Due to flickering power, we are replacing our original panel (1956-built CA house) with a new 200-amp, including new wiring up to the connection with the power company's line over the house. I am leaving this to a professional (getting 3-4 quotes) , but I need some guidance in specifying the scope of work so I am sure their estimates are all for the same scope of work.
1) Some sites say I need to replace the weatherhead and riser; is that correct? Seems like if I could use the existing riser with a new weatherhead there would be less stucco work needed. The current riser terminates only about 12" above the roof and looks much smaller in diameter than the ones I see in videos of panel upgrades.
2) The previous owner added the 2 circuits seen to the left of the panel. Since we are busting out stucco, I'd like them connected to the new panel directly and remove the added box, conduit, etc. Inside the conduit are 3 separate wires, not romex. Does that create any issues and how should they be addressed?
3) We may need to add some 220 circuits in the future for mini-splits. One electrician said the way to do this is to add an empty conduit from panel to crawl space and from panel to attic to avoid having to bust out stucco to add them in the future, then just fish wire through them when needed; is that the normal procedure/best practice?
4) We will likely remodel in the next 3 years, requiring some new circuits. Are there additional things I should get done (similar to installing conduit for 220) to make adding future circuits easier/less destructive?
5) Is it better/standard for the electrician to arrange city permit inspections, power company disconnect/reconnect or inspections, etc. rather than me?
Anything else I should consider when clarifying the scope of work? I do plan on asking each one when they would start work and when they expect to be finished.
Thanks for your help.
1) Some sites say I need to replace the weatherhead and riser; is that correct? Seems like if I could use the existing riser with a new weatherhead there would be less stucco work needed. The current riser terminates only about 12" above the roof and looks much smaller in diameter than the ones I see in videos of panel upgrades.
2) The previous owner added the 2 circuits seen to the left of the panel. Since we are busting out stucco, I'd like them connected to the new panel directly and remove the added box, conduit, etc. Inside the conduit are 3 separate wires, not romex. Does that create any issues and how should they be addressed?
3) We may need to add some 220 circuits in the future for mini-splits. One electrician said the way to do this is to add an empty conduit from panel to crawl space and from panel to attic to avoid having to bust out stucco to add them in the future, then just fish wire through them when needed; is that the normal procedure/best practice?
4) We will likely remodel in the next 3 years, requiring some new circuits. Are there additional things I should get done (similar to installing conduit for 220) to make adding future circuits easier/less destructive?
5) Is it better/standard for the electrician to arrange city permit inspections, power company disconnect/reconnect or inspections, etc. rather than me?
Anything else I should consider when clarifying the scope of work? I do plan on asking each one when they would start work and when they expect to be finished.
Thanks for your help.