I doubt if you can fit a 200 amp breaker into a 100 amp panel and it is illegal as the bus bars in a 100 amp panel are rated at 100 not 200 amps. The panel must be of the same capacity in amps as the main breaker that is installed in it. You can go smaller but not larger. The other problem is that a 200 amp service required three ought (000) wire. 000 copper wire with an insulation factor 90 degrees C is rated at 210 amps. Two ought (00) copper wire with an insulation factor of 60C is rated at 145 amps, 75C is rated at 175 amps and 90C is rated at 185 amps. Buy a complete house package that has the main breaker and all of the appliance breakers plus a few breakers for 15 amp circuits, all for one price that is cheaper that buying individual pieces.
I doubt if the 125 amp breaker will fit into a 100 amp box. This is due to the rating of the box only being rated at 100 amps. If this exchange could be made then the service conductors feeding the box must be upgraded to take the 125 amperage that the breaker will allow on the conductor.
No the service wires need to be upgrade to 3/0 copper or 250 mcm aluminum. This will require a power company to disconnect so you can upgrade the service. These wires are always hot unless the power company disconnects from their source. Do it right pull a permit and upgradeAdditional information:Some meter base boxes include a shutoff/breaker. If you are only looking for additional space inside the breaker panel, and do not upgrade to a higher amperage breaker inside the meter base, you actually CAN use the same wire, provided that it is long enough to reach into the new breaker panel. The breaker of the meter base protects from the over-current condition.If you have the shutoff in the meter base, you will obviously be able to disconnect service while you perform the necessary changes. While you are working on the service, lock-out the meter base access to prevent anyone from turning the power back on.It is still recommended that you pull a permit and work with a qualified electrician.
No, you can just install a 200 amp service with your existing wiring. But, you need to make sure the wiring is safe and not deteriorated to the point it has become dangerous.
You should add only with a proper load calculation. You should probably have a licensed electrician look at the situation first. You can find a licensed electrical contractor at www.contraxtor.com to help with your electrical service upgrade
If you will notice, your individual breakers add up to much more than 100amps. So it is entirely possible not to trip an individual breaker but still draw more than 100amps, which would cause the main to trip. If you haven't had this problem in the past, I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again. If it does, you need to upgrade your service to more amps. It is entirely possible your main breaker has malfunctioned but that is not easy to test. If it is replaceable, and if you have further problems, you can consider replacing the main breaker to see if that fixes the problem. That is much less expensive than upgrading the service.
1) If you are tripping the main breaker and you do not have an electrical fault in the home. 2) If you are installing additional circuits or appliances and you expect to exceed 80% of the load capacity of the existing service panel.
All depends on what type of equipment you are going to operate in the garage. I would suggest you call an electrician. You can connect to your existing 100 amp circuit if there is an empty spot for a breaker.
in-place upgrade
In-place upgrade
I doubt if the 125 amp breaker will fit into a 100 amp box. This is due to the rating of the box only being rated at 100 amps. If this exchange could be made then the service conductors feeding the box must be upgraded to take the 125 amperage that the breaker will allow on the conductor.
there is already command to upgrade to new verson. old existing verson also indicated
Express upgrade
No the service wires need to be upgrade to 3/0 copper or 250 mcm aluminum. This will require a power company to disconnect so you can upgrade the service. These wires are always hot unless the power company disconnects from their source. Do it right pull a permit and upgradeAdditional information:Some meter base boxes include a shutoff/breaker. If you are only looking for additional space inside the breaker panel, and do not upgrade to a higher amperage breaker inside the meter base, you actually CAN use the same wire, provided that it is long enough to reach into the new breaker panel. The breaker of the meter base protects from the over-current condition.If you have the shutoff in the meter base, you will obviously be able to disconnect service while you perform the necessary changes. While you are working on the service, lock-out the meter base access to prevent anyone from turning the power back on.It is still recommended that you pull a permit and work with a qualified electrician.
In Place
Express upgrade uses existing windows foldersCustom upgrade allows you to change installation folders
software upgrade
Have an electrician wire you a proper line for the appliance. You were just kidding about the 100A, right? 10, or 20amp, not 100.