Does that mean I can only put (5) breakers at 20amps =100 or (3) 20amps and (2) 30amp breakers? Or does it depend on the number of open slots? Please explain.
2007-07-10 15:26:38 · 7 answers · asked by Terry S 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Your box is rated for 100 amps, that means that you can run up to 100 amps through it. The spaces left over are irrelevant if you have made it to 100 amps already. If you need more electricity, maybe you should upgrade to a 200 amp service. Without more information, this is all the advice I can give you.
2007-07-10 15:47:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋
Your breaker amperage can exceed 100 amps because not all circuits are, not usually, used at the same time. Use caution though. You do not want to overload the panel with too many high powered circuits that may be used at the same time. If your power draw exceeds 100 amps the main breaker should "trip", or turn off. But Matthew is right, if your power demands are excessive you may have to contact your power company and increase your service and replace you're panel with a higher amperage. The number of open slots works in your favor! You can still add circuits to your existing panel. As mentioned before, exercise caution.
2007-07-10 16:04:09 · answer #2 · answered by LoneWolf 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
100 Amp Circuit Breaker
2016-09-28 15:21:45 · answer #3 · answered by ladwig 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 100 amp main means that if you use MORE than 100 amps ALL AT THE SAME TIME the main will trip....
You can fill the box with as many breakers as it will hold...
But you cannot use more than 100 amps at once.....
An example of what this means is: A 15 amp breaker for every outlet in the house with 20 outlets adds up to 300 amps in breakers..... That is O.K.
Using 4 electric dryers at 30 amps apiece all at the same time adds up to 120 amps..... That is NOT O.K.
Hope this makes sense to you......
2007-07-10 16:06:26 · answer #4 · answered by S. E. Charles 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people have the sum of all the individual breakers add up to more than the total of the main, but they get away with it because, usually, you aren't using all your branch circuits right to the limit of their capacity all at once! If you were to do this it would trip the main breaker, but not the individual ones. As the other guy said, it would be best to put in a larger sevice, if possible. If you know that whatever these circuits are going to won't all be used simultaneously you could probably get away with it if money is a problem.
2007-07-10 16:02:50 · answer #5 · answered by Flying Dragon 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't matter how many breakers as long as none of them are overloaded and the total load doesn't exceed 100amps. Theoretically, you could use every space in your panel with 15,20,30, and 50amp breakers and never have a problem. It's critical that you use the right size wire with each breaker and don't overload any single circuit. Buy a clamp meter to test all of your circuits to be safe.
2007-07-10 16:10:36 · answer #6 · answered by Maintenance King 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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You simply make a phone call to the electric company and tell them what you want to do. They will come out and terminate it at the meter and check the drop line from their system and your service entrance cable to make sure it is adequate for 200 amp service. If it's not they will replace their line and tell you to also replace your service entrance cable. Be aware, they will not turn it back on until you have an electrical inspection on all work done.
2016-04-08 05:49:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