Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Pinheiro's Avatar
    Pinheiro Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
     
    #1

    Jan 21, 2013, 07:04 AM
    Is a 200 Amps service enough for my house?
    I'm building a 3900 sf home, and have a 200 amp panel but I had some problems with the original builder, and now that I have another builder working on the house he's telling me that I should add another 200 amp panel that the existing 200amp is not enough for a house this size. Can some one give me another opinion.
    Thanks
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
     
    #2

    Jan 21, 2013, 07:15 AM
    You need to do a load calculation. Have the electrical contractor do it. We have no idea of what you have or need. If everything is electric 200 may not be enough.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
     
    #3

    Jan 21, 2013, 07:19 AM
    I moved this question to the correct Forum, Electrical & Lighting.

    Builders, I am sure, do not know the proper method of sizing a service entrance, I suspect they use a "rule of thumb", use whatever size they saw in another home, or worst, guess.

    To size a service, need to know the square footage of livable space, not total square footage to include unfinished basement, porches, garage, crawl space, etc.

    Next need to know list of all major electric appliances and electrical ratings in amps or watts, size of any air conditioning, size of any electric heat.

    With this detail, the minimum service size can be calculated.
    hfcarson's Avatar
    hfcarson Posts: 1,003, Reputation: 49
    Ultra Member
     
    #4

    Jan 21, 2013, 07:24 AM
    Please call a licensed electrical contractor, have a service calculation done based on NEC Article 220.
    You need to decide if you are going to have natural gas for cooking, heating and laundry or whether it will be electric... this will make a big difference to the electric service size required.
    Most electrical guys I know don't give out advice on building... maybe builders should consider the same.

Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions

 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

How too add a extra 50 amps to my existing 200 amp service [ 5 Answers ]

I have a 200 amp service in my house they recommend to add 50 amp more to be safe . Because I put a large addition on . I have 4.0 copper coming in to my box .from the weather head .

Hellow There! How to show a 400 amp service into two 200 amps panels/meters [ 1 Answers ]

I am adding a new electrical service to an existing one in the city of chicago. And was asked that I have to add a 400 amps with multiple meters, however I will need only 200 amps metered for my service. I need to show a one line diagram for the inpector. Any help!

Pulling 100 amps of main 200 amp service [ 9 Answers ]

I'm pulling 100 amps off my main house 200 amp service to my new Garage. It is an indoor run of 70 feet. What size wire do I need? Copper or Aluminum? How many conductors? If I run it in the joist space do I need to case it? Thanks Ron

Cost to upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps and ground [ 4 Answers ]

StanFortyMan has made a lot of sense about my needs in a home with a 100 AMP Service.. I would like to upgrade to 200 amps.. with some ground sockets(or whatever this is called) and put in more sockets... The house is 1300 square feet... does anyone have a guestimate of costs?? Thanks, Annie

Changing from 100 amps to 200 amps [ 1 Answers ]

I have a gas water heater (40 gallon tank). I want to change it to an electric tankless water heater. I have read that I need 200 amps in the house to do this, but currently I have only 100 amps. The outside meter is located only about 25 feet away, but the lines are underground. What is...


View more questions Search