MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
i have a 125 amp pannel. i need at least 200 amp panel. how do i go about upgrading and how much do you think it will cost. thanks in advance
please help. electrical
- Thread starter MrStickyScissors
- Start date
ASMALLVOICE
Well-Known Member
First of all, you need to verify that the power company has given you a feed that is 200 amp compatible. If it is , then you will need to rework it from the meter can to the panel if the wire is not sized properly.( after all power is disconnected) Then you can install your 200 amp panel and go from there. Just don't assume anything about the feed untill you have verified it.
Peace and Safe Grows
Asmallvoice
Peace and Safe Grows
Asmallvoice
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
can i upgrade the feed?
scotchtape51
Well-Known Member
I don't think so, that seems like something the elec company might have to decide to do.
If you don't know elec call a legit electrician If you value your life.
GL happy grow
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
Yea I'm going to hire someone. Lol I ent even like plugging jumper cables on a car I hate getting shocked
jrainman
Active Member
Cost is related to were you live , Where I live now I was able to install my own and have a lic electric company check that it met code then town inspecter gave the green light about $400. were I use to live no way had to hire lic .electrical contractor that was 18 yrs ago $ 1,500
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
9 1ks and 3 eight bulb t5s. 3 eight inch exhaust fans. And some wall mount fans. Ran 7 in the same house for over a year str8. Just adding 2 lights and a veg room. 9 amps per light the ac in the house puts it over
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
I'm pretty sure its 2000 amp service its a newer home
JointOperation
Well-Known Member
and how? does that make your bill lower? lol u get charged in watts. dont matter how many amps u use.
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
Yea only difference is how much you can pull before the breaker pops
MrStickyScissors
Well-Known Member
I ended up having a electrician install a built in timer along with some thick copper wire I ran 10,000 watts with no problem. Didn't have much room left in the breaker box but I think he ended up putting a sub panel in as well. Bill was still 1k a month
Here's the misconception about running your lights on a 220v circuit being cheaper to run. If your electrical company charged you by the amp (volts divided by resistance) then you whould be correct as a 1000w device on a 220v circuit will draw 4.54 amps (1000w divided by 220v equals 4.54 amps. Whereas a a 1000w device on a 110v circuit will use 9.09 amps, or double that of 220v. the thing is you get charged by the watt which is volts x amps, so being that they use the same Wattage, you'll be paying the same either way. Note this doesn't take power factor into the equation, but that's a story for another day.
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
This is how I describe it, when some one asks me: "isn't my power bill going to be cheaper if I run my lights at 240v?"
A 1000w light pulls dam near the same amount of amps @120v vs. 240v.
Only difference is that @240v, the amps are split between two different phases.
120v, single phase.
Dam near the same amount of amps in the end.
mike4c4
Well-Known Member
you do know that a "1000w device on a 220v circuit will draw 4.54 amps (1000w divided by 220v equals 4.54 amps."as you said is split between both pols of the plug. so it still takes 9.09 amps. you cannot take any devise that takes x amount of amps. and make it run on less. the same as you cant make it take mare amps. it will fry
ttystikk
Well-Known Member
Well, it sounds like the Original Poster went ahead and had a pro install his upgrade.
I've done most of the wiring upgrades in my home from breaker panel to outlet, but when it came to going from 100A to 150A at the mains, I didn't hesitate to call in someone licensed and knowledgeable. Here's why;
1. Lighting is a special load, because it's persistent, that is, it runs longer than two hours. Therefore, additional capacity is needed to service lighting loads safely.
2. Longer runs need thicker cable than short ones.
3. Connections in high amp circuits need to be positive and TIGHT.
4. The thing to watch out for in 120V circuit is load balancing, so you don't trip your breaker by pulling as little as half the rated amps.
5. Water and electricity don't mix. You MUST have a GFCI breaker in your system. The guy standing in a puddle grabbing a worn cord is likely to be you.
6. Burning your house down involves a serious risk of dying in the fire- and at the very least, it's a bad way to make the acquaintance of your local fire and police departments!
My peace of mind is worth a lot more than the $2100 I paid for the upgrades, additional panels and heavy cable pulled into the grow area.
Bonus; now I have someone I can call for any stupid electrical question I'll ever have again!
Extra bonus; if it's the right electrician, he'll take payment in kind. BUD. Skilled tradesmen party too, and they can afford the chronic. Just don't expect to pass off second rate weed this way...
I've done most of the wiring upgrades in my home from breaker panel to outlet, but when it came to going from 100A to 150A at the mains, I didn't hesitate to call in someone licensed and knowledgeable. Here's why;
1. Lighting is a special load, because it's persistent, that is, it runs longer than two hours. Therefore, additional capacity is needed to service lighting loads safely.
2. Longer runs need thicker cable than short ones.
3. Connections in high amp circuits need to be positive and TIGHT.
4. The thing to watch out for in 120V circuit is load balancing, so you don't trip your breaker by pulling as little as half the rated amps.
5. Water and electricity don't mix. You MUST have a GFCI breaker in your system. The guy standing in a puddle grabbing a worn cord is likely to be you.
6. Burning your house down involves a serious risk of dying in the fire- and at the very least, it's a bad way to make the acquaintance of your local fire and police departments!
My peace of mind is worth a lot more than the $2100 I paid for the upgrades, additional panels and heavy cable pulled into the grow area.
Bonus; now I have someone I can call for any stupid electrical question I'll ever have again!
Extra bonus; if it's the right electrician, he'll take payment in kind. BUD. Skilled tradesmen party too, and they can afford the chronic. Just don't expect to pass off second rate weed this way...
Aeroknow
Well-Known Member
Great post!
Although I do a lot of wiring myself, some things are better left to a real professional.
I recently had to upgrade my service from 100A to 200A, on this house I'm adding on to, and flipping.
1st call is to the power Co, to see if transformer and lines can handle it. Might need an upgrade on their end, hopefully it doesn't cost you money here, but can, if you are the only one on the transformer. At least, this is how it works in northern Cali and PG&E.
Second, visit your town hall/inspector, then start the coordination of the upgrade between the two and a sparky.
Third, in my case, take off 1000 bucks(because I'm a nice brother)from the debt my younger brother owes me. He's an electrician.