Bottom line, I finally applied for the permit to upgrade my service from 100 to 200amp. Homeowners can do any work themselves around here as long as it's to code obviously. In general I know what to do but the devil is in the details when you're actually buying the gear. Also, I'm sure a lot of this is local rules so I'm looking for basic sanity check unless there's actually an electrician from NJ that would know the exacts..
I bought a Square D QO 40-slot 200amp load center, two ground bars, and all the replacement breakers I need to go with it.
I got a new 200a meter pan with a 2" hub included. Luckily my meter is already marked CL200 but I think the socket is undersized so I figured I'd replace it anyway.
I have a LOT of questions after this.
1. Aluminum or Copper SEC? I know the 4/0 x 3 SEC aluminum is OK for 200a and only $2.75 a foot at Depot. It can be directly strapped to the siding between the weather head and meter with a weather tight compression fitting in the hub. In my current install the SEC comes out of the bottom of the meter and just enters the wall through a hole with some caulk around it. Seems shoddy.
2. If I use THHN copper, is it true I can use 3 x 2/0 and put it in 2" PVC? If I do this, it has to be in conduit all the way into the load center correct? If the meter and load center line up right back to back, can I just put a 2" short nipple between knockouts with plastic bushings on the ends?
3. Grounds. I'm clear on needing #4 AWG copper from the ground bus to two 8' rods at least 6' apart with no cuts in the wire. Do they care if it's solid vs. stranded? Does it have to be bare or can it be green?
4. Bonding to water pipe. #6 copper to the closest cold pipe also jumped to the hot across the water heater. Bare or green, stranded or solid? My water supply coming in is plastic so no need to jump across the meter.
Why does everyone think I'm nuts to do the live splice at the aerial? It's only 120v at a time ;-) I got those butt-splice lugs with the heat shrink tubing to go over the two hots.
I bought a Square D QO 40-slot 200amp load center, two ground bars, and all the replacement breakers I need to go with it.
I got a new 200a meter pan with a 2" hub included. Luckily my meter is already marked CL200 but I think the socket is undersized so I figured I'd replace it anyway.
I have a LOT of questions after this.
1. Aluminum or Copper SEC? I know the 4/0 x 3 SEC aluminum is OK for 200a and only $2.75 a foot at Depot. It can be directly strapped to the siding between the weather head and meter with a weather tight compression fitting in the hub. In my current install the SEC comes out of the bottom of the meter and just enters the wall through a hole with some caulk around it. Seems shoddy.
2. If I use THHN copper, is it true I can use 3 x 2/0 and put it in 2" PVC? If I do this, it has to be in conduit all the way into the load center correct? If the meter and load center line up right back to back, can I just put a 2" short nipple between knockouts with plastic bushings on the ends?
3. Grounds. I'm clear on needing #4 AWG copper from the ground bus to two 8' rods at least 6' apart with no cuts in the wire. Do they care if it's solid vs. stranded? Does it have to be bare or can it be green?
4. Bonding to water pipe. #6 copper to the closest cold pipe also jumped to the hot across the water heater. Bare or green, stranded or solid? My water supply coming in is plastic so no need to jump across the meter.
Why does everyone think I'm nuts to do the live splice at the aerial? It's only 120v at a time ;-) I got those butt-splice lugs with the heat shrink tubing to go over the two hots.