200 AMP Panel Upgrades

Victoria bc 200 amp Panel Upgrades

Does your Victoria BC home need a main electrical service upgrade? How can you tell? Many homes built before 2000 have 100 amp services or lower, while the new standard is to have a 200 amp service. While this can be an expensive change to make, it is well worth it if your home needs an upgrade. Read on to find out how you can tell if your home requires a new 200 amp electrical service.

The first thing you want to do is confirm the main service amperage that your home currently has. On your home’s main service breaker panel, locate the main switch. The main switch is usually found near the top of the panel, in the centre. On this switch will be a number, usually 60, 100, or 125. This most likely indicates your main service rating. If you are unsure about where to find this number, or if the number is missing, contact our Victoria BC Electrician for a second opinion.

If you discover that you already have a 200 amp rating, it is your lucky day! No upgrade is needed in your home. You will however need a main service upgrade if your main breaker ever trips, or if you are thinking about replacing your oil or gas furnace/boiler with an electric heater. You will also most likely need to upgrade your main service if you are planning on constructing an addition to your home, adding a hot tub, sauna, or pool, or if you want to run any sort of high-amperage tools such as welders, kilns, or large power saws.

Aside from the helping in the circumstances listed above, upgrading your main service can increase the sale value of your home if you plan to sell. It is easy to see how investing in an upgrade could be well worth it, just remember that every home is different and there may be different costs involved in an upgrade.

Need help upgrading your Victoria BC home to a 200 amp panel? Contact us today to get started.