Upgrading power from 150 to 200 amps?
#1
09-10-14, 03:59 PM
Upgrading power from 150 to 200 amps?
I have a big shop with 150A electrical service coming in, and I'd like to upgrade to 200 amps. I'm not sure why it's 150A in the first place. The meter socket is rated for 200, and so is my panel. There is approximately 10 feet of wire between my meter and panel. (I need to check the size) The service to the meter is relatively new underground lines.
Besides the breaker and the wire size between the meter and the panel, is there any other reason this would be limited to 150 amps? Can I just swap in a 200 amp breaker if the wire is big enough?
I know the electrician that did the work, and let's just say he's thrifty, I think he might have just used whatever breaker he had in his box...
Besides the breaker and the wire size between the meter and the panel, is there any other reason this would be limited to 150 amps? Can I just swap in a 200 amp breaker if the wire is big enough?
I know the electrician that did the work, and let's just say he's thrifty, I think he might have just used whatever breaker he had in his box...
#2
09-10-14, 04:15 PM
Group Moderator
Can we assume this is a single phase 120/240v service ?
You would definitely need to check the existing wiring sizes.
The meter needs to have 200CL on it for a 200A service.
If you have to upgrade the wiring then the meter will need to be pulled anyway.
You would definitely need to check the existing wiring sizes.
The meter needs to have 200CL on it for a 200A service.
If you have to upgrade the wiring then the meter will need to be pulled anyway.
#4
09-10-14, 06:03 PM
Member
Can I just swap in a 200 amp breaker if the wire is big enough?
#6
09-10-14, 10:18 PM
I might be less costly to add a second panel off the meter and leave the one panel as is.
#7
09-10-14, 11:01 PM
Member
Interesting, I didn't know I could do that. Can I simply install another panel with a 50A breaker and it's own supply from the meter to the panel?
#8
09-11-14, 04:44 AM
Member
Without knowing wire/conduit sizes and other details it is just a guess as what would be best to do. Can you provide pictures of the complete service including the meter socket and also provide all wire/conduit sizes?
#10
09-11-14, 02:06 PM
Without knowing wire/conduit sizes and other details it is just a guess as what would be best to do. Can you provide pictures of the complete service including the meter socket and also provide all wire/conduit sizes?
I was suggesting a parallel service.
#11
09-11-14, 03:55 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
The smallest service allowed for a home is 100 amps. Why do you think you need to upgrade? Maybe the service calculated out at less than 150 amps.
#12
09-11-14, 08:56 PM
It's not a house. It's a big shop. A BIG shop. 12,000 square feet. 150 amps is not enough. I've already filled up the 30 space panel and need to install a sub panel as well. I'd like to upgrade to 400A, but the power company wants about $3000 for that. A new 200A breaker is only about $77. If I must replace the wire, we're talking less than $50 for that.
#14
09-11-14, 09:25 PM
400/320...same thing. 
What they call "320 service" comes with two 200A breakers. The most you can draw from that is 320 amps continuous. (80% of 400 is 320)
I still might need to upgrade to 320/400...but for now I want to try and make 200 work.
What they call "320 service" comes with two 200A breakers. The most you can draw from that is 320 amps continuous. (80% of 400 is 320)I still might need to upgrade to 320/400...but for now I want to try and make 200 work.
#15
09-12-14, 05:16 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The bus in the panel may not be rated for 200 so the panel would need to be changed also.
Simply because the panel is full does not mean you are out of power.
Simply because the panel is full does not mean you are out of power.
#16
09-12-14, 07:31 AM
Member
for now I want to try and make 200 work.
Eaton 200-Amp 40-Space 50-Circuit Type-BR Main Breaker Load Center Value Pack Includes 4 Breakers-BR4050B200V5 at The Home Depot
Looks like the same price at Lowes.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_410870-82364...ductId=3775499
#17
09-13-14, 12:09 AM
There's no need to replace the current panel, it's only a few years old. I want to put a bunch of 120v 20A circuits on the new panel, a 50A subpanel is probably plenty and should be around $50. I can just add it next to the main panel, there is plenty of room.
But the other question still stands. If I have a 200A meter, can a 150 and 50 amp main be used for separate panels directly off the meter? I know that's how 320 service works (two 200A panels) but I don't know what they allow for lower amperage.
But the other question still stands. If I have a 200A meter, can a 150 and 50 amp main be used for separate panels directly off the meter? I know that's how 320 service works (two 200A panels) but I don't know what they allow for lower amperage.
#18
09-13-14, 07:12 AM
Member
If I have a 200A meter, can a 150 and 50 amp main be used for separate panels directly off the meter?
There's no need to replace the current panel, it's only a few years old. I want to put a bunch of 120v 20A circuits on the new panel, a 50A subpanel is probably plenty and should be around $50. I can just add it next to the main panel, there is plenty of room.
Even if you can find a 200A main breaker to fit your existing panel, it will likely cost more than a new 200 amp main breaker panel.
#20
09-22-14, 02:31 AM
I finally got around to pulling the cover off the panel. 4/0 aluminum from the meter to the panel. I also noticed the old permit stuck to the panel says "200A meter change out".
All I need to do is change out the 150A breaker for a 200, right?
All I need to do is change out the 150A breaker for a 200, right?
#21
09-22-14, 07:32 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
You are going to need to check the ampacity of the panel bus to see if the main can be swapped for a 200. The label from the manufacturer should have this information.
#22
09-22-14, 02:52 PM
Is there space on the left side of the existing panel for a 2nd panel similar to the existing panel ?
if so, then consider setting such a panel so that the 200 amp MCB would be at the "bottom' of the panel; you have sufficient "slack" in 0000 conductors for them to extend to MCB of the 2nd panel if it's "at the bottom"
Also, you'll double the number of CB positions.
You will have to transfer the Grounding-connections to the new panel.
if so, then consider setting such a panel so that the 200 amp MCB would be at the "bottom' of the panel; you have sufficient "slack" in 0000 conductors for them to extend to MCB of the 2nd panel if it's "at the bottom"
Also, you'll double the number of CB positions.
You will have to transfer the Grounding-connections to the new panel.
#23
10-17-14, 03:32 PM
The funny thing about those 200 amp meters is that the manufacturers of some of those meters use the same meter for their 320/400 amp sizes. They produce the same meter on the line, then just take a small batch of them and label them differently.
You can call the manufacturer of that meter and ask if that's the case.
You can call the manufacturer of that meter and ask if that's the case.
#24
10-18-14, 05:00 PM
Member
The funny thing about those 200 amp meters is that the manufacturers of some of those meters use the same meter for their 320/400 amp sizes. They produce the same meter on the line, then just take a small batch of them and label them differently.
You can call the manufacturer of that meter and ask if that's the case.
You can call the manufacturer of that meter and ask if that's the case.
