An electrical panel, also sometimes called the service panel, distributes all of the electricity throughout your home. Not every panel is the same when it comes to its overall capacity, but each panel’s design allows it to safely manage all electrical power draws in your home. When you exceed your electrical load, the panel automatically trips, which serves as a power cut so that the panel doesn’t overheat and cause a fire.

The electrical load calculation of a home is a precise breakdown of how much power you’ll need to run electricity to all your devices and appliances. As time goes by, the modern household has proven to have increasing power demands. For that reason, when you’re initiating home renovations or improvements, it’s essential to calculate your precise electrical load so as not to overwhelm your service panel capacity.

Modern Electricity Demands

As technology progresses, homes are becoming increasingly reliant on a strong electrical load. With the advent of smartphones, smart homes, HVAC, and electric car wall chargers, the average home needs more electricity than homes from prior eras. Modern estimates state that today’s homes require up to 14 times the electricity when compared to homes from the last century, and this will most likely increase over time.

Electrical panels in the ’60s, on average, were only about 60 amps, and this increased to around 100 amps on average in the ’70s and ’80s. Unfortunately, this kind of load isn’t as sufficient in the 21st century. In fact, in the 2020s, this has increased anywhere from 150 to 200 amps on average. Modern electrical conveniences have increased the potential load on homes, and while not every panel will run strictly at capacity, having extra “wiggle room” will make your home more ready for future electrical demands.

The Different Kinds of Electrical Loads

When it comes to home electrical loads, there are only two you’ll need to consider: continuous and non-continuous loads. These vary based on the types of appliances and equipment that you’re running in your home.

For example, appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners in the summer, electric furnaces in the winter, and tankless or storage water heaters are all considered to generate continuous loads. This is because these systems are constantly or near-constantly running. In general, a device or an appliance is considered to need a continuous load when it typically runs for at least three hours.

On the other hand, appliances generate non-continuous loads when they turn on and off periodically, such as televisions, gaming consoles, window fans, or electric stoves. Effectively, anything you turn off from time to time requires this kind of non-continuous load.

How Licensed Professionals Perform Electrical Load Calculations

Performing electrical system upkeep is the job of licensed and trained professionals, like our team at Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing. When we initiate load calculations on a circuit, we identify what’s running through the service panel. For example, we take a look at both continuous and non-continuous loads and calculate the power consumption levels in watts.

We’ll measure each device’s wattage and weigh it against the panel’s capacity. Typically, for a continuous load, we multiply the amperage by 125%, and for non-continuous loads, we multiply the full amperage by 100%. This serves as a means to ensure accuracy as continuous loads draw more power, and the 125% serves as a catchall to ensure the most accurate calculation.

Why It’s Essential to Have Electrical Load Calculations

When renovating, new outlets are often installed that will change the electrical load on the panel. For this reason, having an accurate electrical load calculation will allow you to get ahead of any potential overloads when the renovations are complete.

For example, when adding another room, you may add appliances like tankless or traditional tank water heaters that run continuously. These will add to the workload of the service panel, and a load calculation will establish the needed amperage to incorporate the new appliance/appliances. Licensed electricians like ours will also take into account the square footage of the home and any additions to extrapolate the potential power draw from lighting fixtures and power outlets.

Once the calculation is complete, you’ll have the option of upgrading your panel from a 100-amp panel to a 150- or 200-amp device. Remember, higher-than-rated draws are a hazard, so an electrical load calculation is a good tool to prevent overloads.

Signs That You Need to Increase Your Amperage

While it’s not always obvious that your service panel isn’t providing the right amount of energy for your home’s needs, there are signs you can look out for. As a general rule, if your panel only accommodates 100 amps or so, it’s a good idea to upgrade to a higher-capacity panel. Still, if you’re unsure if you need to upgrade your amperage, there are clear signs to consider.

Circuit Breakers Are Tripping

Circuit breakers trip as a safety precaution. When a part of your home draws too much energy for the capacity of your panel, the breaker shuts off power to that part of the home. This is an overloaded circuit, and it is usually caused by too many power-draining appliances plugged into a single circuit. While loose wires touching can also cause a circuit breaker to trip, this is a far less common cause than an overloaded circuit.

Flickering or Dimming Lights

Another indicator that your panel may be experiencing higher-than-optimal power draws is when your lights start to flicker or dim. This dimming or flickering can be a sign that connected continuous or non-continuous load-based appliances draw an overabundance of energy from the shared circuit. This can be a sign of loose connections, but when it happens, it’s best to have someone check to see if it’s an electrical load issue.

Discolored Outlets or Burning Odors

If you’re noticing that your outlets are starting to emit the smell of burning plastic or rubber or are looking slightly singed, this is a sign of overheating or a short circuit. With multiple high-energy appliances running on a single circuit, the circuit generates excessive heat that will cause singeing, arcing, or internal burning within the outlet housing. This, in turn, creates a foul, burning plastic odor. If you run into this problem, contact us at Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing immediately.

Contact Dedicated Electrical Load Calculation Experts for Your Home Renovation

Adding on and renovating your home is exciting, but it’s important to understand the impact something like this will have on existing electrical systems. A calculation will bring surety to the process, and should you need to upgrade your available amps, you’ll have enough power to accommodate an increased number of appliances and lighting setups.

At Beck Electric, Generators & Plumbing, we’ve accommodated customers in the community since 2007, and we’ll be glad to help you make your new renovation and electrical upgrade smoother. We are a family-owned business, and we strive to provide you with dependable service that keeps you satisfied. In addition to electrical services, we also provide plumbing services to Canton. In addition to dealing with leaks and drain cleaning, we offer services for water heaters, water softeners, water filtration systems, and sump pumps. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment.

company icon
Categories: