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Posted by J.A. Michel on June 28, 2007, 5:28 pm
>I am doing a significant kitchen upgrade and the contractor has
> recommended that I upgrade the electrical service to 200amp. I've had
> 3 electricians out to quote on the work---and received 3 very
> different opinions and prices. Two have told me it is not necessary
> to upgrade the main power line in the house from the meter to the load
> center. The other one says I must.
>
> I currently have 150amp service. The meter and the load center are
> separated by about 50-feet. The wiring from the meter to the load
> center is 2/0 aluminum. I work for a major residential electrical
> equipment maker (starts with a "S" and ends with "iemens")...and our
> construction sales people tell me that the latest version of NEC
> requires 4/0 aluminum wiring for 200amp service.
>
> What is up with 2 of these contractors telling me it is OK to upgrade
> without replacing the existing 2/0 wiring?
>
> Is there some sort of grandfather provision in this situation?
>
> If the price difference wasn't so much it would be a no-brainer. But
> at $3,500 vs. $750 it's a lot harder to go with the cadillac solution
> simple because it is the cadillac solution....
>
> Does anyone have any guidance on the issues and realities of this
> situation?
I think I'd find another electrician if I were you. You need 4/0 Aluminum
or 2/0 copper. You choose.
2/0 AL should not be used in a 200A feeder. I put in my own 200A service
and used 2/0 copper.
CU is more expensive than AL, but it was worth it to me. The Power Company
hooked up their side of the meter
with 4/0 AL.
>
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