Upgrading Electrical Service to 200 amps | Rahway, NJ
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- Опубліковано 8 тра 2022
- In this video you'll see how I updated an electrical service from 100 AMPS to 200 AMPS in one long day from start to finish. Comments welcome below!
Classic Electric, LLC | Point Pleasant, New Jersey
License & Business # 16557
(732)-770-1437
WANT TO SEE MORE? 200 AMP Service Upgrade WATCH HERE: • 200A Service Upgrade |...
We are a certified Generac standby generator installer. Generac Dealer # 1019500
Classic Electric uses mostly Milwaukee cordless tools and Klein hand tools.
Camera: Go Pro 10
Editing software: Apple iMovie
Animation software: Apple Keynote
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Ron Pecina Jr. is a licensed electrician in the state of New Jersey.
This allows him to apply for electrical permits, work with live conductors,
remove meters, and disconnect service from the utility company.
Electrical Wiring is NOT a hobby. Call a licensed electrician. - Навчання та стиль
I live in Sunnyside Linden.. I would love to get an estimate on a 200amp upgrade from you
Hey Roberto! I'll see you and upgrade that panel to 200 AMPS this coming Saturday! Thanks for being patient.
So what is the average cost of upgrading from a 100 to 200.
The marks of a true electrician: using a pair of linesman’s as a hammer and Phillips head as a punch. Love it
Yup you know it!
Thanks for taking the time to make video, it's very helpful
Glad I could help!
Just subscribed. Thanks. Love the channel and your attention to detail not seen much these days in “run & gun” work. I can tell that you sleep well at night knowing JOB WELL DONE.
Thank you! And you got that right!
Very informative video. Much appreciated.
Thanks for watching all of my videos Vince!
Hello Mr. Pecina, I love your videos, you are so steady in your work and explain things very well. (I'm assuming New Jersey by the accent. (my mother and maternal grandparents were from New Jersey) I grew up in PA and been doing electrical work 32 years. I love that you just show the work nothing flashy, or gimmicky. Please stay like that, I am all for a good laugh but there is a time and a place for that. And when you are completing work that can kill you, or possibly other people, this isn't the time. You Sir, are a credit to electricians all over the world, especially here in this wonderful USA, a consummate professional. Sorry for referring to you as Mr. Pecina, whenever anyone does that to me I look around for my dad or grandfather. But I am also a Ron, lol. My dad told me growing up you never call someone Sir, until they gain or earn your respect, sorry I am rambling. But you Sir, have gained my respect within your work. The only thing I would add to your videos is leave the print up for a little longer when you post a written message, as it's hard to read that fast. And I thought the meter height thing was 6'7", I know that's splitting hairs, but we know how the NEC likes to split hairs, and so do inspectors, sometimes. But your probably right at 6'6" and mine is for inside panel boxes. But great video thank you!
The actual code is 6' 7" max height.
Thank you for sharing God bless you🙏🙏
You are so welcome!
Great video Ron. I am new to your channel and enjoy your explanation of everything. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Michael for your kind words.
Great videos! The meter enclosure is the customer's property/responsibility and must be purchased/supplied by the customer. The glass meter itself is the property of the utility.
Thanks for the info!
looks great
Thank you!
Nice work sir
Thank you Wade!
Great Video
What was the greatest part of the video in your opinion?
@@electricalron
Over all great video. I’m a Level 1 electrician apprenticeship and this is my first time seeing a service update.
@@JackElectrician good luck out there in the field! I started out roping houses in the 1990's!
Where I live in California we are required to use 2-in rigid conduit for the service drop. The service cable is either 2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum. We are also required to use EUSERC rated panel
Your panels are mostly outdoors too.
Jeff do you live in Los Angeles by any chance?
Wonderful job brother, especially being on the clock and doing it all single handedly. I just had the same work done here and had my 100amp pushmatic panel replaced for a 200, 40 circuit panel. It took a team of 3 and probably a lot more than you charge but could be wrong on that. Cudos. I'm also surprised to see your state allows you to reconnect the power. We had to wait hours for the utility company to come back and do that here in Indiana. They also required a external disconnect because my panel is more than 5ft from the meter. Now I have an external and internal disconnect.
