Quck answer
To calculate the total amps in a breaker panel, you need to add up the amp ratings of all the individual circuit breakers in the panel. Look for the amp rating marked on each breaker and write it down. Then, simply add up all the amp ratings to get the total amps in the breaker panel. Remember that the total amps should not exceed the panel’s capacity, which is usually marked on the panel. Additionally, it’s important to consider any appliances or devices that may be connected to the panel, as they also contribute to the overall amp load.
When designing a breaker panel, it’s important to understand how appliances consume current. If an appliance connected to a 120V power source requires 1200 watts to operate, it will draw 10 amps of current. As the current flows through the wire, the wire’s resistance will convert some of the electricity into heat. Since the branch circuits in a house are connected in parallel to the main power line, the total amperage drawn by the main line is equal to the sum of the branch circuits. If the total amperage exceeds the maximum capacity of the main line, the main circuit breaker will trip, cutting off power to the entire building. To determine if another branch circuit can be added to an existing electrical panel, you need to calculate the remaining unused amperage in the main line.
Step 1
Locate the main circuit breaker. It is usually positioned at the top or bottom of the branch circuit breakers and consists of a pair of linked switches known as a “double pole breaker.”
Step 2
Add the numbers written on each of the two switches of the main circuit breaker. This sum represents the total amperage capacity.
Step 3
Note down the amperage rating printed on each branch circuit breaker. For example, if the first breaker is labeled “15 A,” the second one is labeled “15 A,” the third one is labeled “20 A,” and the fourth one is labeled “30 A,” you would write down 15, 15, 20, and 30.
Step 4
Add up the amperage ratings of all the branch circuit breakers. This sum represents the maximum current that the panel can draw from the main line. However, this number is actually 25% higher than the average current drawn by the panel, as a safety precaution required by law.
Step 5
Multiply the sum from Step 4 by 0.8 to calculate the actual amps in the circuit breaker.
