Upgrading an electrical service from 100A to 200A | Clark, New Jersey

In this video you'll see how I upgraded an electrical service, complete with the newly required EXTERIOR SERVICE DISCONNECT as required by NEC Article 230.85 and whole house surge protection as required by NEC Article 230.67. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the videos. I encourage your comments and/ or questions in the comment section below.
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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[@50sKid]

You should save all the questions that people ask in the comments and answer them in a Q&A video, that way everyone can see the answers later and it gives you an excuse to make some extra content. If you have time, of course. Loving all the videos, man. Btw, I appreciate you putting in the callbacks to the sections of the NEC. Hope you don't stop doing that.

[@electricalron]

That's a good idea!

[@royesmith1828]

working with power on is all you can do to be efficent and time saving. i did as an electrician for 44 years. thanks Ron

[@mackfisher4487]

It's funny that some people are criticizing you for working SOME circuits hot, it's obvious that they are not electricians. Thanks for teaching the next group of apprentice electricians.

[@electricalron]

People leave comments like "I'm not watching you anymore" because you didn't have full PPE rated for 80,000 volts or whatever.

[@burgessbrooks412]

We work shit hot all the time!!!! It's what we do!!! We respect it, but we aren't afraid of it. Good work brotha🤙

[@elpadrino9504]

Facts!!!!!

[@Merescat]

Another good video. Always enjoy your content!

[@thomascannan1033]

Well done Ron!

[@RusherResiElectric]

Beautiful work as always Ron! 👍

[@GB-mw7eh]

Hell of a job...looks great!

[@Devsfan70]

No critiquing from me, I just enjoy watching knowledgeable people do work that is interesting. I watch lots of videos on different fields of work and it's always informative and entertaining. This is a great video and it's very well presented and laid out for the layperson to understand. Thank you.

[@electricalron]

You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@Dandoun6191]

You're the man Ron! Great work as always!!

[@electricalron]

I appreciate that!

[@davidbush2414]

Good looking job Ron.

[@ianmcleod6428]

Love the work. I am happy someone spoke about grounding and bonding. Thank you, sir.

[@TheRealoldcar]

You do excellent work. It’s great that you narrate the details for the viewers, great educational video as always.

[@mattschoular8844]

Nice job Ron. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@electricalron]

You are very welcome!

[@marcosmota1094]

Dude. Respect at minute one! Will be back for more....hello from the Bronx.

[@mlj6419]

Great stuff as usual. Really appreciate your style and professionalism.

[@electricalron]

Much appreciated!

[@tonystrollo193]

Great work Ron always nice and Neat love watching your videos

[@electricalron]

Glad you like them!

[@thatguy4320]

You definitely have given me a ton of great information that’s really helped me become a better electrician so thank you so much for your uploads Ron! Keep up the amazing work

[@user-ed3vm5cd4b]

Good job, sir Ron. I respect your service. Good luck , thanks.

[@electricalron]

Thank you too!

[@benthomas3418]

Ron you do a great job! Being a master myself I can tell you do a great job! Keep up the great work!

[@vince6829]

As always, great workmanship. Your apprentices have a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@DjJfader201]

Great video. Well detailed and very clean work. I have to get this service done and this was super informative. A+

[@francogentile6078]

Nice work!

[@ElectroAtletico]

Congrats on the +20K subscribers!

[@Jeffs9304]

As a newbie, I enjoy your videos thanks

[@electricalron]

Welcome aboard!!!

[@FrontRowOrBust]

Ayyyye, 20k subscribers Ron! That’s awesome and well deserved🎉

[@electricalron]

Thank you brother!!!

[@ChuckPaolella]

Love the fact that you go indep as to why grounding/bonding is so important. As always, great job Ron!

[@giancarlogomez2488]

Great job!

[@briancarlisi2224]

Just found your channel. I like how you narrate after shooting your video to condense a day or so’s work into 30 minutes. Well done!

[@electricalron]

WELCOME ABOARD!

[@bryand9940]

Sick work

[@TheQuedog15]

Always excellent work

[@electricalron]

Thank you!

[@jalexlivi]

Man, I wish we were allowed to go through the back of the meter and panel in our neck of the woods. Great work as always sir, content like yours is gold for homeowners to watch. Makes it a little easier for the rest of us when they can watch a real professional in the real world.

[@steveg5576]

I'd like to say something nice...Very nice job !

[@CaptainNixon]

I love the service upgrade / panel replacement videos (and the ones where you encounter knob/tube!), I'm not in the electrical trade myself but I absolutely enjoy watching and learning from an experienced professional like yourself.

