Custom Home Nightmare

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

sgr1

Senior Member
This is a 3 year old custom built home about 3000 sq ft. plus. I haven't done a load calc yet. It has a 200A service. All of the breakers are full and some of them have two an one has three wires on it. It has 2 electric water heaters 2 AC units. 3 Bathrooms.4 bedrooms. It has a porch on three side with lights and ceiling fans. A swimming pool and sauna.
The panel is in the garage and no easy access to it other than cutting Sheetrock. Most of the wire is run in #12 except for the ones that go the farthest and they are #14. on 15A breakers.
This guy wants it fixed but all I can think to do is RUN I'm more of a commericial industrial guy.
What do you think?
 
It's impossible to provide an answer to this problem without a load calculation. That is the only sure footing that you have.

What exactly does the owner want "fixed?"
 
Are your bidding skills being shopped, to get a cheapy in behind you, or is this a ligit project you want to take on, providing the money is right?
 
Think he is is legit. It's tripping breakers. I'm going to do a load calc first though. That's what I was thinking of doing replacing the breakers with split breakers so it only has one wire pre breaker and putting the load on and check the amps.
 
If breakers are tripping it has nothing to do with the service size unless the main is tripping. I seriously doubt you have a service size problem unless you have electric heat with all the items mentioned above.
 
sgr1 said:
Think he is is legit. It's tripping breakers. I'm going to do a load calc first though. That's what I was thinking of doing replacing the breakers with split breakers so it only has one wire pre breaker and putting the load on and check the amps.
Click to expand...

Maybe a sub pannel first then you could check the load.
 
This house is so cut up in the attic. some of the parts you can't get to. It has cathedral ceiling everywhere. If I need to replace some wiring do I just need to cut the Sheetrock until I can get it through?
 
Bradley if I did that which I might be able to then I would have to change out the meter base also. Change it to a 400A
 
I agree with Dennis, If the main is not tripping. you probably don't have a service over load. A load calculation can tell you the answer to this question.
If you are in tolerance on your load calculation.
You are ready to tackle the problem.I would definately get every circuit on it's own breaker. Tandem breakers might help if the panel will accept them.
A small sub panel might also be an option.If your load calculation comes up close to 80% of the rated load , Iwould be thinking Up-Grade
 
Teaspoon said:
...

I would definately get every circuit on it's own breaker. Tandem breakers might help if the panel will accept them.
A small sub panel might also be an option.If your load calculation comes up close to 80% of the rated load , Iwould be thinking Up-Grade
Click to expand...

Now if every space is full and if they touch this panel where does this leave them in respects to AFCI's ? ...

Do they have the orginal house circuit layout > ?
 
how about adding in a 60 amp subpanel right next to it and running a piece of 6/3 romex to feed it and put a bunch of circuits inside of it to free up the doubled and tripled up breakers. you can probably just cut out a big piece of sheetrock and he would just have to get it repaired later
 
cadpoint your right. If I uprade this panel. This house would have been wired based on 2005 and they didn't even do that no gfi outside. No plug at AC. No Disconnect on the electric water heaters. there is 5 regular plugs outside. This whole house is a mess.
 
sgr1 said:
cadpoint your right. If I uprade this panel. This house would have been wired based on 2005 and they didn't even do that no gfi outside. No plug at AC. No Disconnect on the electric water heaters. there is 5 regular plugs outside. This whole house is a mess.
Click to expand...


My Father always said, you can't do much without a road map! (in speaking of electronic's/electrical work)


Your mind or on paper, its just work!
Besides, as long as your not dreaming about it, I don't see the horror :wink:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top