Completely upgrading an existing 120/ 240V electrical service to 200 AMPS

In this video I completely upgrade this existing electrical service from 100A - 200A. This includes a new 200A meter, 200A service-rated NEMA3 main disconnect switch, and an updated grounding electrode system. Enjoy this video and thanks for subscribing to the channel!
Electrical Wiring is NOT a hobby. Call a licensed electrician!
Classic Electric, LLC | Point Pleasant, New Jersey
License & Business Permit # 16557
(732)-770-1437
Want to be an electrician? Start here: www.myelectriccareer.com
Ron Pecina Jr. is a licensed electrician in the state of New Jersey since 2009.
This allows him to apply for electrical permits, work with live conductors, remove meters, and disconnect service from the utility company.
New Jersey observes the 2020 NEC and the Uniform Construction Code.
The majority of the work you’ll see on my channel falls under the New Jersey Rehabilitation Sub Code (Chapter 6 of the U.C.C.) www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/code...
* ALL New Jersey licensed electricians MUST complete 34-hours of continuing education units each tricentennial period.
* This includes a mandatory 9-hour code update course and (1) hour business law class.
* Any work above 10-volts requires an electrical license in New Jersey.
*
Become an NJ-IEC member here: www.nj-iec.org
Ron is an active member of the New Jersey Independent Electrical Contractors Association.
Contact: [e-mail] (732)-276-2295
Since 2023, Ron has been an apprenticeship instructor at the NJ-IEC Education and Training Center, Somerset, NJ.
IEC National: www.ieci.org
Customer Guide for Electrical Installation; JCPL: www.firstenergycorp.com/conte...
Customer Guide for Electrical Installation; PSEG: nj.pseg.com/businessandcontra...
WANT TO SEE MORE? FULL 200 AMP SERVICE UPGRADE. WATCH HERE: • KZbin Subscriber in ...
Classic Electric, LLC is a Generac standby air-cooled generator installer and authorized dealer.
Ron Pecina Jr’s set up:
Camera: Go Pro 9/ 10 w/ the Media Mod
Microphone: DJI Wireless
Editing software: Apple iMovie
Animation software: Apple Keynote
Background Music & Sound Effects by Soundstripe.com
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[@pstew124]

Seal of approval for top electrician who also listens to Motorhead's 'Ace of Spades' .

[@electricalron]

Ozzys Bondyard 🤘

[@doc13067]

Haha you are a madman getting shocked so high up. Respect. Come over to the dark side and put the main on the bottom when feeding from the bottom. I promise youll love it. I absolutely love your videos and watch almost every day. One of the few who shows the entire job and responds to comments. Do you do all of this without a helper?

[@zachw4829]

As a young sparky in NJ I love how informative these videos are. Really helpful for a guy like me starting my career. Appreciate all your hard work Ron!

[@electricalron]

Pay it forward. That’s what it’s all about. Be the best electrician you can be!

[@jrpritchard1622]

Awesome workmanship Ron have a great week be safe

[@mattmiller8251]

Love your videos as always! I like when my mains coming into the panel come in beside the lugs so i don't take up so much room in the side of the panel.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

Love watching your videos, clear and concise when you explain why something is a violation and include a code reference of the said violation. As a sparky in the Greenville SC area, whenever I see breakers from a different manufacturer installed in an older panel, often the reason was because the manufacturer of the panel in question went out of business or brought out by another company, OEM parts are no longer available or cost prohibitive and a breaker needed to be added or replaced. In this situation, assuming the panel is in good condition and has adequate capacity, classified breakers are available and listed for use in panels from different manufacturers including for panels not manufactured in decades such as Federal Pacific Electric, Zinsco, and Bulldog/Pushmatic, although you'll most likely have to order them online from an electrical supplier.