[@jontnoneya3404]

Your vids are awesome. Don't let other comments get ya down. Just know there are plenty of us out here that enjoy watching your videos!! It's so relaxing watching you work and often I feel like I learn something. I do get a little anxious when you're cutting on live utility wires and reconnecting them but that's only because I'm not the professional, you are and you know how to do it safely. I particularly like your discussion on aluminum vs copper. My mom's house was built in the 70s and never has had a service upgrade. However when working to get a new bathroom ceiling heater installed, the electrician took a thermal imaging picture of breaker box while the AC was on.....later summer last year. The thing showed a LOT of heat and he said "It's aluminum wire coming in from the meter and we recommend copper. Also you should upgrade from 125 amp to 200 or 250 amp" I can't remember which he suggested. He said it was a fire hazard having aluminum but the house has been running this way for 50 years so it seems a little odd that we need up upgrade it now. Would you care to share your thoughts on that? We live in Oklahoma by the way with 100+ degree summer days and AC runs all the time.

[@MrJujubean]

I love watching your videos. As far as you forgetting to turn cam back on right after battery change is no biggie I don't think. I just thank you so much for sharing you work and experience with us. I'm sure doing the video takes a lot of time to set up and make sure you get good content.its also nice that you take time out of your busy schedule to teach the new future electricians. Many years ago that is how I got into refrigeration. From a trade school 2 nights a week a veteran refrigeration tradesman taught the class 2 nights a week, from there I got hired at a local HVAC company for on the job training. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with everyone

[@trustmebro8500]

You’re a badass bro, I just subscribed I’ll be binge watching back so expect comments and likes

[@b-rad7381]

Enjoy your vids, Ron and always pick up a thing or two. I'm an old master electrician who is now a maintenance manager for a manufacturing plant, but still run my own electrical business (weekends & evenings) and teach a course at the local CC during the spring semester. You are not kidding about teaching. Been doing it for two years now and it takes a ton of extra time. Keep up the good work!

[@electricalron]

It’s worth it though!

[@b-rad7381]

@@electricalron Yes it is.

[@Ernest_son]

That's why I'm a subscriber. The fact that you make mistakes and are not afraid to admit them makes you credible. Thanks for sharing.

[@electricalron]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@FHES2005]

Great video once again and I commend you on teaching people on the trades cuz we have a lack of people that want to participate in the trades

[@ice4278]

Great job Ron I appreciate all the time you take to make the video for us. If you get a chance would you show doing the grounding electrodes where you had to come from a brick wall on a house feeding the ground from the panel through the wall out to the to grounding rods thanks have a good one.

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

Good Info on Sawzall . Often thought they were around years before WW 2. Back in the 1960's seemed like only plumbers owned them. Did not get my first Sawzall untill late 1970's. Was fun cutting unistrut with a hacksaw. Almost as much fun as having my dad make me use star drills first couple of years to drill anchor holes.

[@toolsandtactics]

Quality Craftsmanship As Always!

[@spark83ify]

Another great video! I enjoy watching your videos. I half to use lever bypass meters and I have been using the milbank 200 amp meter disconnect which is nice because it has spaces for additional breakers if the homeowner decides to add stuff later!

[@electricalron]

The meter main combos are approved here for JCPL and PSEG but the additional circuit breaker spaces at the main is prohibited (I think). Now I have to check.

[@user-ry5le4yu6x]

Hey Ron always watch your videos , keep on trucking. In my part of Canada we are authorized to cut live services/ pull meters to do service or panel changes/ repairs like you are but we take a short course ( renew every 2 years ) with the utility and have to use required safety gear when doing it such as arc flash suit , visor but most importantly in my opinion 1000 volt rated rubber gloves ( with leather covers ). Ive been doing this for 38 years and am competent and confident , as you are , working with live equipment but would love to see you use a pair of gloves when doing these cuts , you just never know . All the best Brother !

[@rorysalarms8110]

Really nice job Electrician Ron you are a professional also when i do a outlet hot i am very careful and i use Klein insulated screw drivers so i don't cause a short and i love Klein tools i think they are awesome also i hope you had fun in Las Vegas.

[@brandonquig05]

That breaker handle on the disconnect measured 6' 7" even 😂 Keeping everything within tolerance. Great job Electrician Ron!

[@wirewaykingelectric4978]

Pay no attention to the rude comments from the kids You do fantastic work!

