Jusber15
New User
- Location
- Mid Michigan
Hello all. Let me start off with a bit about myself. I'm a master mechanic who owns my own small shop at my residence that I use for mechanics along with many other uses such as milling, welding, etc. I like to think that I know a bit more about electrical than the average Joe, but eons away from any of you.
I recently reconfigured my shops electrical service and had its own service installed, which I did myself (with all the permits and inspections of course) I put it all on a 200A service. I was worried if the 200A would be enough for my current draws and future additions, but I was assured by a friend, my local inspector, and the service contractor from the electric company that I was golden.
I was curious on how many amps I was drawing when the shop was running at max capacity today. I had all of my large equipment running, my large commercial air conditioner / air handler at max, welder, and the mill running. I used an amp clamp and and put it around one side of my main coming into the panel. It was reading right about 115A, the other side at about 105A. This worries me. I dont know how amperage calculations work and need them really simplified, but my question is, am I at the capacity of my service? Do I add the two together (which comes out to 220 amps)?
My second issue comes in with voltage. Before I started everything up in the shop, I did a voltage test and I was getting 110/220. When I was at max draw, I was getting a reading of 102/204. That seems terrible and makes me worry about my equipment (computers, diagnostic machine, etc) Im not really happy how the electric company hooked up my incoming service. They ran the triplex from my mast 180 feet across the road only to tie into some small looking wire that is another 150 feet from the transformer. The point where my triplex hooks into also feeds two other homes. The transformer itself feeds 6 homes and my shop. I have no idea the capacity of that transformer, but it looks small. (I doubt the physical size can tell anything). Is a drop in voltage under a load described above normal? What could be causing it? Is it harmful?
I really appreciate you taking the time to look over my issues and sending a reply. I'm at a loss here and not sure what I should be doing. Thanks in advance!
I recently reconfigured my shops electrical service and had its own service installed, which I did myself (with all the permits and inspections of course) I put it all on a 200A service. I was worried if the 200A would be enough for my current draws and future additions, but I was assured by a friend, my local inspector, and the service contractor from the electric company that I was golden.
I was curious on how many amps I was drawing when the shop was running at max capacity today. I had all of my large equipment running, my large commercial air conditioner / air handler at max, welder, and the mill running. I used an amp clamp and and put it around one side of my main coming into the panel. It was reading right about 115A, the other side at about 105A. This worries me. I dont know how amperage calculations work and need them really simplified, but my question is, am I at the capacity of my service? Do I add the two together (which comes out to 220 amps)?
My second issue comes in with voltage. Before I started everything up in the shop, I did a voltage test and I was getting 110/220. When I was at max draw, I was getting a reading of 102/204. That seems terrible and makes me worry about my equipment (computers, diagnostic machine, etc) Im not really happy how the electric company hooked up my incoming service. They ran the triplex from my mast 180 feet across the road only to tie into some small looking wire that is another 150 feet from the transformer. The point where my triplex hooks into also feeds two other homes. The transformer itself feeds 6 homes and my shop. I have no idea the capacity of that transformer, but it looks small. (I doubt the physical size can tell anything). Is a drop in voltage under a load described above normal? What could be causing it? Is it harmful?
I really appreciate you taking the time to look over my issues and sending a reply. I'm at a loss here and not sure what I should be doing. Thanks in advance!
