
Originally Posted by
jaggedben
The difference in load calculation for that 1700 sq ft difference is 5100VA or only 21.25amps on a 240V service.
This.
In this area, it's fairly unusual to see 100A services; most are 125+A... even this house has a 125A FPE panel ca 1953 in it. Most everything is electric here tho; gas wasnt widely available until the late 80s, so electric baseboard heat, electric dryer, oven, stove, dryer, water heater, and HVAC. Add in well pump, garbage disposal, toaster, microwave, coffee pot (SABCs), washing machine, etc etc and its quite possible to 'need' a 200A service. Practically tho, we do full house generators in the 18-24kW range, so you'd really have to try to exceed 75A unless there are 2+ HVAC units, spa, and so on.
Like Peter D mentioned, new homes with gas appliances can easily get by with 100A services.
eta: Greg, were they aluminum wire, or late 70s with copper?
Electricians do it until it Hertz!
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