[@electricalron]

Yes, Cutler-Hammer makes listed circuit breakers for other/ older manufacturers like Challenger and I-T-E. Watch out because they can be expensive, really expensive. As a company policy I do not add to any FPE or Zinsco panels because of the liability with those panels.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

@@electricalron I do mostly new construction, and so I haven't seen an FPE panel in service for about 8 years, and we also DO NOT trust those classified breakers listed as a "safe" replacement to the original FPE breaker, we give the customer two options, a) the panel goes in the dumpster where it should have went before it left the factory, and a new panel gets installed, or b) find another electrician willing to take the liability. If my word of advice isn't enough, there's your friend Google, and failing that, I literally have the scars to prove what happens when a two pole FPE breaker fails to trip on a 240V short. Back in 2013 before I decided to become a sparky, I was at my friends polebarn unplugging an arc welder from a 50 amp surface mount receptacle, ran with a metal conduit system with the conduit used as the equipment grounding conductor. The plastic housing disintegrated and the contacts broke free touching each other and the metal box. Both the 50 amp breaker and the main failed to trip. I remember dropping with my T shirt on fire, after which I crawled for at least 30 feet to smother myself out and to get out and call 911 from my cellphone which was in my car. Molten metal was flying all around me which set fire to shop towels and some paint cans, paint thinner and what have you before ultimately reaching the oxygen-propane cutting torch rig. The roof collapsed before the fire department arrived and the primary fuse on the pole transformer blew. I spent 5 days in the hospital with first and second degree burns to my hand, arms and stomach. I want to thank my lucky stars I'm still here to tell the tale and help raise awareness about these problematic panels. Neither myself nor my friend had any idea about the problem or that him, his wife and infant daughter were living in a powder keg ready to ignite.

[@mohammadmarkazi5555]

You Have great work Ron. I am Master electrician in Toronto ON and always like your professional work. Big Thanks

[@brianleb]

Great work Ron! I successfully upgraded my home to 200a thanks to your videos and how much I was able to learn. Not as beautiful as your work, but I am very proud of it, thanks again.

[@ElectroAtletico]

Working the Mid-Shift, drinking coffee, enjoying a fun vid!

[@russrockino-rr0864]

Always love your videos, Ron. We always did 40-40 200 amp Panels when I did Residential. That was before AFCI"s too. The extensive use of LED Lighting Circuits will hopefully offset some of the Load rise from Electric Vehicles. Thanks, Russ, 29 years in the Electrical Trade.

[@AlanAssuncao08]

Hey Ron what great job. Another great vídeo

[@manuellastrollo2168]

i like your video Sir. start of your video shows a violation & shows clearly what section. i love the way you start. first timer from your channel.

[@spudman9367]

Another great video! Went to trade school in 1970 and completed electrical apprenticeship 1974. How things have changed. Your work is a clear sign of your professionalism. Thanks also for the response to my question about main disconnect/ emergency disconnect.

[@jasnapon]

Good job Ron

[@0blivioniox864]

Cool vid. love watching these.. Heat's crazy out there man - stay hydrated

[@JamesJones-in4bi]

Hey Ron. Thanks for the video. I have normal shelves in my van . I have some space behind the Husky organizers that I stack a variety of scrap lumber (1x2, 2x2, 2x4, 1x6, 2x6), for when I need to shim something out like a nail-on box away from a door trim/corner, a fart fan, or a load center, etc... Thank you.

[@elangomattab]

Thanks for recommending minimum of 40 full size breakers for new panel installs. My panel is an old Square D QO with 200 amps but only has 30 breaker spaces with 6 of those allowing twin breakers. I don't have any double breakers yet but my panel is full due mostly to my electric heating system. I don't even have space for an EV charger right now even if i could afford an EV.

[@zekenzy6486]

Great video. Thank you for sharing

[@OSAS726]

The bonding jumper provides a link between the equipment grounding system and the neutral that goes back to the center tap on the transformer. It helps provide that low impedance path back to neutral whenever there is a ground fault.

