How to Wire a 200 Amp Electrical Service for an Older Home

Introduction

Upgrading the electrical service in an older home to 200 amps can provide the power needed to run modern appliances and electronics. However, working with electrical wiring carries risks and should only be done by qualified professionals. This article will walk through the end-to-end process I follow when wiring a 200 amp service for an older home.

Gather Materials and Tools

The first step is ensuring I have all the necessary materials and tools:

Inspecting the Current Setup

Before getting started, I'll thoroughly inspect the existing electrical service to understand the current setup and see if anything can be reused. Key things I'll look for are:

Taking detailed notes on the existing setup saves time and helps me determine what materials I'll need.

Killing the Power

Before touching any wiring, I fully de-energize the system by:

I also turn off the water main when working around electrical panels to be extra safe. I keep the system de-energized by tagging out the main breaker while I work.

Running New Service Entry Conduit

I start by marking a path to run rigid metal conduit from the planned panel location to the service entrance:

Once the path is ready, I thread and connect the conduit segments:

Installing the New Panel

With the conduit in place, I'm ready to mount and wire up the new 200 amp panel:

Running and Landing the Feeder Wires

Now I can pull and connect the feeder wires from the service entrance to the new panel:

Installing the Grounding Electrode System

A proper grounding electrode system is crucial for safety and performance. I install new ground rods and a ground wire:

Connecting at the Service Entrance

With everything prepped, it's time to connect up the service entrance:

Wrapping Up

Once all connections are made, I'm ready to energize the new panel:

Wiring a 200 amp service requires attention to detail and adherence to electrical code and safety practices. Following these steps helps ensure I complete a safe, future-proof electrical upgrade. Let me know if you need any electrical work done!