2006-08-22 00:22:53 · 11 answers · asked by bubba979 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
If you were expecting to use a large amount of power - power tools, for example - you would need a higher rating.
Since volts x amps = watts, multiply the amps by your mains voltage to find what your maximum power rating would be in watts. Then add up the wattage of every appliance in the house which might conceivably be on at the same time to find whether 100amps or 200 amps is the appropriate service.
If you are on 110 volts, for example, your maximum wattage would be 11Kw (11,000 watts) for 100 amps or 22Kw for 200 amps. If you are on 240 volts, then the wattages would be 24Kw and 48Kw respectively.
To understand better about the relationship between voltage, amperage and wattage, compare an electrical supply to a water supply. The higher the head of water, the greater the pressure, and that is equivalent to voltage. Depending on the size of the pipe, water may be delivered at more or less gallons per minute. The rate of flow is equivalent to the current (amps). A small rate of flow at high pressure could drive a water wheel with the same power as a large rate of flow at low pressure, so that is equivalent to the wattage or power that a device uses.
2006-08-22 00:30:42 · answer #1 · answered by Sweet FA 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bottom line is the cost would be about the same for the labor but the equipment for a 200 amp service is larger, more flexible and allows a lot more options for later additions of electrical appliances, electronics, circuits for everything from heat to appliances. As a rough description say a 100 amp has room for about 20 circuits where a 200 amp service has room for about 40. Keeps you from starting to use "piggy back" breakers because all the spaces are full. (efficient but not too good an idea) I have seen too many of this type and the piggy backs don't seem to last as long. Another example, if you have 3 (220 volt) circuits, you have used up 6 breaker slots. Most new home start with the 200 Amp service. Also where I lived in NJ, 200 Amp service is required on new homes (Local code).
2006-08-22 05:30:13 · answer #2 · answered by norman8012003 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The analogy would be why would I want a 20 gallon gas tank over a 10 gallon tank/ Increased capacity. Just as the 20 gallon tank lets you go farther, a 200 amp service would allow you to run more equipment. If you are in an all electric house I'd recommend having a 200 amp service. Running a 5 ton air conditioner, clothes dryer, stove elements, water heaters, refrigerator, lights, and freezer all at one time could overload a 100 amp service.
2006-08-22 01:04:50 · answer #3 · answered by namsaev 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the house is all electric, you almost certainly have a 200 Amp. Service. Those columns of breakers are branch circuits. The main will either be in the center at the top of the panel or elsewhere. Follow the incoming line from your meter to find the Main(s). Note: That tank-less water heater needing 200A., (Are you sure of that?, Sounds excessive.), might mean a new service. It doesn't use that 200A. for long, but it might be long enough to trip out a 200 Amp service with other loads imposed. Get the system evaluated before you pop for that heater. Any wiring changes should be part of the installation contract.
2016-03-27 00:59:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 200 amp service allows greater flexibility in the type and number of appliances you can have in your home. As a general rule a 150 amp service is adequate for an all electric house. The extra capacity will allow you room to grow in the future. I personally plan on putting in a 200 amp service so I have the capacity for my shop.
2006-08-22 00:51:36 · answer #5 · answered by opie with an attitude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of reasons. One is for resale. One is to have the flexibility to add electrical devices in the future. Depending on the location of the house, the code may well require the larger capacity service. And, 100 amperes sounds like a lot of juice but there are a lot of uses and potential uses for electricity that make the smaller service inadequate.
2006-08-22 00:29:19 · answer #6 · answered by DelK 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
200 Amp service costs pennies more than a 100 Amp service. And now you can run central A/C, sell the house for more, add appliances. Maybe weld, or run a kiln, who knows?
2006-08-23 18:47:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
MOST APPLIANCES NEED 200 AMP OR YOULL JUST CONTINUOSLY BLOW THE FUSES.... WIRES HEAT UP AND CAUSE FIRES IN THE OLD 100 AMP SERVICE....AND AIR CONDITIONERS ARE A NO NO WITHOUT 200
2006-08-25 15:52:41 · answer #8 · answered by flowerspirit2000 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
so you could run several items at once with tripping the circuit breaker!
2006-08-22 00:33:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
so you can have a larger electrical load,or more breakers to add more stuff.
2006-08-22 00:28:12 · answer #10 · answered by aggravatingprick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