[@davidkirby3667]

I sure do agree with your 40-circuit panel for a 200 A service. In my all-electric home, over the years I had to installed two sub panels. One was when we upgraded our kitchen and then we put in a Hot Tub. However, if you have a home with natural gas that serves the Oven, heat and other gas appliances it could be a reason to put in a smaller panel.

[@electricalron]

200 amps is the best value here, especially for homes older than 50 years.

[@elangomattab]

I'm in a similar boat to you. 50 year old all electric home with resistive heating basically talking up half of my 30 slot main panel. AC, stove, and dryer are all relegated to my single subpanel. At this point if i need more circuits I would need to free up some space (up to 6) with twin breakers or another subpanel. I want to look at getting a variable speed heat pump installed to replace both AC and heating. I'd get almost half my panel back if I disconnected all of the current zoned heating.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

@@davidkirby3667 that or if your home currently has an electric range and unfinished basement, and the main panel is full but there is a natural gas or propane furnace/water heater, during a major renovation where circuits need to be added, you could replace the electric range with a gas model, and reuse the cable for the range as a subpanel if it's the modern 4 prong receptacle wired with 8-3 or 6-3 w/ ground cable, or replace the SE cable or two wire NM with a 3 wire. The electric clothes dryer can be replaced with a gas dryer and plugged into the 20 amp laundry circuit to free up two more slots in the panel as well. Since almost all dryers are on a 30 amp circuit, it would be less practical to use the dryer circuit as a subpanel.

[@Lucio..]

I like your videos RON there is at lot to learn.

[@johnwalker890]

Good job Ron.......

[@johnnytoobad7785]

My Godson is currently near the end of his training to become a licensed electrician in CT. I am a retired Electrical Engineer who "dabbles" in home wiring upgrades. I literally re-wired my basement for "sound". I am recommending your channel to him..as part of his ongoing education and to learn "best practices".

[@electricalron]

That's terrific! It's a great trade and you can become very successful very quickly if you put the work in. Getting an electrical license is the key.

[@rodolfovesga979]

Cool video your the man Ron great work good job😂😮🎉!!!

[@BearStar1]

In TX we mainly use SD Homeline or SD Q panels or GE panels.

[@norsk54472]

thanks for the video

[@Bob.W.]

Thanks.

[@user-ed3vm5cd4b]

Thanks

[@vince6829]

Great workmanship as always. Stay safe; get the gloves. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@electricaltimelapsetest5713]

Try the rack a tiers 6in impact bit that has #2 square drive on one side and Phillips on the other. It's awesome.

[@jackpestaner6925]

Great video Ron, I just upgraded my VA house from 100A overhead to 200A UG service and 100% rewire to code as it had 100 year old knob and tube. Got permits for the whole project since VA allows a homeowner to do their own work on their own home. Some things I picked up and saw you did: bushings on all the large cables (code required), and duct seal on the pass-thru inside and out. One thing AHJ cautioned me was to maintain 36 inches from the gas meter, your thoughts? Finally I have an old set of insulated gloves given to me from my industrial electrician pal; they are all dated to expire due to deterioration, but probably for 240 volts they are okay as long as they arent cracked or brittle. Be safe out there, glad to see you are getting a new ladder!

[@electricalron]

Like for like for upgrades here in NJ so if there’s a gas meter nearby on an old home I’m not required to move it.

[@reallunacy]

That aluminum siding is "fun", I have it on my home.

[@GlenMacNeil]

Great job Ron. Thanks for the video. Do you require locates every time you drive ground rods?

[@electricalron]

Rarely. It’s a good idea to locate where the gas main and water mains are in the house. This’ll give you a general idea where those enter the home.

[@thecodingchicken]

Just would like to state...at least for the utility i work for, we dont do parallel runs for 400a services, its just 350mcm for the two hots and 4/0 for the neutral. But, 600a services(ive ran two for houses) are two runs of 350mcm.

