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RE: Adding a bid circuit and and electrical breaker questions

To: "shop-talk" <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: RE: Adding a bid circuit and and electrical breaker questions
From: "Randall" <tr3driver@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 15 Feb 2006 17:20:35 -0800
> First, is there a limit to the total amperage of circuits in relation
> to the main service amperage?

AFAIK, no.  It's normal to have the branch circuits add up to more than the
capacity of the main circuit.  Of course the actual load has to remain below
the main circuit capacity.  If your kiln takes 60 amps, that only leaves 140
for the house which seems kind of low to me.  My kitchen can hit close to
100 amps by itself (microwave, toaster, toaster oven, coffee pot,
dishwasher, garbage disposal, lights, etc.)

> Second, since I don't have a double slot available, I think I would
> either need to add a sub-panel (and move at least one existing
> circuit over there along with the new one for the kiln), or replace
> the main panel with a bigger one.  Are those my options, without
> shedding an existing circuit?

At least some panel/breaker makers offer "dual" breakers, that support two
15A circuits from a single slot.  If you can find one of these, you may be
able to replace one of the existing breakers and so free up a slot.

Also, I'm not sure what it takes to sneak it past code, but my sub-panel
does not have a separate breaker for the subpanel.  I'm guessing that means
the wiring between the subpanel and the main panel has to be rated to carry
the main panel current, plus perhaps the sum of the breakers in the subpanel
cannot exceed the subpanel rating.  My sub-panel was added in 1968, so it's
also possible it no longer meets current code.

Randall




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