Electrical wiring concern with my PB

[huskyrider]

Of this I can assure you.
In my lifetime I've been involved in the construction of an easy 3000 plus swimming pools between being another mans hand, a mechanical subcontractor, and a general contractor.
I've yet to see one power center (breaker box) where the sum of the individual breakers added up to an equal or less ampacity. The total of these breakers always exceeds the the main disconnect breaker.
I agree with skamp. The thing to do is make a mental determination of what your big loads are and stay under that number while running your circuits.
In the average home the items I mentioned are the high load circuits.

Poolidiot is also absolutely correct in the fact that it can be overloaded.

I have 200 amps to my pool/pavilion area with its own meter can and power service.
I've tripped the main breaker twice since construction. It was the same thing both times. We had the band equipment set up and were jamming, had all 11 pumps running, and kicked on the heat pumps to help the gas fired heaters heat the spa quickly. The power tripped after 5 minutes give or take, the backyard went completely black and silent, the only light was from inside the house, from the fire in the fireplace out in the pavilion, and from the firepit flames by the beach.
Now I run our band equipment off of a 50amp garage circuit. I just fed straight through it another 8/3 to a power center behind the pavilion. Now I can convert garage energy into backyard energy and not risk tripping the main.
Although 200 amps is a bunch it can be as easily tripped by to much of a load as a 15 in a bathroom with teenage girls and hairdryers, LOL.

See ya,
Kelly

[skamp]

"If I did exceed the 200 AMP's the main breaker would trip. That is what it's job is, to prevent an overload. "


I agree that is the breakers "job", BUT I have seen breakers NOT do the job, I have seen an cord break and land in water and the breaker not trip. So although that is a breakers job it does not always do its job right. I just work on the side of safety.

I agree. I also error on the side of safety. That is why I put in 200 AMP service. I only had 125 before. I upgraded to give me plenty of overhead for the pool equiptment and other stuff. I am sure my 125 AMP service would have provided enough power even with the pool upgrade but I did not want run near capacity.

Steve

[huskyrider]

I guess the big question is what AMP service does that mean? If they were planning on running a 60 AMP (which I would deem to be the minimum)

Steve

While I was reaffirming poolidiots statement last night I meant to address this but got off rambling about how I've lost my power. I lost track of the topic and posted the reply.

Here's your equipment from another thread

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT
Equipment Pad: Gunite
Filter: Sta Rite Modular System 3, Cartridge Filter 400 Sq. Ft.
Pool/Spa Pump: Sta Rite 2 HP
Waterfall Pump: Sta Rite 2 HP
Paramount Pump: Sta Rite 1 HP
Blower: Polaris QT 1/5 HP
Automatic Cleaner: PCC-2000 Cleaning & Circulation System w/MDX Main Drain and Debris Canister
Controller: Easy Touch 8 Function Wireless Control System
Sanitizer: Salt System w/ Beginnings and Renewals
Ozonator: Paramount Clear 03 Ozone System
Lights: Pool: One (1) Pentair Amerlite 500 Watt
Spa: One (1) Pentair Aqualite 100 Watt
Heater: Sta Rite Max-E-Therm 400,000 BTU Nat

I came up with 47 amps.

You'll get a 50 amp (8/2 w/grd) for your controllers power center from your electrician.

See ya,
Kelly

[skamp]

While I was reaffirming poolidiots statement last night I meant to address this but got off rambling about how I've lost my power. I lost track of the topic and posted the reply.

Here's your equipment from another thread


I came up with 47 amps.

You'll get a 50 amp (8/2 w/grd) for your controllers power center from your electrician.

See ya,
Kelly

Kelly,
They said they are going to do a 100 AMP panel for me as a sub panel was already included in my bid. In addtion to the pool equiptment I have the following:

1. 15 AMP circuit for outdoor kitchen. It will be running a small light and fridge so this will only use a few amps.
2. 15-20 AMP circuit for covered patio. This will have 6 can lights, 2 ceiling fans and two flood lights. This should be about 1200 watts max.
3. 15 AMP circuit for lanscape lighting. This will be maybe 10 AMP's.

So with the pool equiptment and other power needs I am somewhere around 60-70 AMP's max. The cost to change from a 70 AMP to 100 AMP feed is around $10.00-$20.00 so I figured why not. I have extra capacity if I ever need it. Thanks!

Steve

[skamp]

Of this I can assure you.
In my lifetime I've been involved in the construction of an easy 3000 plus swimming pools between being another mans hand, a mechanical subcontractor, and a general contractor.
I've yet to see one power center (breaker box) where the sum of the individual breakers added up to an equal or less ampacity. The total of these breakers always exceeds the the main disconnect breaker.
I agree with skamp. The thing to do is make a mental determination of what your big loads are and stay under that number while running your circuits.
In the average home the items I mentioned are the high load circuits.

Poolidiot is also absolutely correct in the fact that it can be overloaded.

I have 200 amps to my pool/pavilion area with its own meter can and power service.
I've tripped the main breaker twice since construction. It was the same thing both times. We had the band equipment set up and were jamming, had all 11 pumps running, and kicked on the heat pumps to help the gas fired heaters heat the spa quickly. The power tripped after 5 minutes give or take, the backyard went completely black and silent, the only light was from inside the house, from the fire in the fireplace out in the pavilion, and from the firepit flames by the beach.
Now I run our band equipment off of a 50amp garage circuit. I just fed straight through it another 8/3 to a power center behind the pavilion. Now I can convert garage energy into backyard energy and not risk tripping the main.
Although 200 amps is a bunch it can be as easily tripped by to much of a load as a 15 in a bathroom with teenage girls and hairdryers, LOL.

See ya,
Kelly

Too funny. I have 1 girl now and one on the way so I will make sure to keep track of the hairdyers in the future so I don't trip the main!

Steve

[huskyrider]

Too funny. I have 1 girl now and one on the way so I will make sure to keep track of the hairdyers in the future so I don't trip the main!

Steve

LMAO!!!

As the father of many kids, and all but one being girls I'm rolling over laughing about the hairdryers. You have no idea how many times I've walked to our breaker box!!! The next time I build a new home I'll put in dual bathroom circuits or build a 5 bedroom with 5 bath home!!!

Here's a link of what you can look forward to, LOL!!!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...534410339.html

My son is now expecting a daughter in July of 07. Although I really envy you guys "I REALLY DON'T"

See ya,
Kelly

[skamp]

LMAO!!!

As the father of many kids, and all but one being girls I'm rolling over laughing about the hairdryers. You have no idea how many times I've walked to our breaker box!!! The next time I build a new home I'll put in dual bathroom circuits or build a 5 bedroom with 5 bath home!!!

Here's a link of what you can look forward to, LOL!!!

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...534410339.html

My son is now expecting a daughter in July of 07. Although I really envy you guys "I REALLY DON'T"

See ya,
Kelly

That looked like a great wedding. I attended a pool side wedding a few years back and it was really nice. Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Steve