How to Plan Electrical Circuits for a Home

I am concerned that my panel is getting overloaded, I have a 100 amp sub panel fed from a 200 amp panel: Factors that Help Determine Electrical Load of an Electrical Panel.

Sub Panel for Electric Circuits
Electrical Question: I am concerned that my panel is getting overloaded.

I have a 100 amp sub panel fed from a 200 amp panel.

• This is a new house and the sub panel will have the following load:
  • Electric Dryer 2 pole 240 volt 30 amp, water heater 2 pole 240 volt 30 amp, heat pump and air handler, one is 2 pole 240 volt 30 amp  and the other is 2 pole 240 volt 50 amp, the condenser outside is 2 pole 240 volt 40 amp.
  • There is also a washing machine, deep freeze, fridge and a small amount of lighting all on 1 pole 120 volt 20 amp circuit breakers respectively.
  • The remaining load on the house which is the kitchen, living, bedrooms, baths are out of the 200 amp panel. I’m worried that my sub panel may be a little close in max load.

What do you guys think?

This electrical question came from: Scott, from Graham,Texas.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Scott.

Electrical Circuits for a Home Electric Panel

Application: Electrical Circuit Panel for a Home.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and  Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Factors that Help Determine Electrical Load of an Electrical Panel

Sizing a Sub Panel for Electric Circuits

• NOTE: This question begins with the fact that a sub panel has already been sized and installed, and now there is a valid concern about the panel becoming overloaded, and I totally agree that this will be the case.

• The Total Connected Load of the Electric Panel
  • When planning out the electrical circuits and panels sizes it is good to try to save on long lengths of wire, however the whole project must be considered to make sure the loads are well supported to prevent and overloaded panel, and sometimes this may require either installing a larger sub panel or feeding the larger equipment from the main panel.
• Specific Dedicated Circuits for Electric Appliances and Equipment
  • If the home is large then it is a good idea to install a sub panel near the kitchen because of the number of dedicated circuits, and the bathroom, bedroom circuit as well as some of the lighting circuits may be located in the panel too when the number of circuits and amperage will allow. However the larger equipment circuits are best fed from the main panel, such as the HVAC equipment.

More about Electrical Circuits and Panels

Residential Electrical Panel Load Calculator

• Residential Electrical Load Calculator
  • The Electrical Load Calculator is a fully functional online and Interactive tool that will assist you with accurate panel load calculations.
  • The Residential Electrical Load Calculator is Pre-Loaded with electrical information for you to chose for typical electrical loads in the home.
  • General Electrical Load Requirements, Appliances and Motor Loads, Heating and Air Conditioning equipment.
  • Sizing Wire for a Panel: Voltage Drop Calculator

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Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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