I've been considering a 200 amp service upgrade

[billwmeyer]

I also need to upgrade to 200 amp service sometime in the future. I don't know if this is up to code or not, but what I wanted to do was to install a cut off switch just after the meter. That way service could be cut off to the breaker box at any time to replace or repair anything. I plan on doing most of the rewiring myself, but I will not work with hot wires.
Bill

[stewchi]

If your utility will allow you, you can do the same thing by removing the meter, but make sure the main breaker is off before you do, you don’t want to remove it under load.

I enquired about doing the same thing but my local inspectors office advised me against it. However if my meter was more than 5” away from my main panel, then just such a disconnect is required. The reason they advised me against it, is you have to do some things differently if your main panel is not you main disconnect. As is the case when you use a switch like you describe. It would have been more expensive for me so I opted to just do the whole thing at once.

[Tom.Trout]

The latest news is I have had two electricians come out an look at the situation. Neither has given me a formal estimate but both gave me some figures as follows...

Electrician/Remodeler-1 = $800 to upgrade weatherhead , service entrance, meterbox and new 200 amp CuttlerHammer breaker box reusing existing breakers. He said he would look into the two out buildings and what the cost of running a 60 amp feeder to the material storage building and a 100 amp feeder to the two car garage shop. Inspection cost is $50.

Electrician - 2 = $2500 to $3000 for all of the above but providing a new 200 amp breaker box with breakers and reusing the existing 100 amp box in the two car garage. For just the 200 amp upgrade weather head down to and including a new 200 amp breaker box is $1700. Inspection cost is $125

There is an outstanding issue as to whether the feeders to the out buildings should be overhead or buried (more expensive).

Both said the 200 amp upgrade alone was very straight forward.

I will keep you guys posted that are interested.

quote:Originally posted by billwmeyer

I also need to upgrade to 200 amp service sometime in the future. I don't know if this is up to code or not, but what I wanted to do was to install a cut off switch just after the meter. That way service could be cut off to the breaker box at any time to replace or repair anything. I plan on doing most of the rewiring myself, but I will not work with hot wires.
Bill

[billwmeyer]

Thanks for the update.
Bill

[maxparot]

In general running the feeders underground is the better way to go.
Exceptions - Fault zones and areas that have real mild weather.
If you need to worry about the ground shifting and harming the lines then fixing overhead lines is easier.
Or if it is unlikely that the environment will harm overhead cables it is cheaper and easier
But if overhead cables will be too unsightly or present too great a safety risk then go underground.

[Tom.Trout]

I got a formal price of $905 for the 200 amp upgrade that includes reusing some of the existing breakers.

Breakdown is:

$75 - inspection
$410 - material
$420 - labor

quote:Originally posted by billwmeyer

Thanks for the update.
Bill

[Tom.Trout]

quote:Originally posted by Tom.Trout

I got a formal price of $905 for the 200 amp upgrade that includes reusing some of the existing breakers.

Breakdown is:

$75 - inspection
$410 - material
$420 - labor

In addition to the 200 amp upgrade, running a 60 amp feeder and remounting the 100amp panel in my detached two car garage shop is another $370

quote:Originally posted by billwmeyer

Thanks for the update.
Bill