Posted: 3/1/2012 5:37:45 PM EDT
|
I have a house built in the 60's that has a 150 amp panel. I'm out is space and am starting to have issues with running the dryer and AC at the same time. I want to upgrade to a 200 amp panel at least. What sort of expense should I expect? Before anyone even asks, there ain't no way I'm touching it myself. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
What kind of issues are you having that would be a problem for the 150a main? I have seen a lot of bad appliances draw a massive load on satrtup, which leads one to investigate a bad appliance. It usually involves loose connections though to be a problem with the main as well.
Without knowing exactly what is going on, and to just answer your question, a rough price for a 200a panel, complete from drop with permit and inspection, around $2200. It can go up from there. However, whatever electrician comes out needs to investigate the current problem. |
|
Quoted:
You're tripping the main on a 150 amp panel or are you tripping individual breakers? The 20a double pole dryer breaker trips it it's running and the AC kicks on. The breaker also gets hot to touch. I want to add a mini split to cool my garage and have nowhere to put it in my current panel Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
You're tripping the main on a 150 amp panel or are you tripping individual breakers? The 20a double pole dryer breaker trips it it's running and the AC kicks on. The breaker also gets hot to touch. I want to add a mini split to cool my garage and have nowhere to put it in my current panel Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile A dryer should be 10g wire on a 30amp circuit. A new circuit for that and a sub panel will actually fix the current problem, give you more space, and be a bit cheaper. |
|
Quoted: What kind of issues are you having that would be a problem for the 150a main? I have seen a lot of bad appliances draw a massive load on satrtup, which leads one to investigate a bad appliance. It usually involves loose connections though to be a problem with the main as well. Without knowing exactly what is going on, and to just answer your question, a rough price for a 200a panel, complete from drop with permit and inspection, around $2200. It can go up from there. However, whatever electrician comes out needs to investigate the current problem. Nice one. |
|
Utility company? About $1500 if the old transformer is good and 150 foot run to the meter. Throw in another $2000 for a new panel plus breakers installed. If you have #14 wires to the 120s, some electricians may not touch it. Nothing in the old panel can be reused. |
|
I upgraded the service on my old house a few years ago. I had a 60amp main coming in and then split multiple times. I'm sure it wasn't up to code but everything ran fine. So 150 amps should be plenty, you just have to make sure it is wired up correctly. I upgraded to a 200 amp panel, moved the service drop from one corner of the house to the opposite corner and relocated the main breaker box. I ran a line back to the original panel location and installed a sub-panel to deal with most of the existing circuits. I rewired some of the circuits to the new panel location. I still have a few more circuits that I want to rewire. One such circuit is connected to outlets in the bedroom, living room, bathroom, laundry room, and some of the basement lights. If I am watching tv, washing clothes, and turn on the vacuum it will trip the breaker. That is because they wired it up wrong not because I don't have enough amps coming in. The AC should have no affect on the dryer circuit, unless they are wired together. BTW, I did all the above myself with a little bit of help from a friend. I was told the upgrade and moving the service drop would have cost me at $2,500 if I had someone else do it. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
You're tripping the main on a 150 amp panel or are you tripping individual breakers? The 20a double pole dryer breaker trips it it's running and the AC kicks on. The breaker also gets hot to touch. I want to add a mini split to cool my garage and have nowhere to put it in my current panel Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile A dryer should be 10g wire on a 30amp circuit. A new circuit for that and a sub panel will actually fix the current problem, give you more space, and be a bit cheaper. Look into this one.... 
Get a pro to look at it for sure you should be OK if you really have 150 amp service, if it is #10 going to your dryer, replace with a new 30 amp breaker, make sure they are NOT sharing the same breaker also, again let a pro look into your panel, might save you some $$$.... |
| If your service is overhead, $1500-$1800 is fair to replace the panel and riser. If underground to a pad mounted transformer, expect $1800 to $2300. If you have an overhead drop to the house, I doubt the power company will even change their wire size if you increase the panel size. The drop to the house is the responsiblity of the power company and is free. If underground, the conduit and wire to the pad mounted transformer is on you. #14 gauge wire just needs a 15 amp breaker. |
|
You have several GOOD answers....150 Amp is fine, unless you just want to add more shit to it....SOMETHING is causing the Dryer to trip
Something as simple as a loose connection, to wrong sized breaker. Looking at a few bucks, as apposed to a few thousand.......
|
| Dryer breaker is too small for dryer and the wire size might be too small. Just have the connections checked might save coin. But if your upgrading your service, by code you will have to install smoke detectors, 120V & battery back up in many areas. GFCI protection to current code as well. $2500-4K is a rough estimate. |
|
Quoted:
Dryer breaker is too small for dryer and the wire size might be too small. Just have the connections checked might save coin. But if your upgrading your service, by code you will have to install smoke detectors, 120V & battery back up in many areas. GFCI protection to current code as well. $2500-4K is a rough estimate. Is that part of tn rehab code? Because it's not true for the majority. |
|
@ fast_jimmy...
All due respect, I'm usually the friend when somone needs help, been doing electrical work for 28 years. I think he knew what I was implying when I said "get a pro" up a few posts. Sometimes I look at things for free, if they are gonna tackle it their self and give a little info too, it does payback sometimes...  ...
ETA...didnt quote.. 
|