What size panel?

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aadams

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Tampa, FL
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Engineer
Hi,

I am doing electrical calcs for a multifamily building. I have a total load of 596 Amps, but should I spec out a service higher than 600 amps since it is so close to to 596?

Thanks
 
600 amps would be the minimum and would be code compliant but leaves little room for future expansion. Is there a big difference in cost between 600 and 800 amps.
 
infinity said:
600 amps would be the minimum and would be code compliant but leaves little room for future expansion. Is there a big difference in cost between 600 and 800 amps.
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ahh okay! Is there no such thing as a 700 amp panel? That would definitely be more ideal and when I have researched in the past the option comes up, but you never really hear much about 700 amps.
 
aadams said:
Hi,

I am doing electrical calcs for a multifamily building. I have a total load of 596 Amps, but should I spec out a service higher than 600 amps since it is so close to to 596?

Thanks
Click to expand...
On the other side of the coin:. The NEC calcs are extremely conservative and your true load will be nowhere near 600. If future expansion is needed you can get utility demand data and find you have a ton of spare capacity.
 
700 amps is a standard NEC size but I've never seen any 700 amp equipment. 600 then 800 amps.
 
electrofelon said:
On the other side of the coin:. The NEC calcs are extremely conservative and your true load will be nowhere near 600. If future expansion is needed you can get utility demand data and find you have a ton of spare capacity.
Click to expand...
I use the optional method so it isn't as conservative.
 
electrofelon said:
Ill bet your actual demand will be somewhere around 250A
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Even if the actual load at any given time is nowhere near the 600 amps if you wanted to add even small load in the future the new load calculation would put you over the 600 amps.
 
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