How to Replace an Electrical Service Panel, Meter, and Riser (PART 1)

FINALLY! I'm replacing my old Zinsco dinosaur of electrical service with a new Plug-On-Neutral Square D Panel...and I've filmed it all for your enjoyment.

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First I had to pull a permit and schedule the POCO (power company) to come out and disconnect the overhead lines coming into my existing meter. After they disconnected power I was able to begin demo of the old riser, meter, and service panel.

This old service was not built to modern code, as the house was built in 1968. It was the first year residences were built with UFER (Slab) grounds, but the quality of construction back then was lower because there were less standards contractors were held to. I can stand in my yard and reach up to touch my existing service drop, because my Weatherhead is at 9 feet from grade. Also, Zinsco panels are outlawed so you can no longer get OEM parts for them, and really they should just be replaced as a long-term solution to a larger problem.

Once I get the panel, meter, and riser removed it's time to put up my new Square D 200a Main Breaker Plug-On-Neutral panel. Then I install a new Eaton 200a meter can and 2-inch rigid riser. My service-entrance conductors are 2/0 copper which are rated at 175a in NEC 310.15. (The 83% rule for services between 100-400a applies, so I don't need my conductors to be 200a rated).

Once I get the riser built I install the new service entrance conductors from the Weatherhead to the meter, then from the meter to the main breaker. That concludes part one of this video; part two will commence in a few days.

#electricalservice #electricalpanel #howto
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[claytonrichmond]

I did three years in the army, got out, and started an electrical career in Texas. I relate to a lot of your content and love your videos. I have a great journeyman I work underneath and pick his brain daily! Of course, when I get off work for the day, I like to watch your videos. It’s almost like having a second journeyman anytime day or night. Keep the content coming!

[nuttyprofessor]

Man! I can't tell you how much I appreciate a guy who cares about the neatness of his work! Good job!

[mattkrywyj]

The knockouts for the screw holes makes perfect sense. Yours is outside so it makes even more sense. What if the particular place you’re mounting it prohibits you from putting a screw in the exact place where their hole is or the particular place where it’s mounted is in framing so it’s screwed on the sides. Now, since your pane is outside, you don’t have any open holes and it’s that much more closed off from the elements. Pretty simple.

[MichaelM-tosg]

Can’t believe an electrician lived w/Zinsco breakers for 5 years. Glad you were testing them, every time I test a Zinsco, or the ITE Siemens that were produced for a few years after they acquired Zinsco, at least half of the breakers fail to trip.

Then again, a replacement QO plug-on neutral and the requisite combo breakers are a lot of $$! I too love those panels, it’s all I use...although getting breakers was dicey last Summer w/Covid shutting down 2 of Schneider’s plants.

Keep up the good work mate.

[Decktrio]

Wow. Thank you so much for this! I'm a 3rd year commercial apprentice, and I've never really had a chance to learn how to do services like this. I also have three old zinsco panels (a main and two subs) at home that I know should be replaced, but I've been holding off until I have more experience and can do it myself. Once I graduate, I want to completely redesign the way the panels/circuits are being fed, because it's 70 years of homeowners doing their own diy work.

[rich]

Love the channel, Dustin. Not in the trade personally, but your videos are extremely insightful and educational for a layman homeowner. Keep up the amazing work.

[davidburbach]

Your the first electrical content creator I’ve watched cite the code in your videos. I’m so glad you did it and really hope it catches on.

[c]

Looking forward to part 2!
And honestly I woukdnt mind if your videos were 30-40 mins. You have quality content, and a very good production value to your videos which make them very enjoyable to watch.

[jackconnolly]

Pro tip: After doing several hundred service changes like this, I FINALLY figured out that if I spun the weather head around almost 180 degrees, the service conductors flowed out and around in a nice circular loop and looked better much better than the bent up mess you make trying to make drip loops.

Try it one time and you will like it :). Like I said, it took me decades to figure it out

Pro tip #2: All in one/meter panel combo. They have been the standard in my area since I started in the mid 70's. One less piece of gear to install.

Pro tip #3. If you stay in the field, your body will take a beating. The last few years that I worked (in my early 60's) were rough. Now that Im almost 70, it is really starting to show.

[murray]

I am impressed with the Square D panel especially with the plug on neutral bus and the insulation covering the power lugs which are always hot even with the main breakers off.

[zafarsyed]

Looked at the teaser shot and think, I've seen this panel before!- is it his?? YES IN DEED! Congratulations!

[astron]

The knock out holes are there for the screws so you can only have the holes needed for the application. In the oilfield in Kentucky most use the center row top curve bracket to mount to the pole or fence post depending on overhead or underground service. The less holes in the box better to keep moisture and critters out

[MrKurtn]

Appreciate you helping me sharpen my skills with electrical! I install pv and ESS’s. Sometimes both at the same time.

Here’s what I know coming from the renewable energy side of electrical trades. For me to install an ESS, with or without PV, I need to be able to tap in between the grids main feed with an auto transfer/Mid switch. When I run into “all and ones” or panel boxes where I can’t easily wire the transfer switch into the topology of the homes electrical system I realize there’s a communication issue between renewable energy and electrical trades.

I prefer a separate meter box, then a main disconnect for that grid fed electricity, then to my transfer switch, then to the homes breaker panel. That’s the best set up. I’m having to replace those boxes where I can’t route the feed to transfer switch then to the bus bar for home loads.

Respect you.

[danielherman]

Not an electrician here, but definitely appreciate these videos - I learned enough from this to recognize that whoever did the service upgrade on my house did not assemble the weather head correctly (it's completely missing a cover), so now I know I need to call in a pro - that one is beyond DIY, not messing with the incoming service lines. Would never have even realized there was something wrong without this video until something broke or went wrong, so thanks!

[alexyoung]

I have no idea what you are doing or talking about but it's still cool to see

[engrpiman]

Nice video. Very informative. I replaced my panel 2 years ago. I had to run two grounding rods as I was grounded to my water pipe. I had a hard time getting reconnected as a friend disconnected my service. Friend was a trained juryman with all the proper PPE. Next time il call the utility so I don't sit in the dark for an extra day.

I did pull a permit and got inspected and signed off on

[jaydenbaptiste]

i’m a freshman at a technical high school and your videos help you need to post more i wait all the timeeee

[ericbader]

I love the enthusiastic and professional way you teach

[SilverEagle]

Love that you cut it in half, I tend to skip the long vids :)

[truthseeker]

Just found the page, very easy to watch. Clear and to the point. Love it!