[@seeps766]

Do you not need an expansion fitting in the pvc riser? Just curious Nice job

[@ptso7580]

I remembered a inspector failed us for having main disconnext and meter within 6 foot from the gas meter and lines. Had to call sayin the gas is being omitted it was on the pern. It was a Monday. 😊

[@anthonyelectric6045]

Nice work Ron👍. And yes that ladder scares me also. Did many services that were wayyyy up there. BTW did you have to give the power company a load calculation for the 200amp upgrade?

[@electricalron]

No, I was not asked for a load calculation. The only time I'm asked for a load calculation has been for adding EVSE and standby generators permit applications usually require it.

[@anthonyelectric6045]

@@electricalron agreed. I had some power companies just ask why I’m upgrading due I guess to the size of the tub and or incoming triplex( not my problem) thanks Ron👍

[@rufushughes5602]

I have the radio going while you're doing a video.

[@Caniksigboy78]

🔥🔥🔥🔥 video

[@unstableatbest]

Hi Ron, have you considered using a Meter Main, by chance? All-in-one meter socket and disconnect, with some added benefits: They can eat the surge protector and save room in the main panel, and they offer some breaker slots outdoors for a future spa or anything that would need a trench.

[@electricalron]

Thanks!

[@voltstoamps120]

Only 1 NJ POCO allows those but hopefully more will soon. The one he was dealing with the video is definitely a no to that because they actually own the meter can.

[@unstableatbest]

@@voltstoamps120 Ahhh I see. Thanks for the info sir.

[@mackfisher4487]

Nice job Ron, hope you bid it T&M. question what are your inspectors say about bonding to the buildings metallic gas supply?

[@electricalron]

EGC for the furnace bonds the metal gas piping.

[@SteveN-sy4bm]

Really like your videos, does it matter which lugs on the disconnect are load / line…. I need to go out the top and in the square d disconnect there is not enough room to loop around and keep a professional look to the wiring. So I want to connect on the bottom and just go straight out of the top lugs. Thanks

[@electricalron]

No, the top is always the LINE side and the bottom is always the LOAD side. The paperwork explains all of this so don't make this mistake.

[@BearStar1]

In Texas it's 4 hours of CU required every year as Electrical Licenses are renewed every year

[@electricalron]

Wow, only four hours. Here in NJ, (24) hours of CEU's and 10-hour code update every three years is required for renewing an electrical license.

[@OnusofStrife]

I had a 30 circuit put on my house when I lived in North Carolina. The house was just under 1000 sq ft. It is highly unlikely that house will ever even use the 30 spaces. It only had 5 rooms! It was already electrified as well. electric range, electric water heater, electric heat pump, and Electric heat strips / backup heat, and the panel still had 13 spaces free. Plus it is one of those 30 / 60 eaton panels. Those bids must be tough because what are they saving like 20 dollars?

[@jfowler702910]

Why did you install a main breaker panel along with a main breaker disconnect? Is the exterior service entrance disconnect required by code now? Years ago if I was putting in a main breaker panel I would come directly out of the meter housing and right into the main breaker panel with my service kick. There wouldn't be any exterior disconnect unless the main panel was located more than 3 ft inside the dwelling. If so then we would use a main breaker exterior disconnect with an interior main lug panel.

[@justin0114]

How many wires are in a 200A Service Entrance Cable from the meter to the panel ? Three of 2 ot cables and one 6 gauge ?

[@throttlebottle5906]

aluminum sided homes were bonded to water lines and not always directly at the utility service, I've seen many over the years bonded to spigots and tied to lightning rod systems. you'll get a heck of zap on it, that's for sure and you should really wear gloves for any live work, even more so on a ladder, where it could cause a fall. nobody want's to fall.

[@jmcqueston5759]

Why did the panel mounting board have to extend down in front of the ledge, which then required you to have to add spacer blocking?

[@dannyluna5736]

Indoor K.O seal on an outdoor equipment ?

[@OSAS726]

Good morning Ron! My question is what were you talking about when you were saying to make sure that the transformer had a lower fault current protection than the disconnect breaker? Maybe I’m misunderstanding? I’ve never heard of that. I’m just curious as to what that is? Thanks in advance for your response. BTW, great content. I love your channel.

