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New Residential Electrical Service Box Questions, Please Robert11 04-10-2008
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Posted by S. Barker on April 11, 2008, 1:36 pm
I agree. It depends on the AHJ. In our town, they ONLY require the ground
to the water supply pipe. I found this out AFTER i drove two 8' rods 6'
apart AND ran solid wire all the way across the basement to the water inlet.


So the point is, check with YOUR local jurisdiction.


s



>snip<.

> Two 8' ground rods at least 6' apart.
p
Not in all communities. Our power company specifies one ground rod.
Check with your power company and get acquainted with your local
building inspection department.
For a major panel replacement. consider the advantages of converting
to an underground service. Adds value to the property, input wiring is
heavier gage, less chance of storm damage, often lower insurance
rates, and looks much nicer. HTH

Joe



Posted by Pete C. on April 11, 2008, 2:05 pm

"S. Barker" wrote:
>
> I agree. It depends on the AHJ. In our town, they ONLY require the ground
> to the water supply pipe. I found this out AFTER i drove two 8' rods 6'
> apart AND ran solid wire all the way across the basement to the water inlet.
>
> So the point is, check with YOUR local jurisdiction.
>

Codes are all minimum standards and there is nothing wrong with going
beyond those minimums.

Posted by RBM on April 10, 2008, 4:13 pm

> Hello,
>
> Will be replacing a quite old residential electrical service box with a
> new 150 or 200 amp one in the near future.
>
> Haven't spoken to any electricians yet, but before I do, would like to
> gain a bit of knowledge as to
> what is state of the art, etc., these days.
>
> e.g.,
>
> a. What brand(s) do I want to ask for, and I guess what's more important,
> which to stay away from ?
>
> b. Square D still the preferred one to go with ?
> If so, do they have a "good," "better," "best" kind of lineup ?
> Which should I specify ? Much of a price difference between ?
>
> c. Not sure what bells and whistles to ask about.
> I guess I want GFE breakers somewhere.
> Where should they be put in ?
> Any potential problem in having one in the service box if there is already
> one or two GFE's on outlets in the circuit ?
>
> d. What about "Arc-Fault" breakers, which I've heard about.
> What are they, and where would I want them ?
>
> e. Is a ground rod required these days for the Gnd/Neutral, per Code ?
> Presently, there doesn't seem to be one.
>
> Much thanks; appreciate it.
>
> Bob
I suppose Square D, QO is still regarded as the best, although IMO all the
majors are pretty decent. I never recommend a 150 amp service as the labor
cost is the same as for a 200 amp and the material cost is negligible. I
agree with Pete c that I'd want a "full size" 40 circuit panel, which you
won't get with a 150 amp service, at least with a built in main breaker. I
wouldn't install any GFCI breakers unless you're replacing ones in the
current panel. I think it makes more sense to use receptacles where needed.
New code requires AFCI protection for virtually everything in bedrooms, but
unless the bedrooms were wired for AFCI protection, you could be opening up
a can of worms, especially if multiwire branch circuits were used and your
existing wiring should be grandfatherd. I wouldn't worry about ground rods
and related stuff as that's why you have an inspector check the job, he'll
do what's required in your area.



Posted by John Grabowski on April 10, 2008, 4:51 pm

> Hello,
>
> Will be replacing a quite old residential electrical service box with a
> new 150 or 200 amp one in the near future.
>
> Haven't spoken to any electricians yet, but before I do, would like to
> gain a bit of knowledge as to
> what is state of the art, etc., these days.
>
> e.g.,
>
> a. What brand(s) do I want to ask for, and I guess what's more important,
> which to stay away from ?
>
> b. Square D still the preferred one to go with ?
> If so, do they have a "good," "better," "best" kind of lineup ?
> Which should I specify ? Much of a price difference between ?
>
> c. Not sure what bells and whistles to ask about.
> I guess I want GFE breakers somewhere.
> Where should they be put in ?
> Any potential problem in having one in the service box if there is already
> one or two GFE's on outlets in the circuit ?
>
> d. What about "Arc-Fault" breakers, which I've heard about.
> What are they, and where would I want them ?
>
> e. Is a ground rod required these days for the Gnd/Neutral, per Code ?
> Presently, there doesn't seem to be one.
>
> Much thanks; appreciate it.
>
> Bob


Didn't you ask a bunch of questions about a service upgrade a year or two
ago?


Posted by HeyBub on April 11, 2008, 9:18 am
Robert11 wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Will be replacing a quite old residential electrical service box with
> a new 150 or 200 amp one in the near future.
>
> Haven't spoken to any electricians yet, but before I do, would like
> to gain a bit of knowledge as to
> what is state of the art, etc., these days.
>
> e.g.,
>
> a. What brand(s) do I want to ask for, and I guess what's more
> important, which to stay away from ?
>
> b. Square D still the preferred one to go with ?
> If so, do they have a "good," "better," "best" kind of lineup ?
> Which should I specify ? Much of a price difference between ?

Square D is fine. The difference between 200 and 150-amp service is about
$5.00. You can get "kits" containing the box, master disconnect, an
assortment of breakers, and (most of) the hardware. Take a census of what
breakers you currently have and make sure the kit contains enough
replacements for the sizes already in use.

Also, replacing the breaker box is a DIY job (assuming you don't have
communists or trade-unionists running your local government). Take pictures
of the set-up before (and after). Label the wires before you remove them as
to what size breakers they belong and whether any are phase-paired.

Job will take about four or five hours (including a couple of trips to the
hardware store for things an electrician will have on his truck). You'll
probably need power from a neighbor to run a drill or Dremel.

In addition to reserving the upper-right double breaker for an
emergency-power connection, you may want to add a whole-house surge
protector (about $40.00) as long as you have the box open.




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