30 Day load test

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I do appreciate your input Zog, Thank you.
I understand that the services offered from professional engineers would be more extensive and detailed in their final product. At this time I am solely in need of a basic load summary. As confident as I am in my ability to accurately calculate the demand on a service; I?m betting that this (cheap) tool will be much more accurate.

For a basic load summary you are probally right, it should do the trick.
 
I need to add an additional 400 amp load on an existing 1200 amp 208 distribution system. In lieu of completing another nightmarish load calculation; the building officials are allowing me to record 7 days load on the system. After 7 days recording they will allow a permit to be issued while the meter continues for the complete 30 days.

Where can I access a meter that will record all phases simultaneously and keep record? (not an Emon-Dmon)
I?m presently in the state of Washington.


ps: WooT! is nice to finally be here.:grin:
why would a load calculation be so nightmarish?

I would be real suspicious of doing this during the winter with no A/C load.
 
why would a load calculation be so nightmarish?

I would be real suspicious of doing this during the winter with no A/C load.


This specific system is located in a mall and has been worked and reworked so often, its difficult to even determine which breaker feeds which panel. There are no record drawings in existence and the panel schedules (where they exist) are written in lipstick. One 200 amp breaker can feed up to three load centers, two of which are in use and the third about to be demoed.

The common theme here seems to have been ?don?t ever remove it?.just add to it?. In the end its not unlikely to have entire panels filled with circuits leading to nowhere.
 
Giving people a hard time about what we think they 'should know' serves no purpose and keeps people from posting.

Please think about this when posting.

Bob I did give this thought and I am by no means slamming engineers, I wish I had what it takes to be an engineer. I work with and for engineering firms all the time and answer questions for them regarding certain aspects of distribution, I look up to engineers as the next step up in our profession. BUT I generally expect someone that sells them self as a expert in the field to have some basic insight into the operation of the systems he/she are reviewing.
 
Bob I did give this thought and I am by no means slamming engineers, I wish I had what it takes to be an engineer. I work with and for engineering firms all the time and answer questions for them regarding certain aspects of distribution, I look up to engineers as the next step up in our profession. BUT I generally expect someone that sells them self as a expert in the field to have some basic insight into the operation of the systems he/she are reviewing.


I am asking you to keep that to yourself and not question members about their qualifications here on the open forum.

It really serves no positive purpose at all.
 
If you are on the Peninsula there is a company called Expert Electrical Services. Located in Port Angeles.
 
Thanks, the post was short and no one mentioned anything about it. I thought it might have been overlooked. Besides, free is a good price. :)
 
Thanks for the post Charlie, I did notice it.:smile:
The service which I am presently needing to monitor has 4 main switches. 2-800 amp sections with 8 meters each and 2-200 amp disconnects. All feed from a common bus. I'm looking to add load to one of the 800 amp sections. The local utility (to my knowledge) will only present me with a total KW consumption for the building.

Are they even able to determine a peak load at any given time, or is their information limited to total kw for a specific duration?
 
. . . Are they even able to determine a peak load at any given time . . .
Normally, yes but it would for the whole service. If there are multiple services where the bills were totaled into a single bill, you may be able to get more information. However, I doubt that is the case since that doesn't happen often. :)
 
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