A 60 Amp electrical service panel at at 2800 square foot home would be:?

Question

A. undersized
B. oversized
C. the only possible size for a 2800 square foot home
D. just about right

Answer 1

The difficulty is that the local electrical code (NEC here in the US) defines some of the load calculations, however the actual load seen at the electric meter is substantially lower.

The NEC requires the electrician to size the main service panel using calculations such as 3 VA per ft² just for lighting and receptacles. 3 x 2800 = 8400 VA At 240 V that is 35 amps.

This does not include central AC load, heaters, or other applicances such as dish washers. . A 4-ton central AC unit has a load of around 5000 VA. That's another 21 amps.

35 amps + 21 amps = 56 amps.

The NEC does not allow you to load a service panel to more than 80% of its nameplate rating. That means the 60 amp panel can't be loaded to more than 48 amps.


In reality, my 2800 ft² home with gas heat and central AC has a maximum summer demand of 6.6 kW. Assuming a residential power factor of 0.90 and 240 V ac that works out to 6.6 ÷ 0.90 ÷ 0.240 = 31 amps.

My guess is that you're being asked the question based on code compliance. In that case, the answer is "A" undersized.

Answer 2

Since you used square feet instead of square meters, the answer is A.
However in some countries where the electrical supply system is not as large as in the US, I imagine the answer could be any of the above (except C which is too rigid to make sense)

Answer 3

A. "In most modern average-sized houses, 100 amp service is common."

Answer 4

A.
200 amp service is the standard.

Answer 5

A. It's too small for that size house. 200 amp service would be more typical.

Answer 6

oversized

Answer 7

D.