Is this #3 THHN

[DaSnake]

A dead short across live the service conductors, or panel the busbar, or from any phase to ground, will cause a deadly electrical explosion. Imagine that dream sequence in Terminator 2 where the nuclear blast strips all the flesh off Sarah Connor's bones. It will be something like that.

One of the guys from work made me and another apprentice watch the seen from Ozark where two brothers are electrocuted to death. One of their arms was burned to the bones. Sometimes I wish I became a plumber's apprentice.

 

[DaSnake]

What is the reason you are worried about it?

Roger

A neighbor asked if I could change her main breaker. It's currently 50amps. I looked at her panel and there is no disconnect. Meter is wired straight to the panel. So I told her I CANNOT do it.

The next day at work I was telling a senior electrician about it and he said he can change the breakers without a disconnect. He's done it many times. I call crap in a respectful way and ask him how he's going to do it. He wont tell me. He tells me to identify the wire type and gauge, buy the correct size and style replacement breaker and he'll pay me a % of the contract.

If the wire is #3 we can replace it with a 100amp breaker.

 

[DaSnake]

As already suggested just remove the white tape and read the lettering on the conductor.

I'm not comfortable putting my hands in the hot box after the Sarah Connor Terminator reference.

 

[roger]

A neighbor asked if I could change her main breaker. It's currently 50amps. I looked at her panel and there is no disconnect. Meter is wired straight to the panel. So I told her I CANNOT do it.

You told her the right thing.

​

The next day at work I was telling a senior electrician about it and he said he can change the breakers without a disconnect. He's done it many times. I call crap in a respectful way and ask him how he's going to do it. He wont tell me. He tells me to identify the wire type and gauge, buy the correct size and style replacement breaker and he'll pay me a % of the contract.

If the wire is #3 we can replace it with a 100amp breaker.

He probably can do it but it is dangerous and not smart.

Roger