Find solution
How do down load 8.0 messnger?

If I have a 200 Amp Panel, what is the maximum load i can put on it. Is it 80% and where is it referenced?

  • How much load can I put on a 200 Amp Panel according to the NEC???

  • Answer:

    Yet again people answer the question without any clue what they are talking about. There are several places in the NEC that have an 80% rule. These are about specific loads, and once you add them together it can go to 200A (or whatever the breaker rating is). Frankly, load calculations and figuring out what size wire and breaker to use for things is fairly complicated and not really for a DIYer. For small circuits, there is a rule for 15A max for 14 AWG wire, 20A for 12AWG, and 30A for 10AWG, that tends to make those common. There are exceptions to that. My point is knowledge of the NEC takes time and I'm not going to educate you on the issues involved in this answer. A couple of the 80% rules (or 125%, depending on which way you think about it). A "continuous" load (which is defined by the NEC as being on 3 hours or more continuously) must be treated as 125% of the the current generally. Electric heat and an electric water heater are specific things in the code that must be treated this way. Another is for motor loads, the load must be 125% the FLA (full load amps) of the motor. Motors have allowances for larger breakers which make them more complicated. Now, if you think you may be exceeding 160A on your panel, I would suggest getting an electrician to figure it out.

alex_bla... at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Where do you get these 80% from, I cannot find any reference mentioning it...? A 200 Amp panel is supposed to support 200 Amp of (max.) load. That only would change if - instead of 50/60Hz - you run something with a much higher frequency, say 3kHz, then you can only run 180 Amp., because the "rms" value goes up with frequency.

Marianna

80% load is intended to provide some margin for error or misuse (think overloading). Also 80% is a good rule of thumb to make allowances for peak loading, particularly in industrial or commercial situations. During morning start-ups, if all the machines are started at once, it would be very possible for peak demand to exceed the maximum. This should trip the breaker, but could result in damage to the equipment. I do not believe that it is part of the code per se. A panel rated at 200 Amps can handle 200 Amps. However, a good designer has to anticipate the unexpected. Perhaps some minor future expansion. Perhaps someone tries to draw 210 Amps.

Mack Man

Normally in the electrical design, If our design is 200A Panel, then, all our maximum loading shall be 75% to safeguard ourself as per the reasons below : 1. that any motor, or air cond running would not trip the system 2. Owner will generally will add in somemore machine to your PANEL in future. 75% of 200A and assume is a 3 phase supply.. you need to use the following formula 75% of 200A = 150A Power will be 150A x 415 x 1.732 x 0.85 Hope this help

Mr. Logic

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.