[@user-yf6vo9zy5o]

Ron said the available short circuit current on a fault down stream of the pole transformer can supply up to 10,000 amps (presumably at @ 240 VAC). The breaker is labeled with an interrupting capacity of 25,000 amps (again I presume at least @ 240VAC). This means the breaker is more than capable of interrupting the maximum available short circuit current. Retired GE/ ABB Circuit breaker development engineer.

[@Jonathan_O]

Do they not have central a/c?

[@charlesmcadory8286]

Magnetic for bits "Bit Magnetizer Ring and Demagnetizer by Olsa Tools" Long phillips bits "Milwaukee 48-32-4207 Shockwave 6" Power Bit Phillips #2"

[@user-os7cf2em1t]

What was the cost for this upgrade and your services??

[@ClayAdams-zj8yf]

How come pvc for the riser and not emt? 37 year electrician in Texas. Like seeing how other electricians do it in other parts of the country.

[@ClayAdams-zj8yf]

Also are you not allowed to turn your panel upside down or do you just no choose to?

[@DavidKingmasterWV]

Do you like the PVC all thread it comes in inch and a quarter and two inches

[@DavidKingmasterWV]

The all thread would be good for your back to back install from the meter can and the disconnect to the panels it would save you cutting the PVC using male adapters the all thred is good

[@chuckkeller5619]

Hey here in Cedar Rapids Iowa the city code state They like you to install 200 Amp 40 space

[@carlluis770]

6:10 wouldn’t the breaker on the disconnect have an AIC rating and the transformer on the pole have the Short Circuit Current rating and the Available fault Current rating ? Sounds weird that the breaker has a SCCR rating . Love watching your videos

[@electricalron]

AIC and SCCR are kind of the same thing. Most 50kva pole-mounted transformers in residential neighborhoods are 10,000 available interrupt current.

[@KenBRASHEAR]

How often does the power company replace the conductors from the power pole to the service drop when a service is increased from 100 amp to 200 amp?

[@electricalron]

Totally out of my hands and up to the power company.

[@Makitafan]

24:28 if it breaks in half they own both halves! 🤣🤣 JK

[@cobycastriotta3318]

Are those black buttons that you’re using?

[@electricalron]

@@cobycastriotta3318 yes, by Arlington.

[@davelavigne2133]

Why do you have a main breaker outside and then the 200A breaker at the box? Don't you only need one for code?

[@electricalron]

In case they want an interlock for generator wiring.

[@thomascannan1033]

Hey Ron since it has been Africa hot out here this last week...If I'm not mistaken you never mentioned anything about hockey over the winter..Are you still playing?

[@electricalron]

Retired two years ago.

[@thomascannan1033]

@@electricalron Just when you probably gained soft hands on the stick...Why? All the best Ron, I hope we will meet some day.

[@edwardleonard7538]

how come you dont use a temporary drop.... a 1900 box with two 20 amp duplex so you can run whatever you need during your install...especially a nice fan to keep you cool in that 90 degree garage..?

[@electricalron]

Because I have everything that runs on batteries except the heat box.

[@edwardleonard7538]

@@electricalron i keep forgetting i was out of field over twenty years ago.. and yea i was one of those subscribers who busted your chops about not useing gloves at the point of attachment...your life is worth it buddy.!! thanks for the videos Ron..!!!!

[@everettputerbaugh3996]

Aluminum siding, the start of a Faraday cage to keep the neighbors from stealing WiFi?

[@JimNorman-op1cv]

Why use Cutler-Hammer vs.Square D or some other brand?

[@jackpestaner6925]

Now that Arc Flash/GFI breakers are required on almost everything i would take a close look at the total panel cost with those expensive breakers. I ended up using a Square D QO panel because ebay folks were selling factory sealed packs of 10 of CAFI/GFI breakers for about $250 (and they were not counterfeit).

