Discussions

Hi. I am just curious.. I want to ask why my house has splitter for main electric panel?  
 
My main electric panel is ITE blueline loadcentre (old 100AMP discontiued panel) and has a splitter box.  
 
Actually I never could see splitter box in other house so I am very curious why my old panel needed a splitter box.  
 
If you know about this, Please solve my curiosity. I will attach main panel picture which is not same one of mine exactly but very similar.

Very common in older houses to add a sub panel to get extra circuits. If that is what you are talking about?

My house is pretty old too.. I just saw main electric panel. My house has main panel and splitter box (just below panel).. so I was curious why needed splitter box. (Probably this seems to be old style according to your answer)  
 
As you know, We can install sub panel with putting breaker/big wire to main electric panel nowadays but Maybe long time ago, Sub panel should be connected to splitter box. (I am not sure. just did assume after reading your answer)  
 
Edited by Brian7, 2022-02-08 14:17:44

They used to bring 200a to a splitter in underground services, then have a 100a panel if you had a gas furnace as they are cheaper

Cheaper) They used to bring 200a to a splitter in underground services, then have a 100a panel if you had a gas furnace as they are cheaper  
 
OK. Yes. My house have been using gas furnace.. probably they did install splitter box and 100a panel because this is cheaper way than 200a panel (long time ago)..  
 
Question) I have a question now. Do you think that I can just upgrade electric panel from splitter box +100a panel to 200a panel???..  
 
because You said that 'They used to bring 200a to a splitter in underground services'  
 
That will be cheaper upgrade way than upgrading whole system (whole wires and equipments from utility pole to my electric panel)  
 
Edited by Brian7, 2022-02-08 16:27:04

Ya it would be cheaper would have to see it to confirm

You may be required to install larger service wires to accommodate the larger load capacity. Old wires from Hydro service may not be capable of handling any extra load.

OK. I see.. My electric panel is pretty older.. (As far as I know, panel was installed in 1970's).. This is old style.. And If I want to upgrade panel, I would need to change whole system from hydro pole to panel..  
 
Thanks for solving my curiosity.. Fortunately 100 AMP panel is still working good and no problem so far.