remodel panel sizing

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Montana Pat

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I am currently working on a remodel and the customer has an existing 16 space square D panel circa 1970's. The house has a 100 amp service. I would like to upgrade the existing panel. This is a 1700 sq. ft. residence with a mother-in-law suite above the garage. Given the house already has a 100 amp service and the customer does not want to deal with - or, more to the point, pay for- the local utility company to increase the service, what would you suggest for a new panel? The remodel does requires 4 new 20A circuits and I would like to leave some extra spaces if possible. In other words, how many spaced square d panel do you recommend? Thanks!
 
haven't worked out a proper load calc. but would estimate a 5 to 10 percent increase on the existing load calc. from the original residence
 
Montana,
I have been through the "remodel restrictions" several times,
here lately, with this .... economy. :confused:

The HO will not pay to bring it up to code, :mad:
which I can appreciate, because I am coming up short on my house note also.

So ... I make sure that each circuit is covered by a appropriate CB,
and depend on the "rule of Diversity".
 
re: remodel panel sizing

In my city, any building over 500 square feet is required to have a 200A service, minimum.
Also, if it's an overhead feed, upgrading to a 200A service wouldn't require the utility company to change anything. So there wouldn't be a cost from the utility company, other than the 're-connect' fee. Now if it's an underground feed, it's a different story.

All that being said, if the job is being inspected, the load calculation will dictate the size of the service.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Andrew
 
buzzbar said:
In my city, any building over 500 square feet is required to have a 200A service, minimum.
Also, if it's an overhead feed, upgrading to a 200A service wouldn't require the utility company to change anything. So there wouldn't be a cost from the utility company, other than the 're-connect' fee. Now if it's an underground feed, it's a different story.

All that being said, if the job is being inspected, the load calculation will dictate the size of the service.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Andrew
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thats crazy city rule
 
buzzbar said:
In my city, any building over 500 square feet is required to have a 200A service, minimum.
Also, if it's an overhead feed, upgrading to a 200A service wouldn't require the utility company to change anything. So there wouldn't be a cost from the utility company, other than the 're-connect' fee. Now if it's an underground feed, it's a different story.

All that being said, if the job is being inspected, the load calculation will dictate the size of the service.

Just my two cents.

Good luck.

Andrew
Click to expand...

What city?

A 20' x 25' building needs 200 amps? I've seen sheds that size. Talk about overkill.
 
The city is Tacoma, WA, and I probably should have clarified. I MEANT to say, any residential single family dwelling that is 500 square feet or larger must have a minimum 200A electrical service. This does NOT apply to garages, or detached buildings.

And this, of course, applies only to new buildings. There are plenty of old houses around that only have 100A or less electrical services.

Andrew (buzzbar)
 
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