Electrical code for loveland CO.?

Question

ok, looking to buy this old house in loveland colorado, and im nearning my backout point with the inspection. monday morning at 11 am.

anyways, it has alot of non grounded outlets, some k**b and tube wiring, some double tapped circuits, and running on a 100 amp service. what im wondering is can we get an electrician to upgrade the service to a 200 amp now, and rewire like next year. reason why i am asking is i ran across this from the city..."if upgrading equiptment or service to an existing building, the site must meet current standards and guidlines set forth by the city and or national codes." does this mean the entire house would have to be "updated" to modern standards, or does it mean that the outside service must meet the national and city codes????

Answer 1

I agree with 1000. Why would you want 200 amp service anyway without all the rest of the safety items covered?

Answer 2

I was in the exact same situation!  We bought an old 1927 colonial.  The wiring was really hosed up.  Had 100 amp service, double tapped circuits!  Yikes!  We had an electrician upgraded the panel to a modern 100 amp panel so to have more breaker openings and no double tapping.  The rest of the branch circuits were a combination of nob and tub,  ungrounded conduit and modern grounded romex.  The house wiring was pretty rough.  That, in itself, did not require a permit or inspection.  That was 8 years ago.  just this last month, we had the entire house rewired with the exception of a few circuits that could not be accessed.  W also had the service upgraded to 200 amps and larger panel.  This panel required an inspection.  Our house still has ungrounded circuits, yet the inspector was not concerned.  He was more concerned that the panel itself was grounded properly to earth and to water pipes.  He opened the panel and looked in.  No problems.  

To answer your question,  you have to speak with the city for the final answer.  My thoughts are that old ungrounded wireing can be unsafe,  inconveniant due to nusence tripping.  proffesional wiring of you magnetude is the best way to go.  I also believe that service upgrades doesn't have anything to with the branch circuits. If all the stuff in all the old houses across america (code is a national code)  than "ALL" old houses with upgraded service have to have "Perfect" circuits.  That just an happen' in my neighborhood.  

Again, speak with your city code compliance office.  They are most likely willing to answer all your questions.

Answer 3

You hired an inspector to look everything over and tell you the problems and issues with the home. He identified the electrical system as being problematic. I am sure that he recommended that the entire system be reviewed by an electrician for repair/replacement. Why not heed his recommendation? Negotiate the repairs with the seller or get a concession on the price. Get all the work done. Electrical is no place to try to save a couple of dollars. The repairs/renovation are much cheaper than a few days in the hospital, and they are way cheaper than having to rebuild after a fire...

Answer 4

Under current codes, the K&T must be inspected and approved by a qualified inspector or licensed electrical contractor.  In Seattle, the home will not be insured if any K&T is still energized.  It's a whole lot safer, cheaper and faster to do a full R&R to the home.  I'd allow at least $10K to do the rewire, and that much more for wall repair.  

Answer 5

Nope, you can't. If you upgrade the feed, the whole house must meet current electrical code, and for darn good reason. I'm sorry, but as an Electrician, i have to tell you it would be foolish and down right dangerous to try and push more current through 40 year old wiring, as it sits, it's probably barley 'safe'. A romex rewire would not be that expensive and would be well worth it, and add at least the inventment value to the house. Electrical is a major cause of house fires in the US and can not be left to guess work. C.

Answer 6

All, not part.  It is a guideline for safety, best way to have a fire is to have faulty wiring.

Answer 7

follow 1000's advice,except one thing.your not really pushing more amps through.matter of fact the branch circuits overload protection,if sized to code,would more than likelly be protected better because there new.