How to Calculate Electrical Service Size
If you need to determine the electrical service size for your home its important to understand exactly how much electricity can be used at one time. With the advances in technology, electronic devices are part of just about every waking moment in our life, which creates a large demand for electricity.
- Examine the service entrance wires that are fastened to the utility wires, if your power is delivered from the ground up. These wires are connected at a drip loop where they are then attached to the home. Look for the wire type and the gauge that is marked on the insulated cover. Use extreme caution and only attempt this is you can safely get close enough.
- Review the service entrance conductors located at the main disconnect. Look at the type and size off the insulated cover. However, don't remove the cover for the main disconnect if you can't read the wires. Only a skilled electrician should work with wires of that amperage.
- Examine the size of the main breaker for the electrical system; the amount of amps should be printed on the breaker switch. This will be the safest way to determine the electrical service size for the home.
- Compare the wire gauge to the following common copper sizes: copper 6-gauge/ up to 70 amps; copper 4-gauge/100 amp; copper 2-gauge/125 amp; copper 1-gauge/150 amp and copper 2/0-gauge/200 amp. The size of the electrical service is established by the size and type of wire that is used.
- Compare the wire gauge to these common sizes for aluminum sizes: aluminum 4-gauge/up to 70 amps; aluminum 2-gauge/100 amp; aluminum 1/0-gauge/125 amp; aluminum 2/0-gauge/150 amp and aluminum 4/0-gauge/200 amp.