Is Your Electric Service Panel Big Enough
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Is my electric panel big enough for all my appliances? Estimating the Required Electrical Service, Home Electrical Panel Sizes, Circuit Breaker Spaces in Electric Panels. |
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Electrical Panel Capacity
Electrical Question: Is my electric panel big enough for all my appliances?
- I live in a mobile home park and my model home which is plugged into 50-amp service.
- Is this sufficient to have an electric kitchen stove?
- I have an electric water heater and all the usual small appliances and electronics, and we also have an air conditioner.
Thank you.
This electrical wiring question came from: Judy, from Desert Hot Springs, California.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Judy.
Home Electric Service Panel
Guide to Electrical Panel Circuit Capacity
- Estimating the Required Electrical Service
- Judy, it is a good thing that you are asking this question before you purchase the kitchen stove because it appears that your electric service panel may not have the extra amperage capacity, and most likely there may not be any available circuit breaker spaces as well.
- The electric water heater is commonly a 240 volt 30 amp circuit, and the air conditioner may be on a dedicated circuit, possibly 15 or 20 amps. Your home will also have circuits for the bathroom outlet, kitchen outlets, lights and additional circuits for the rest of the home outlets and lights.
- When taking all of these circuits into consideration and then seeing that your electrical service is limited to 50 amps then it does not appear that you could add an conventional electric stove, unless the stove is much smaller than normal. You may want to consider installing a gas stove instead.
- Home Electrical Panel Sizes
- Most newer homes have an electric service that is sized according to the size of the home and any special circuit loads.
- Some smaller homes have a 125 amp panel, and most three bedroom, two bathroom homes have a 200 amp panel.
- Larger custom homes may have a 200 to 600 amp main electric service with multiple sub panels.
- The amperage size of the electrical service and the load capacity has little to do with the number of circuit breakers and their amperage rating because not all of the circuits are being used at the same time and each circuit may not reach the rated amperage load of the circuit.
- Circuit Breaker Spaces in Electric Panels
- The amperage size of the panel is one thing, however there must be spaces available for additional circuit breakers as well if you are considering adding more circuits.
- Each electrical panel is designed to allow a specified number of circuit breakers, however there are options for additional circuits to be added depending on the type of electrical panel and the actual load or available capacity.
More about Electrical Panel Loads
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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
More about Electrical Service Panels
House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
Electrical Circuit Wiring
This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Panel Circuit Listing
Home Electrical Circuit Breakers
A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
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Electrical TipThe Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wiring!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis 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, [amazon.com], I use for the detection of Standard 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. |
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Can I run all brand new electrical appliances with only 125 ampere rating?
Thank you.
Hi Olga,
When considering adding all new electrical appliances to a home a complete evaluation of the size of your home, the existing circuits, the major electric appliances, and the electrical equipment must be performed. Next, the electrical information from the new appliances must be identified as well. Finally, this information is compared to the size of the existing electrical service. Commonly and by good design and planning, the electrical service is not loaded to more than 80% of the main circuit breaker amperage rating. So Olga, as you can see there are several factors that must be considered when planning to add new electrical appliances.
I will add a link to the main article which will take you to a electrical service load calculator that may assist you.
I hope this helps,
Dave