2006-09-12 09:57:59 · 3 answers · asked by slowpoke7759 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Not really an engineering question. If you are asking about the national electrical code, the other answers are way off. For general purpose lighting circuits, code requires a 15A circuit for 600 sq ft, so your house needs at least 3. Then it will need a 20A laundry circuit, a 20A bath circuit, and 2 20A circuits for the kitchen/dining area. The receptacles in these areas will not be on the 15A general purpose circuits. There may be other 120V circuits for specific appliances.
Not in your question, but since other answers mentioned it: the minimum size service is 100A for a house, and no (residential) panel made will have more than 42 spaces (a limit in the NEC).
2006-09-13 04:09:35 · answer #1 · answered by An electrical engineer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You would normally have a 200amp main panel in the house. This would usually allow for up to 50 circuits with 20 amp fuses. This changes though because some appliances need more than on circuit spot and will create a single 50amp circuit out of two spaces. The more high tech the house the more power you will need. Some people are having a 400 amp box installed to allow for future power usage expansion. Items like instant water heaters can use 1/4 of a standard size circuit panel by itself.
2006-09-12 17:07:42 · answer #2 · answered by photowhitt 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The minimum for any new house is 208 volt, 200 amps. The right distribution box will gave you 24 120 volt circuits. Don't forget that things like a cook-top, oven and dryer require 208 volt circuits.
2006-09-12 18:13:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