Ed Ochs Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 I have a 200a service in a 100a panel. I'm curious on how to write this up. It may seem obvious but I'm early in my inspection career....[:-wiltel] Do they make a 200a panel box? It was a Cutler-Hammer HC22B100C with a CH8CF cover Ed Ochs
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Hi Ed, Why is it a 200 amp service? Is there a 200 amp main disconnect in that 100-amp panel with 4/0 aluminum or 2/0 copper cables feeding that panel? Don't make the mistake of calling it a 200 amp service if you're judging it based on the size of the service drop. Those are usually rated for at least 200 amps. It's what's feeding the panel from the meter, the size of the main disconnect, and the load on the panel that's going to decide whether the load exceeds its 100-amp rating. Isn't that the way it's supposed to work? ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
John Dirks Jr Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 If its a 100 amp panel and the main breaker is not larger than 100amps it should be ok. Just because the service conductor is rated for 200amps, doesnt make it a problem in and of itself. it would be worse if you had a 200amp panel and only a 100amp service conductor.
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Dang, why didn't I say that? Oh yeah, I did! OT - OF!!! M.
Ed Ochs Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Posted August 23, 2007 I wasn't actually sure how to word it. Each one is 100a connected together so because neither is over 100a its ok, Right?
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 That's right. If the S.E.C. is rated for 100 amps and the main disconnect is 100 amps and the panel is rated for 100 amps, you've got a 100 amp service. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
Ed Ochs Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Posted August 23, 2007 Each throw is 100a 2x100a=200a But as long as each isn't over 100a it's ok, right? Image Insert: 23.92 KB
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 No, That's 100 amps on each leg of a 240 volt circuit. It's one throw and it's 100 amps. Period. OT - OF!!! M.
Richard Moore Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Originally posted by Ed Ochs I have a 200a service in a 100a panel. I'm curious on how to write this up. It may seem obvious but I'm early in my inspection career....[:-wiltel] Do they make a 200a panel box? Ed Ochs OK...I guess I'll be the "mean old guy". After seeing the photo someone has to say something. Ed, please don't take this the wrong way but, if you can't recognize and describe a common 100-amp service, and don't know whether they "make a 200a panel box", I have to suggest that you gain some more education and/or do some ride-alongs with an experienced inspector. It's good that you asked and I certainly don't want to disuade you from asking further questions here, but it's also clear that your knowledge on a major safety component of a home inspection is sorely lacking. I'm hoping this was just a test inspection?
Ed Ochs Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Posted August 23, 2007 Richard, I'll admit I've only been envolved in a small number of inspections and had just not see that config before, that's why I got on this forum for help...Surely you also started with no inspections and worked your way to 1...then 2...3,4,5...etc. I use this forum like anyone else because we are generalist and some on this forum maybe specialists... that's why we ask question to learn from each other. Are you "the old mean guy", No, but maybe you should think your position. Because this forum is for asking questions to help us ALL be better inspectors. Thanks for everyone's help, as I had not seen that before and now I've been taught Ed Ochs
randynavarro Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 I back Richard here, Ed. He stated clearly not to take his comments the wrong way and politely suggested how to get some more experience. It sounds like you've taken it the wrong way. Determining an amperage on a panel like that is very simple. Perhaps your weakest area is electrical. Mine was HVAC. I'm sure I goofed on several simple things back in the beginning.
Ed Ochs Posted August 23, 2007 Author Report Posted August 23, 2007 Sorry, Richard... Electrical is weak for me and I just wanted a little help understanding that portion. My apologies, I am certain to have more questions, but some day I want them to be much tougher questions... Ed Ochs
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Hi Ed, You're right, TIJ is here for all inspectors - experienced as well as inexperienced. Just so you know - Rich is actually not the old sourpuss that his posts sometimes make him out to be. Compared to my manners - his are the epitome of propriety and graciousness. I'd been reading his stuff for years on TIJ. When I finally met the guy, I was surprised at how congenial he is. I don't want to imply that the guy is a teddy bear, but if he and I were in a good cop bad copy scenario I'd definitely be the bad cop. Rich is just concerned for your benefit and the welfare of those folks that you are doing work for. Your question and subsequent responses did demonstrate a marked weakness in your understanding of electrical systems; an area that you really don't want to, and mustn't, screw up, if you want to be in business five years from now with all of your assets and your reputation intact. You should also start hanging out over on Mike Holt's forum and start going through the stuff he's got archived over there. Hell, if I had every day free for a year to just hover on that site and read up on electricity, I don't think I could get through it all. Also, keep your ear to the ground for fall training seminars being put on by any of the "professional" associations in your area - especially for any electrical classes being taught by Douglas Hansen - and make sure you pick up a copy of Douglas' book, Electrical Inspection of Existing Dwellings - Second Edition. Lastly, devout 30 minutes a day to perusing the archives of the electrical forum here on TIJ and go to the library area here on TIJ and download the Army electrical manuals I have posted there. I promise you, those manuals will make everything very clear to you. I believe I've even got an Army electrical systems correspondence course archived there which you can use to test your knowledge. Just keep asking your questions here and we'll continue to try and help as best we can. ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!! Mike
Chad Fabry Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Hi Ed, If we piss you off it means we care. Lastly, devout 30 minutes a day to perusing the archives of the electrical forum here on TIJ and go to the library area here on TIJ and download the Army electrical manuals I have posted there. The archives are good, but I wouldn't actually worship them. A reverent respect would be adequate.
hausdok Posted August 23, 2007 Report Posted August 23, 2007 Ah, fer cryin' out..... Wait'll I see you in Springfield, Fabry. We gonna throw down! OT - OF!!! M.
ghentjr Posted August 24, 2007 Report Posted August 24, 2007 Originally posted by Ed Ochs Sorry, Richard... Electrical is weak for me and I just wanted a little help understanding that portion. My apologies, I am certain to have more questions, but some day I want them to be much tougher questions... Ed Ochs I also gotta stick with what Richard said. No matter how few inspections you are doing you should not be learning electrical identification after the fact. A few thing in any home can be killers and electricity is one of them. You do your clients a disservice by not having a better education in basic panel identification.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now