[@rubencastillojr4645]

Code violation ur by the garage door too close if door opened n raining what will happen ed?

[@electricalron]

@@rubencastillojr4645 you think so eh? What are your credentials for making this comment?

[@dog_biter]

I just bought a place with fused disconnects,,should they be replaced? They're outside on the pole, it's rural land in AZ.

[@electricalron]

@@dog_biter I would replace them because should the fuses blow on a fault you’ll need replacement fuses. With a circuit breaker it can easily be reset. Hope this helps.

[@dog_biter]

@@electricalron Thank you! Thats what I'll be doing

[@ed6837]

??might be too close to the gas meter

[@jinsu0504]

Is running romex wires, running them into a pvc conduiti outside the house to connect power from first floor panel to second floor, against code?

[@electricalron]

@@jinsu0504 Yes. “Romex” is not rated for wet locations. Anything outside is considered a wet location.

[@jinsu0504]

@@electricalron well what is rated for outside

[@donmclean1220]

Is there any minimum distance from the electric meter to the gas meter?

[@electricalron]

Not in an existing installation.

[@donmclean1220]

Thanks, I remember reading the PGE “green book” having all sorts of distance requirements in it, but of course, they are for new construction. I get the difference.

[@jeremyjpegan]

Maybe I missed it but why the service disco with an MCB panel?

[@electricalron]

@@jeremyjpegan because in case she wants a mechanical interlock switch for portable generator wiring later on.

[@jeremyjpegan]

@@electricalron makes sense. Thanks for all the trade knowledge! Yours channel is my new binge watch. I’m a JW in SoCal about to get my C-10.

[@jinsu0504]

Do you need a permit to change from 150amp to 200 amp panel?

[@electricalron]

@@jinsu0504 Yes.

[@jinsu0504]

@@electricalron wow so i got mixed with shady electricians who didn't pull a permit. thats nice...so many businesses conducting their day to day unethically

[@jeremyjpegan]

Captain Ron, can I send you a Klein 602-7DD Keystone Demolition screwdriver so I don’t have to watch you beat those plastic handled ones to a pulp?

[@electricalron]

@@jeremyjpegan flatheads are cheap. I’m not going to carry a gimmicky “demolition” driver too.

[@jeremyjpegan]

@@electricalron lol.

[@cade861]

I just don't see putting a 40 space panel in a 750 sq ft house my current new build

[@electricalron]

@@cade861 of course you don’t. You can save $100 and use a 20-circuit. Great idea.

[@cooldog60]

How much does it cost for a job like this?

[@electricalron]

@@cooldog60 $4000-$6000

[@cooldog60]

@@electricalron Thank You.

[@marsman716]

why do those screws have to be irreversible?

[@electricalron]

Probably a listing requirement. There's nothing in the NEC concerning metering equipment.

[@nickk05281982]

Biggest part of having the gloves is testing them when you think they are damaged plus daily and quarterly with a testing service otherwise don’t bother

[@Elliot_zaz]

I thought at a certain point a master electrician can inspect their own work?

[@throttlebottle5906]

boy that old panel was a butcher fest of clownery. including the main breaker.

[@PvMTerry]

What’s the reasoning for this customer to upgrade from 100 to 200 service ?

[@electricalron]

Not much has been updated at the house since it was built in the 1950's. A new kitchen, updated bathroom, maybe a master bedroom addition, etc. Clearly they'll require multiple new 15 and 20 amp circuits. Demand for electricity is forever growing and has been since it's inception.

[@PvMTerry]

@@electricalron can you upgrade to 200 amp if you still have some knob and tube ?

[@DougLockard]

Spend so money buy gloves

[@dadtothebone4859]

Yeeessss another long Ron video! Also do you have a instagram?

[@osvaldomcs1213]

Wow didn't come with a hub gasket to make it water proof.

[@jaycahow4667]

I was wondering about this as well as it seemed a likely place for water penetration into the meter box.