Piper Electric did an estimate for us in the fall of 2013. That was to rerun all the existing circuits to the new walls when they were built. But it did not include installing an outside shutoff. The code now requires one for the whole house electric service for safety’s sake. A fireman could turn off the electric service from outside if the building were on fire. The existing box is in the garage.
I had gotten another estimate back in 2013, but when I called that company to come back and redo their estimate, they were out of business in our area. My daughter used Piper with great results when she was selling their house and had to get the garage up to code before the sale could go through. They were reasonable, prompt, had cost-saving suggestions and are well regarded as a local company in Arvada. So I was glad they were available to do the work.
They did a new estimate just for the outside box, upgraded service making room for new circuits, the new meter box install, and a sub panel and 50 amp circuit for the spa. The new box is 200 amps instead of 150 so Xcel had to approve the upgrade and install the new meter, the Xcel workers turned off the electricity at the pole while the electricians disconnected the old incoming wire and installed a new pipe and box for the new meter.
Xcel truck
The old box located in the garage is now the subpanel. It will hold most of the circuits except for the new circuits for the spa and kitchen. More circuits are required for kitchens and other electrical appliances now. The circuit breakers will have to be upgraded to arc fault breakers so all the half size breakers will now be full size and the new box will also be used for those extra circuits.
Old box
Piper had two trucks on the job–tons of materials on hand for the project.
Piper trucks
The new box is located outside just behind the old box so that wires can go through the wall between them.
New box
The guys pulled a new 50 amp wire through to the master bedroom and out the wall for the spa motor and heaters. The box is outside on the wall and a new 15 amp outlet is also installed below it. They were glad the wiring chase allowed them to pull the wire pretty easily.
Spa subpanel and outlet
The job took two workdays, Friday and Monday. Next steps are up to us.
Electricians at work