[@norsk54472]

thanks, great content

[@shan442us]

1:10 glad you seem to be taking those comments lightly, most wouldn't understand line versus load much less a DC versus AC current. Electrons, neutrons and protons,, forget about it. 12:30 you're doing fine, keep doing what you are doing! Your commentary and sharing your logic has always been great and keep me coming back. I've been working with Milwaukee tools since the early 80's and am amazed at how loyal I am to that brand. If you do not buy your Milwaukee tools from Home Depot, I would strongly recommend it because they sell such high volume of Milwaukee tools the tool department mangers usually always give me a discount. They gave me $50 off that same tower light two days ago, tool only $129. Why did the electrician take so long to build his own house,, he kept using his dykes to hammer everything.

[@jefffielder2429]

Please keep these coming with all the code numbers you say thank you

[@johndimitrakis520]

Ron, It was nice meeting and talking to you. Awesome guy.. It was a little my fault that you left late that day. LOL.. as always, good job.

[@electricalron]

Thanks, you too!

[@malikdey-nativemoor2923]

AMAZING CONTENT. THANK YOU!!!

[@electricalron]

My pleasure!

[@BackwoodsLaw]

That is why you are trained and experienced Ron. Live work is fine if you have the training and experience and sometimes necessary like you said. We were not technically authorized to pull meters as Firefighters, but when you have guys inside of a burning building with water, we had line workers teach us how to do it properly to protect our crews. The electric company appreciated us working with their line crews to learn the right way to do it. Prior to that, we did it the firefighter way and would destroy the meter and tear it out with NY poles and halligan bars....🤣

[@josephkhouri7028]

Hey Ron I realy enjoy seeing all your work I am retired now did my time electrical on and off 40 years. I am so glad to here you are also instructing we always need to help the younger crowd. p s still think you need gloves when you disconnect just the service head.

[@Michael-qv9ku]

Hey thanks Ron for stating the rule with the bonding locknuts. I have been doing Electric work for 5 years and I didn’t know that you don’t need 2 bonding lock nuts. I wasn’t aware you could pass with 1. Love the videos though keep up the good work brotha.

[@electricalron]

Glad to help!

[@mrears9335]

I really like how you explained this video, thank you for your honesty.Would you be able to explain how to install a 2 pole switch for a heating board.

[@alexoliman3198]

Awesome video, Ron. I will be doing a similar project putting a main disconnect outside next to the meter panel and then running the se wires from the main disconnect to my breaker panel inside the house. I will be using sleeved 4/0 aluminum and I was wondering if I need to run the sleeved wire inside 2” PVC conduit. Probably not but then I’d need to use a clamp for the wire going into my breaker panel? I’d appreciate your guidance here and keep up with the awesome videos.

[@TheTubejunky]

Working hot is very dangerous. If I have to I use my 1000Vac gloves. Not to say I haven't without them it's just my piece of mind. another great install.

[@felixmilburn4594]

Ron, I love your content. That said, how are you about to trim the service wire without issue. I've watched several videos in which you trim the casing of the service wire. Please help--thanks.

[@hoyte44]

Great video as usual. ignore the hater’s

[@electricalron]

Thank you.

[@skiprope536]

Superb.

[@johnwalker890]

Great job Ron, very professional, not trying to rip on you at all, I ask dumb questions because I don't want to break out the code book, I have it packed away because I was going to move but things worked out for me.

[@electricalron]

I'm kind of a code nerd.

[@johnwalker890]

It's all good 👍.

[@mcarroll598]

@@electricalronhow come you never torque connections? It is a code requirement.

[@jeffmoss26]

Nice work! Hope you scrapped the old riser :)

[@carlcaruana6351]

Screw the haters...keep up the good work and thank you!!!

[@gibby2727]

Ron love the videos, If you are doing a service upgrade and there is an existing 3 wire range feed, you would need to bond the neutral and ground at the main panel cause if we were to separate them techically the range wire wouldnt be grounded.

[@electricalron]

A 3-wire range circuit doesn’t have a neutral. A 4-wire does have a neutral, a ground, and two hots.

[@wizard3z868]

The only thing I might do is use gloves for the utility conductors but thts mostly cause I'm not used to it and as I've gotten older my nerve has been diminishing too 😅

[@ericr2zz]

If you can do a video on why connect neutrals and ground wires at the panel disconnect, that would be interesting! i.e. how to avoid parallel electrical paths during a fault.

[@electricalron]

It's easy, actually. Anywhere downstream from the main disconnect, including all branch circuits and feeders.... the neutrals and grounds are isolated from each other.

[@mce1919A4]

Thank you.

[@electricalron]

You're welcome!

