Service upgrade

The average house built from 1970-1990 will have a 100 amp panel and have an incoming 100amp hydro service. During that time period, these 100amp panels were adequate for the basic needs for homes. Now in 2023, Electrical codes and products have changed. 

• When completing new electrical work, often older panels do not have enough breaker spaces for new circuits. 
• Older panels may not be compatible with new required breakers, such as, ARC Fault. These breakers may be available for older panels but at a premium cost. 
• When installing new appliances like EV Chargers, hot tubs, heat pumps, welders to regular power consumption may already be maxing out your older panel. Usage calculations are used to determine how much power is regularly used, in order to see how much power is available for the new appliances wanted.

Fuse panels were great during their time when they were being installed. Now, fuse panels are no longer installed. Adding new circuits to an existing fuse panel is possible but generally requires the addition of a secondary control, like an ARC Fault breaker or GFCI breaker beside the fuse box.

Over time, the maintenance cost associated with trouble shooting fuse panels can prompt the need to replace the fuse panel with a new breaker panel. Fuse panels are not bad or dangerous if maintained and connected properly. However, Fuse panels have become obsolete.

Underground Hydro Service

If you look at your Hydro meter and see conduit that goes down into the ground. then you most likely have Underground Hydro Service. If the conduit size is 2", then chances are you already have a 200amp feed to your property. Your panel may say 100amps; meaning the wiring from the meter into your house is only 100amps rated. To upgrade to a 200amp service, the conduit and wiring between the meter and the house will need to be upgraded to 200amps. A new 200amp meter base and panel box may also be required

• A Hydro Inspection will be required if the conduit size is less than 2inches. Conduits that are 1.25 or 1.5 inches contain wiring that can only be used to upgrade to a 125amp or 150amp panel. This will still give you space to add an EV Charger, Hot Tub, etc. Unfortunately, the 125amp and 150amp panels are more expensive than a 100 or 200amp panel. 
• If Hydro inspects the wiring and determines it is not capable of upgrading to more than 100amps. then it may be necessary to have the wiring from the hydro pole/transformer changed. This involves trenching or drilling from the property line to the meter base and installing bigger wiring. The cost to do this work just for the hydro fees is approx. $5000.00 + contractor fees for the work on the property. 

Overhead Hydro Service

If you look at your Hydro Meter and see conduit going up and see a Hydro line that spans across to a Hydro pole, then you most likely have an Overhead Hydro Service. Generally, this means that you can easily upgrade to a 200amp service by replacing the conduit. clevis connection point, rain cap, wiring and meter base. Your Hydro provider may charge fees for upgrading the Hydro line between the house and the hydro pole. These Hydro fees can range from $500.00 and up. 

Electrical Vehicle charging is the main reason to upgrade to a 200amp service. In the near future, you may require to charge two Electric Vehicles. If considering a 100amp panel upgrade, consider the extra step and upgrade the Hydro Service to 200amps to allow for the possibility of extras in your home for the future.