When I was still working for an electrical contractor he would send me out by myself (sometimes) to do the work. As the years went by I learned to work by myself to "get it done" as they say. Years later - and working for someone else - they noticed that I could work well by myself so they never sent me out with a helper. So you see out of habit I know how to do many tasks alone.
@@electricalron that's awesome to hear.
In Tx , that 4/0 SE Romex Cable for 200 Amp Services is not allowed for outside install ! Contractors will buy the cable and then strip off and remove the Outer Jacket Sheathing and the inner snake skin from the 4/0 AL Conductors and run the individual conductors up in the 2 '' Rigid Galvanized Steel Conduit Mast and out the attached Weatherhead for the Service Loop Connections.
Wow, exposed SE cable is OLD SCHOOL!
We do it like this ALL THE TIME here in the Northeast part of America.
awesome,,nice job Ron,u forgot your safety glasses....j/k............
Nobody does the duct seal behind the screws, I thought I was the only 1 and oh does it piss me off when I'm redoing a new panel and meter install although it does make taking the old 1 off of the wall easy. I also pack it in the weather-head, and on the connector above the meter, that the cable makes entry into the meterbase box at. And also I put it on the hole(how we did it in the past) entering the house and now use Lb's. It really cheap insurance against call backs and for safety.
I used to pack it into the service head too but for some reason I stopped doing it.
the box looks crooked - yet you got the level on it.
I hate when that happens too but the level does not lie.
Would you mind sharing who did your caricature? The cartoon-looking version of you... I'm looking to do something similar. Thanks. Love the videos!
Love Jim Croce at work.
SiriusXM 70's on 7 its like my favorite channel.
Not sure if this holds true for NJ but here on Long Island if the home is in a flood zone, the meter pan can be higher than 6'6''. Wood steps are required to read the meter. Now there are 'smart' meters installed everywhere and the reader doesn't even have to get out of their car.
Same in New Jersey.
The 5th (neutral) jaw is for AMI smart metering and provides a return path for the 110v communication equipment that is built into the new AMI meters. As you can see in 10:44 in this video the meter is an old style that does not utilize the 5th jaw in any way.
I've been installing 5th Jaw meter enclosures in the PSEG neighborhoods for well over 20 years.
When is SER sheath cable rather than service entrance SE cable?
@@wesleybrown2131 there's generally two types of SE cable used for service entrance, SEU = SE=Service Entrance U= Flat type cable and this cable contains two insulated conductors with a bare wire neutral wrapped around the two insulated conductors. SEU is generally used for Main Breaker panels. SER = SE=Service Entrance R= Reinforced tape. SER cable generally has three insulated conductors (2 hot & 1 neutral) and a bare twisted ground. SER is a round shaped cable and is generally used on sub-panels and applications where the neutrals and grounds need to be kept isolated from one another.
@@wesleybrown2131 the difference between SER and SEU is Service Entrance Riser cable is 4 conductor cable. SEU is 3 conductor.
Recently saw some electricians replace a service panel and in the main service panel there was no bonding between the neutral and ground. The panel was oldstyle so I'm guessing that's why? Its was installed in the 1960s. They didn't replace that panel though only the one outside
The system neutral and grounding electrode conductors are ONLY bonded in the main disconnect.
Hi Mr Pecina i love your video, thanks for all. I have a question what size is the Service entrace cable? In hiw much it? I need it in my home
This is 4/0 Aluminum Service Entrance cable.
I'm wondering if those strings inside the SE cable are there to help aide in the removal of the outer sheath. Otherwise it seems extraneous having them in there.
Awesome video! Quick question my utility company failed my service entrance inspection due to a bare neutral
Ok
Hi Ron Love your content, keep up the good work... I have a question though, I notices on the SEC Cable outdoor service drop you are not using conduit? can you explain. and when is it necessary to use conduit for a service drop above ground/
SEU is not permitted where not subject to physical damage. Here in the northeast we use routinely. Other parts of the country not-so-much.
Hey Ron, I just had a 100 to 200 amp upgrade installed by a licensed electrician including 2 new grounding rods. Soon afterwards my basement sump pump failed tripping the breaker and the water rose to 8” before it was discovered. Question, was there any danger of electrocution walking through the water to replace the pump ?
