Don’t Make This Mistake When Upgrading an Electrical Panel
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How should I upgrade kitchen electrical wiring? The house which has 100 amp service which we recently changed from the old fuse type load box to a circuit breaker panel. |
Home Electrical Panel Sizes and Circuit Requirements
Question: How should I upgrade kitchen electrical wiring?
I am working on a house in Philadelphia which has 100 amp service which we recently changed from the old fuse type load box to a circuit breaker panel. The house does not have many electrical circuit demands of the service because the dryer, boiler type heater, hot water tank and kitchen range are all heated using gas. The kitchen is antique and we intend to upgrade the kitchen with one or two 20 amp appliance circuits and separate circuits for a future dish washer, microwave, garbage disposal. Is # 6 /4 electrical wire o.k. or can I use aluminum wire? Also if some of the wire runs in a soffit can I eliminate conduit or oversize the conduit or future possible wires.
Thanks B.W.
This electrical question came from: Bob, a Handyman from Churchville, Pennsylvania.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Bob.
Sizing an Home Electrical Panel When Upgrading
Application: Upgrading an Electrical Panel and Circuit Wiring.
Skill Level: Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, Voltage Tester or Volt Ohm Meter.
Estimated Time: Depends on the type and age of the electrical wiring and the access to the circuits and wiring to be evaluated.
Precaution: This is a project that should be performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor and typically requires specific tests of the electrical circuits.
Notice: Repairs to Home Electrical Wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes and installing new or replacement electrical parts or equipment may require a permit and inspections.
Sizing a Home Electrical Panel When Upgrading the Panel
Bob, in my estimation, it was a mistake to upgrade from a fuse box to a panel that was sized at only 100 amps. The square footage and number of bedrooms should be taken into consideration, however I a typical home electrical service panel upgrade is usually sized at 200 amps. Future home owners may desire electrical appliances instead of gas, especially with great electrical energy alternatives being installed at the home and the price of gas fuel going up and down.
Methods for Upgrade Electrical Wiring
Installing wiring inside of a soffit area will provide protection and is permissible depending on what else is being installed in the soffit. Another option is to install a sub-panel in a central area of the home. It may be vary advantageous to install a sub-panel near the kitchen area which may save a lot of circuit home-runs going back to the main electrical panel.
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