 1950 and it is a 60 amp service.
Asked by drose240 - Thu Nov 23 14:51:23 2006 - Maintenance & Repairs - 4 Answers - Comments

A. Check the wires that attach to the fuse block that services the lights in question and be sure the screws are tight. This has to be done with the power off of course. If this is good go to the first light swithc to see if the wires are attached and so on to all the switches. It is most likely the one closest to the fuse if not at the fuse box. Remember to do all your checking with the fuse removed
Answered by aussie - Thu Nov 23 15:40:24 2006

Is it ok to use 14/2 for 20 amp service?
Q. maybe its not ideal, but is it doable? what would the downside be?
Asked by oneakmusic - Mon Aug 27 10:04:49 2007 - Do It Yourself (DIY) - 15 Answers - Comments

A. as the main wiring on a 20 amp circuit , no it`s not allowed, although you can use it as a "branch" off of the main circuit for one receptacle only
Answered by bill9458 - Mon Aug 27 11:49:18 2007

30 amp service on a standard 20 amp (120v) outlet?
Q. Is it possible to have 30 amp service on a standard 20 amp, 120v outlet? I own a banquet hall and was going to install a sound system with DJ gear that includes amplifiers and subwoofers. I was told to run (2) 20 amp circuits instead.
Asked by jerseyshoreguy732 - Sun Apr 27 19:40:05 2008 - Maintenance & Repairs - 7 Answers - Comments

A. if you run 2 separate 20 amp circuits everything will be divided up and you should be fine
Answered by dale - Sun Apr 27 19:44:53 2008

I have a 200 Amp Panel in House, Its just over half filled with breakers.. Can I put a 100 amp service to my?
Q. Can I put a 100 amp subpanel to my garage with enough breakers for tools, lights, fridge, etc etc?
Asked by hendu2875 - Wed Apr 7 08:30:03 2010 - Do It Yourself (DIY) - 3 Answers - 1 Comments

A. Yes if you know how or you can call a professional to do it. It would require a 100 amp service feeder to the sub panel, a 4 wire installation with two hot wires a neutral wire and one ground wire to the sub panel. The panel would have to have a separate ground bar and neutral bar as well. Then you can add any branch circuits you want in the garage for tools etc.. Electrical Contractor |><|
Answered by Pat - Wed Apr 7 08:43:24 2010