Breaker Box Replacement/Upgrade

Question

I was planning to get our box upgraded from a old 100 amp Zinsco box to a newer possibly 200 amp box. I have been talking to a couple of companies and they have been wanting a arm and a leg, and also some other certified electricians (and some friends certified) that are independent and are more reasonable. We live in Houston Tx and our house was build back in 1964.
I have a couple of questions regarding that...
• Is a permit absolutely required for replacement and upgrade?
• Can you get inspected after replacement without a permit and without issues with insurance or what does insurance look at for compliance I guess?
• A couple of electricians (certified) said that they can upgrade to a 200 amp breaker without needing to upgrade the meter box and the service line since the house is “older and uses copper” and it’s supposedly sufficient enough?

Does that sound normal and sounds like something that wouldn’t work?

Main thing is I don’t want any issues with insurance or the city after the replacement, if a permit is not used. I keep reading mixed things and not sure what is right vs wrong. Of course a permit would be ideal but if I could save 500 if it’s not required and I can still get a inspection done properly, I don’t see why I need it.

Aloysius Defenestrate · Answer

Contact your 'authority having jurisdiction' (AHJ) and ask these questions. Chances are you need a permit, but some jurisdictions can vary.

JACK · Answer

More than likely, you'll need a permit. The power company will have to disconnect the power for the panel change out and in most cases won't reconnect when the job's done unless they get an OK from the local AHJ. I've known local electricians that have pulled the meters without power company notice and have done the work. The problem is with the smart meters, the power company knows the meter was pulled and will notify the AHJ. Then it gets inspected, the owner or electrician has to get the permit and penalties are added and the owner might now have to get the meter can and riser upgraded. Check with the local guys first... this can really get hairy if you try for the shortcut.

Answered by JACK on July 18, 2021

Michael Karas · Answer

The following indicated conductors definitely appear to be aluminum and not copper.

Harper - Reinstate Monica · Answer

Start by changing the electric meter from a "plain meter" to a "Meter-Main".  The meter-main combines both a meter and a main breaker, and provides an outside disconnect.  This is required by the upcoming NEC 2020 anyway.  The real gain of a meter-main is you can de-energize your entire service panel for maintenance without having to deal with the power company.
Also, a consideration in Houston is having the electrical continue to function in a flood.  Put the service drop, meter, and main panel on the 2nd floor, and all the circuits down to the first floor are GFCI.  They trip, and the rest of the house is OK.

Breaker Box Replacement/Upgrade

4 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question