Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 21:11:40 -0500, "Pete C." >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >sf wrote:
> >>
> >> On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 19:15:14 +0000 (UTC),
> >> (Steve Pope) wrote:
> >>
> >> > As for Sheldon's point, yes, only a licensed electrician should
> >> > put in a service entrance. It's usually considered okay for
> >> > DIY types to put in a 120V circuit, lamp wiring, or similar.
> >> > An experienced DIY type might take on putting in a 220V circuit.
> >> > I never have done this.
> >>
> >> An inexperienced DYI electrician has a fool for a contractor.
> >
> >BS.
> >
> >You don't need experience to do the job safely and properly, all you
> >need is basic mechanical aptitude and the intelligence to read and
> >understand reference material. Despite what union thugs would like you
> >to believe it is not brain surgery or even difficult.
>
> Swapping out a service requires working power company wires live.
In some case it does, but in many cases it does not. I've done about 7
service upgrades and only two required me to work with the service drop
hot.
Cases where a live cutover was not needed included:
- A case where the service up through the meter base had previously been
replaced after storm damage and thus upgrades were only required from
the load side of the meter socket on through the panel.
- A case where the entire new service entrance from weather head through
meter base through panel was able to be built up in parallel and the
utility did the cut over between the weather heads (and also replaced
the old 3 wire drop with triplex).
> I don't consider that a DIY project.
Very experienced DIY such as myself for live cut overs, but the service
upgrades that do not require a live cut over aren't a big deal.