Howdy,
Just got me a new home and some troubles as well. Labor of Love one should not wonder.
I could barely insure the home. It has 60A in this 1959 house. They want
125A. At least that's what the insurance said. (Home is in Solano County.)I went shopping for panels. I'm no wizard with Electricity. (Note the respectful big "E") But I do get by. I understand what is what in a circuit. Clear on how them breakers work and wiring in general.
But I'm no expert electrician. Still I know with some good help I can do this job.
First I got a permit. Was not too tough. And have a call in to PG&E to talk to an inspector about requirements and the like. What I need is a step by step by someone who does this routinely. What's next?
I had conflicting bids from electricians on the upgrade. Some said - $1200 to $1500. When they had found out the main power is coming in from the bottom, they just laughed and said "All you need is the panel, Cletus." The present panel is a single panel with the meter on the top part and the breakers under it. Got the Spa wired to 220V on a bridged 40 amp breaker. The rest is small potatoes. 20A breakers running to simple outlets and the like. I was told by Home Depot, I need a separate breaker for the Spa, located 6' or less from the Spa, and that the way it is in the main box, is a violation. Ugh. (That'll be tough, as the Spa is on the Patio, away from the wall by 15' or so.)
I'm willing to buy the box for that as well though.
I need to be pointed to a step by step, or if it's not too much trouble, post one here. I'd like to be clear on the steps to take.
Can I surface mount the 125A box? The present one is recessed into the wall. The box I was looking at requires a BIG hole! I'd like to just get the wires in on the bottom, and cover up the present little hole with the big box.
All help will be appreciated with extreme prejudice.
Cletus
Bytolier®