Replacing landlord panel that has no main breaker

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HuntNJ

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Electrician
I need to replace a landlord panel on a 4 family. It is an old push o matic panel that has five breakers. Can I put in a 100 Amp main breaker or should i back feed to a 60 amp breaker? I am not sure what the other units have. The service terminates to a trough then goes to each meter. The over head has big wires that looks like 4/0 or bigger.
 
I think you will need to do a load calculation first. That will guide you to what you should do.

Why do you want to put in a 100 Amp panel with a back fed 60 A CB? Do they not make 60 A panels anymore?
 
I have never seen a sixty amp main breaker panel in my short electrical career. I am adding more breakers for a new septic system so i figured i would put a 100 amp main breaker panel in or a main lug with back fed 60.
 
HuntNJ said:
I have never seen a sixty amp main breaker panel in my short electrical career. I am adding more breakers for a new septic system so i figured i would put a 100 amp main breaker panel in or a main lug with back fed 60.
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What does your load calculation show?

I think the 100 A main makes as much sense as screwing around with a backfed breaker. However, you might end up with an issue with the service conductor sizing for the conductors feeding this panel.
 
Is there overcurrent protection for the conductors that supply the panel at the supply end of the conductors, or are they service conductors?
 
I would run 100 amp AL to it regardless. I didnt do a load calc for it because the the panel has a well pump. Light, 1 receptacle and a small baseboard heater and im adding a 240v septic pump and alarm.
 
HuntNJ said:
I need to replace a landlord panel on a 4 family. It is an old push o matic panel that has five breakers. Can I put in a 100 Amp main breaker or should i back feed to a 60 amp breaker? I am not sure what the other units have. The service terminates to a trough then goes to each meter. The over head has big wires that looks like 4/0 or bigger.
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If the meterbase is rated 100A (or more) and you replace the entire service conductor tap, from the 4/0 in the gutter to the meter then I think your OK.
If its old I'd probably replace the meter base also. Or have a new one on hand.
 
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