TOPIC: Panel Question

Agreed; I use the lowest rated of the service entrance, panel, main disconnect...and the meter as an indication.  BUT in this case, the meter looked to be a 200A rated box, but on the side was stamped "100A".  Interesting things...learning every day!

Around here they have been updating the meters to much higher rated ones even though the meter can indicates the original rating.

Used to be a round can indicated 60 amp service, square was 100 amp, small rectangular was ~150 and large rectangular was 200.  I find the small circular cans all the time with updated 200amp meters installed.

Yeah I've heard quite a few people say they have seen them updated to higher amperage's.  I tend to pay more attention to the SE wire size (if I can see it), the service panel rating and the main disconnect rating than anything.

Exactly.

Electric is a tough area to understand.

Takes time, experience, and study...I'll even go back and look in my own panel if I come across something that I'm not sure of. 

The safe and proper service amperage available at a property is set by the smallest of: the service conductors, the main disconnect fuse or switch, or the rated capacity of the electric panel itself.

If you're calling a house service size amperage rating based solely on the SEC, you may find yourselves in trouble with an angry client and/or insurance company seeking reimbursement for an upgrade.

Electric is one of the weakest and most misunderstood sections for all home inspectors.

www.inspect-ny.com/electric/ElecAmps3.htm

I do not call it based only on the SEC, I do however try to match the ratings with the SEC, then look for the smallest rating.