200 or 400 (320 continuos) residential service

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nizak

Senior Member
At what point is a 200 amp service insufficient?

I have a new build I will be doing. Per current drawing, the load calculation is 110 amps. Up until last year the local poco would not question a 400 amp service install. Contractors could pick up the meter base, install, get inspection and have it hooked up.

Now the EC has to submit a load calculation with current specs and the poco determines if it will install larger than 200 amps. Then the socket has to be ordered and is assigned to that particular job.
There is also a considerable up charge to go with the larger.

At what point do contractors here feel that a larger service is needed? Is there a threshold that has to be met with current load (150,160,170A)that determines upsizing?

This particular customer has all gas appliances. The largest load is a 4 ton condenser, all lighting is LED.

A detached garage may be built in the spring with general purpose recaps and basic lighting.

Thanks
 
No. Also questioned :
Hot tub
Swimming pool
Possibility of electric range, dryer.

The physical size of the house seems to dictate a larger service but the load calculation says otherwise.

These people have built 5 homes in the last 20 years. This will be their final and they are quite decisive on what is going in it.
 
GoldDigger said:
No plans for a plug-in electric vehicle (EV)? A quick charger will take a lot of power. 60A at 240 or even more.
Click to expand...

nizak said:
No. Also questioned :
Hot tub
Swimming pool
Possibility of electric range, dryer.
Click to expand...


In your area there probably is no chance that the HVAC people would install an electric heat pump with electric back up heat strips, or the plumber would install one of those monster tankless electric hot water heaters? They don't want a medicinal greenhouse in the basement?
No hobbies such as pottery that would require a kiln?

You always have to ask about future expansion but at lot of homes really don't need a 400 amp service.
 
nizak said:
These people have built 5 homes in the last 20 years. This will be their final and they are quite decisive on what is going in it.
Click to expand...

Why not let them make the decision?
You can show them your load calculation that says 110A, and tell them the difference in pricing for the larger size.
Then they can decide if they want to put in a pair of 60A breakers that feeds outlets for future electric vehicles. (which would "coincidentally" put them over 200A)

I agree that there's a lot of homes that don't need 400A. Even a house with hot tub, swimming pool, and electric kitchen can be under 130A.
 
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