5kw on 100amp breaker box, doable?

[slappyjack]

Looking to do a 10x upgrade in the next month and wondering if anyone else is having success with 5000w of lights (and acessories) on a 100amp service. I know it can handle the load (50% of the total), but is it safe?

I have gas heat, and only dry my clothes once every two weeks, so I can squeeze that in during lights out. Otherwise I just have a standard computer, a small LCD TV, a Dish DVR, and a few CFLs running.

Just trying to avoid an upgrade to 200amp service if possible since it's expensive, and I live in a condo. All upgrades would have to go through the condo board, yuck.

 

[chuckles]

A 50 amp draw on a 100 amp panel is perfectly fine. The only thing I would recommend is to wire the lights in a 240 configuration. It will split the amperage across both legs. I'm a sparky gc. Good luck.

 

[sparkjumper]

I agree you're talking about 25A or slightly less with 5 1K's on a 240 circuit.The question is do you want to use #10AWG or not.If there is nothing else on the circuit I would go with 10 wire to a intermatic "little gray box"WH40 I believe and from there to your receptacles.Use 10 wire on a 2 pole 30A breaker and you should be fine.I believe my 1K's pull 4.5A so you're looking at 22.5A well within the 80% rule

 

[deepforest]

swim was running 8600w on a 100amp breaker , some rooms on 24/7 as well as using electric stove and oven and washing machine and clothes dryer and washer and all was good. all lights on 240v though, makes it much easier

 

[slappyjack]

Thanks for the helpful responses. I think I'll go with the intermatic and 240v. Unfortunately my breaker box is a piece of crap Sylvania, none of the local hardware stores carry breakers for it. I can't believe the corners that were cut when building these damn condos. The breakers I've found online are about twice the price of standard breakers. Nasty.

I'm also going to have to switch out some of my single pole 20a breakers for 2-pole to make room for the new 30a 2 pole (the box is full). Luckily I already have two 15a 120v circuits in the basement for other stuff.

 

[PharmaCan]

Thanks for the helpful responses. I think I'll go with the intermatic and 240v. Unfortunately my breaker box is a piece of crap Sylvania, none of the local hardware stores carry breakers for it. I can't believe the corners that were cut when building these damn condos. The breakers I've found online are about twice the price of standard breakers. Nasty.

I'm also going to have to switch out some of my single pole 20a breakers for 2-pole to make room for the new 30a 2 pole (the box is full). Luckily I already have two 15a 120v circuits in the basement for other stuff.

Check at a local electrical supply store - one that specializes in supplying contractors. You should be able to find your breakers there. The double breakers you are looking for are slimline breakers. If you ask for slimlines you should get what you want.

PC

 

[slappyjack]

Check at a local electrical supply store - one that specializes in supplying contractors. You should be able to find your breakers there. The double breakers you are looking for are slimline breakers. If you ask for slimlines you should get what you want.

PC

Thanks, I just found the breakers on ebay for about $2.50 each!