It is mathematically, obviously, but you could not actually deliver 400a at 120v, unless you were to parallel the two 120v secondaries of a dual-secondary transformer (of sufficient capacity) and provide a single conductor pathway capable of carrying 400a.
Infinity's point is that you actually could say that, but we agree that it's difficult to drive with a load that is being carried by two trucks.
First, I'm guessing you meant two 200a heaters, so based on that:
Of course, but bottom line you can supply 400 amps of 120 stuff - and no I'm not even entertaining the idea of needing to run a single 400A 120v load
Yes, but it would be a 200A 240V load. It might be easier to grasp if you thought of it in terms of power rather than current.
You could supply 800a at 60v if you wanted to. There's a difference between a service ampacity and how you can divvy up loads placed on it.Of course, but bottom line you can supply 400 amps of 120 stuff - and no I'm not even entertaining the idea of needing to run a single 400A 120v load
Actually, using total power supports his side of the discussion.
200A at 240V is 48kW. Twenty 20A loads at 120V is 48kW. I don't know whose side that is.
The side that's saying that 200 x 240 = 400 x 120 proves that 200a at 240v IS 400a at 120v.
Well, yes, it is. In the scenario of twenty 20A heaters, each pair of them, one on one 120V leg and the other on the other, is a single 20A load at 240V. The same 20A is flowing through both of them and the neutral current is zero. They do not load the service with 40A.
Which is why we shouldn't say that 200a @ 240v is 400a @120v, especially in front of newbies.
But it is. Since voltage is held constant by the utility, a panel OCPD is perhaps better called an OPPD (Over Power Protective Device). For the 20A heaters example if power rather than current is considered, the answer is (more) obvious. One does not add current on one leg with current on the other, but power is additive. Being a newbie is no reason not to learn how electricity works.
I don't want to speak for Rob, but I'm pretty sure he grasps it
. It seems some of the engineer types are having a little trouble grasping field calculations......By George, he's got it!
Correlation does not always mean causationI don't want to speak for Rob, but I'm pretty sure he grasps it
I'm not the OP, I just came across this thread and thought I could explain it in a way everyone could understand.By George, he's got it!
Agree to disagree. I may very well say, I can move a ton of stuff from your lot per trip because I have two trucks.
What does that have to do with what we are taking about?
And you would be in trouble if the load could not be divided in 2 equal portions.