Do you install off-grid solar system in the past….thank you I like your videos
Did it for a little while but I do not like working on the roof.
Jheez was that main service live that's so cracked up 😂
Don't know what it's like in America but them grounding cables not need mechanical protection a strimmer would chew straight though them.
It's not required by the code if the conductor is #6AWG or larger and the utility company also does not require it. I also highly doubt a string trimmer (weed whacker) would go through #6 copper.
You are mire reasonable than electricians in KY
Hey Ron why twist the wire with your drill?
I'm assuming that in this video [ 2:29 ] where it captions _"No grounding _*_electrodes_*_ are permitted inside this enclosure as per PSEG standards,"_ he meant to caption that no _'grounding electrode _*_conductors_* are permitted...,_ yes?
Tapcon screws.
Ron, i noticed you were using Wago 221 lever nuts for your short wires inside the panel, I've started using them a lot they are very convenient. What's your take on them? They are definitely faster, but cost a little more.
They do cost a bit more than wire nuts but they're great for extending short conductors inside old shallow gem boxes and for connecting light fixtures where you need three hands.
Looks good and neat. So much of what you did isn’t permitted in my city tho. I don’t understand why its called the NEC when seems like every state has different standards. Yet the NEC doesn’t specify each state.
It's the National Electric Code. Here in New Jersey we follow whats known as the Uniform Construction Code and this code adopts the NEC. This allows the UCC to remove and/ or add sections that apply to the state of New Jersey. We have a Rehabilitation Sub Code here as well. This applies to existing structures where certain NEC requirements are just impossible to apply. For instance, the ceiling height for an electrical panel is to be 6' high. Well, some basement ceilings aren't 6' high so how could that requirement be met in a home built in 1890?
@@johndavies2949 I met a union electrician from Chicago a few months back. He says that Chicago has their own electrical code book. He says they don’t even read the NEC.
add imagine that the only thing that has the most universal in electrical all over the world is the math. Wire Ampacity and Voltage drop calculations Are likely Universal
6:04 I don't really remember but doesn't it says in the NEC code book that you should install the service entrance 3 feet away from window, I think i've heard something like that. But I might be mistaken though I don't remember the code.
Good question! NEC 2020 Section 230.9 (A) Clearances: Exception:
Conductors run above the top level of a window shall be permitted to be less than the 900 mm (3 ft) requirement.
So there you have it. Also, the intent of that section of the code is to have clearances so that firemen may enter the building through the window.
Ron, hope you can help. are we using SER cable for inside house from meter box to panel and SEU cable for weather head to meter box?
SER is 4-wire mostly used for main lug only panels. SEU is 3-wire mostly used for service entrance conductors.
There should never have been a braided stranded neutral wire that we have to physically roll up and it never looks good. It should just be a normal round conductor like anything else we do whoever created that was purely not thinking
We have failed for not using nolux on any aluminum connection. PA, NJ and NY
Oh yeah? What was the code section referenced?
And how you identified each circuit after you remove them from the all panels? How you do you know which circuit belongs to each rooms or bathrooms?
Plug things into them. A receptacle tester or maybe even a lamp.
Do you get only two main conductors from the electric service? What about the neutral ? Is neutral only in sub-panel?
Single phase main consists of 3-wire. Sub panels get 4-wire.
Should those screws go through the wall through to the other side ? I’m not sure but I thought I read something in the code book about mounting it so that the screws going through the panel doesn’t go through the wall .
I'm not sure what you're asking.
Where did you land the #6 ground coming from the rods? In the panel or meter pan?
In the main breaker panel. This utility company does not allow grounding electrode conductors to be terminated in their meters. Check with your utility company because some allow it.
Did PSEG have to come out to cut the power for you? I'm in Essex county and am debating on upgrading from 100 to a 200amp box, but am hesitating simply because PSEG can be difficult to coordinate with at times.
I’m licensed so I cut it out myself on residential services.
Can I use schedule 80 conduit with this SE wire coming from overhead?
Yes.
