Need Home Electrical Help

To sub it out, 2500 and up. Doing it yourself might save 500-1500 pending extras (outlets, switches) you'd have as a requirement beyond a service update and upgrade.

04GoaT said:
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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How much does DTE charge to come out and upgrade the amperage? Is a permit/ licensed electrician required for a new panel?
 
Beigg said:
To sub it out, 2500 and up. Doing it yourself might save 500-1500 pending extras (outlets, switches) you'd have as a requirement beyond a service update and upgrade.
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I should have clarified, I'm going to add all the circuits and run the wire myself for the basement. Only need someone to upgrade the panel.

Similar to the question above, I have 100amp main, I'm assuming I can just have someone drop a new 200amp panel in place of it without any DTE upgrade?
 
04GoaT said:
I should have clarified, I'm going to add all the circuits and run the wire myself for the basement. Only need someone to upgrade the panel.

Similar to the question above, I have 100amp main, I'm assuming I can just have someone drop a new 200amp panel in place of it without any DTE upgrade?
Click to expand...

It depends on what your line is rated for. If you need an upgrade from the pole to the house it gets costly. Another member on here had a main replaced. He wanted a 200 (I think) but ended up with a bit smaller due to the need to upgrade the service connection from the pole
 
04GoaT said:
I should have clarified, I'm going to add all the circuits and run the wire myself for the basement. Only need someone to upgrade the panel.

Similar to the question above, I have 100amp main, I'm assuming I can just have someone drop a new 200amp panel in place of it without any DTE upgrade?
Click to expand...
DTE [1 (800) 477-4747] upgrading there side of service is permit free and doesnt involve $ from you. Just scheduling them to do so is all I was told from DTE to plan ahead for. From your mast into your house from the meter is all on you.
Do you have a generator plug in place already? Pool circuit? A/C feed?
At a minimum, expect 2500 to do it right and to pull a permit.
 
mustangmike6996 said:
It depends on what your line is rated for. If you need an upgrade from the pole to the house it gets costly. Another member on here had a main replaced. He wanted a 200 (I think) but ended up with a bit smaller due to the need to upgrade the service connection from the pole
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after conducting the needed wiring for 200, DTE will then do their part.
Q&A <- Click that.
 
As Beigg said, DTE will update the drop to 200A for free once you have made the panel, meter and service feeder upgrades. They will not do it until they see an approved permit.

Best way to go is to replace the panel with a SquareD QO 200A main 40/40 panel, upgrade the meter and service feed, pull the permit and get it approved. It's < than full day job w/ 2 guys. Once the permit is approved, DTE can upgrade you for free, and you can call your insurance company for a discount. Beware of NEC code requirements/upgrades, and tying the new service feed into Edison hot (up on the roof/weather head) is not for a novice. You might also want to consider installing a whole house surge suppressor while you're replacing the panel.



For the generator feed, the best way is to install a manual transfer switch next to your main panel. Then a generator plug (240V 50A) is installed on the exterior of the house, fed into that TX switch. When power goes out, you simply flip the switch on the transfer switch and it'll feed your house from the generator feed vs DTE.

An alternative to the transfer switch, if your panel supports it, is an interlock kit. You still need the generator plug, the home run to the panel, etc. I prefer the TX switch approach, but this is cheaper and functional/legal.
 
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