anybody have elect calculation software and can estimate a load?

[markmc]

I am having a new house built and think they are going to in stall a 150 amp main. the house is 3800 sq ft w/ 1-50 amp weld receptacle, 2-30 amp a/c plugs, 1-30 amp dryer plug, and all kitchen and dining dedicated plugs (disposal/microwave/dining) etc. 1-20 amp freezer plug, 3-20 dedicated machine plugs in the garage and minimum of 20 general lighting with lots of extra lights added. what do yall think? 150 or 200 amp main?
:?

 

[markmc]

load

load

i did not mention also it has 4 bathrooms w/ exhaust fans

 

[kwired]

I'd likely put in 200 amp without even doing much calculating.

Reality is you very well may be able to have a 100 amp main and never trip it.

Those machine plugs and welder in particular - if you are the only one using them, you typically aren't using all them at once. I'd only be concerned about what combination of what could all be on at one time. A dust collector is one item that runs when other items are running. Chances are you are not welding at the same time you are running a table saw though.

 

[markmc]

thanks

thanks

I'd likely put in 200 amp without even doing much calculating.

Reality is you very well may be able to have a 100 amp main and never trip it.

Those machine plugs and welder in particular - if you are the only one using them, you typically aren't using all them at once. I'd only be concerned about what combination of what could all be on at one time. A dust collector is one item that runs when other items are running. Chances are you are not welding at the same time you are running a table saw though.

I have some helpers and will be using grinders saws dust collections etc all at one time
\

 

[ron]

Now you have the software

https://www.mikeholt.com/documents/calculations/formulas/ResidentialLoadCalculations.xls

 

[Jraef]

I’d think of it this way; if you install a 150A service drop and needed 200, the cost to change after the fact becomes an issue. If you install 200 and it turned out you only needed 150, what’s the harm?

 

[LarryFine]

I am having a new house built and think they are going to in stall a 150 amp main. the house is 3800 sq ft w/ 1-50 amp weld receptacle, 2-30 amp a/c plugs, 1-30 amp dryer plug, and all kitchen and dining dedicated plugs (disposal/microwave/dining) etc. 1-20 amp freezer plug, 3-20 dedicated machine plugs in the garage and minimum of 20 general lighting with lots of extra lights added. what do yall think? 150 or 200 amp main?

By "2-30 amp a/c plugs", you mean air conditioning? No central A/C, even in the future?

With the garage/shop loads added, I wouldn't even consider anything less than 200 amps.

The labor is the same, and the materials cost difference is negligible, 200 may be cheaper.

 

[JFletcher]

Welcome to The Forum. You may need more than 200 amps if you have electric heating, on-demand water heater or a spa. Like Larry wrote, I wouldn't consider anything less than 200 amps either, a 200 amp panel is probably cheaper than a 150, and the cost difference between 4/0 aluminum and 2/0 aluminum is negligible. labor is the same either way.

 

[junkhound]

I am having a new house built and think they are going to in stall a 150 amp main. the house is 3800 sq ft w/ 1-50 amp weld receptacle, 2-30 amp a/c plugs, 1-30 amp dryer plug, and all kitchen and dining dedicated plugs (disposal/microwave/dining) etc. 1-20 amp freezer plug, 3-20 dedicated machine plugs in the garage and minimum of 20 general lighting with lots of extra lights added. what do yall think? 150 or 200 amp main?
:?

Poco here wont even hook up to less than 200 A IIRC.
My take: somebody really trying to lowball you proposing 150A service. Watch out for what other corners they want to cut that don't make any sense - like code minimum outlet spacing, etc.

You want at least 200A panel just to have enough space for breakers

 

[gadfly56]

I am having a new house built and think they are going to in stall a 150 amp main. the house is 3800 sq ft w/ 1-50 amp weld receptacle, 2-30 amp a/c plugs, 1-30 amp dryer plug, and all kitchen and dining dedicated plugs (disposal/microwave/dining) etc. 1-20 amp freezer plug, 3-20 dedicated machine plugs in the garage and minimum of 20 general lighting with lots of extra lights added. what do yall think? 150 or 200 amp main?
:?

Due to demand, you may find that a 200 amp panel is cheaper than a 150 amp panel, depending. The Home Depot in Galveston has Square D 200 amp 30-space panels for $159. The 150 amp version is $147. Please note that I am not encouraging you to do this work yourself, as that would shut this thread down right quick, merely providing you with a sense of the delta between 150 and 200. In your shoes, I'd do 200.

 

[kwired]

You want at least 200A panel just to have enough space for breakers

200 amps doesn't necessarily mean more spaces are always available. There are 8 and 12 space 200 amp main breaker panels out there, as well as 30 and 40 space 150 amp main breaker panels. there is also 30 space 100 amp panels.

 

[markmc]

Mark Texas Journeyman elect.

Mark Texas Journeyman elect.

By "2-30 amp a/c plugs", you mean air conditioning? No central A/C, even in the future?

With the garage/shop loads added, I wouldn't even consider anything less than 200 amps.

The labor is the same, and the materials cost difference is negligible, 200 may be cheaper.

Thank you i keep telling the cheap contractors you cant use 150 I main. I am hoping the city inspector will intervene. i meant it has 2 central a/c with a couple of window units, also heat treat furnace, wine refrigerator, hot tub, possible pool in the future
Thanks Mark

 

[markmc]

200 I

200 I

Thanks for the feed back. I would give you the name of the contractor but its probably against rules. Im going to try to talk sense into them before they install the service. I would pay and tried to tell them at the design center i wanted 200 amp. looked like a deer in the headlights
Thanks Mark

 

[Little Bill]

You're the guy with the pocket book. Just tell him/them you want 200A!

 

[kingpb]

Thanks for the feed back. I would give you the name of the contractor but its probably against rules. Im going to try to talk sense into them before they install the service. I would pay and tried to tell them at the design center i wanted 200 amp. looked like a deer in the headlights
Thanks Mark

Your comment about the "Design Center" tells me it's a big box kit builder, not a custom home. It is very likely that they will not, despite even wanting to pay more, change it to a 200A. They have already bought qty 1000, 150A panels and its just not in their sandbox to do anything different. I would honestly go find the electrical Contractor that is going to actually do the work and see if you can "work out an arrangement" .