I changed a 100 amp breaker box to a 200 amp box without changing the service cable how bad is it ?and what?

Question

can i do to fix this without changing the outside lines?can i just switch out breakers and would i have to get it from the manufacturer?

Answer 1

most states require you to have a permit for what you are doing. also you must have it inspected by an electrical inspector.  assumeing you already know that. the outside lines must be changed. or you will end up with a fire.

Answer 2

changing the outside line is the easiest part why are you trying to avoid doing that

if you have 100 amp wire feeding the panel you can only safely get 100 of power out of it

so if you don't change the wires and panel than you have not upgrade the ability of the service

Answer 3

You are risking a fire.  The 100 AMP cable will get hot when subjected to overload and just like the extension cord in Christmas Vacation, it can melt, arc, and start a fire.  You need to either remove half the breakers so that your panel can only handle 100 amps or upgrade the service entrance and cable.

Answer 4

Depending where you live, I believe the national code (NEC) may prohibit what you've done.  Did you get it inpsected?  The 200 amp box won't provide you with more power, like the other answerer said.  Simply changing breakers won't allow extra current to flow, if the supply line isn't sufficient.

I'm guessing you did this to provide more circuits, for upgrades and whatever (new appliances, etc.).  What you should do first, is to check what the service cable size is.  I believe you may need at least 4/0 (4-"ott") from your service entrance to the panel, for 200 amp service.  It is possible, that the old owners (if there were any) may have had a larger service cable installed in case the future necessitated any changes.  If you have #2 or #4 aluminum/copper as your service cable, then you're only sufficient for 100 amp service.  If you install enough circuits to close in on your 200 amp main breaker, you run the risk of making the smaller service wire your new circuit breaker, and you do not want that fire hazard.

What I did with mine, is we have overhead service coming in, and two meters, going to two panels, each with 100 amp service, due to the old owners renting out the upstairs/downstairs separately.  Wanting to put a roof over the new porch meant we had to raise the mast that the overhead line comes in to.  I was responsible for replacing the service cable inside the new higher mast.  The inspector told me to get #2 aluminum triplex wire, for the 100 amp service.  After the power company D/C'd the overhead line, I took down the mast and found I had 4/0 (larger than #2) as the service cable.  The old owners had put in a larger wire, I suppose in case they ever combined the two service meters.  I left them separate, but I ran the new service cables as the larger 4/0.  The supply line, whether underground or overhead, should be large enough to accomodate you, but make sure you're not skimping on the service cable.

Answer 5

,Hopefully your talking about a sub panel that you shutoff the power to buy turning off the main breaker if that's  so then your ok  as is, because your protected by a  correct breaker.. If you changed your main breaker Panel... DANGER!... DANGER,DANGER! your  life is at stake. unless power has been shut off buy the power company your working with something that can kill you... The power supply from your new panel to the meter needs to be upgraded, and meter to roof also.