[@GlenMacNeil]

Great work as always Ron. Really enjoy watching your videos and look forward to them. I think I mentioned before that I'm north of the border in Canada (Ontario) and we are not allowed to touch the service conductors, meter etc. to kill the power (I wish we could) You said this job took you one day to complete. How much more time would you need to add to a job when you include the local utilities to temporarily disconnect, reconnect etc.? Thanks again.

[@FernandoGomez-rs2pd]

Another one of those great videos never get tired of watching ur work. I wanted to ask you if I purchased a 120 plug in water heater rated at 2000 watts what breaker would I need single 20 or double pole any info is greatly appreciated

[@electricalron]

For water heater conductors and circuit breakers, they must be sized 125% of the rated load. So, 2000 watts x 125% (2000 x 1.25) equals 2500 watts. 2500/ 120 = 20.833333. So 10/2 wire and single pole 30 amp circuit breaker. Good luck.

[@davidfeldman7001]

Is there a code exception for upgrades that allows you to use regular breakers and not GFCI and or AFCI protection? Very much enjoy your vids. And it’s great that you take the time to train the next generation. Keep up the good work Ron.

[@electricalron]

Yes, here in New Jersey - for existing installations - we follow the NJ Rehab sub code. There's a link to the DCA's website in the description area.

[@curtisharlan9230]

Cool electrician

[@rb8049]

You can work live at240v. Above 240v is nuts due to arc flash risk. At 240v you just have to be really careful. All loads off greatly reduces arc risk. The risk is if you get distracted or a wire moves unexpectedly under tension. It just takes one mistake. Gloves would be a good idea.

[@JohnThomas-lq5qp]

Should have rated PPE long sleeve shirt, tinted face shield, rubber gloves that were tested & dated stamped less then 6 months ago plus electricians work boots ( no metal eyelets ).

[@zekenzy6486]

Great Video and Great Job. Thank you for sharing. May I ask, what is purpose of Disconnect switch breaker outside ?

[@electricalron]

Firemen have a way to kill power from the exterior of a burning building.

[@Lanceb131]

Absolutely fascinating video as always! Watched it all the way through as always. As always I loved you & your videos! A question if I may please that I thought about after I watched the video when it was 1st released. Why Don't you just use a outdoor shutoff with a few places for breakers incase they ever need to wire something outside in the future (ie, well pump, external building like a shed, pool, hot tub, ect)? My parents had a well put in for irrigation several years ago & it was lucky that whoever put in the outdoor shutoff on there home put a shutoff with a cupple of breaker slots on it even though, at the time, there was absolutely nothing that needed it at the time! Just curious please so I came back to ask you. Thank you & please keep the great videos coming! PS, please give your pets a good scratch from me & I wish we could see them more often please?!

[@m3rdpwr]

I'm 54 and in the IT field. Sometimes I wish I had gotten into electrical or plumbing or HVAC or something to that effect. I do have many friends in those fields. However, I think I'm too old to switch professions. Plus I have a little bit of an issue with heights. LoL I do appreciate watching these videos you post.

[@electricalron]

We’re the same age. Switching careers now is almost suicide. I’m just now getting good at this trade.

[@TheMrBrandonlewis]

Also in IT and watch hvac, plumbing, electrical stuff. It’s so interesting

[@m3rdpwr]

@@TheMrBrandonlewis yeah, I'm one of those jack of all trades, master of none around the house. Lol

[@RandomTechWZ]

I see you didn't trim the neutral wire on the surge suppressor. I didnt either when I installed mine and think it'll be okay as the path is still much shorter than anything else in the panel.

[@OnusofStrife]

Do you generally not reuse breakers? Even here where it looks like you have some existing br breakers? I guess it probably better to just get all new anyway and they aren't that expensive.

[@Melendezdj]

Thanks Ron, I do appreciate your excellent work and the ability to teach as well. I do have a question about 'Fault Current Avelability'. Right now I'm doing volunteer work at my place of worship and I would like to know how can I find out what is the Fault Current Avelability at the transformer so I can do a Fault Current calculation. Where do I start? David

[@electricalron]

@@Melendezdj have your account number ready and call the electric utility company.

[@jeremyjpegan]

You seem to like the Eaton panel more than Schneider. Any particular reason. I’m gearing up to do my upgrade so any input is greatly appreciated.

[@chuckq54]

Gorgeous work again Ron! As a South Jersey resident, I’m always learning something new from your videos as far as new code requirements. BTW, how do you handle trash? Do you have a dumpster at the house since you work out of your house? Wish I was 50 years younger with you as my instructor 😂😂👍👍🏆🏆

[@electricalron]

Garbage company takes everything but the old panels and meter cans. Right now I have a big collection of meters and panels on the side of my house. Usually when I get slow in the summertime I'll bring them to the recycling place.

