I am thinking of having our 42 year old 100 amp fuse panel replaced with a
100 amp breaker panel.Right now we cannot add new wires/circuits as the fuse panel is full. The panel has the stove and pot light and a/c and electric dryer fuses as panel of the "load centre" so we do not have separate sub-boxes for those higher amp needs. We have one sub-panel for a 230V x 15 A pool motor. We are a young couple and expect to start a family in the next couple of years and intend to stay in this house until the kids become adults.
Our home is a 42 year old 1700 square foot bungalow. We are considering switching our electrical stove to a natural gas stove and the dryer to gas as well although these may not be done right away but in a few years. Our water heater and furnace are gas.
What are the benefits of having a 200 amp panel installed? I want to add two or three new wires in the future to add lighting or to accommodate electronic devices in various rooms in the house. If we go with a gas stove will the need of 200 amp panel be less? If we go gas stove and dryer, is 100 amp more than sufficient for the next 20 years?
Another question: How are houses grounded these days. I have a grounding wire that is clamped to my municipal water (3/4" galvanized) that is 26 feet away from my panel box.
Also what GFCI needs should I consider. When we bought this house 7 months ago, there was not a single GFCI outlet in the kitchen or outside or in bathrooms. I was told to keep the protection at the outlet as the panels that provide protection at the breaker trip too quickly when you turn on hair dryers or power tools with 10 amp or more motors.