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hellarda

hellarda

hellarda

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hi,

I've just been looking under the stairs and noticed that the master switch for the electrics in the house is 100A, this is for lights and sockets. So as it is rated for 100A, i can only draw 24-25kw in total in the house? is this right?

If so, how do i go about increasing this capacity? I have started getting a lot of servers and sound equipment and from my calculations i could potentially overload the house if i ran too much.

Is there anything I can do? Also I assume I would have to change electricty providers, to something that is not for residential? otherwise the costs would be :eek:

cheers
 
You need to look at the load you are putting on each mains breaker doesnt exeed its trip/fuse, 32a @240v usually for mains, you may be able to add extra breakers if the you have some empty blanking plates to spread the load but if the total load is going to hit or get to close to the main breaker limit, you will need a second box, or replace your existing one with something bigger ie: more 32a breakers and a bigger master breaker.

As long as its all done properly, its basicly just a fuse box upgrade, to fit some extra 32a mains brakers.

Amps = Watts / Volts
Watts = Amps x Volts
Volts = Watts / Amps
 
ok thanks for that, I've had a look at it seems that we have 3 ring breakers, all rated at 32A @240/415v how would i add more breakers and make them on the ring?

so could i increase the master to say 150A easily?

cheers
 
hellarda said:
hi,

I've just been looking under the stairs and noticed that the master switch for the electrics in the house is 100A, this is for lights and sockets. So as it is rated for 100A, i can only draw 24-25kw in total in the house? is this right?

If so, how do i go about increasing this capacity? I have started getting a lot of hydroponics and lighting equipment and from my calculations i could potentially overload the house if i ran too much.

Is there anything I can do? Also I assume I would have to change electricty providers, to something that is not for residential? otherwise the costs would be :eek:

cheers
Click to expand...


Fixed. ;)
 
Just checked my meter actually, and it says 100a, so you may need the power company to supply you with a better meter. There's probably a cost there, as the power company might charge for this, or put you on some kind of non residential tariff...

...but 100amp @ 240v is a hella lot of power O_o do you really need more, or do you just need more mains breakers?
 
Last edited:
mattyfez said:
Just checked my meter actually, and it says 100a, so you may need the power company to supply you with a better meter. There's probably a cost there, as the power company might charge for this, or put you on some kind of non residential tariff...

...but 100amp @ 240v is a hella lot of power O_o do you really need more, or do you just need more mains breakers?
Click to expand...

probably not atm but currently when i have all servers on and amps playing (theres a lot, we're talking about PA amps at 2-3000W each) then it can go up to ~18-20KW then all we need is someone to put the kettle on and someone to microwave something, and boooom all gone :( :L so its mainly furture proofing. (you shudda seen how much power we drew for a gig at school ;) )
 
Scubascorpion said:
Fixed. ;)
Click to expand...

:D

You just need to do the maths, add up everything that is and could potentially be plugged into each ring main(breaker), assume its running at max and add a bit for good measure.

Adding an extra breaker if you have a spare slot and if it wont risk tripping the master is a much simpler solution, you can buy them from large DIY places, and pretty much just fit them to the box where you currently have a blanking plate.

Do look up on how to do this safely though, as you are dealing with lethal amounts of electricity. There's plenty of info on fitting extra breakers on the net. Other than potential death, its a very easy DIY job.

The reason domestic mains breakers are 32a is because of the cables, you should probs do a little reading on mains rings etc, but in a nutshell, its to prevent standard cables overheatin/catching fire before the breaker trips out.

For example, if you plug ten microwaves into one wall socket, the 32a breaker will trip, rather than burning the cable out.
If you had a higher rated braker, it wouldnt trip, and the standard cable would melt/catch fire and the breaker wouldnt trip.
 
mattyfez said:
If you had a higher rated braker, it wouldnt trip, and the standard cable would melt/catch fire and the breaker wouldnt trip.
Click to expand...

hmmmm my post failed to go through, but yeah, this.

Check your cabling. Also measure your load, a 2000-3000K amp isn't going to be that all the time unless its at 11!
 
tigerstyle said:
hmmmm my post failed to go through, but yeah, this.

Check your cabling. Also measure your load, a 2000-3000K amp isn't going to be that all the time unless its at 11!
Click to expand...

hmm ok i see,

well i do like loud music and i live in the middle of nowhere so im allowed :p
 
OK stop.

The mains switch on your consumer unit is rated at 100A this may not actualy be the actual size of the mains fuse whaich depending on your house is probably an 80A HBC fuse. You wont be able to check this your self as it will have the supply company seals on it.

Trust me you will not need to up the supply to your house unless you are turning your house into a server farm/recording studio.

What exactly ae you planning or using?
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
OK stop.

The mains switch on your consumer unit is rated at 100A this may not actualy be the actual size of the mains fuse whaich depending on your house is probably an 80A HBC fuse. You wont be able to check this your self as it will have the supply company seals on it.

Trust me you will not need to up the supply to your house unless you are turning your house into a server farm/recording studio.

What exactly ae you planning or using?
Click to expand...

ok well, i am running a few servers for testing and and experiments :) (trying to learn)

and i am building up my own studio too.

also i provide PA's for mates who do gigs and disco's etc, but i also have a lot set up at home
 
If you want more than 100A you would probably have to get a 3 phase feed into your home. This will not be cheap and will vary depending on how much excavation is needed to lay the extra cables. The meter will need to be replaced as well.
 
The problem you are going to have is, if you require a larger supply your fuse box has nothing to do with the supply to the house and the numbers on the main swich are largely irevlavant, your max supply is dictated by the incoming mains cable prior to the meter and mains cutout (the big black fuse before the meter).

If you required a higher Amp supply then the conductor size of the incoming cable will be your limiting factor, if your house is relativly old and quite remote then expect a bill in the region of several thousands of Pounds to replace the supply :)
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
The problem you are going to have is, if you require a larger supply your fuse box has nothing to do with the supply to the house and the numbers on the main swich are largely irevlavant, your max supply is dictated by the incoming mains cable prior to the meter and mains cutout (the big black fuse before the meter).

If you required a higher Amp supply then the conductor size of the incoming cable will be your limiting factor, if your house is relativly old and quite remote then expect a bill in the region of several thousands of Pounds to replace the supply :)
Click to expand...

damn :( ok cheers
 
'ok well, i am running a few servers for testing and and experiments (trying to learn)

and i am building up my own studio too.

also i provide PA's for mates who do gigs and disco's etc, but i also have a lot set up at home '
 
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