Yet another service question

[kolyan2k]

I've been working as an electrician for some time, but lately been doing it only part-time, and I dont do much services to begin with.....

This is in MA and new service needs to be 200AMP 2-meters. Existing is underground 100AMP with 14x8x6 t-box, 2-meters, everything is indoors. We have done several underground service upgrades in Boston and in all cases as I remember all we have done is connected everything to that existing old t-box and call it a day, then POCO decides if they what to keep that 100AMP underground cable or run 200AMPs to customers house (upgrade pipe and/or just wire). But I spoke to another electrician and he told me that I need to forget about old 100AMP service including the entrance cable, and just install outside new 2-gang 200AMP meter box with breakers, call POCO and tell them to run new service from the well. Can anyone comment on this? Do I reuse the old t-box, install 200AMP disconnect, run SER cable to 200AMP meter box outside, and then feed my panels? OR forget about 100AMPs, install 200AMP meter box outside, run feeders to panels, POCO does everything else?

2 other small questions. What is the minimum t-box size to connect two 4/0 AL SER cables? and I am guessing if I need to extend some existing panel circuits to run to new panels, AFCIs are not required ?

Thanks

 

[mkgrady]

I suggest you contact the POCO. The answers you need are too site specific. Call for a utility authorization number and tell them you need to talk to a field engineer if the POCO Rep can not answer the questions

 

[kolyan2k]

I suggest you contact the POCO. The answers you need are too site specific. Call for a utility authorization number and tell them you need to talk to a field engineer if the POCO Rep can not answer the questions

Thanks, yeah left a msg for engineer

*ps i meant to say manhole, not well

 

[electrofelon]

I agree talk to the POCO. They may want you to relocate the meters to outside and may not approve any alterations to the existing. Regarding the existing conductors coming in, if those are on the utility side of the service point, then (all other things being acceptable) they may very well leave them as is despite your upgrade. I dont recall ever having a utility upgrade a resi service drop or lateral after a service upgrade.

 

[kolyan2k]

I agree talk to the POCO. They may want you to relocate the meters to outside and may not approve any alterations to the existing. Regarding the existing conductors coming in, if those are on the utility side of the service point, then (all other things being acceptable) they may very well leave them as is despite your upgrade. I dont recall ever having a utility upgrade a resi service drop or lateral after a service upgrade.

POCO isn't returning phone calls yet. We have done those services sometime ago, I remember in some cases POCO used to change wires to manhole in other cases they just left the old ones in.