Help with 400 amp upgrade process?
Question:I am moving to two 200 amp panels, from one, with a new meter base. We completely understand how the wiring should be in the end, but I am trying to figure out the best way for the switchover, taking into account the fact that I have to have inspection by county and hookup to new meter by local util co.
Is there any way to hook up the old panel to both the old meter base, for continuous power, and new meter base, so inspector can see how it is hooked up before approving power co to come out. I am hoping not to have to disconnect from old meter, then wait for inspection and hookup.
Thanks for any help.
Answers:
this may give you some insight, if your not a licensed electrical...the inspector is going To be critical of your work. Most inspectors know zip about what they inspect, they rely on the expert electrician on site.
I just did what your talking about and my electrician put in a sub-panel and a new 200 amp sub to carry the additional 200amps for my 6000 sq' RV barn. It was complicated, but no.
If I were doing my own job, I'd hire an electrician to review with me what I want done and then do that and when its 'inspector' time; bring back the electrician hired for the time the inspectors there and be done with it. Its the best money you'll ever spend...don't spend lightly when it comes to safety and your life, not to mention your new project.
MOTTO: do it right the 1st time!!
If you have to ask this question, then you are NOT qualified to perform this work. Call a licensed electrician.
My motto is why tell a do it yourself-er to hire an expert?
The answer to your question is you are going to have to have down time between the two services. Most utilities won't provide power until they get the word from the inspecting authority. You can prepare the new panel, and the jumpers to the old, and wait until the disconnect before hooking them together. The power company is going to have to upgrade the incoming lines to you building, and that takes scheduling with an installation crew, etc.
If you are the owner of the establishment, then there is no need for an eclectrician. You are entitled to make any improvements on your own. But ,yes you should be able to go to your county/city office and they will give you a set of guideline to follow. Such as how high to mount the meter socket from the ground and what appropiate piping should be used to protect the wire.
You will, however, have to set this all up before your inspecter gets there and tell him/her that you are upgrading the two 200 Amps to one 400 Amp. If you follow the specifications correctly than you should have no problem passing the inspection. Good Luck.
This can be done I have changed many services over.Once you have removed the branch feeder wires from the panel carefully remove the screws or nails holding the panel to the wall and move it to the side as far as the main wire allows and if there is nothing to screw it to just take a piece of wire and tie it up the best you can.Now install the new panel and connect the branch feeder wires.hopefully you have purchased a panel large enough to have a couple of extra spaces you will have to spend the money to buy a two pole breaker for the old panel and the new panel unless the old panel has lug at the bottom of the bus bars[some of the old ones had these most new ones don't].I have done these jumpers with 50 or 60 amp breakers to save money and have never had one trip but that is something you will have to deside.You will not be able to get a breaker bigger than 100 amps but that should work for a couple of days you will have to be careful not to turn too many thing on at one time.Make sure you use the proper size wire for the breaker that you use.You will have to install these through the side of the panels but as a temperary install I wouldn't bother with the bushings,and they make knock out blanks for the holes and the breakers or you can just leave the breakers in place after the wires have been removed.If you are putting the meter in the same place you will have to break the tag to remove the cover.This is where you need to be extremely careful when removing the fasteners that hold the meter base to the wall.I would use rubber gloves while doing this.After you remove all the straps holding the wire to the building tie the weather head to the insulator and let the wire hang so you can install the new wire.In my area the electic company will supply you with a connection kit and you can skip all of this and just hook up the new wire yourself its doesn't take them very long at all to come right out wth a new meter when it is done this way,but you will need to have an inspection lined up for the day that you do the install.
i always jumper a wire from the old panel to the new panel . i put the wires to a breaker in the new panel and leave the main off so it does not backfeed into the meter socket.
usally use a #3 copper
take it off when the power co shows up to reconnect.
PLEASE just call a licenced electrician. 1500 to 2500 dollars and warranty are better than the hassle of it all. trust me.
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