Breakers rarely operate at 100% of their rating but for the sake of this question I'm going to assume 100% to make it easier to understand.
This is something I have thought about for a long time and was never able to wrap my brain around.
When I install a 200 Amp Service panel I am installing wire rated for 200 Amps. Now that's a 200 Amp capacity per leg. Since I have two legs each capable of carrying 200 amps are the breaker and the panel really capable of carrying 400 Amps total capacity?
Same thing with 3 phase. If I had a 3 pole 3 phase breaker rated at 200 Amps isn't the actual capacity of that system 3 legs X 200 @ phase = 600 Amps of possible power available? (Real life continuous 480 Amps @ 80%)
If so, why don't they label the equipment with the actual ratings?
Obviously I'm not an engineer. I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me.
Thanks
This is something I have thought about for a long time and was never able to wrap my brain around.
When I install a 200 Amp Service panel I am installing wire rated for 200 Amps. Now that's a 200 Amp capacity per leg. Since I have two legs each capable of carrying 200 amps are the breaker and the panel really capable of carrying 400 Amps total capacity?
Same thing with 3 phase. If I had a 3 pole 3 phase breaker rated at 200 Amps isn't the actual capacity of that system 3 legs X 200 @ phase = 600 Amps of possible power available? (Real life continuous 480 Amps @ 80%)
If so, why don't they label the equipment with the actual ratings?
Obviously I'm not an engineer. I would appreciate it if someone could enlighten me.
Thanks