Quote:
Originally Posted by Evans, Marv
I had my main panel upgraded several years ago. I would spring for the cost to have it professionally done. You do need a permit, at least in my state, and the power company has to come out and shut the power off for the panel to be changed and reconnect the power after it's done. For those reasons, I'd just pay to have it professionally done in case I ran into an unanticipated snag.
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SDG&E may do that but SoCal Edison is lax. They do spot the meter but the electrical contractor usually cuts the mains and ties off the service drop while doing the work. I have seen EC's reconnect after finishing and the inspector arrives the next day or so to sign off. Next door to me on a service upgrade, SCE never came out other than spotting. The split nuts wrapped in tape are still in place rather than the official SCE crimps.
AFA doing it yourself, planning and planning is very important. It's a lot of work and there's room for
one person to make up that panel. You can use a 2nd to extend the mast if necessary and pull in the SEC (service entrance cable) and also drive in the ground rods and do the bonding to water and gas.
You are allowed to go hot if everything is in order before the inspector. But the POCO won't hook you up that day unless you are really well coordinated and if you fail, you get no juice unless you jumper it.