Hello. What size are the wires needed to feed a 200 amp service? My house was built in 56 if I had the 200 amp service done would they need to upgrade the wire from the pole to ?
That’s strictly up to the utility company. They’re under a different set of standards when it comes to conductor size. If you get a permit and an inspection the electrical inspector will notify the power company indicating the service has been upgraded. Then a separate inspection by the power company would take place. Hope this helped.
I'm possibly picking up a house that needs the whole service entrance replaced... SEU is frayed (old cloth covered stuff), and a lot of water has made it into the meter can so that's rusted to crap and needs replaced. Luckily the panel itself, a Bryant BR panel, seems to have avoided any water making it's way into the panel and seems OK.
I'm just trying to figure out what kind of work I'm getting myself into. Generally speaking, if it's just a straight replacement, do you have to bring everything else up to compliance with modern code (eg: service disconnect, SER from disconnect to panel, etc. My area recently adopted the 2020 NEC so disconnect's are required in new construction), or does it get grandfathered in if it's an exact replacement?
Call your building department then hire a licensed electrician who is familiar with local codes and will pull a permit so the work is inspected.
I've been trying to get in contact with the local building department / electrical inspector, but it's one of those small towns where it seems like people in the city work between 3:00 and 3:01 every third Wednesday, haha.
In theory, as someone who has at least a decent understanding electricity, replacing SEU and a meter socket doesn't seem that much more difficult than running a new circuit for some outlets. The POCO won't allow even professional electricians to touch the triplex from the pole, so the most dangerous part of the job is taken care of by them. Hell, they won't even let electricians pull a meter themselves unless it's an emergency.
Nevertheless, if I buy this house I'll probably hire it out. If getting basic information from the building department is such a pain, I'm sure the permit/inspection process isn't any better.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I'm surprised you can surface mount feeder cable to the side of the house. Never seen that before here in WA.
It’s like this all over the northeast.
@@electricalron Good to know, thanks!
Pertaining to the ground rods , is 6AWG the maximum or minimum size conductor required ? Thanks
RE:AL FRANCA. 09:33 I think the lettering on video is wrong. I think it should read minimum. Not sure if that would be solid or stranded.
What kind of clamps do you use to hold the #6 ground wire to the wall.
Just 1/4” straps. Ask an electrical supply house. They’ll have what you need.
How are you able to handle the legs from the pole without using lineman's gloves?
Because I’m trained properly.
I am curious why a conduit service riser was replaced with SEU. I have no problem with SEU but it seems a step backward in quality and appearance, or was the customer just asking for the cheapest job possible?
There is absolutely NOTHING WRONG WITH using SEU cable if it's installed correctly. After thirty years I think I know what I'm doing.
why do you fold the wire to stick it in the acorn clamp rather than slipping the acorn over wire and then just slipping over end of ground rod
Because that’s how I do it.
When you went on top of ladder to attach new wire pole. Did you connect the city wires with yours?
My electrical license allows me to do this in New Jersey. Otherwise this would be 100% illegal and fines would be probable.
@@electricalron thank you for your reply. It will be city’s job to hook up their end.
no rigid sch 80 pvc conduit for outside?
What do you think might happen to the conduit that schedule 80 would prevent from happening?
How do you like using that Klein 4 way MCM stripper? I just purchased one and have not used it (been using a utility knife). Great video!
It's always the tools that speedup production. I did it with a utility knife FOREVER until I bought the tool so I really appreciate the stripping tool. Good quality Klein Tools product.
They work great with CU Conductors but not so great with AL conductors !!
Could you please tell how much you would charge to replace just the service entrance cable going from the top of the house down to the meter? I think I have a sleazy electrician feeding me some phony info. Thank you
Each home and task is different but generally a service riser replacement starts at $1200.00.
When installing Your meter into a energize socket do not stand directly in front of your meter in case of a back blast
There'll be no "back blast" if you've A) checked your work for any faults, and B) know what you're doing.
will the old wiring already in the home need to be replaced or will it withstand the 200amp
It will withstand.
If you have underground service your line would be coming into the bottom of your meter enclosure. Do you just flip the whole enclosure in that case?
Good question! The answer is no. In that case you would ask for an underground (UG) service meter.
