Cost for 200A service upgrade

1/28/2018 at 8:48:12 PM

you would have to check with your local hydro to see if there is 200 amp available at your meter. It is very unlikely you would require 100 amps alone for servers. Call 3 local licensed electrical contractors in your area and ask them for pricing. Can be from $1500-$3500

1/28/2018 at 8:53:13 PM

Hi Brian,

What you were told may be correct, but it also depends on your specific requirements for the server room. My advice would be to have a qualified electrician come and checkout what you've got and what requirements you need. At that point they should be able to giving you and estimate. A good electrician will provide you with a free estimate, so there is no harm in having it looked at. All the best!

1/28/2018 at 8:53:38 PM

Appreciate the info. Each of my machines pulls about 1500W and I've got 3 currently so I need all the power I can get. 100A service is nowhere near enough when I've got central AC installed and also have an electric car that ideally can pull 28A but I've got it turned down for now.

Hoping to get a few quotes this week. I looked and I can't actually see the wire but the conduit is atleast 2 inch in diameter and my meter seems to indicate its 200A capable.

1/28/2018 at 9:24:34 PM

Good Evening, It is unlikely the cables are able to handle the 200A load. However, the utility companies and electricians previously most likely have run 3 PVC to the meter base if it is an underground service. Pulling in new 250kcmill cable won't be an issue if you require it. The minimum price is $2500-$3000 If it was a job in Vancouver, B.C

Thanks

Harm

1/28/2018 at 10:09:09 PM

Hello Brian

Robert is correct that you will have to confirm with the local utility to see if they can provide 200 amps to your home.

Most utilities have installed the infrastructure for 200 amps, but many of these are developed by contractors and they may have been allowed to go 100 for some reason even if it is unlikely.

If it is just a matter of increasing the size of conduit and wire from the existing meter socket and changing the panel, the cost should be minimal. If however you need to replace the service conductors underground, then you can expect a substantial difference.

If there was no trenching required then I agree that you would be starting at the $1500 if the meter socket and service conductors were good to go; not including whatever you were looking for your servers. Just to note, that you will likely need additional air conditioning (which will increase your total electrical load) and depending on how much you are adding. If you are looking at bit mining, most people are using 400 amp services with approximately 200 amps dedicated to servers and air conditioning.

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc

1/29/2018 at 4:36:00 PM

use this web site to find LEC's in your area.

http://applications.dmtispatial.com/esa/

1/30/2018 at 6:07:04 PM

Hello Brian,

I'm a custom design builder, so we take a more holistic approach.

I am suggesting you don't need a new service at all.

I suggest you change all your light bulbs to LEDs.

Can you also change your electric stove to gas?

There's 30 amps right there.

Look around your house with a new perspective and see what other savings you might manage.

This works very well with most situations.

All the best,

Andrew Parker

Par-Tek Construction

416 504 9455

"Old Fashioned Quality is Never Out of Style"