Upgrading home electrical service

I live in a mobile home built in 1984. I currently have 100 amp service and need to upgrade--probably to 200 amps. Everything in my home is electric. We have no gas service whatsoever.

I have been doing some research and have learned that I probably need to replace everything from the meter to the house. Question 1 is when, if ever, it is necessary or appropriate to replace the meter?

I went to look at my meter and main breaker, and I don't know what gauge wires are coming into my house from the 100 amp breaker outside, but it looks like they are the same gauge as the wires coming from the street. So that begs the second question: if my SE cables only provide 100 amp service and they are the same size as the ones coming from the street, do I need to call the power company and ask them to replace those cables as well?

 

My meter says "CL200" on it. So that means it's rated for 200A right?

 

Welcome to the forums. No, the CL200 indicates the class of the meter. But it could possibly handle more than 100 amp service. You would need to have the power company look at your service entrance from the transformer to determine if it is large enough to handle the new service demands. I do find it odd that a mobile home will exceed a 100 amp service, though. What gives you the impression that you need a larger service? Do you have a detached shop or garage with a large demand for service?

 

Unless you are adding large loads I doubt you need a service upgrade. The service should have been designed for the loads already. The park may not be able to supply a 200 amp service.

 

I have a house I built around an old mobile home and it had [still does] a 200 amp service when I bought it. I think the type of heat a MH has plays a part in determining the service size. Locally for whatever reason the POCO gets to use a smaller wire than you are allowed to for the house. My 200 amp service is fed by wires that are a good bit smaller ..... and the POCO's service wire is about 400' long.

 

The power company sizes their own wires and do not follow the NEC. We are required to follow the NEC.

 

What makes you think you need a 200 amp service? Are you adding some substantial new loads? Are you changing out a gas furnace for electric?

You definitely need to call the power company, but that doesn't mean they'll be upgrading their wiring. They'll probably ask you some specific questions about loads. Most power companies size their wiring according to calculated load, if you aren't adding substantial new loads they probably will leave their wiring the same as it is now. Most power companies that I know of all follow the National Electric Safety Code which is different from the NEC.

Never. The power company owns the meter and will change it as they desire. You will, of course, have to change the meter socket to 200 amps when you upgrade your service.