Do I have to upgrade my electrical panel?

11/16/2017 at 12:13:49 PM

This information is incorrect, unless you have significant loads in your home that require you to upgrade to 200amps.

11/16/2017 at 12:15:57 PM

Hi Ashley, Not knowing what your current connected load is, makes it impossible to determine what size of new panel you would be required to install. One thing I do know about Kitchener is that your local utility (Kitcher Wilmot I believe) will not let you upgrade your existing panel without changing your entire service on the outside of the house. They will only approve a panel change with a upgraded meter base. Ask the Electrical Contractor that told you that you had to upgrade to a 200 amp service to provide you with a load calculation.

11/16/2017 at 1:16:09 PM

If you are not planning on adding additional and/or substantial loads to the house, then no you do not need to upgrade to 200 amp service. You just need to upgrade your panel to breakers.

11/16/2017 at 1:44:07 PM

Depending on your square footage and requirements of your home, this may or may not be necessary.

If you plan on having a basement apartment, 2 electric stoves, 2 dryers, hot tub, electric heating, garage welders, etc etc, the requirement of 200 amps may be possible. Most homes in the larger towns run heating on gas avoiding the need for electric heat, which generally requires more amperage for the home.

Be forewarned, some cities do not allow overhead 200 amp entrances, therefore requiring an underground entrance system which could be very costly.

Normal 3000 square foot homes still only require 100 amps with one stove, dryer, AC unit, basic lighting and kitchen power, etc. If the guy asking you to upgrade cannot prove to you why you require 200 amps, it may be better to take him out of the bid offering.

Check all your contractors with the ESA online at:

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

https://www.esasafe.com/consumers/permits-and-inspections/what-you-need-to-know

11/17/2017 at 1:30:01 PM

Hi Ashley

Here is an article that I put together a few years ago that you may find helpful...

https://trustedpros.ca/articles/electrical/thinking-of-upgrading-your-electrical-panel-or-service-some-things-you-should-know

Cheers

John Kuehnl-Cadwell

Master Electrician

Datawise Solutions Inc