I'm buying a house. The inspector says I need to upgrade the 100 Amp Outside Service Disconnect to 200 Amps. It is a breaker and he says if I don't upgrade it I will probably have it flip on me frequently because the control station inside is a commercial 200 Amp unit.
My question is this.
Do I need to replace the whole box or can I just replace the breaker switch. I see breaker switch replacements online at the home stores. They seem like more of a simple and understandable replacement than the whole box. Cheaper too.
See a picture of the box at http://www.robertgainesphotography.com/Photos/transfer/disconnect.jpeg
Sorry it is not bigger, that's all the inspector gave me.
Thanks,
Robert

From the pic, no. The box is only rated at 100 amps. That means the bus bars (what the breaker plugs onto and supplies the power) is only rated that high. Another consideration is the fact that the meter base and service entrance cables are probably not large enough for this demand. You really need to have this checked out by an electrician, which you are going to have to do anyway to change out this disconnect, since it involves having the meter pulled.

I'm curious... the inspector told you have to do this? Why, because this is a code
violation? I'm not sure I see a violation based on what you have told us.
It is perfectly legal to connect 200 ampere cable and a 200 ampere panel to a 100 ampere main circuit breaker... the maximum load is limited by the main circuit breaker.

If there is a violation, it does need to be corrected before sale.

How big is the house? Does it have electric heat? Electric cooking? A good electrician can tell you if you really need a larger service. If this house is 2,000 square feet or smaller with natural gas heat and cooking then It's likely you do not need a larger service.
Get a second opinion...

The term "inspector" as it is used here probably refers to "home inspector". Please note the quotes around the term.

Hk,
I assume a home inspector as well...
What I take exception to is the "you need a bigger service" comment.
If this was intended to be a point of negotiation for the sale then I agree...
But if this is an existing condition assessment I would like to question the accuracy
Of the comment.

I agree. But I don't see the "you need a bigger service" comment.

What I do see is

because the control station inside is a commercial 200 Amp unit.

Makes me question the competence to make any statement in this area.

Sorry, but I guess my opinion about most home inspectors is showing.

Well, he, the Home Inspector, said the two should match. 200 amp commercial on the inside to 200 amp on the outside. He did say it was not required, but that the outside might tend to trip a lot and kill the power to the whole house if we use too much power. Since we are a multiple computer, electric appliance, 5.1 enhanced TV family, that made sense to me.
So with this new info - what do you think?
Thank you for your responses and those to come!
Robert

I'm curious...the inspector told you have to do this? Why, because this is a code
violation? I'm not sure I see a violation based on what you have told us.
It is perfectly legal to connect 200 ampere cable and a 200 ampere panel to a 100 ampere main circuit breaker...the maximum load is limited by the main circuit breaker.

If there is a violation, it does need to be corrected before sale.

How big is the house? Does it have electric heat? Electric cooking? A good electrician can tell you if you really need a larger service. If this house is 2,000 square feet or smaller with natural gas heat and cooking then It's likely you do not need a larger service.
Get a second opinion...

It has Gas heat, Electric Stove, Electric dryer, and some computers and other electric heaters for rooms as well as multiple stereos.

I'm curious...the inspector told you have to do this? Why, because this is a code
violation? I'm not sure I see a violation based on what you have told us.
It is perfectly legal to connect 200 ampere cable and a 200 ampere panel to a 100 ampere main circuit breaker...the maximum load is limited by the main circuit breaker.

If there is a violation, it does need to be corrected before sale.

How big is the house? Does it have electric heat? Electric cooking? A good electrician can tell you if you really need a larger service. If this house is 2,000 square feet or smaller with natural gas heat and cooking then It's likely you do not need a larger service.
Get a second opinion...

About 2000 square feet.

So this is a mostly electric house...
If there is also Air Conditioning... then
Yes, a larger service would be a good idea...

No A/C yet but hopefully soon.
Thanks