Service Upgrade

[frank_n]

I'm replacing a service and have a few questions. It's going to be a 100-amp service. The existing service is 100 amps. Do I have to call the electric co.? If I do, what department do I call?

The existing service has SE cable. Does that mean I can use SE cable on the new service. How do I find out when conduit is required?

Finally, what is a 100amp service going for in central NJ?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[jes25]

As far as the NEC is concerned you dont need to use conduit, unless subject to physical damage. I generally use a pipe riser when I need to hook the drop to it, so I can mantain proper vertical clearance. Unless the drop can attach to a point at least 10' above the ground you will need pipe, for me this is most of the time.

Not from NJ cant help on the rest.

 

[jeff43222]

Procedures vary from place to place regarding calling the PoCo. I don't know what they call it in NJ, but around here the PoCo has something called their "Builders Call Line" that answers these kinds of questions. I would bet that someone is going to have to call them at some point.

Theoretically SE cable can be used in this kind of installation, but I personally have never seen it done. Every house I've ever worked on had all the external service wires in conduit, and usually the conduit extends all the way to the panelboard. Whether you can use SE is pretty much up to the AHJ; they get to make the call about whether the area is subject to physical damage.

I don't live in NJ, either, so I don't know what the going rate is there. I just sent out an estimate this week for 60A -> 100A upgrade for just under $1600. I figured about 8-10 hours of labor, plus permit and materials.

 

[infinity]

The first thing that you need is a permit. Changing a service in New Jersey requires an electrical permit. After it has passed inspection the inspector will send in a cut in card to the POCO. After that the POCO will come out and replace the service drop connections and maybe the meter. A 100 amp upgrade in Northern New Jersey goes for around $1100 using SE cable. The prices in Southern New Jersey tend to be lower. Why are you going from a 100 amp to a 100 amp?

 

[celtic]

Re: Service Upgrade

I'm replacing a service and have a few questions. It's going to be a 100-amp service. The existing service is 100 amps. Do I have to call the electric co.? If I do, what department do I call?

Well, it will depend on who the utility is - PSE&G, GPU, etc.
This service - meter in the same spot? If the meter is being reloacted, you may need their approval on location.

The cut-in - you may need to call them to do a cut-in. I do my own cut-ins in PSE&G territory, but GPU does theirs. You may also need them to open the lock.

Most of my work is in PSE&G's territory and I call their "Wiring Inspection" dept. in Seacacus. PS has a "green book" that has virtually ALL the requirements for a service....I say virtually, because the 5 copies I recieved are now trash as they revised the whole damn book. Here's a link to the revision:
Green Book, revision 1-6-06
(yeah, it's the whole book)

The existing service has SE cable. Does that mean I can use SE cable on the new service. How do I find out when conduit is required?

General rule is - replace what's there with what's there - BUT, what else has changed? A new driveway on that side, a new window or balconey, etc.

Finally, what is a 100amp service going for in central NJ?

Why are you NOT upgrading the size?
From our (EC's) perspective the time and cost factors are very close - to leave the service as 100A is almost a disservice to the customer. For a few bucks more the customer will have a service that will last for another 50 years before an upgrade is even considered.

From the inspectors POV, how do justify a 100A service - aka, do a load calculation.

Finally, does the customer have any plans to add additional equipment - like central AC, a pool or hot tub, etc. If they have even the slightest thought of adding anything with a heavy load, I suspect your 100A service will not be enough to satisfy the demand.

If the service is to be upgraded, you may need to have an ESI performed by the utility. Basically, it's a survey they do to determine if they can supply the new/higher demand.

....now to answer the question....How much?....
A 200A service starts at 2k. The price of smaller wire and a smaller load center is minimal, say $200 less +/-. That's where I would be - about $1800. For that...that might as well just go for the 200A.

 

[celtic]

A 100 amp upgrade in Northern New Jersey goes for around $1100 using SE cable.

I dunno about that....it will probably take just as long as if it were a 200A service. Only differences are smaller wires and load centers - not much a price change there.

 

[EEC]

Breakdown Quote

Breakdown Quote

Those that price upgrades from 100A to 200A, What's the material, labor, and profit break-outs?

 

[JES2727]

re

re

Frank,
Just one more thing I can add : If the job is in PSE&G's area, they will provide you with a meter pan. Once you get the permit from the municipality, take it to the window at the PS yard on Weston Canal Rd in Somerset and get your meter pan. Get there by 12 noon. You can also go to Secaucus or Trenton, but I don't know where those offices are located.
Call the PSE&G "Marketing Dept" @ 1-800-782-0067. They'll answer your questions.

John

 

[frank_n]

The customer is selling her duplex. The home inspector noticed that the meter pan is rusting along with the Federal Pacific panel. Why go any higher than 100-amp?

frank_n

 

[celtic]

Re: Breakdown Quote

Re: Breakdown Quote

Those that price upgrades from 100A to 200A, What's the material, labor, and profit break-outs?

Material will run about $800
Labor will run 2 men x 8/10 hrs

The unproductive time is the killer...meeting with the HO, scheduling with POCO - maybe 2 -3 times (ESI, cut-in), filling our/filing permit at city hall, meeting with the inspector, running to the Wiring Inspection yard to get a meter pan, etc.....easily 1/2 to a full day of no production.

 

[celtic]

The customer is selling her duplex. The home inspector noticed that the meter pan is rusting along with the Federal Pacific panel. Why go any higher than 100-amp?

frank_n

You said it:

The customer is selling her duplex.

A new 200A Square D QO service....a great upgrade to a house on the market and may help offset the tax burden of the sale (if cap. gains is a factor).