Does this mean I have 200A service from the pole?

[Redwolf947]

Been thinking about upgrading my service someday to 200A. I don't know what size wires are coming from the pole. While reading another post an idea poped in my head.. What does the meter say?

So does this mean I have 200A service from the pole to my meter?

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There is 3awg THHN wire coming from my meter to my 100A Main panel.

Whats the max main I can run with that size wire?

What wire would I need for full 200A?

The meter is only a few feet from my main..

Thanks for any input guys.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes u have a 200a meter but is your pan rated for 200a?

Service entrance wire is sized with T 310.15(b)(7). #3 is too small for 200a. U need 2/0 CU or 4/0 AL.

Is this an overhead or underground service? If overhead, u need to check the wire in the mast as well....

 

[Redwolf947]

By pan do you mean the meter base? Or my panel in the basement?

It is an overhead service. How would I check that?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

All the meters the power co installs around here anymore are 200a meters,Like wylie says that looks like a 100a can/meter socket to me anyway from the picture.

 

[nick2010tundra]

Lineman here. We install 200a amp meters on all services under 200, no reason to use a smaller meter, they are not a fuse and why carry 2 sizes ( Actually I don't think they make the smaller 100a meters anymore. Usually the power company will upgrade your service for free if your going to 200, really its good for them too, means your gonna buy more electricity. Anyways good luck

 

[wyliesdiesels]

By pan do you mean the meter base? Or my panel in the basement?

It is an overhead service. How would I check that?

Yes pan would be your meter base. You would need to open up your meter pan and see what size wire u have.

Another thing- is your main panel rated for 200a?

Theres a lot more to 200a service than just the meter. Yes the meter needs to be rated for 200a but so does the pan wire and main service panel...

 

[DC73]

As others have said, most PoCo residential meters are 200 amp meters, but that doesn't mean the rest of the installation is rated for 200 A.

There are other metering options. For example, to get power to my new shop from the house was going to be problematic. Upgrades would have been needed and the route to the shop from the house was less than ideal. We couldn't use the existing 200 A meter and base in the alley because there was no way to connect a 2nd service (no extra lugs) and, although unlikely, my total needs for house and shop potentially could have been more than 200A. I didn't want the PoCo to install a separate meter for the shop because that would mean two meter charges. The answer turned out to be a 320 A meter and base. This setup will have the extra lugs for the 2nd service and will be the best choice for my needs. Just throwing that out there for anyone else who could benefit from this option.

DC

 

[Redwolf947]

Yes pan would be your meter base. You would need to open up your meter pan and see what size wire u have.

Another thing- is your main panel rated for 200a?

Theres a lot more to 200a service than just the meter. Yes the meter needs to be rated for 200a but so does the pan wire and main service panel...

Right If going to 200A I'd be replacing my 100A main panel for a larger 200A panel and all other corresponding components meter pan, wire etc.

I didn't know they would put a 200A meter in a 100A base. Now I do

Guess I'll be waiting a bit on this upgrade.

Thanks guys for all your help and answers. If I do this I'm sure I'll post more questions.