Electrical wiring concern with my PB

[skamp]

"As far as overloading the service, a sub panel or multiple sub panels are not a problem"

Standard wise, this statement is wrong.

Not sure what you mean. You can have multiple sub panels and still not overload the main panel. The number of breakers and/or feeders to other sub panels is irrelevant. Only the total load matters. The problem is not the number of breakers or sub panels.

Almost everyone's main panel is "over subscribed" in that the total sum of all the breakers is more and in most cases much more then the main breaker. There is a limit but it is much higher then the main breaker's rating. In practice you would do a load calculation to determine your maximum probable load to size your main service. I did not run the calulation but my service even with the sub panel would never come close to 200 AMP's.

Below is something I found that deals with a question on the NEC test that applies here.

Q8. Is there a code limitation as to the total ampere rating of all circuit breakers in a panel? Example: Could the total ampere rating of all circuit breakers in a 100A panel exceed 100A?

A8. This is not a Code issue. The sum of the ampere rating of the circuit breakers in a panelboard is irrelevant. As a matter of fact, it is very common for the total ampere rating of the branch breakers in a panelboard to far exceed the rating of the panelboard.

Steve

[Poolidiot]

"I did not run the calulation but my service even with the sub panel would never come close to 200 AMP's."

Well all I can say is, This is your house, You said there is no inspections in your area, you say your panel would never reach 200 amps even with adding tools and welders. So I say good luck with your project and I hope you never have any problems.

[skamp]

"I did not run the calulation but my service even with the sub panel would never come close to 200 AMP's."

Well all I can say is, This is your house, You said there is no inspections in your area, you say your panel would never reach 200 amps even with adding tools and welders. So I say good luck with your project and I hope you never have any problems.

As of right now I don't have tools or a welder hooked up. I wanted to have space to add it later. If I was to do this I would make sure that the pool equipment was off to prevent a possible overload. Even if it did not still don't think I would be close to 200 AMP's. If I did exceed the 200 AMP's the main breaker would trip. That is what it's job is, to prevent an overload.

To be honest I wish they had inspections in my area to make sure my work is solid. I have spoken to a number of electricians before doing my 200 AMP upgrade to make 100% I was following code.

Steve

[Poolidiot]

"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.

[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]

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]

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