[robvw]

I just purchased an old house that has a fuse panel with two 60 amp fuses for the main. Is this considered 60 Amp or 120 Amp service? I guess it is 60 Amp per phase but I am not sure of the "Service" terminology. I am looking to upgrade to 200 Amp service as I want to get rid of the boiler and radiated heat system and install natural gas furnace with central air. I assume that I am going to need a new feed run by the local utility?

The house is a 1570 sq ft ranch with 3 BR and 2 BA built in 1955. The stove is gas. I am putting in washer, gas dryer, gas stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and garbage disposal. Since the wires that are currently run do not have a ground, they are only two wires, I guess I need to run all new wiring in the house as well to bring it up to code?

Do all my assumptions sound valid?

Thanks,

Rob

[tkrussell]

A 60 amp fuse per leg is only a 60 amp service, never add the two together. So a new 200 amp service will have a 200 amp breaker, 200 amp per leg.

Unless you are doing any remodeling in the home, the old two wire cable does may not need to be replaced, as per your local code official. But doing so will be a really good idea, and add value and safety to the home.

Something is unusual, most finance and mortgage companies for the last several years have been requiring old fusible electric services to be upgraded to new circuit breaker services. And insurance companies, before underwriting replacement policies also require the same.

They usually want the seller to get the upgrade done before they take over the resposibility, unless you negotiated this.

Contact the local inspection or building office and the local utility to find out what the local requirements are for new services, as the vary greatly by region