Changing Service DIY

[tmy23]

Greetings.

I'm considering upgrading my service from 150 / 200 amps myself. Didn't seem like an issue until 2 separate central air systems were installed and now I'm out of breakers. I've rewired my entire house during a 5 year "gut and rebuild" of the house and thus am very comfortable with the mechanics of removing the service leads, replacing the box, re-running the circuit feeds into the box and re installing the breakers.

I'll save over $1,000 if I spend the 8 hours myself. SO heres my question, I understand the mechanics of the wiring, box, breakers, etc. Do I need to change anything from the meter into the box? Is 200 amp service based on the breaker box capacity, or is there some change in the service coming in, or in the service wire from the meter to the service box that I need to consider?

thanks!

[HayZee518]

3/0 aluminum is rated at 175 amp. 4/0 is 200 amp for residential services. What size is your riser? 3/0 or 4/0? Is your riser in pipe? If it is 4/0 goes in 2" conduit.
Are the lugs in the meter trough big enough for 4/0?

[Kidd6488]

If you say you're out of breakers, that isn't necessarily a service issue. What size is your box? If it is a 30-space box, you can switch out some of your breakers for the tandem (2 breakers; 1 space) breakers.

If you do re-calculate your load demands, and find that you need a larger service, you will need to see what size wire is coming into your panel from the meter. As Hayzee said, 4/0 Al is good for 200A, 3/0 : 175, and 2/0: 150. It is up to your utility company to determine if the wire coming into your meter needs changed, but after the meter is your baby. Your meter and panel box must be rated for 200A

~Jonathon Reinhart