quote:

Originally posted by wtg:
Outages used to be more frequent and of longer duration. Smart grid technology has helped a lot, but we have overhead lines and lots of trees in backyards. Wind and ice are our enemies. We've had a couple of three day outages in the 42 years we've been here, and a day's outage happens every few years. So no, probably not a ton.

I don't mind dragging the generator out, but I'm not getting any younger. That said, we do have some nice young families who have moved into the neighborhood and I can always call them to just move it from the garage to out back. I can handle the rest.

You could also build a little enclosure next to the panel and just store the generator there. I daresay a plastic unit made to store trash cans would work just fine. Maybe a big deck box.

quote:

The generator guys are all installing new panels when they put in the automated transfer switch and the generator. Are they just padding the bill with unnecessary work? Other folks are replacing panels even without installing a generator or upgrading service to 200 amps. I didn't really understand why, and I'm glad to hear you say that what we have is totally acceptable.

There are three brands of panels that are unacceptable and need to be replaced. #1 is Federal Pacific, still sold as Federal Pioneer in Canada. They need to go as they have the potential to start fires. The other two are Zinsco and Sylvania, neither of which are likely to start fires but both of which are are unreliable. The rest, including Pushmatic, work just fine.

Upgrading the service to 200 amps makes no sense unless you are adding a heavy load (maybe a car charger or a kiln) or you’ve had trouble with the main circuit breaker tripping. Some municipalities require it anyway but it’s a waste of money in my experience.

If you’re looking for proof of my position, check with your local power company. If you change your 100A service to a 200 service, they’ll still serve you with 100A wire unless you tell them you’re adding an additional load.

Even fused panels work fine if you don’t install additional loads. Just don’t put pennies behind them.

Gotta give this guy points for creative reuse of fixtures.

Otherwise,



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpTe6H7qaBU

We did a lot of that sort of thing back in the day.

WTG, I have pretty much the same long-standing problem. Sloppy electrician with illegible handwriting.

I've been thinking of getting a replacement cover (paper form to paste it over) and I've gotten a bunch of cheap nightlights to work it out. The plan would be to check all the circuits by plugging the lights in circuit by circuit (the ones I'm pretty sure are connected).

Then I'd rewrite the names of which outlets/appliances etc. go with which fuses.
(WITH HELP, of course.)