Service drop amps
- Thread starter paulmars
- Start date
sparky 1971
Well-known member
We're going to need a little more information. What is the size of the main? The wire? Overhead or underground? Post pictures.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Something to keep in mind is that the power companies have their own system they use to determine wire size, not the NEC sizing guidelines that you have to use inside your house. The wire coming from your pole will be way smaller than the wire allowed in your home.
A local lineman told me that the triplex wire coming from the pole will typically be 2 or 4 AWG aluminum.
A local lineman told me that the triplex wire coming from the pole will typically be 2 or 4 AWG aluminum.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
definitely need more details here. how about a few pictures of the main service panel, the main breaker, the meter, the inside of the panel with the cover off (if youre comfortable)...
BTW why do you need this info?
BTW why do you need this info?
Zeke
Well-known member
It's gonna be lot more amps than any panel you can buy for residential. Even if you double tap the mains for another large panel. Within reason and to code, of course.
So how many panels are you thinking?
So how many panels are you thinking?
justsam
Well-known member
What is your service agreement with your service provider? They should be able to tell you whether you have a 100 or 200 Amp service for example.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
did you miss the part about him already talking to them and they wouldnt tell him?
justsam
Well-known member
It is an essential component of rate structure. The customer is entitled to know what it is he is paying for. Same as knowing the data rate provided by your internet ISP. Not providing the information is asking for PUC intervention.
websites think its so cool now to include some contact from links posted, even though some ppl might think what they see is all there is and therefore not click the link. unless I make a point of saying there are 5 pics there. still some ppl dont. its happened several times when Im posting on automotive & plumbing forums. Done venting.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Just attach the pictures directly to the forum. It's easier, and we'll have the images forever.
I'm confused as to what you are trying to show us.
Are you trying to show us the wires coming from the pole, or the wires going into your service entrance? The wires coming from the pole are probably 2 or 4 AWG aluminum. Undersized by the NEC, but the power company doesn't have to follow NEC rules. Since the wires are in open air, they don't really worry about them getting hot and potentially burning something. The power company will only replace those wires if you have excessive voltage drops.
If you're talking about the wires going into your service entrance/weather head (since you took a close up picture of them) - those are you wires - you own those. You can check what size they are down in your panel. It will be printed on the cable.
I'm confused as to what you are trying to show us.
Are you trying to show us the wires coming from the pole, or the wires going into your service entrance? The wires coming from the pole are probably 2 or 4 AWG aluminum. Undersized by the NEC, but the power company doesn't have to follow NEC rules. Since the wires are in open air, they don't really worry about them getting hot and potentially burning something. The power company will only replace those wires if you have excessive voltage drops.
If you're talking about the wires going into your service entrance/weather head (since you took a close up picture of them) - those are you wires - you own those. You can check what size they are down in your panel. It will be printed on the cable.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
You own those wires, too. They should be the same size wires going into your panel.
Don't worry about the wires coming from the pole. They will not change those wires unless you have a problem (i.e, severe voltage drop).
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
huh? maybe in your area but in mine we are not charged based on the size of our service. it isnt even listed on our bill.... and comparing that to internet service speed is a flawed comparison
BTW when i lived in a different part of california and had Profit, Gouge, & Execute, they didnt charge based on size of service nor did they list the size of my service on my bills.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Price is right rules or closest?
I'll take 200
I'll take 200
"What size main do you have now? Based on the pics I would guess 150A. 1/0-2/0 wire in the service mast. #4 or #2 from the street." The quote button does nothing at my end.
Two ele panels, both have 100 main. Each hooks to it's own power meter with 4awg. The service drop supplies both.
Two ele panels, both have 100 main. Each hooks to it's own power meter with 4awg. The service drop supplies both.
Zeke
Well-known member
Are you standing on a metal roof with a penny almost touching a hot SE cable? I hope you used an aluminum ladder.
Instead of guessing at capability of your current service let's discuss your future requirement. What are you trying to achieve? How many amps do you want?
See the CL 200 on the meter pic, that's a 200 amp meter.
Remember your main breaker like all breakers only reflects capability down stream. The role of the main is to protect the panel, just like each breaker protects the wires it provides power to.
You could turn everything on, get an amp clamp and go up there and see what you are drawing, but that still won't answer your initial question.
My service capacity is on my bill but as stated by others that's not always the case.
See the CL 200 on the meter pic, that's a 200 amp meter.
Remember your main breaker like all breakers only reflects capability down stream. The role of the main is to protect the panel, just like each breaker protects the wires it provides power to.
You could turn everything on, get an amp clamp and go up there and see what you are drawing, but that still won't answer your initial question.
My service capacity is on my bill but as stated by others that's not always the case.
Attachments
"Two ele panels, both have 100 main. Each hooks to it's own power meter with 4awg. The service drop supplies both." So i need that SD and meter drop to be able to supply 200.
Doesn't main breakers also effectively protect the SD and meter drop?
Doesn't main breakers also effectively protect the SD and meter drop?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Barefoot for bonus points
sparky 1971
Well-known member
I am at a loss as to what the question really is, but I'm going to guess that it's "What size service do I have?" Post #23 states there are two 100 amp panels with #4 service entrance to individual meters. It's a 200 amp service. You can't base it on the POCO wires, they can do whatever they want, and in free air, wires can handle a helluva lot more current than if they are in conduit or buried. The conductors in the mast look like they are at least a 2/0 and if those are copper are what a 200 amp residential service uses. It's fine.
And the POCO doesn't care about what's in the mast, those are your wires. If you really, really need to know exactly what you have, you're going to have to call an electrical contractor and pay them to come look at it.
And the POCO doesn't care about what's in the mast, those are your wires. If you really, really need to know exactly what you have, you're going to have to call an electrical contractor and pay them to come look at it.
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wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
no.... protection would need to be upstream to protect that stuff
Two 100 amp mains does not equal a 200A service. Could be anything in between 100-200A
Yes if they are copper it probably is a 200. In my earlier post I was thinking 1/0-2/0 aluminum.
so how do I know if they are copper?
sparky 1971
Well-known member
OK, you got me there. I forget that not everyone is me. If I'm putting in a service with two 100 amp mains, it's going to be a 200 amp service.
TractorJeff
Well-known member
My question is why do you ask?
Is there a concern with your current capacity or are you planning on adding more Load?
You mention 2 "Main Disconnects" and 2 "Meters". What do those feed? 2 Living Quarters or a House and a Garage?
Is there a concern with your current capacity or are you planning on adding more Load?
You mention 2 "Main Disconnects" and 2 "Meters". What do those feed? 2 Living Quarters or a House and a Garage?
House and attached apartment. House built that way.
Yes i want to bdl ck on what was done in 2012 when the fuse boxes were upgraded to breaker boxes.
Yes im thinking of adding a 26a kiln. I might put it on the dryer 30a breaker witha switch so only one can be operated at a time, but not sure i need too.
Yes i want to bdl ck on what was done in 2012 when the fuse boxes were upgraded to breaker boxes.
Yes im thinking of adding a 26a kiln. I might put it on the dryer 30a breaker witha switch so only one can be operated at a time, but not sure i need too.
Not a good 'tell' for service size. My utility uses 200A-rated meters in 100A bases all the time.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
you have 2 services for 1 building? oooofff