what to do with a 60amp breaker panel

[arizonamaddy]

I work for a condo convertion company that is looking at a property in L.A. California. It is currently an apartment complex and each unit has a 60amp breaker panel. The site was not origionaly built with a dedicated circuit for a microwave. There is a vent hood and the current owners have replaced some vent hoods with micros. My question is if this is up to code or what it takes to bring an item like this up to code. The unit has a 60amp panel with no H/W tank no laundry service and the range is gas. The second parts of the question are, what is the maximum voltamps for a 60amp main and if I had to replace a panel will I have to change it to a 100amp panel to be code compliant.
Thank You All.

 

[charlie b]

First, there is no code requirement to install a microwave, or to provide a circuit for a microwave.

Secondly, there is no code article prohibiting replacement of a vent hood with a microwave. But there are ways to do it correctly, and ways to do it incorrectly. The simple fact that it was done does not by itself create a code violation, but the person performing the work might have created a violation. To know for certain, you would have to have an electrician take a look at the installation.

Third, to get “volt-amps,” you multiply 60 amps times a 240 volt source. For different types of panels, the math might not be a simple as that. The result for your situation is 14,400 VA. Is that enough for these units? We cannot tell, without knowing a few other things. One would be the square footage of each unit. Another would be any heating or cooling loads.

Finally, I believe that the minimum size of a service panel is 60 amps. But I might have that wrong, and I couldn’t find it in the book. If so, someone else is certain to step in and point out my error.

 

[roger]

Finally, I believe that the minimum size of a service panel is 60 amps. But I might have that wrong, and I couldn?t find it in the book. If so, someone else is certain to step in and point out my error.

You are correct Charlie. 230.79(D)

Roger

 

[arizonamaddy]

Thanks for the info. I amtrying to get the load for the heating and cooling right now. The square footage is 835. So basically as far as the micro goes, as long as it was installed correctly and the circuit can handle the additional load it does not need a dedicated circuit. This will be most helpful.

 

[infinity]

Thanks for the info. I amtrying to get the load for the heating and cooling right now. The square footage is 835. So basically as far as the micro goes, as long as it was installed correctly and the circuit can handle the additional load it does not need a dedicated circuit. This will be most helpful.

A fastened in place appliance that uses more than 50% of the shared circuits' capacity is required to be on it's own circuit. Look at 210.23(A)(2).