Is My Electric Panel Overloaded?

Electrical Circuit Breakers and Panels: My panel has a lot of circuit breakers, why doesn’t the main breaker trip when everything is on at the same time? © By: Dave Rongey

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Electrical Panel Sizes and Electric Circuit Amperage
Electrical Question: My panel has a lot of circuit breakers. Why doesn’t the main breaker trip when everything is on at the same time?

• I have eight 20amp breakers and four 15amp breakers in a 100 amp main panel.
• Those breakers add up to 220 amps.
• Why doesn’t my main breaker trip when they are all on at the same time?
• And why doesn’t it trip when everything in the house is on at the same time?

This electrical question came from: Charles, a Homeowner from North Smithfield , Rhode Island.

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

Circuit Breakers and Electrical Panels

Application: Main Electrical Panel.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – 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 and install electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the panel circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical circuit wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Electrical Circuit Breakers and Panels and How They Work Together

Understanding Electrical Circuit Loads
How to Calculate Electrical Load, Electrical Circuit Breakers and Panels, and How They all Work Together.

• Circuit Overload Protection
  The size of the circuit breaker protects the circuit wiring form an overloaded condition.
• Why Circuit Breakers do Not Trip
  Your main electrical panel does not trip because the circuits are not being used to their capacity, and most likely never will be unless you had a house full of people and several electrical devices were plugged into several circuits and all were being used all at the same time, and all the home major appliances and equipment were all on at the same time.

More about Electrical Panel Loads

• 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

• Electric panel

• House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
• 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.

Electric Circuit Breakers

• Electrical Wiring Protection using 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.

More about 220 Volt Wiring Diagrams:
220 Volt Wiring Diagram

• Wiring 220 Volt Electrical Outlet
• Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home.
• See how electrical outlets for the home are wired.