Your One Bullet Point Solution; Electrical Upgrade

lowrider57, thanks for the input. I think it's a wise move to have an alternative configuration re: sub-panel. 

oldhvymec

The comment about not being able to get the 100 amps, that just isn’t the case..
The amperage is almost unlimited ...

Sorry, but you don’t know what you are talking about.

your right I should have said "can be, almost unlimited".

I don’t have issues like that here, That I notice anyway..

35 years ago PG&E installed new service from 8 - 20 kv in all
the residential clusters, brownouts are nonexistent anymore.
We lose power 2 times a year, usually scheduled.

Where I live the same standards apply, suppose to be 120, 220-240
but that varies, too from 115-125 on a single rail.

Nice to see you noticed... I’ve never heard the term "beast of burden",
I guess I should have paid more attention to the 7 electricians at the family  BBQs. I’ve heard of summation, loads. The total of all the breakers combined, exceeds the rating on the main, by X%. Here in the bay area it is by county, 20% I think.

But thanks I learn something new every day.. 1/10th of one amp will still get ya...no matter who makes it though.

Regards

Thank you, everyone! In planning with the electrician now. 

As can be seen I am novice when it comes to this stuff. I have no clue whether the pedestal - the name given by electrician to the outside service that is replacing the old 60A one, is different for 100A or 200A. My point was that I have freedom to go either direction. I have chosen to to 200A.

I already have power in the garage, workbench with outlets, etc. So, I'm set there. It is a great suggestion, though, and I use it plenty.

I have two dedicated 20A lines running to HT/Audio room already which I put in using 10AWG cable, so that's set. No retrofit there, because it's built like a bomb shelter.

I'm in good shape; the coring - or whatever you call it - for the new line is happening next week, the space is ready for new pedestal, and I"m going with 200A Square D QO breakers with 40 slots. Copper bus, etc. Goop the copper to protect from corroding. Should be more than enough.

I will have exterior whole house surge protector put on by elec. co., which is a bargain to help protect nice gear, and may put an additional one inside on panel, We'll see. It gets redone, if necessary, until no noise as first priority.

Probably do the recommended copper ground for HT/Audio circuit as well, but no rod in the ground outside. Never have had grounding/noise issues that way.

Plus, adding whole house remote control for power. One remote, control power for everything. All electronics, furnace and AC, lighting, computer and phones, garage door opener, car starters, and all electronics in audio and HT system, etc. Not cheap at $20K, but should be nice. Not really; just kidding about that. ;)

Should have the project done in two weeks. Space outside the house where the work will be done was prepared this morning. We're set. I very much appreciate all the guidance and suggestions! I believe the result will be splendid, and according to most the upgrade from 60A to 200A should confer a slight improvement audibly. At least that's my understanding of the discussion. It need not, but that would be a nice bonus.

Talk about bonus, the utilitity co. forestry man was out at precisely the same time. Getting two trees that were questionable removed due to his agreement that they should come down (power lines/poles, encroachment on road, etc.) That will save me a ton of physical work, especially since I can pile the wood, which is suitable, just a few feet away at the roadside on grass and I bet that will be gone in a day or two. Sweet, no trailering it somewhere!  

It's been a very good week for property maintenance. Makes the music sound all the sweeter!  :)