Your electrical service is the system which brings power from the electrical utility provider (BC Hydro) to your home. There are 2 different types.

Overhead: Wiring is run on power poles then distributed to individual homes and buildings.

Underground: Wiring is in underground conduits or cables then brought to the individual homes and building through a dedicated underground conduit or cable.

Both systems consist of the electrical panel, circuit breakers, meter base, grounding and bonding system and the wiring from the meter base that connect to the underground or overhead system.

The electrical utility provider owns and is responsible for the meter installed in your meter base and the underground or overhead lines which bring electricity to the building.

There are a number of different reasons for upgrading your Electrical Service.

1) Renovations, additions, outbuildings

2) Adding significant electrical loads

3) Replacing an outdated or unsafe Electrical Service

4) Damage from wind, vehicle impact, grow-op etc.

5) Requirement by your insurance company or the electrical inspection authority

Panel Replacement or Upgrade

This involves disconnecting power to the building, removing the existing electrical panel, then installing a new panel. The grounding and bonding systems are inspected to confirm they are intact.

Grounding: Approximately 70% of the homes where we have replaced the electrical panel have had no grounding system prior to our work. In older homes (25+ years old) the main water line has often been replaced. The original main water line was copper and this was also the grounding for the electrical system. When the original copper line is removed and the new PVC (plastic) water line is installed the home has no grounding system. The electrical system ground has essentially been disconnected from the earth. Check at your main water shut-off inside the building. There is a clamp that attaches a copper wire to the water lines. If you do not have a minimum of 10 ft of copper water line in the earth at this point you have no ground. The solution is to install an approved grounding plate or grounding rods.

Bonding: All metal plumbing, waste or natural gas lines in the building must be bonded (electrically connected) together. Usually natural gas lines installed after the home was built have not been connected to the bonding system. There should be a visible clamp connection from the metal plumbing and gas lines to the electrical panel. If not, the solution is to install a copper wire from the metal lines to the bond connection in the electrical panel.

Installing a Sub-Panel

Often this is all that’s needed if you need space for new circuits or an addition or renovation. The sub-panel is installed close to the original main electrical panel or where the new circuits will be needed (outbuilding, suite, new kitchen etc.).

Sometimes the existing breakers can be reconfigured or replaced to free up additional circuit space as well.

Service Rebuild

This involves removing the existing meter base, panel and (overhead service only) the conduit or cable attaching to the BC Hydro lines, then installing new components.

For questions, or a free estimate on upgrading your electrical service click here:

www.pacificstarelectric.ca

This is a question we get asked often.

The question arises when new loads are being added to an existing electrical system. Often we can replace existing circuit breakers or reconfigure existing wiring so that a sub-panel is not required. This always the first option prior to installing a sub-panel.

Top Reasons for Installing a Sub-Panel

1. If you are adding a suite, outbuilding or an addition we will usually recommend a sub-panel to serve the new location. This way the new electrical system can be kept separate. By code, any circuit breakers for power in a suite must be accessible from within the suite or in a common area. Basically, you don’t want your tenant, or yourself, to have to go into someone elses area to reset a circuit breaker.
2. Additional electrical circuits. Panels in older houses sometimes only have space for 12-16 circuits. If a new kitchen, bathroom or heating system is being installed and the original panel is full a sub-panel is needed. Sometimes, instead of installing a sub-panel, it makes more sense to replace the main panel with a larger one. For example, replace an original 12circuit panel with a 24 or 32 circuit panel.
3. Illegal/unsafe wiring. Sometimes additional wires will be installed back to the electrical panel by a homeowner or handyman and they do not know what to do when there are no circuit spaces left. To replace the panel or install a sub-panel is too daunting of a task. Hey!...I can fit two wires on this circuit breaker! The installed electrical functions and thehome handyman feels proud of his accomplishment. This is where we see many problems; electrical fires, burnt insulation, carbon damage from arcing, damaged circuit breakers etc. It is also a good idea to check the entire circuit that was installed as there is a high likelihood of other problems. A sub-panel can be installed to properly connect the new circuits.