You could probably get some breakers that put 2 circuits in the space of 1
normal breaker. That would make room for your new 60 amp circuit.
George C
----- Original Message -----
From: "Darrell Walker" <darrellw@ipns.com>
Subject: Adding a bid circuit and and electrical breaker questions
> Hi,
>
> I'm looking to add a 240V, 60 amp circuit for a ceramic kiln. My
> current panel is 200 amps with 20 spaces, and only has one slot
> open. Most likely I'll hire an electrician for this, but I'd like to
> know what my options are.
>
> First, is there a limit to the total amperage of circuits in relation
> to the main service amperage? Right now, adding up the existing
> breakers I get 315 amps. Seems like a lot, but of course not
> everything is running at the same time. But since you can get a 200
> amp main panel with 40 spaces, and since I've never seen a circuit
> less that 15 amps, that would seem to imply that you can add a lot of
> circuits! So can I really have 375 amps full of circuits behind a
> 200 amp main service?
>
> Second, since I don't have a double slot available, I think I would
> either need to add a sub-panel (and move at least one existing
> circuit over there along with the new one for the kiln), or replace
> the main panel with a bigger one. Are those my options, without
> shedding an existing circuit?
>
> If so. I'm thinking a full new panel is a cleaner solution, though
> unless the new panel uses the same breaker types as the old one I
> will have to buy a bunch of new breakers. That would be offset
> somewhat with the fact that with a sub-panel I would have to buy a
> pretty big (80 or 100 amp) breaker to feed the subpanel, and you can
> usually get quite a few 10 and 20 amp breakers for the price of one
> on those!
>
> Anyway, any ideas appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
> Darrell
>
>
> --
> Darrell Walker
> 66 TR4A IRS CTC67956L
> Vancouver, WA, USA
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