A fuse box in a house must be 100amps?

Answer 1

The National Electrical Code (NEC) article 230.79 states "Rating of Service Disconnecting Means. The service disconnecting means shall have a rating of not less than the load to be carried, determined in accordance with Article 220. In no case shall the rating be lower than specified in 230.79(A), (B), (C) or (D)."

(A) Discusses one-circuit installation, not applicable here.

(B) Discusses two-circuit installation, not applicable here.

(C) States "One-Family Dwelling. For a one-family dwelling, the service disconnecting means shall have a load rating of not less than 100 amperes, 3-wire."

(D) Discusses all others, not applicable here.

100 amps is the minimum and 200 amps is typical. If you are going to upgrade your service, I recommend 200 amps.

If you need further assistance, please visit -
http://electricalblog.gilchrist-electric.com

Answer 2

You will have to consult the local codes, for planning purposes, but to actually do the changes, a licensed electrician is a must. The answer by Tonalc explains well.
This is something I need to do in my own home, which was built in 1936. It has fuses, and only 60 amp service. This is split at the meter box to two thirty amp lines, and at the inside panel to six lines fused at 15 amps each; anyway I can only have one heat producing appliance on (area heater, toaster oven, iron) with out blowing the fuse. Except for the door-bell and the garbage disposal macerator, everything is in metal conduit.
I hope to find a co-operative electrician who will allow me to do the carpentry and plumbing conduit work, and he will do the electrical.

Answer 3

The minimum standard these days is 100 Amp service. Many of the new homes going in have 200. It's all going to depend on your power needs. If you're constantly popping the main breaker with 100 amps,then you need to bump up the service or put up with not being able to run what you need to at the same time.
Consult a local contractor, he'll be able to give you a heads up on your current needs as well as planning for the future amperage needs, such as new applicances or even additions on the house.

Answer 4

At least. This size panel, usually equipped with circuit breakers, is ideal for smaller homes.
Note: This size panel may not be adequate if you want to add a hot tub and there is already central air, with electric clothes dryer and hot water heater.

200 amp panel This size panel is well suited to most average to larger size homes, allowing the homeowner plenty of leeway to add a hot tub, additional outlets, etc.

Note: 60 amp panel. This size service, usually a fuse panel, is no longer installed in new homes because homes now use a lot more electricity than they did 40 years ago. This size service is inadequate for normal load use.

Answer 5

consult a qualified electrician as it will depend on the size of your home and what appliances and other electrical gadgets etc you want to use and how many of them you want to run at any given time.

you should always get a qualified electrician in to relace a fuse box as this is an extremely dangerous procedure as you are dealing with the unfused mains power coming into your home, and one false move could put the power out not only to your home but for every home that mains cable links to via the sub station.

as a guide though my one bed flat has a total added fuse rating of 118amps breaking down as: (lounge, bedroom, shower room and kitchen)
shower, cooker and sockets 32 amp each (96amps total)
lights 6amp fuse.
and finally an old circuit that used to be for a central heating boiler that now only has an aditional socket on it running with a 16amp fuse.

so if your home is larger than mine then you will need to fuse your home differently. like i said consult a qualified electrrician.

Answer 6

60 amps used to be the standard ( for minumun allowable ampacity for a residential use) by the national electric code but it believe it has been raised to 100amps recently. and if you have central air and electric heat and electric water heater and electric appliances than you will definately need more power 200 to 325

Answer 7

No, 100amps are too much may be 5 to 10 amps is OK. but it all needs how much load circuit has.

Answer 8

Old ones can be 60 or 100, new should be 200 amp. Check local building codes if replacing..

Answer 9

Most house hold appliances need a hundred amps if you have anything less than a hundred amps you can only run one thing if you run more than you will keep tripping the breaker

Answer 10

Check with your local codes dept. But I would say at least 100 amps.