@@electricalron Thanks, moving to PSEG territory soon and planning to do a 200A service upgrade. Seems like the Milbank U8173-XL-KK-BLG can do UG and is approved by PSEG. Your videos have been helpful.
How do I tell and what do I do if the drop from the power company is not large enough for 200 amp? Is it generally the power company's responsibility or is it on me/ my electrician?
Power Company (POCO)
What light is that you have on your head I like it...
Milwaukee USB 600 lumens.
Thank you sir
doesn't the acorn say its good for 1 conductor #10-1 and wouldn't doubling it up be a fail since you didn't follow the MFG listed methods? Or is doubled up still considered 1 conductor...?
You may be right but I’ve never failed an inspection for it.
Can you use 200 amps and 100 amps in the Sam circuit breaker box
Yes. Imagine the 200 amps as a one gallon container. If 100 amps measures a half gallon then obviously it’ll fit in the container.
This comment is about the tool you used to cut the large wires inside the meter Wat is it called again?
Klein ratchet cutters. About $179 at Home Depot . Com.
Roughly, how much does an upgrade like this run and are Permits typically required?
In New Jersey a permit is required for this work. This job and others like it start at $3,000.00.
Where the cable enters the house through the siding what is used to protect the cable and to seal up the hole?
PVC conduit and hydraulic concrete.
@@electricalron Thank you.
Wow!! As always excelent jobs!! Question , what size of wire do you use for a new 200Amp? Is a 3/0 gage?
Actually, for a residential service 200 amps is 2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum.
@@electricalron thank you for reply me!! But which do you recommend !?
What that be just the hot or neutral as well
@@electricalron -- Hey Ron, great video. Do you use the exact same wire from the top of the mast down to the meter as you do from the meter into the house? Thanks.
crap, I need the same thing but with a JCP&L referenced standards lol
Hello, how much is the average cost of labor and material to switch to a 200? Thank you
It’s different from state to state but here in NJ they start at $2500 and go up from there.
Why in the hell does the neutral need to be separated at the weather head but can be in the connector on the panel?
I dunno what you’re trying to say here.
hello Ron is there any pointer on passing the master electrician exam.
Hi I’m looking to setup a 200 amp panel 100 ft away (above ground, through the attic) I’m wondering which phase sub panel I need for that? Running 4-5 20 amp 110v lines and 2x 20-30 amp 220v lines. Also I’m wondering if this cable will be the correct cable for me to run box to box?:
4/0-4/0-4/0-4/0 Appaloosa Quadruplex Overhead Aluminum Conductor
@ Chemysterykids ; There is NO such thing as '' 110 '' Volts anymore and hasn't been since the early 70's ! Standard AC Voltage nowdays is 120/240 or 125 / 250 ! NO 110 VAC !!!!
How far apart do you put your service bans
What’s a service ban?
What wire gage do you recommend to use on a 200 amp?
2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum.
Hi do you do business in NY queens? and what’s the approximate cost for upgrading
Not licensed in New York. Sorry.
Just to make sure I got this right if you're doing 200 amp service with copper you use number 6 size wire.
#6 AWG for the ground rods. #2 Aluminum for water main bond.
@@electricalron Thanks Ron what about the service conductor for the panel what size copper for 200 amp Panel.
I’m sorry, I meant can you have some 200 amps and 100 amps at the same time in the box. My electrician put in a new box and put in some 200amps and some in as 100 amps. Just wondering if this is okay.
I believe you only have one or the other. Maybe your panel is rated for 200 but your service is actually 100. Never heard of 2 different sized services coming to the same panel but could be wrong.
I thought it was the utility's responsibility to connect/disconnect the main overhead feeds.
Its different from state to state. Check with your utility company to find out their policy. Here in NJ this is PSEG territory and as long as I have a permit and an electrical license I'm permitted to do this cut in and cut out.
Looks like you did that all by yourself. How many hours did it take?
Usually allow for (2) full days for the whole job. Grounding and bonding one day, everything else the next day.
California you need a 2 inch rigid pipe
California's mostly morons living out there.
@@electricalron profecionalism distinguish you.
how much do you charge for a Panel change?
