Marty Tippin
03-05-2015, 11:58 AM
I've got 200 amp service at my house with a 100 amp feeder to my shop. As I contemplate adding a 3hp cyclone dust collector and 2-ton air conditioner to the shop, I find myself unsure as to how much excess capacity I presently have on the main 200 amp service.
The house is mostly electric - the heat pump (with gas backup), water heater, stove and dryer are the major current users. Out in the shop, I have several 3hp or less 240V tools but would only ever run one at a time, plus the cyclone dust collector and A/C. The 5hp air compressor may kick on from time to time as well.
Is there a way to accurately measure - with all the major current drawing appliances running - the actual, total real-time amperage draw at the main breaker box?
I have a clamp-style ammeter and I've checked both legs of the incoming feed, but I'm not sure what to do with the numbers I get, given that there is a mix of 240 and 120 circuits on each leg.
I'm sure there are spreadsheets to calculate total household load on a theoretical basis, but I'm more interested in the actual usage.
The house is mostly electric - the heat pump (with gas backup), water heater, stove and dryer are the major current users. Out in the shop, I have several 3hp or less 240V tools but would only ever run one at a time, plus the cyclone dust collector and A/C. The 5hp air compressor may kick on from time to time as well.
Is there a way to accurately measure - with all the major current drawing appliances running - the actual, total real-time amperage draw at the main breaker box?
I have a clamp-style ammeter and I've checked both legs of the incoming feed, but I'm not sure what to do with the numbers I get, given that there is a mix of 240 and 120 circuits on each leg.
I'm sure there are spreadsheets to calculate total household load on a theoretical basis, but I'm more interested in the actual usage.