Any electricians out there?

[Mickey1992]

OK, this is sort of hardware related.

I have moved into a new house that was built in 1912 and has been rehab'ed.  All of the electrical wiring was redone and a new electrical panel was installed.  The main breaker in the box is labeled as 100 Amps.

This was not a problem until I had central air installed.  Now I get frequent brown-outs with my PC equipment and some other electronics are acting flaky.  This is causing many disconnects during AH flight, even with a UPS running.

My question is:  How easy would it be to get more amps(?) into the home?  Does the line from the street need to be tested?  It is a simple as someone installing a higher rated main breaker?  Do I need a new main electrical box?

Any help would be appreciated.  I am trying to nail down what this may cost before I call someone out to take a look at it.

Mickey

[bloom25]

Although I'm not entirely qualified to speak here (electrical engineering student) and without knowing the exact particulars of your situation, I though I might give you one bit of advice.  If possible, try running some of your major high current devices at 240 V.  Remember that Watts = Volts * Amps, meaning if you double the voltage of whatever you are running you half the amount of amps neccessary to run it.  Many computers can run at 240V with the simple flick of a switch on the power supply.  Mainly though you should see how hard it would be to run things like your oven, dryer, hot water heater, etc at 240V AC.

If this isn't possible due to the wiring of your house, then just ignore my post.  

Other than that you really need someone to come out and look at the wiring in the house to see if it can handle more current without posing a fire risk.



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bloom25
THUNDERBIRDS

[Toffer]

Are you the only one in your area with this problem? If not it could be an Electric Company Problem.
Also you could have a bad connection to your meter or breaker box. (Have an electrician check voltages for you)

To upgrade the service to your home you have to have 4 things.

• 1. The transformer in your area must be able to handle the extra load. Most are but if not the local Electric Company will need to upgrade it.
• 2. The meter for your house must be able to handle the load (Usually you get this free from local Electric Company). Depending on your Electric Co. either they will install it or you will have to have an Electrician install it (NOT RECOMMENDED FOR normal Dweeb to try on his own)  ;-)
• 3. The wires running from the meter to your Breaker box must be able to handle the extra current. (Electrician)
• 4. The Breaker box must be rated for the increased Current. Should be but you really need to make sure.   (Electrician)

Your in home wiring should be fine it will be seeing the same current as before.

Whatever you do don’t take it lightly. Loose connections heat up quickly and are a real fire hazard. Your playing with very hi currents here way above the 100 amps your breaker is rated for  so BE VERY CAREFUL.

Good luck


[This message has been edited by Toffer (edited 06-14-2000).]

[bloom25]

Since you are dealing with a potential fire risk here, I'd recommend spending the money to have a qualified electrician look at it.



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bloom25
THUNDERBIRDS

[Torque]

Get a 200 Amp service if you plan to stay long.

When they installed 100 Amp box they would have rehung lines to house.

The services are ez to install,find a friend of a friend who is an electrician buy him a few beers get a deal.

Unless you're cooking and doing laundry when AC kicks in and cause brown-out you'll need at least 200 amp service.

ALso chk to see they didn't miss some old single-pole wire live,they would be 2 separate lines running parrallel mounted on wood with isolators.

My uncles just got one installed for $500 Cdn

[Mickey1992]

Thanks for all of the replies.  I have a guy coming out next week.

I spoke with my neighbor across the street last night who is in the process of rehab'ing his house and he said that when he first bought it, it only had a 60 amp box in it.  So it looks like everyone on my street at one point had this problem.

Mickey