Overloaded circuit / upgrading service?
#1
10-23-02, 08:55 AM
Overloaded circuit / upgrading service?
Quick question (hopefully)-
Wife and I are set to close on a 30 year old house in mid-Dec. The inspection only yielded main concern. The house has 100amp service, with about 400amps hooked up to it in the box. Inspector said limit was 300amps, and that we need to upgrade the service.
We're waiting to see if the seller will cover the cost to fix, but my question is, how much should I expect the estimate to be to run a new 200amp trunk line and wire a new box? Inspector estimated $1000-1500. We're in the Philadelphia suburbs if that makes a difference.
Thanks!
Wife and I are set to close on a 30 year old house in mid-Dec. The inspection only yielded main concern. The house has 100amp service, with about 400amps hooked up to it in the box. Inspector said limit was 300amps, and that we need to upgrade the service.
We're waiting to see if the seller will cover the cost to fix, but my question is, how much should I expect the estimate to be to run a new 200amp trunk line and wire a new box? Inspector estimated $1000-1500. We're in the Philadelphia suburbs if that makes a difference.
Thanks!
#2
10-23-02, 10:14 AM
I am on Long Island, New York. I had the same situation and got my upgrade done for $1200. It was a lot of work for the electrician, but I am truly reaping the benefits of 200a service. If you really love the house and they won't budge, maybe you can offer to pay half. Good Luck
#3
10-23-02, 10:15 AM
Don't believe your Inspector
You need to have a licensed electrician from your area give you an estimate on the service.There are too many variables to venture a guess online.Most reputable contractors give free estimates.
You can't base the size of an electrical service on the sum of the circuit breakers in a panel,and if the inspector tells you any different you should ask for your money back and find one that is qualified to do electrical inspections.If the house is 30 years old,did he bring up any grounding issues or gfci receptacle concerns ?
You can't base the size of an electrical service on the sum of the circuit breakers in a panel,and if the inspector tells you any different you should ask for your money back and find one that is qualified to do electrical inspections.If the house is 30 years old,did he bring up any grounding issues or gfci receptacle concerns ?
#4
10-23-02, 10:24 AM
Thanks for the quick replies. I did some searches and it seems that my question is a faily common one. Now I am questioning whether or not I need the upgrade.
The house is about 1700 sq feet, 2 story, gas everything.
Electrical appliances:
-Dishwasher
-Garbage disposal
-Central A/C
-Attic fan
I might be partially finishing the basement down the road.
The electrical panel was full, with one breaker double-wired/tapped. The previous owner had an additional meter and panel installed in the 80's when they added baseboard heat in an addition. The inspector called it "off peak service".
I am leaning toward having it upgraded regardless, especially if it is only around 1500. Once we hear back from the seller about giving us a credit, we will get some estimates done.
There were no grounding issues, and the GFCIs in the bathrooms and kitchens worked fine (he used a little test thing).
The house is about 1700 sq feet, 2 story, gas everything.
Electrical appliances:
-Dishwasher
-Garbage disposal
-Central A/C
-Attic fan
I might be partially finishing the basement down the road.
The electrical panel was full, with one breaker double-wired/tapped. The previous owner had an additional meter and panel installed in the 80's when they added baseboard heat in an addition. The inspector called it "off peak service".
I am leaning toward having it upgraded regardless, especially if it is only around 1500. Once we hear back from the seller about giving us a credit, we will get some estimates done.
There were no grounding issues, and the GFCIs in the bathrooms and kitchens worked fine (he used a little test thing).
