How hard is it to replace a breaker box?




Its a 200 amp outdoor type box that is stucco'd in.

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

It's a superb way to get good and zapped if you don't know what you are doing. Others may differ, but this is one that I would pay a licensed electrician to do.

The biggest problem are the mains. You really cannot disconnect the mains while they are live and you're probably not equipped to disconnect them live at the weatherhead.

An electrician probably has to disconnect the service at the weatherhead and return to reconnect it after you replace the box. However, not many of them will want to be a part of that deal.

First- why do you need to replace it? They don't "wear out" per say. If you have corroded busbars or breakers you can (usually) replace them individually without removing the box. What brand is it and how old is it? Does it have a meter or is it just a load center? Give me some details and maybe a picture and I can tell you what your best course of action should be.-Scott

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

Liability without the profit.

First I would not consider it too difficult with the following caveats.
You are a very very capable weekend warrior (add a 3rd VERY in there for good luck).
Your power company may require a licensed electrician.
You will have to have the meter pulled and replaced.
Are you willing to take the chance that a minor oops could be a major problem.

That said
I am a very very very very capable weekend warrior, I would definitely think twice, would read several detailed articles or ?? about them, have a few beers with a friend that is a licensed pro to twist his arm to help or at least pick his brain.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.

Since you are in N. Calif you probably have PG&E as your utility provider and if you(or anyone other than PG&E) disconnect or reconnect the service drop you will be requiring the services of a lawyer as well as an electrician! This may not be true in all areas though as apparently in New York you can install a backup generator without an approved transfer switch (even though the NEC clearly states it is required) to save a few bucks.

If you have an overhead service it is usually a simple, no cost from PG&E, disconnect/reconnect. If you have underground service it can be a bit more complicated.

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

I was not aware of this.

Maybe you could provide the code in New York that supports your contention?

The 200 amp breaker overheated and deformed quite a bit.




It damaged the bus underneath it.



The problem is that we have a challenger box, and from what I was told, the style we have has long been discontinued, and parts are NLA.




We recieved several bids yesterday, and they are all over the map... Cheapest was $1800 and most expensive was $3500.

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

The previous posts contain all the information you need to decide "how hard is hard" here...

Notify power company that you are changing the breaker panel and that you be removing the meter. They will schedule someone to come out and re-seal the meter.

Pull the meter out of the socket and check that all power is off in the box.

Disconnect cables from main and branch breakers, remove the breakers and the bus bars, then install the new bus bars. You did double-check that the new bus bars will fit the old box, didn't you?

Install the new breakers and reconnect everything. Check the wiring over for nicks and cuts, then plug the the meter back in.

Close the breakers, one at a time, and check for smoke!

Overheated and deformed a 200A breaker? What the heck are you powering?

Thats like 20kwh per hour level of use....$2 an hour around here....$48 a day.

Perhaps this is why CA has so many blackouts....each home is using as much as an industrial facility.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Challenger is no longer made, but you can probably find parts still. If you still have the model # on the panel there are numerous companies who sell used and discontinued breakers and panel parts. The breaker should be available new still no problem, however I would be concerned about what caused it to meltdown first. Was water getting into the panel? Is it a meter main or just a load center?

The bids sound about right if it is your meter main panel. I usually charge $2300 for a 200 amp service change including permit fees. Don't use anyone who has a yellow page ad and check on their licence status with the CSLB.

If you need some sources for parts let me know and I'll get you the phone #'s of a few places in the area. (I'm assuming you are in N. Calif.?) Good luck!!

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1984 300TD 1981 240D

One thing led to another, and this is the result....

__________________
-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Okay - why the excavation?