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gif · May 30, 2008, 10:53 AM

Hello all,
This is my first post so I hope I do it right.

This is what I got.

The drop from the pole comes down to one 200 amp meter. The 200 amp meter feeds only one panel with a 100 amp input breaker and has many breakers that power the house (stove, water heater, dryer, outlets). Then it has (2) 50 amp output breakers that feed two other panels, each of those has other breakers to feed even more outlets.

I think the previous owner was going to split this into two apartments with a common area and then just powered it all from one meter. (Another clue was the empty meter housings on the side of the house)

Goal = I want to bump up to 200 amps for tools in the garage. (Welder/air tools)

Question. Can I install a 200 amp main panel that would have 100 amps to feed the existing panels and use then 100 amp feeder to a panel in the garage.

If so, what size wire should I have from the meter to the 200 amp main at a distance of 10' from lug to lug?

gif

donf · May 30, 2008, 04:41 PM

Gif,

Before you jump off the bridge with this one, please verify with the local power company that you are on fact receiving 200 amps.

Normally if you were getting 200 amp to the panel, you would have to have a 200 amp breaker.

You could also have 100 amp to your main panel and a bypass panel taking the other 100 amp in another direction.

stanfortyman · May 31, 2008, 07:22 AM

You say a "200A meter". Is this the rating of the wiring and meter pan, or just the "200CL" on the glass meter itself?

gif · May 31, 2008, 08:45 AM

Thanks for the response.

Before you jump off the bridge with this one, please verify with the local power company that you are on fact receiving 200 amps.

I did call my provider. The answer was "yes"
The feeder down TO the meter is 4/0.

What worries me is from the meter to the panel looks to be #2.

You could also have 100 amp to your main panel and a bypass panel taking the other 100 amp in another direction.

Could you explain that to me.

This is what I got:
One of the wires coming in the house goes to nothing!

stanfortyman · May 31, 2008, 09:03 AM

You can ignore that "200CL" on the meter. That means NOTHING to you as the customer.

That is simply the POCO's cash register and is NOT, repeat NOT, an indication of service size or available load.

That is a 200A service with three available 100A meter spaces. To get two 100A panels you will need another meter set by the POCO.
The only disadvantage to this is the monthly service charge for the extra meter.

You can also have the meter pan changed to a 200A single, then to a new 200A panel, with sub-feed breakers to the 100A panels. This will cost you MUCH more to do but you will avoid the extra meter fee each month.

gif · Jun 2, 2008, 05:54 AM

Thanks,

I will call the local Inspector to check my work before the reconnect.:)

Hot Corn Bread · May 31, 2009, 05:00 PM

That house picture of it's construction and condition doesn't look old enough to have only 100 amp total service.
My home in Ga was built in the sixties or seventies and it has two "75' main breakers. I am currently trying to do the same thing you are to get high current line out to my new shed and welder.
Do you have two "100' main breakers or two "50' main breakers? If you have two "100" 's then you have a 200 amp supply panel already. Each breaker supplies 100 amps of 115 ac volts out of phase voltage from the two hot lines from the service pole to the ground cable.

The left side of the panel supplies one 115v phase to ground and the right side supplies the other 115v phase to ground. You get 230 volt for welders and dryers by tying to a breaker on the left side and a breaker on the right or one double pole breaker on either side.
I installed a double 60 amp for an instant water hear install. Still trying to figger how to supply shed because of running cable underground and costs.

I don't know if you can get 100 amp feed breakers for your box. The 60 amp for mine were over the counter. 60-80 amp would likely provide all you need.

Make sure you get the right size wire for the feed line length. Too small and you can have
Low voltage problems. Too small a wire can supply the voltage but not supply the amps. The wire will resist the high current by heating up and possibly causing a fire if the breaker will not break out.

Note: The voltage is available at you home outlets to use. It doesn't cost much just sitting there ready for your use.

If you cut on a lamp for light it causes a current flow through the light bulb. Current flow is measured in amperage or amps or a portion thereof. The electric company meters multiply the voltage you had on hand by the amperage used to find the resulting watts used in one hour or 30 days of hours and send you the bill.

When you leave home - cut off those things you don't can't use while you are out.

stanfortyman · May 31, 2009, 05:35 PM

Corn Bread, are you aware that this thread is a year old?

Hot Corn Bread · May 31, 2009, 06:09 PM

Lord no! I was searching for some help on a similar problem and ran across it in a search.

It is rather funny to be in this situation. I did not check the post date.
There was no thank you or other posted by the original sender as having found the answer and I reckon it was still open for discussion. Someone out there may run across this again when they do a search.
I found this question and the answers a conflict with my limited knowledge. I also wanted to know if there was an actual 100 amp total service panel involved.
Maybe the original poster will respond with his outcome and any future viewers may learn a bit more here also.

SO! It is over a year old ? It is still out there for help to those that are searching.
If you keep the post here it may help someone later on.

stanfortyman · May 31, 2009, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by Hot Corn Bread

If you keep the post here it may help someone later on.

Oh, I'm sure it will. You found it a year later, others will too.

Your point is certainly well taken. My comment was directed at the fact that you were giving the OP advice, that's all.
No harm done. :cool:

Hot Corn Bread · Jun 4, 2009, 01:10 PM

Originally Posted by stanfortyman

Oh, I'm sure it will. You found it a year later, others will too.

Your point is certainly well taken. My comment was directed at the fact that you were giving the OP advice, that's all.
No harm done. :cool:

Just so I can learn more - what is OP?

stanfortyman · Jun 4, 2009, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by Hot Corn Bread

... - what is OP?

Original poster, or original post.

limey07 · Jul 27, 2010, 05:30 AM

This post is still being viewed by others who have a need to know... Thanks!

stanfortyman · Jul 27, 2010, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by limey07

This post is still being viewed by others who have a need to know...Thanks!

I will reiterate, another year later. My point was that the person was making a direct reply to someone a year after the question was asked. This is poor forum etiquette.

I was not suggesting that the thread be removed or anything. :rolleyes: