I am in the process of upgrading my main breaker panel, I was wondering if someone can advised me on some of the thing that I should ensure that the electrician list on the proposal as part of the upgrade. For instance, I see 200 AMP aluminium wire, new#2 copper grounding wire conductor, new#4 or 6 copper grounded conductorfinally AL SEU service cable are these thing necessary or are there anything else missing?

Your help is very much appreciated,
Fred

Can you clarify your question? Are you looking to add something to the proposal? Or are you trying to understand the quote and be sure something is not missing?

Even if the quote lists something specifc how would you know it is there or not?

The service entrance cable should be #4/0 aluminum SER cable from meter to the panel. This cable includes the equipment grounding wire.

What is the copper #2, #4, and # 6 for? Only # 6 is required if this is the grounding electrode conductor, the wire that connects from the main neutral to the ground rod(s) or city water.

If you want to proposal reviewed, can you scan and post it here?

Thanks TK,

For your help, I wanted to see if someone who is familiar with upgrading a main panel breaker from 150 AMP to a 200AMP. I was hoping this person would be able to inform me as to some of the basic things that needs to be done in order to meet the NEC.

Tkrussel:

Only #6? Really? I'm not familiar with the NEC but I find this interesting as the CEC (Canadian Electrical Code) would require a mininum #3AWG Cu grounding conductor for a 200A service conductor.

... again, I'm not familiar so the requirement may be different but that seems small to me...

Per the NEC (http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/AboutTheCodes.asp?DocNum=70) Section 250.66 (A) when the conductor is solely for the connection to a rod, plate or pipe electrode, the minimum size allowed is #6 copper. If to building steel, a ground ring, a city water line, then the grounding electrode conductor is sized according to the size of the ungrounded service entrance conductor, per Table 250.66.

So it starts with #2, which is typical for a 100 amp, #8 is allowed.

Yes I understand there are some significant differences between the NEC and the CEC. I would love to find a copy to learn from.