bingo
New Member
The main panel for my 1600 sq ft. house is a 100-Amp Challenger SB10 12-space 20 circuit. The breakers are a mix of Challenger, Cutler-Hammer and Eaton BR type. The bedroom receptacles are on AFCI breakers. There is an inspection sticker on the box dated 2005, which was the time of a remodel and I think that was when the arc-faults were put. The service entrance wires are two AWG #3 copper.
I am planning to add an oven that requires a 30-amp circuit, so I'll need to add a 30-amp 2-pole breaker. All of the spaces that can take a double/twin breaker have one already - there's just no way around it, the panel is full! I have done a rough amp load calculation with the new oven and it all comes out to about 103 amps. I am deciding between replacing the 100-Amp panel with a bigger capacity panel (125?) or adding a new small sub-panel.
I think the previous owner upgraded the service wires to the #3 AWG, but left the panel at 100 Amps as that was all they needed. Am I right in thinking that two wires of #3 Copper can carry more than the 100-amps that the current panel is rated for? Is it more like a 200-amp service? The glass meter is owned by the power company, and it seems to be newer (has an LCD display). How do I evaluate it and the meter socket for the amount of service it is rated for?
I'm in Oregon and we follow the 2014 NEC. If I replace the panel with a new 125-amp or 200-amp panel what is the expectation for whether the inspector will require that I use AFCI breakers for all the additional areas besides the bedroom outlets? Besides the oven, I am not adding any other branch circuits or devices.
If I decide to go the route of a subpanel what size would you suggest? The house does not have central A/C so that might be something added in the future but otherwise I don't have any plans to add more circuits (kitchen and baths have been remodeled). I have been hearing some concerns about Challenger panels, I don't see any scorch marks or anything that would make me think that something is overheating. Any thoughts on keeping a Challenger main panel?
So my questions:
1. Given my two #3 copper service wires...what do I assume the service amperage to be?
2. Would I need to upgrade the breakers to AFCI if I replace the panel with a larger panel?
3. Is a Challenger panel a hazard, and/or should I just add a subpanel for the 30A oven breaker?
thanks for your assistance
Steve
I am planning to add an oven that requires a 30-amp circuit, so I'll need to add a 30-amp 2-pole breaker. All of the spaces that can take a double/twin breaker have one already - there's just no way around it, the panel is full! I have done a rough amp load calculation with the new oven and it all comes out to about 103 amps. I am deciding between replacing the 100-Amp panel with a bigger capacity panel (125?) or adding a new small sub-panel.
I think the previous owner upgraded the service wires to the #3 AWG, but left the panel at 100 Amps as that was all they needed. Am I right in thinking that two wires of #3 Copper can carry more than the 100-amps that the current panel is rated for? Is it more like a 200-amp service? The glass meter is owned by the power company, and it seems to be newer (has an LCD display). How do I evaluate it and the meter socket for the amount of service it is rated for?
I'm in Oregon and we follow the 2014 NEC. If I replace the panel with a new 125-amp or 200-amp panel what is the expectation for whether the inspector will require that I use AFCI breakers for all the additional areas besides the bedroom outlets? Besides the oven, I am not adding any other branch circuits or devices.
If I decide to go the route of a subpanel what size would you suggest? The house does not have central A/C so that might be something added in the future but otherwise I don't have any plans to add more circuits (kitchen and baths have been remodeled). I have been hearing some concerns about Challenger panels, I don't see any scorch marks or anything that would make me think that something is overheating. Any thoughts on keeping a Challenger main panel?
So my questions:
1. Given my two #3 copper service wires...what do I assume the service amperage to be?
2. Would I need to upgrade the breakers to AFCI if I replace the panel with a larger panel?
3. Is a Challenger panel a hazard, and/or should I just add a subpanel for the 30A oven breaker?
thanks for your assistance
Steve