Electrical Question

[kamdavs]

Service Panel 200Amp upgrade or not?

Hey Guys, I have a question, hoping someone with electrical background can help. I currently have a 200 Amp 240 V breaker and I am trying to figure out my power needs.

Does this mean that I have 200 amps of 240V power or 400 amps of 110 power? Or does it mean that I have 200 amps at either 240V or 110V?

I'm using 20 1k watts (digital ballasts 240V 90 amps) on a flip flop. Each room has 20K rooms going, two rooms in flower. I am also using 67.5 amps @ 110v both rooms constant use (never turns off, pumps, fans, etc). AC is on another service panel using 3 phase.

 

[TrichromeFan]

kam,
the 200a is your main. It is rated @ 240v. That is the equivalent of 400a 120v. You should start by figuring out what you already have in use from the house itself. Then add some buffer. Say like 20%. THen you would have remaining amps available. Again multiply by about 80% (leaving 20% buffer) and then you have what you have to work with.

There is definitely some math to do. Best bet is to not load the panel to the max available right off the bat. If you have any questions about what you are doing, you might want to bring in an electrician.

Fire = no bueno.

-TF

 

[cheech]

you have 200 amps to work with.

just 200 amps total. you can operate 200 amps of 120 volt power or 200 amps of 240 volt power.. or 100 amps of 120 volt and 100 amps of 240, or any other way you choose as long as you aren't running over 200 amps.

just add up the 240 volt amps and the 120 volt amps.. you don't divide or multiply anything.. just add.

 

[kamdavs]

TF, I edited my post with the breakdown of what I am using. To figure out my total usage as far as amps, would the math workout like this:

240V :90 amps
110V: 67.5 amps do i take this and divide it by 2?

Total amps:
90 + (67.5/2) = 123.75 amps @ 240V

 

[TrichromeFan]

Yep, your math looks correct. Definitely safe so far on the numbers.

Is that in a commercial or residential setup?

-TF

 

[kamdavs]

TF, it's a commercial setup.

 

[convex]

The rating assumes a draw at 240 volt.

200A @ 240V = 48000 watts

So we have 48000 watts available regardless of voltage, be it 120v or 240v.


48000w/240v = 200A
48000w/120v = 400A

Service should never exceed 80% of rated duty.

200A @ 240V x .80 = 160A
400A @ 120V x .80 = 320A

Either leg at 240V may not exceed 160A total draw.

Both legs COMBINED at 120v may not exceed 320A, or 160A per leg.

120v circuits should be balanced accross the legs.

 

[1971]

you are also limited to the amount of spaces by the panel itself, with 40 being the max number of breakers. don't use slim lines and with the draw you are using, I'd probably run one size up on your branch circuits. but i make that statement not knowing much of anything about your setup.

also, i hope you are staggering the start of your lights by a little bit.

 

[kamdavs]

Convex, thanks for the response. When you put it in wattage, it makes total sense. I can now feel safe with my current electrical load. Thanks guys for the help.

 

[LordDankinstien]

What size wire is feeding the panel? That is what really matters sometimes people dont use the right size just makes sure the size and then each hot leg can draw up to 80 percent of it's rated amperage. So if you have a 100 amp 2 pole breaker with the correct size wire each wire can carry 80 amps no problem on that one 100 breaker as long as you spread the load over each wire,so basically you can run 160 amps on one two pole 100 amp breaker. Just make sure you run it to a sub panel that way you can spread the load evenly.

 

[Dz1PnK]

The rating assumes a draw at 240 volt.

200A @ 240V = 48000 watts

So we have 48000 watts available regardless of voltage, be it 120v or 240v.


48000w/240v = 200A
48000w/120v = 400A

Service should never exceed 80% of rated duty.

200A @ 240V x .80 = 160A
400A @ 120V x .80 = 320A

Either leg at 240V may not exceed 160A total draw.

Both legs COMBINED at 120v may not exceed 320A, or 160A per leg.

120v circuits should be balanced accross the legs.

this should be a sticky, if its not already

 

[fishwhistle]

this should be a sticky, if its not already

X2