What are your thoughts from changing a 150 amp breaker to a 200 amp breaker?

Question

It is an old house that has aluminum wiring that was built back in the 70s the lights started flickering and eventually the lights went out and all of the electricity went out. We discovered that it was the main breaker box that was the problem. We disconnected the 150 amp GE TQD22150WL and replaced it with a 200 amp GE TQD22200WL. What are your thoughts?

Answer 1

Be aware that you've violated the Code, Invalidated your Certificate of Occupancy, and voided your fire insurance coverage.

Your problem was probably bad connections due to that aluminum wiring.

Get a Pro to look at your service equipment.

If you didn'e use the proper lugs and protocall in installing the new breaker

it could happen again.

Answer 2

That old aluminum wiring isn't up to handling the 200 amps the breaker will pass. Either replace it with a 150 amp breaker, or better yet, upgrade the aluminum wiring with copper and size it for 200 amp service. Aluminum wiring is not allowed in new construction. It was found to be the cause of too many house fires, in the past, therefore was outlawed.

Answer 3

The existing aluminium wire must be a 4/0 conductor, which I doubt it is.  If you change the breaker size and not the wire you are putting yourself at risk of a fire.  The breaker needs to protect the wire which at the moment is probably only rated for 150amps.  If you put the larger breaker in you could easily overload and burn up the wire.  As an electrician / inspector you need to change the wiring going from the main connection point with the power company all the way to the panel.  Now you'll probably have to pull a permit as well to do the work b/c the power co. will need to see one signed off upon reconnection.

I will repeat what someone else added.... Aluminum wire is still used for panel and feeder installations as long as they are done correctly.  It is however no longer permitted for use within the walls of any dwelling due to fire hazards and durability of the conductor.

I would definitly consider replacing all existing wiring in the home to copper.  Yes I know expensive... but cheaper than replacing a home.

Answer 4

I would be very careful here because your panel may have been sized for the conductors that entered the panel.  If you have 2/0 2/0 1/0 aluminum wire it is for a 150 amp service and will not handle a 200 amp load.  If you have 4/0 4/0 2/0 Al wire it will handle the load and you wont have a problem there as long as it is installed in the correct fashion.  You also want to check the rating on your panel box as it may only be rated for 150 amps and putting a 200 amp breaker in will overload your box bus bars under heavy load.

ps Aluminum wire has not been outlawed for use in panel installation as long as it done as specified,  they did however outlaw the use of aluminum wire for use in wiring outlets switches and other inwall applications.

Answer 5

My thoughts are KABOOM.  I would downsize or go equal but not over the 150 unless I had an electrician come over and do his magic.

SHERYL