|
| Ek's Home | Forum | Chat | Electrical Links | |
| Subject - 100 amp service ? | |
| Afterhrs |
Let me just say first that I am an industrial electrician. I was recently ask by a friend(I know this has never happened to another electrician  )to take a look at the stove hook-up at his house. They wanted to go from gas to electric. I did not find a 50 amp outlet like was hoping, so I went to the fuse panel to see if was installed but never ran, no 50 amp breaker either.I happened to notice that the main (master) breaker was only rated at 100 AMPS. I thought this was under rated for a 2 story house with a basement. The house was four bedroom and 1800 SQ. FT. What is the average size service for a house this size in Michigan? Where can I find the guidance or code for this issue? Thanks in advance for your help! |
| kbsparky | quote: This is a good attitude to have. Too often, we hear of horror stories stemming from folks like utility linemen botching up residential wiring, or romex pullers getting in over their heads trying to wire a pool. (pun intended) While they are electricians of sort, their experience does not cover the projects taken on because a "friend" asked them to. 
|
| kbsparky | I'd be willing to bet that house has gas heat, water heater, dryer, etc. With most of the large loads being non-electric, it is very conceivable that a 100 Amp service would be adequate for such a structure. Best thing to do now is perform a load calculation for the proposed dwelling including the new circuits, to see if the existing service is adequate. There are examples and instructions in the back annexes of the Code.  If you feel you are not qualifed for such a task, then I would refer you(r friend) to call a residential contractor who can handle such modifications with ease. Are "industrial" electricians licensed for residential work 
|
| Afterhrs | KBSPARKY, Thanks for the reply, I didnt even consider gas being used for the other items. As far as me doing the task, you need not worry about that. Electrical mistakes and wood can be a lethal combination! I have a conscience! I dont ask residential electricians to modify my machines, and I am not going modify thier houses. It was just an issue I ran into and was curious about. Best regards, Afterhrs |