There are too many variables to really answer that question. I've seen new residential (120/240 volt, single phase) services installed ranging from 100 Amps to 400 Amps.
Depends on the home.
Your local electrical code should provide some guidance as to what is the minimum size. If planning a home your electrician can help decide if the minimum required by code is sufficient or if you need to go larger.
IanS
Chat with our AI personalities
Yes, the wire size has to be increased. The existing 100 amp service will now probably have a #3 conductor with an insulation factor of 75 or 90 degrees C which is rated for 100 and 105 amps respectively. Increasing to a 150 amp service will use a #1/0 wire size. If you are thinking of an upgrade, skip the 150 amp service and go to a 200 amp panel. New homes are installing 200 amp 42 circuit panels. The extra cost is only reflected in the materials as the labour costs will be the same regardless whether a 150 amp or a 200 amp panel is installed. The wire size for a 200 amp panel is #3/0. With an insulation factor of 75 or 90 degrees C the rating is 200 or 210 amps respectively.
Most jurisdictions will no longer allow the installation of 60 amp main service panels. If you are doing a repair, and a simple replacement MIGHT be considered a repair, you might get away with replacing one with the other. But if you have the time, money, and/or you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, I suggest you upgrade the service to at least 100 amps. Even in small homes the typical installation is now 125 amps. And if the home is all electric, typical installation is 200amps. Replacing a service panel can be very dangerous. Do this ONLY if you know what you are doing and how to protect yourself from injury. If you are guessing, DO NOT DO THIS TASK.
Get yourself an Quilified Electrician, The wire for the 100 amp fuse is going to be larger than what it would take for a 60 amp fuse so the wires are not going too fit in the 60 amp fuse properly Danger in more ways than one.
the size of the wire that you need to run depends on the the amperage of the device/appliance you'll be hooking up to that line. Use #12 wire for 20 amp, #10 for 30 amp, #8 wire for 40 amps and #6 for 50 amps. Hope that helps.
=== === == == The process of replacing the equipment that comprises your service is simple and straightforward.1. Get a permit.2. A trained person cuts the service conductors so that they don't interfere with the utility company lines [so they can splice back in]!3. Remove the circuit conductors from the old panel.4. Demolish the old service.5. Install the new service.6. Reconnect the circuit conductors.7. Tie the new service cable back into the utility lines.8. Call for inspection.As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.Before you do any work yourself,on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOBSAFELY AND COMPETENTLYREFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.