Well I have one larger AC not sure of the AMPs but its one of the larger
window models. What I did was convert an old 220 line that was under that
window to 110. Changed the breaker and the box on the wall. So it has its
own direct line with nothing else attached. What happens is my backup ups
system trigger and the lights dim every time the AC kicks in. Since that
has its own circuit I figured it was the main power that was not handling
the current. I also notice the same affects when the microwave is used and
other appliances kick in that are on diffent lines.

I took a GFI tester and tested all my outlets including the one I converted
and they are said good except for one that had a bad ground but I don't use
that outlet.

Not sure what to do next.

"Edwin Pawlowski" wrote in message
news:3tOxg.7308$4a2.673@trndny04...

"Bob" wrote in message
. ..
Can someone explain what the amp ratting on electric breaker box means.
I think mine is 100 AMP. Is that a limitation of the box or the power
coming in to my box? What does it take to upgrade to get more ampage?
My house is full of electronics including 2 fridges, 1 freezer, 2 AC
units, plus tons of DJ / computer equipment. I am always seeing voltage
drops and I am afraid its just the entire power system is inadequate.
What is involved in upgrading my system?

The limit is set by the size of the wire feeding your house, and the main
circuit breaker. For most houses, 100A is adequate and has been for many
years. Central Air being one of the larger uses, followed by an electric
range, then a dryer.

There are other limitations of the system though. You can have 200A or
600A coming into the main box, but if the distribution is a bottleneck,
you will still get voltage drops on a given line. I have about the same
number of "stuff" as you have, but add a wine cooler too, plus 3 AC units
total. . The motor driven appliance take a lot of power compared to the
electronics. When the AC compressor kicks in, I do see a slight dimming of
the lights ON THAT circuit for a second.

You really need to check out how many breakers you have, what is on a
given circuit, and, what is the real voltage coming in from the street. I
get a full 120v most of hte time, but if you are some distance from a
sub-station, you may be getting less, especially in the summer. That adds
to the dimming.

You can buy a volt meter fairly cheap. That would be my first step.
Voltage can and will vary in many places.
Then I'd look at the distribution to wee what is on each circuit. In
older houses, it was common to have three for an entire house, where 12 -
16 is not uncommon now. If a new box was installed in an older home, it
may have been difficult or impossible to break down the lines to multiple
circuits.