$2000-$2500
Where is the emergency disconnect required in 225 .41?
There is no article 225.41.
@@electricalron you better check again.
@@jeffreyknowles6265 I already did. It does not exist. Did u mean 230.85 maybe?
Tap cons
Blue screws=tapcons
Thank you.
When someone told me I should upgrade to 200a I thought they were full of shit. Turns out, they were. There were 2 double breakers in my box feeding to things that weren't there anymore. A baseboard heater and an in-wall heater. There was also a single breaker feeding a well pump that was no longer there because my neighborhood got city water before I ever moved in. After freeing up those 5 spaces I didn't need shit.
Or until you remodel a kitchen, bathroom, and basement. Then you’ll need more spaces in the panel. You really don’t need a 200 amp panel unless you have a load that demands 200 amps or you need more space for individual circuits.
Hi Ron. How much roughly does a job like this cost the home owner.
Roughly $3000.00
Hello, ron, why would a company charge me $30,000 for a service like this ? I have a electrical panel with four breaker (house is old) and I want to upgrade to a better panel such as the work on this video, would the rough estimate be around the 3k ball park ? Thank you
@@kerwinvergara3335 The most expensive service upgrade I ever did was $6500.00 and that was for a 3-family home. It was a 200 amp service with (3) 100-amp service disconnects/ meter base all in the same enclosure.
@@electricalron got it, when I heard 30k I was questioning the worrying. But thank you. I want to upgrade to a 200a panel as well
Hi .. can u helpme im pool tech. I was change the pool light. 12v leds .. but when i touch the ligth. Feel shock of power .. i removed the groud inthe junction box .. and now dont feel nothing
The neutral conductor is broken some place and current is is flowing on the normally grounded parts. Normally, GFCI-protection would prevent this from being energized when it shouldn't be but I know for sure there is no GFCI protection in this scenario. Call a licensed electrician for further assistance is the best advice I could offer you.
Any metal (ladders, lights, etc.) in or near the pool needs to be bonded to the common ground.
How much do you charge?
Whatever the job costs plus taxes and profit.
@@electricalron how much was this job?
How is having exposed cable like that even legal?? Where you from New Jersey? That's some wacky codes up in your area
What do you think might happen?
For one depending the neighborhood its in , you can steal off the line side … it’s not protected regardless of what it says on the sheath . I live in California, licensed c-10 holder . I’m not knocking your work what so ever but that would never pass any inspections here in California . Not from the building department, especially not from the utility company . The #6 grounding wire for 200 amp service ??? Not possible here . For what your state allows the work you did looks good . But i have to agree so many red flags .
@Electrician Ron codes are different all across the country. With all phases of construction. Some need to inspect drywall screw pattern. There's really stupid stuff and over kill in every state
@@electricalron I think over 15 plus years the sun will eat away at it a bit. Possibly getting punctured I don't know.. But it is a good fact tho that not much will happen to it to be honest.. The fact that someone can cut it with a knife or easily tamp with it before it goes into the meter is probably the main reason?
@@pauls.7250 You're funny. The #6 AWG copper is for the ground rods. You mean to tell me you run a larger conductor than that for ground rods?!! GROUND RODS???!!!
Tapcons
Thanks
When cutting back in energize circuit please wear You’re hot gloves do not work barehanded
Why not? The gloves are not going to save me in an arc flash even. The SCCR on the main is 22kw.
not a big fan of how you had the ground rods above finished grade... thats a nightmare for lawn guys... easily prevented with a shovel. and a shallow hole.
and it is not the right ground wire too
No? What’s the right ground wire?
Quick, electrician joke ( I know you'll get quickly,lol) I see you are putting your electrician's hammer to goo use in this video. Sorry I had to.
it is not good to not put wire at EMT man is not safe and does not long life for wires too
2am or 3am ??? Which one was it for you ???
Does the utility charge a fee for the installation of the new meter?
That's a question for your utility company. Normally around here the old meters are replaced with modern digital meters but I do not know if there's a charge from the POCO or not.
Is it common for 14/3 to enter the load center for 120 volt only??
Is used for 3 way switches
@@dape7 for a circuit th 14/3 enters the load center?
How does it get connected?