On 6/25/2016 3:18 PM, Tony944 wrote:


"trader_4" wrote in message
...

On Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 1:50:11 PM UTC-4, Tony944 wrote:
"trader_4" wrote in message
...

On Friday, June 24, 2016 at 7:41:07 PM UTC-4, wrote:
On Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 11:02:51 AM UTC-5, JayB wrote:
This came up elsewhere and I am just curious about what the answer
is.

If someone has a main service panel with a 200-amp main breaker, how
many
amps of service can that panel actually service?

I am probably not wording this correctly, but I thought that I
remember
something about a 200-amp main breaker actually being okay for 400
amps
of
service since there are two separate circuits coming in (a 240-volt
service
split into two 120-volt circuits in the panel box).

DON'T DO IT!

Don't do what? A 200 amp panel will support 240V at 200 amps or 400 amps
at 120V.


200 amps. is 200 if is 120 or 240, You can not change Amperage
Voltage yes Amperage "NO" for 240 Volt max. is 200 amps./leg
Each "leg" of 120 Volt, will give max. 200 amps.
assuming that neutral is rated for 400 amps.

Sigh. Do we have to go through this all over again? A service
rated at 240V, 200A will support a load of 240V, 200A or a balanced
load of 120V, 400A. Yes the current in the service conductors
never exceeds 200A, but if you have 200A flowing through one leg
through 200A of 120V loads, through another 200A of 120V loads,
and then back out the other leg, it's handling 400A of 120V loads.

Dear Sir you look at it your way and I will look at it my way. have nice
day

This is true.

15 years ago, a so-called "scientist" with a radio show and a doctorate
degree, was advocating for the local utility to manage power shortages
by installing a device on power poles that connected all the 120V loads,
in both legs, together, which would turn off all the 240V loads (A/C,
pool pumps, dryers, stoves, ovens, etc.). One 120V leg would power all
the 120V outlets.

As one person pointed out, that would cause a lot of old houses to burn
down since the neutral in older houses was not designed to carry these
loads, since builders saved money by using smaller neutral conductors.
With a balanced load in each leg, there is relatively little current
flowing in the neutral. Newer houses have a neutral that can handle the
"maximum unbalanced load."

"Scientists tinkering with electric switches at Lawrence Livermore
National Laboratory may have found a way to prevent blackouts across
California. Researchers at the lab in the past week have successfully
tested a simple electric switching device that could be placed on
thousands of power poles around the state, shutting off partial power to
homes and businesses during Stage 3 alerts in hot summer months, while
keeping some lights on."

Fortunately, PG&E was not foolish enough to take these "scientists"
seriously.