Full Panel

[Pinnie]

When adding circuits to a panel without any spares, do you guys do any load calc or just add tandems and assume you’re not going to overload the main. My friends house panel is pretty full and they want to add 3 120v circuits and 1 240v circuit.

 

[ptonsparky]

Tandems if approved for them or add a sub. Generally don’t worry if main is 150 or above.

Sometimes add to existing circuits, depending on load.

 

[ptonsparky]

Looking at the pictures, maybe you should. At least think about what will or may be on simultaneously. Turn stuff on and Amp clamp it.

 

[ptonsparky]

Fix the lower left 260.

 

[Pinnie]

Looking at the pictures, maybe you should. At least think about what will or may be on simultaneously. Turn stuff on and Amp clamp it.

They have a few circuits that have very minimal draw I was thinking of pigtailing on to an existing breaker, but I wasn’t sure if that was hack.

 

[ptonsparky]

I don't think it's hack. Just label it.

 

[Pinnie]

I don't think it's hack. Just label it.

At what point do you recommend a service upgrade. When the main starts tripping?

 

[infinity]

At what point do you recommend a service upgrade. When the main starts tripping?

I would turn everything on and then measure the current on each leg.

 

[ptonsparky]

At what point do you recommend a service upgrade. When the main starts tripping?

No, just before.

 

[Pinnie]

I would turn everything on and then measure the current on each leg.

How do you go about calculating unused receptacle circuits? Just add 20amps or so to clamp reading?

 

[ptonsparky]

How do you go about calculating unused receptacle circuits? Just add 20amps or so to clamp reading?

Ignore them. Don't add a load that's not normally there.

 

[infinity]

How do you go about calculating unused receptacle circuits? Just add 20amps or so to clamp reading?

You could do that but if with everything running if your load is nowhere near 200 amps I wouldn't even bother.

 

[Pinnie]

When do you consider a branch circuit maxed out. Based on clamp reading or gut feeling?

 

[infinity]

When do you consider a branch circuit maxed out. Based on clamp reading or gut feeling?

Unless it were tripping I wouldn't even look at a branch circuit. If you wanted to add an additional load then an amp reading may help to determine if you can add more load to it.

 

[Hv&Lv]

How do you go about calculating unused receptacle circuits? Just add 20amps or so to clamp reading?

Check with the local utility and get their peak demand readings.
They all keep records on summer/winter peaks per house with smart metering in place.

 

[Pinnie]

When a family friend is paying for their own material do you pay out of pocket or do you get their payment info and use it as supply shop?

 

[ptonsparky]

When a family friend is paying for their own material do you pay out of pocket or do you get their payment info and use it as supply shop?

My first boss said “we only do business with friends”.
Rethink the situation if you don’t feel they will repay for what you spend.
Give them a list and let them buy it.

 

[tortuga]

When adding circuits to a panel without any spares, do you guys do any load calc or just add tandems and assume you’re not going to overload the main. My friends house panel is pretty full and they want to add 3 120v circuits and 1 240v circuit.

Is this a single family home? I'd probably look a replacing that 100A sub panel with a larger one.