Fire Safety: Testing Load Capacity on Your Electric Breaker Panel

Testing the load capacity of your electric breaker panel should be done at least quarterly for your safety against overloading and fire.  

For electricity, a circuit composes a load and a voltage source, where the circuit part is draws power coming from the source. In your home’s electric breaker panel, the load is composed of a dozen circuits leading to a range of parts of the house from the panel. The alternating current (AC) electricity is transported to homes at a stable level of approximately 240 volts. Nevertheless, because an electric breaker panel is divided into two major buses or columns, the efficient voltage is around 120 volts. Given that the voltage is stable, the load on the electric breaker panel is comparative to the quantity of current coming from the appliances. They are fastened to wires running back to the specific circuit breakers inside the electric breaker panel.

Your electric breaker panel manufacturer provides the utmost ampere rating for the panel. However, that can or cannot be similar as the electric capacity you have inflowing your entire home. The major electric breaker within the service panel can be no more than your rated maximum within your panel, which is why you need to test the electric breaker panel’s load capacity.

Step 1 – Check the Electric Breaker Panel

You need to wear your safety glasses before testing the load capacity of your electric breaker panel. Now, open the access door of your electric breaker panel. Check the outer surface of the electric breaker panel for any tags or stickers that may specify the maximum amperage. Take note that you should never touch any cables or wires.

Step 2 – Determine the Main Breaker

Find out the main breaker, typically it is located on top of the electric breaker panel’s middle portion. It is the largest switch inside the panel. Main breaker is the switch which shuts off the entire electrical power in your home. The electric breaker size (in amps) is printed along the handle. If your electric breaker panel was mounted by a professional electrician, you are certain that it is rated for no less than the similar amount with your main breaker.

Step 3 – Test the Load Capacity

To test the wattage, you should get the voltage times the amperage. Verify the tags on your appliances to obtain the needed amperage rating. Add the entire lighting load through adding the overall wattage of your home’s light bulbs. Refer from the light bulbs then read its wattage which is written on them.

Your home will probably have 240-volt appliances such as air conditioners, water heaters, electric ranges and electric dryers. Also, these appliances will contain an amperage rating tag along with the wattage that can be calculated.

Next, take the voltage or 240 volts and multiply it by the amperage, for instance 30 amps, to find the wattage requirements.

As soon as you have determined and tested the total load capacity of your home electric breaker panel, you will determine the size of the electrical service which you need. You will be guaranteed that there will be no overloading in your home electric needs.