Do you know how many appliances or electronic devices you can run in your home before tripping a breaker? Your electric service keeps things balanced and running in your home or work environment. If you're unsure how much power you can use, here are some helpful tips for determining the size of your main electrical service.
Measure Your Conduit
The conduit contains the wires that go to your home's power box from the power company. The size of the conduit often determines the level of amperage going into your home. For example, a one-inch conduit generally has six-gauge wires and delivers 60-amp service to your home. Since the conduit may be larger than the wires within, this is not always the most accurate method, but it may give you a rough idea of the conduit’s size.
Main Service Cable
One helpful tip for determining the size of your main electrical service is to check the diameter of the main service cable at your home. These cables typically range from 3/4 of an inch to 1 ½ inches wide; the larger the diameter, the more amperes go to your home. Amperage typically ranges between 60 to 200 and gives you a rough idea of how much power your home can handle.
Power Meter Box
If finding the proper measurements of your conduit or service cable doesn’t provide a concrete answer, you may be able to find a written answer to your home’s electrical service on the power meter box. The box may include a label with an accurate amperage written on it. If not, you may be able to contact your electricity provider and ask if they can provide the information.
If you’re looking for a residential electrician in San Diego to provide inspections, repairs, or estimations on your home’s electrical systems, Anson Electric has got you covered. Contact us today to book an appointment.