[@user-hl7bi1cv6l]

When you cut the alive service wire, which one you cut first?

[@dougwells8463]

Nice work as always. Question: Do you like the plug-on neutral panels and are they safer/easier to connect up?

[@electricalron]

Plug on neutral saves time and space. Yes its the only panels I install these days.

[@BobJackson-zv1fh]

You do great work Ron. Another great video. Would you recommend those ratchet cutters?

[@electricalron]

Absolutely, bit pricey but I couldn't imagine working without them for large conductors.

[@josemeza5378]

Good morning Ron, First of all, thank you for such a good video. I have seen many of your videos installing the BR plug on neatral load centers, but none using arc fault breaker, ground fault breakers or dual function breakers. It is a cost thing ??? Standard breakers are cheaper right.

[@electricalron]

Not required on rehab work.

[@davidmerkrebs9967]

beautiful work. side question i understand csst gas flex requires bonding why doesn't flexible gas appliance connectors need bonding

[@electricalron]

Most natural gas piping is bonded to the system ground by way of the equipment grounding conductor run with the branch circuit conductors to gas-fired equipment such as a furnace. The gas line is bonded but it is to never be used as a grounding electrode.

[@kchall5]

For a brief moment there I thought Steven Tyler took up a new career as an electrician 🤘🤣🤣

[@GS-lh2nx]

I really appreciate your channel and content. Very well done. But what I can't figure out is not your cutting the service but the reconnection of it. I heard you explain it a little bit before but you were actually grabbing the bugs I think. Are you just that confident on a fibreglass ladder?

[@electricalron]

I never come into contact with anything conductive. My ratchet cutters are insulated and I never touch the open end of the "live side." If electrons have no path to flow they just won't flow.

[@skiprope536]

That a problem with vinyl siding. Great

[@alexs2778]

Does the main breaker box outside gets a lock? I can picture someone playing a prank and leaving whole house dark by flipping that thing.

[@carryjurek2019]

FYI, that neutral wire on the surge should be as short as possible per manufacturer

[@imbowser]

i tried to do what you did but had to call someone after i got a ball busting shock. I thought everything was turned off

[@zoraaduntov2290]

Quick question for you. Do you do any work in the 08010 zip code? If not can you recommend anyone? Keep up the excellent work!

[@electricalron]

No idea where that is in NJ.

[@michaelbongiovi111]

I'm curious how you keep track of which circuit goes to which breaker after installing the new panel given that you're supposed to label all of the breakers afterwards.

[@electricalron]

I don’t I just go through the house and label them afterwards.

[@stephenie1484]

Hey Ron great video. Question... my 00 aluminum wire is fastened into the meter and my main lugs I cranked the lugs to torque spec but they are still slipping a little over time. Is it safe to apply clear silicone caulk directly to hot areas safely to keep it in place? Thank you.

[@electricalron]

No, no caulk or silicone.

[@stephenie1484]

@@electricalron damn ok. I don't wanna crank down any harder bc the aluminum tends to flaten out and i don't want to break it so I'll figure something out

[@luispozos2255]

So even though all the power is turned off from the main panel and meter disconnected, the wires going back to the transformer on the pole, are essentially still energized?

[@luispozos2255]

So that’s a yes? Lol

[@alexoliman3198]

Ron, I saw you upgraded the meter/main disconnect/breaker panel to 200 amps. But how about the utility line. Did they need to bring a new line able to deliver 200 amps?

[@electricalron]

That's all up to the utility which is PSEG.

[@3beltwesty]

That's up to the power companies. Here my house has a 200 amp service since 1971. The 3 other houses on the same transformer were originally just 100 amp service since tract homes. Ie not a custom house. My folks 1971 giant double over range has a 18.1 Kilowatt nameplate. That is why we installed a 200 amp service. Today 2 of the 3 houses to the same transformer have upgraded to a 200 amp service and none had larger wires installed. This is with local coop electric company. So often the power companies do not not increase the wire size unless actually needed.

[@Dezeberbro]

You ever do any commercial or industrial?

[@bigwoodrz]

Do you have to have every job inspected by an authority? Or only after new mains installation.

[@electricalron]

Permits and inspections are required for any size service upgrade.

[@Melendezdj]

I did call them, answered all there questions but on the email they send me in respons part of the information was missing. They did not give me the L-L AFC & the L-N AFC.