Need Home Electrical Help

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grr456

Club Member
The 125 Amp Main Breaker in my home went bad yesterday when I switched it off due to a power outage. I am not sure I ever switched it off in the entire 27 years I've lived here. Since the house was built in the 70's I cannot find a replacement breaker and need to replace the entire panel (I think).

I ultimately pulled the meter, removed the breaker and jumped it to the power buss bars so I'd have electricity in the house until I find a solution. I am not that worried right now since everything is still protected.


Does anyone know about how much it will cost to have an electrician do this? I went to Lowes last night trying to find a replacement breaker, but couldn't. Complete boxes are about $125ish.. I have a 20 position box with 26 breakers. Some are dual breakers......

Do we have any electricians here? I would rather give the work to a member.....

Gary

My Box with cover removed - A mess...
View attachment 78123
 
Ha. I forgot you live right near me. After last nights power outage I decided I want to have an electrician come in and wire a plug to my furance so I can attach it directly to my generator. I originally bought the generator specifically for my sump pump and hadn't considered a power outage in 15F temperatures, but with a 2 year old and another on the way, a warm house is a higher priority.

Answer Gary's question first, but I'll take some advice/help on wiring a plug to my furnace.
 
I just shot my buddy John a text to see if he is looking for a side job. He put a new box in my house in Novi and the new house in Farmington Hills. I'll let you know what he says.
 
It is a Square D panel and breaker. The breaker is in my brother's truck right now. It is twice as large as any of the current breakers I've seen.

I've gotten a couple of estimates from Craigslist people. For 150 amp replacement panels were $625 and $650. Both said they were licensed.....

Gary
 
I had an electrician from the Ford rouge plant do my service on the "side".
I had everything new from the weather head down, new conduit, new wire from weather head down into breaker box. two ground rods installed, and ground ran to both sides of water meter, and gas line. I believe I paid $850 and that was this last summer.

PM me if you want his number. His quality of work/detail was outstanding.

-Justin


grr456 said:
The 125 Amp Main Breaker in my home went bad yesterday when I switched it off due to a power outage. I am not sure I ever switched it off in the entire 27 years I've lived here. Since the house was built in the 70's I cannot find a replacement breaker and need to replace the entire panel (I think).

I ultimately pulled the meter, removed the breaker and jumped it to the power buss bars so I'd have electricity in the house until I find a solution. I am not that worried right now since everything is still protected.


Does anyone know about how much it will cost to have an electrician do this? I went to Lowes last night trying to find a replacement breaker, but couldn't. Complete boxes are about $125ish.. I have a 20 position box with 26 breakers. Some are dual breakers......

Do we have any electricians here? I would rather give the work to a member.....

Gary

My Box with cover removed - A mess...
View attachment 78123
Click to expand...
 
sofa king said:
Try grainger or some supply house type place.
If Square D, they are pretty popular/common and should be able to find a replacement.

Edit, or Madison as mentioned above...

https://www.google.com/search?q=square+D+B24X551&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8#q=square+D+Q2M-2125
Click to expand...

Nope - No one local sells it (that I can find). I did the exact same search and while several say they have it in stock, when I asked them to check inventory, they don't have it.

Square D has been in business for quite a while BUT, has been sold a few times in the past 10 years and have changed things around.

Gary
 
I think I'd have a professional change that box out for you. Dual breakers are iffy, as are the scotchlocks inside the box. Shouldn't take much to upgrade to 200 amp service and a box with more circuits.

Just my $.02, not trying to be a dick here.
 
hangemhigh said:
I think I'd have a professional change that box out for you. Dual breakers are iffy, as are the scotchlocks inside the box. Shouldn't take much to upgrade to 200 amp service and a box with more circuits.

Just my $.02, not trying to be a dick here.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, do you know roughly how much it costs to upgrade to 200 amp service?
 
Call Platinum Electric, he is the best around....tell him Rick gave you his info.....

5868502431



Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk 2
 
hangemhigh said:
I think I'd have a professional change that box out for you. Dual breakers are iffy, as are the scotchlocks inside the box. Shouldn't take much to upgrade to 200 amp service and a box with more circuits.

Just my $.02, not trying to be a dick here.
Click to expand...

Whats the matter with the dual breakers? Nice catch on the scotch locks. It cant say Ive ever seen them in home use.
 
CruisnCobra said:
Just out of curiosity, do you know roughly how much it costs to upgrade to 200 amp service?
Click to expand...

With a new box and upgraded service entrance line, I'd think around $1k, or less if one has good electrical skills. The tie-in shouldn't be too difficult.

mustangmike6996 said:
Whats the matter with the dual breakers? Nice catch on the scotch locks. It cant say Ive ever seen them in home use.
Click to expand...

Dual breakers increase the risk of pulling more power through the box than it's designed to carry. (at least that's what I've been told). My insurance co. said they're def. a no-no. The scotchlocks look like whomever added circuits either ran out of wire to the grounding bar, or ran out of terminals at the grounding bar. That's probably not too dire, but it's just not right, and electrical boxes are one area where things need to be done correctly....An electrical inspector wouldn't be too happy with that set-up. When I do electrical, everything but lighting circuits get 12ga wire and a 20a breaker. 12ga is harder to work with, but overkill with elecrical is never a bad thing.
 
PM sent Gary with who did my service upgrade.

Motown really needs an electrician sponsor, they would get a lot of work.

Dennis
 
hangemhigh said:
With a new box and upgraded service entrance line, I'd think around $1k, or less if one has good electrical skills. The tie-in shouldn't be too difficult.
Click to expand...

Interesting, I'm in the beginning stages of finishing my basement off. Once i have it all framed this is the first thing I need done. My house was built in the 90's (2500sq ft), and only has a 100amp service. I have 290 amps worth of breakers in my box from previous owners. I know it's not realistic to have all breakers 100% loaded at the same time, but still, that seems excessive. I need to add about 3-4 new circuits for basement outlets & lighting, and figure upgrading to 200amp is the right way to go. In my head i was thinking the number would be closer to 3k to have someone switch me over from 100 to 200 amps.
 
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