Service Upgrade for Underground Feed

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frank_n

frank_n

Senior Member
Location
Central NJ
I looked at a job today where the customer wants to upgrade the service from 100a to 150a. The service is underground. I have never done a job like this before. I assume that I have to get PSE&G (utility) to disconnect the power so I can change the meter pan. Do the underground feeder wires need to be upgraded? Are the feeder wires underground cable or conduit? If it is conduit, I would need to add a expansion coupling.

Thanks,
Frank
 
Celtic,

I've tryed to get the same manuel from GPU (First Energy)and have been unsucessful.

Do you have the link were I can get their requirements?

If not you, does anyone else have it?

Thanks
 
frank_n said:
I looked at a job today where the customer wants to upgrade the service from 100a to 150a. The service is underground. I have never done a job like this before. I assume that I have to get PSE&G (utility) to disconnect the power so I can change the meter pan. Do the underground feeder wires need to be upgraded? Are the feeder wires underground cable or conduit? If it is conduit, I would need to add a expansion coupling.

Thanks,
Frank
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Frank,
I agree with the other posters that it is a question for the POCO, however from previous experience with my own POCO, even when I've upgraded services from 60A (some houses here are old) to 150A or even 200A the POCO didn't upgrade their feeds at all.:confused: I asked a lineman who works for them one day why that was and he said they based that on "assumed" amp draw. Seems like a sucker's bet to me, but what do I know?:grin:
 
You have to contact PSE&G for a shutdown and while you're on the phone you can ask the the utility inspector that handles the area you're in if they require changing the drop. As far as I know, the service drop is the property PSE&G and they choose what type and size wire to use. To the best of my knowledge they do not fall under any regulations set out by the NEC. However, in most cases they either meet or excede the requirements. But technically, if they choose to run your service drop in S/O cord there doesn't seem to be anyone telling them they can't. Just my opinion, you're only bumping the service up 50 amps, I doubt they'll change the drop.

(Edited for spelling)
 
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