How Many Amp Service Do You Have

[brk-lnt]

Our condo in South Down was 100Amp.
Our house in NH is 200Amp, house in FL is 400Amp.

[ursa minor]

I could be wrong on this but I think the meter disconnect rule is an NHEC requirement. We built in 2000 and I seem to recall that this rule came along a year or two after that. (Remember discussing the "vandalism" concerns mentioned above.) It wasn't required by either NH or National electric codes in 2000. We installed a 200 A service as we have all electric appliances (dryer, range), the hot water heater, water pumps and some electric heat.

[meredith weekender]

The disconnect at the meter is a NHEC rule. We upgraded in 2005 from 100 amp to 200 amp service and the disconnect was required. 100amp service would typically be fine at a camp but when you add in a sewage pump, electric dryer, a/c, electric stove, hot tub, etc the need to upgrade becomes real.

[SAMIAM]

Originally Posted by brk-lnt

Our condo in South Down was 100Amp.
Our house in NH is 200Amp, house in FL is 400Amp.

Wow...that must be some house.400Amp will run a restaurant

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

Wow...that must be some house.400Amp will run a restaurant

It's probably slightly overkill, but since everything is electric it kinds of makes sense. Kitchen cooktop and oven, electric dryer, couple of A/C units, elevator, pool equipment. Not everything would likely be in use at the same time, but the house was built with a bit of an overkill factor (not by me, we're the 2nd owners).

[SIKSUKR]

Generally speaking, the size of the conductors coming from the pole to your house are sized for the service size.(60,100,200) At least the old drops were. I would think that if you were upgrading from a 60 to 100 of higher then your wire drops from the pole need to be upsized accordingly.

[Kamper]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

... wire drops from the pole need to be upsized accordingly.

And probably I'd need a mast and external cut-off. I really hate that hot-tub!

Thanks!

[Hivolt]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Generally speaking, the size of the conductors coming from the pole to your house are sized for the service size.(60,100,200) At least the old drops were. I would think that if you were upgrading from a 60 to 100 of higher then your wire drops from the pole need to be upsized accordingly.

Doubtful, In my years at the electric company down here in MA and from what I've seen working out of town, a utility generally won't change anything unless it burns up on their end. We used to use #4 aluminum and our standard now for residential is #2 aluminum or 1/0 for high draw customers. but if you have an existing #4 or #2 service they likely won't change it no matter how big a service you put in. Utilities get away with it because of open air rules for conductors and their ability to dissipate heat more easily.

[wifi]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

..... it no matter how big a service you put in. Utilities get away with it because of open air rules for conductors and their ability to dissipate heat more easily.

As I understand it from a number of lineman, from a wide area of the country, the local power companies sets the standards on what they do, and are immune from the NEC on their wiring. This is why you see lots of different standards in the country.

[Hivolt]

Originally Posted by wifi

As I understand it from a number of lineman, from a wide area of the country, the local power companies sets the standards on what they do, and are immune from the NEC on their wiring. This is why you see lots of different standards in the country.

The only code I am aware of that all utilities are held to is the National Electric Safety Code. I honestly have never read one line of it but I know our EOP's (electric operating procedures) reference it.

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Hivolt

Doubtful, In my years at the electric company down here in MA and from what I've seen working out of town, a utility generally won't change anything unless it burns up on their end. We used to use #4 aluminum and our standard now for residential is #2 aluminum or 1/0 for high draw customers. but if you have an existing #4 or #2 service they likely won't change it no matter how big a service you put in. Utilities get away with it because of open air rules for conductors and their ability to dissipate heat more easily.

I upgraded my 60 amp service in my first house to 100 and absolutely had to have new drops put in. This service was original from about 1950. PSNH did not charge me for that either.

[Orion]

Everything is getting more efficient as years go by so the need to upgrade services is mitigated somewhat. We have all LED lighting, efficient electric appliances, electric kitchen, Mitsubishi Split AC, electric hot water.....all working just fine with no brownouts or circuit breaker trips on 100A service.

[Hivolt]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I upgraded my 60 amp service in my first house to 100 and absolutely had to have new drops put in. This service was original from about 1950. PSNH did not charge me for that either.

Again I can't speak for everyone. There a million reasons why a service drop would be replaced and every company is different. If I rolled up to your house for a reconnect and found an 1950 service drop I'd replace the whole thing too.