Does anyone out there do any kind of testing on old branch circuits when transferring them from an old service to a new service before powering up? Other than checking the wire size vrs protection what would you do? How about after powering them? Do you check to see if receptacles are wired correctly, grounded etc?
Service Changes
- Thread starter jes2
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mcclary's electrical
Senior Member
- Location
- VA
Welcome to the forum.
1) Not me
2) Check for MWBC and make sure they are phased correctly
3) Check amperage draw.
4)No
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
Nope......
jimport
Senior Member
- Location
- Outside Baltimore Maryland
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I just check for MWBC's and for proper breaker sizing based on the conductor size.
growler
Senior Member
- Location
- Atlanta,GA
It would depend on why the service needed to be changed in the first place. If I'm changing out the service as part of a bigger job because the whole place looks like a fire trap then I may check things out before powering up.
If it's a service up grade and things were working without problems before then there is no reason to do much with the branch circuits because nothing has changed.
As far as testing powered up circuits go, always have the little plug in tester handy. I even let the homeowner run around with the plug in tester checking out their receptacles. Most older homes will have one or two receptacles with missing grounds and this can be more money.
You should always do what you feel is necessary and this can change from job to job.
I guess we are some odd duck because we check the general condition of branch circuits and outlets, before we bid a service upgrade, once we change that service we do not want any surprises, our name is on the job, we are not the low ball bid on service changes, we marked all the circuits long before it was enforced, and by looking over the general condition of the existing wiring, we have the advantage of getting additional work.
If I'm doing a service upgrade (60 to 100 or 100 to 200) then all the existing general circuits get put on a 15a breaker regardless of what size wire is in the panel. Reason for this is with an upgrade, new bath, SABCs. furnace, sump, etc. circuits are run, so the old circuits will end up running only lights and receps.
knoppdude
Senior Member
- Location
- Sacramento,ca
Absolutely. I think Satcom stated the reason for this in the clearest manner.
Volta
Senior Member
- Location
- Columbus, Ohio
Wow. Is this your mandatory policy? Do you run new cable to all outlets on the aforementioned circuits? Fish new cable to the countertops? Second floor bath? What about slab construction? Are these $10-15K panel changes? That's intriguing, and this sure would separate the customer types out!
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
I have done many service change out, and the biggest reason why most homeowners consider a service change out is they think upgrading from a 60 amp 4 fuse house to a 100/200 amp breaker panel without adding circuits will solve all the blowing of the 30 amp fuses they have been putting in to over come all the new kitchen appliances we now have, as you see this can be an up sale right off the Bat when looking at a service upgrade, the other thing I watch for is double fed circuits from the same phase, I do this by turning off all the circuits and only turning on one at a time then check all the off circuits to see if they come alive, another thing is to watch out for 240 volt circuits being fed from two different fuses/breakers, I take photos of every panel before I remove any wires, 37 years at this has made me quite aware of the nasties that can come about after an upgrade, so by looking for DYS work, and other things can let me sleep at night.
The most common mistake for electrican doing an upgrade?
landing 2 wire romex ran for a 240 volt load and feeding it with 120 volts, good way to burn up a well pump or AC unit.
The most common mistake for electrican doing an upgrade?
landing 2 wire romex ran for a 240 volt load and feeding it with 120 volts, good way to burn up a well pump or AC unit.
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electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
Wow. Is this your mandatory policy? Do you run new cable to all outlets on the aforementioned circuits? Fish new cable to the countertops? Second floor bath? What about slab construction? Are these $10-15K panel changes? That's intriguing, and this sure would separate the customer types out!
Is this a lagal requirement? Talk about an unnecessary burden on property owners. WOW!
Teaspoon
Senior Member
- Location
- Camden,Tn.
I have done several change-outs & up-grades over the years.
They can be a real challenge. I like to do prep work prior to starting the actual change-out. Such as traceing and lableing the circuits,Removeing sheetrock or other wall board above & below the panel,disconnecting any obselete circuits. I find this prep work helps keep down time to a minimum.
The day we do the change-out we start taking everything loose,get all wires disconnected.old panel out. Then start building back the new panel.
After power is restored I like to check all circuits.
To electricguy
To electricguy
I am unfamiliar with Canadian reqiuirements.
What does this section require you to do?
Thanks!
3. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure that all the circuits to be
reconnected comply with rules 2-200 and 2-300 of the BC Electrical Code. Existing
branch circuits which are adequate for the purpose may be reconnected without
alteration.
To electricguy
I am unfamiliar with Canadian reqiuirements.
What does this section require you to do?
Thanks!
3. It is the responsibility of the permit holder to ensure that all the circuits to be
reconnected comply with rules 2-200 and 2-300 of the BC Electrical Code. Existing
branch circuits which are adequate for the purpose may be reconnected without
alteration.
Cow
Senior Member
- Location
- Eastern Oregon
- Occupation
- Electrician
We don't really check anything, we'll walk around the home and make sure the lights, etc came back on.
If it's a straight service change/upgrade we don't do any circuit testing, other than to make sure everything is operational and labeled. We also explain the system to the customer and let them know what new circuits should be installed.
We take a close look at the existing wiring and make note/label of anything unorthodox. I can generally tell when there are going to be issues when re-energized.
There will sometimes be an existing backfeed situation that shows itself when A) labeling circuits (someting won't shut off) or
B) the occaisional phase to phase short :roll:
We take a close look at the existing wiring and make note/label of anything unorthodox. I can generally tell when there are going to be issues when re-energized.
There will sometimes be an existing backfeed situation that shows itself when A) labeling circuits (someting won't shut off) or
B) the occaisional phase to phase short :roll:
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