how much capacity do I REALLY have?

analogmusicman

my house has 100A service (built in '79)
I'd like to put an elec. range in the apartment I'm building downstairs.
problem is,I've already got a 220v circuit for OUR range upstairs.
the question is whether the 100A service will handle TWO ranges or will I have to stick a gas range down there? (having a 200A service installed is out of the question)

tnx,

Speedy Petey

You'd have to do a load calc to see what your actual demand load is.
It all depends on the house, appliances, typical uses and lifestyle.


Why???

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Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

analogmusicman

'cause it would cost too much Speedy!

tnx,

Speedy Petey

Considering you are adding another living space to a house that has only a 100A service I would have considered that in the budget.
But that's just me.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

chris75

gotta love how people prioritize their needs....

analogmusicman

since my utilities are all underground and the wires coming into the panel would have to be replaced with bigger ones and the meter/panel is in the back of the house,some major digging (including concrete demoloition) would be needed,hence "big $$$" is involved. I don't happen to haVE those big $$$ so my "priorities" are where they are by necessity.

tnx,

fw2007

Why can't the new service wires be pulled through the existing underground conduit?
Or, don't tell me; There is no conduit. Direct burial cable?

FW

chris75

Even if it was DB, around here the POCO wouldn't even think of changing their wire...

Silk

I have checked the load on houses just for fun and found if I turn on all the lights, the TV, and whatever else is around on about a 2000 foot house, the 120 volt loads are consuming around 20 amps per leg ( actually i'ts closer to around 17, but what the hell). If you figure on average around 7000 watts for a range (burners and oven), that's around 30 amps, 240. So your total load is only 50 amps (we only count the 120 volt loads once since the same 20 amps is flowingthrough both legs).

So if you add another range at 30 amps, 240 you will still only have 80 amps. Odds are you will be fine!

But all this is theoretical, you should turn on everything in you house, including your heat and range and see what kind of load reading you actually have at your house. Clamp-on ammeters are cheap.

Rustaholic

Please list any other 220 circuits in that box.
Without actually seeing it my suggestion would be go with the gas range.

analogmusicman

sounds good silk, unfortunately,after looking at the panel again,I see that it's maxed out so no more free positions for breakers. sounds like I can simply upgrade the panel so I can have more slots then a 220 line can be run for the new range.

tnx,

Speedy Petey

Turning on everything in your house is a useless gauge. Sure it's fun and you get to use an amprobe, but it is NOT accurate.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Silk

Oh really, do you think there are some secret little elves stealing power that we can't see. It's close enough for what he wants as long as he doesn't forget A/C or whatever. And who really cares if he trips his main breaker, he will learn to tell the kids to turn the stereo off if he is going to use 8 burners and 2 ovens. This sh!t ain't rocket science, no matter how highly you think of yourself.

Speedy Petey

Yes. Yes I do. They also steal my socks from the dryer.

What a typical response.
Come on. You couldn't think of anything original?

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

analogmusicman

can't we all just get along?