2 100 amp load centers or 1 200 amp load center?

[ultrarunner]

I see no reason to run 2x100A panels. 220V loads are automatically balanced, as Kenny noted since they draw from both legs. Unless you do something really goofy with the 110V outlets, they will naturally balance out also, as every other breaker alternates from one leg to the other. In other words, you put in a 100v breaker and it connects to leg "A". Put in another one directly below it and it will be connected to leg "B"

Plus I recall a code restriction that there can only be one main panel for any building for safety reasons. In which case if you wanted 2 panels on opposite ends, you would be better off putting in a main 200A panel and running a second panel as a sub panel off of that. But I don't think you can legally put int 2 independent 100A panels.

I looked at a home with a 400 amp service split to two 200 amp panels side by side... there are smaller sub-panels for the barn and pump house and a 16 breaker generator panel next to the two 200 amp panels.

I always guessed it was done this way because of cost?

 

[bubbacuse77]

I highly recomend you install a Square D QO series panel if you don't mind spending an extra couple bucks. I've installed countless panels and in my experience Square D is the best built stuff. If you want a seperate "generator" panel you will need to sub feed it out of the 200 amp box through an automatic disconnect switch.

 

[mjncad]

As others have said, go with a single 200-amp main panel. You can always add sub-panels off of it if need be.

 

[USNative]

200 amp would be more than adequate. And as bubbacuse77 said, Square-D panel is as good as it gets. :thumbsup:

 

[kennyd]

I looked at a home with a 400 amp service split to two 200 amp panels side by side... there are smaller sub-panels for the barn and pump house and a 16 breaker generator panel next to the two 200 amp panels.

I always guessed it was done this way because of cost?

My house has a 400A service, and two CH 42 space panels as the mains. I did this not because I needed 400 amps capacity, but I needed the breaker spaces. I have a large workshop in my basement, 1/2 is a woodshop and the other 1/2 a metalshop so I have lots of 240v tools.

I also have a Generac panel next to those, and a 100 amp subpanel in my pole barn.

When did you come to my house:laughing:

 

[WM75Guy]

I have a 400 amp service to my house. 225 to the house, 175 to the stables. The house has a 225 amp panel with all the 220 load which feeds a 125 amp subpanel for the 110 loads closer to the middle of the house in my mechanical closet. If needed it will be easier to add circuits, easy attic access with conduit already ran up the wall from the the panel and shorter wire runs. The panels are on opposite sides of the garage with the subpanel on the house side. Saved 40' of wire for each 110 circuit when we built the house.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I see you spec out a tankless water heater. Check the load on that closely because the larger ones use a heck of a lot of amps. I think the whole house one I was considering for my house took 150 amps but of couse smaller ones use less. My only experience with them was with a propane powered one I had in a condo in Peru which worked well, but I couldnt consider one on electric power here due to the amount of energy it consumed. When you delf deeper into them with the yearly service requirements for cleaning etc to protect the warranty, they arent nearly as attractive.
If you insist on going with tankless electric, you may consider putting in 400 amp service

 

[CurlyDave]

1. I second the Square D box & breakers. I had a bad situation in a rental a few years back where we had an electrical problem and I had to replace the entire panel and all the breakers because the original panel maker had gone out of business. There were no compatible breakers available for the old panel at all. At least with a reputable name like Square D, you have a much better chance of getting replacement parts in the future.

2. Do you really need a tankless water heater and radiant floor heat in a barn? Unless you have human living quarters in there, a lot of barns get by with only cold water and if you need heat (and it has to be electric) overhead infra-red heaters are more efficient than hot water in the floor, and can be individually switched for operating economy.

If you need hot water for hand washing, a small, undersink 120V hot water tank is a lot less expensive than a tankless water heater.

 

[ultrarunner]

My house has a 400A service, and two CH 42 space panels as the mains. I did this not because I needed 400 amps capacity, but I needed the breaker spaces. I have a large workshop in my basement, 1/2 is a woodshop and the other 1/2 a metalshop so I have lots of 240v tools.

I also have a Generac panel next to those, and a 100 amp subpanel in my pole barn.

When did you come to my house:laughing:

Was that your house?

The house is up in WA State were many were built all electric because electric rates tend to be lower.

Here in my part of California... I've converted many 30 amp 120 fused Service to 100 amp 240 service. Still have a couple of nice homes with a single 30 amp main fuse and no problems with capacity.

The trend here for large homes... at the time 2500 square feet or larger, was split main 125 amp service...

 

[ultrarunner]

I see you spec out a tankless water heater. Check the load on that closely because the larger ones use a heck of a lot of amps. I think the whole house one I was considering for my house took 150 amps but of couse smaller ones use less. My only experience with them was with a propane powered one I had in a condo in Peru which worked well, but I couldnt consider one on electric power here due to the amount of energy it consumed. When you delf deeper into them with the yearly service requirements for cleaning etc to protect the warranty, they arent nearly as attractive.
If you insist on going with tankless electric, you may consider putting in 400 amp service

Bavaria is the only place I saw a lot of electric tankless heaters for the whole house.

I lived with one... it was OK... did take a while if you wanted to fill the bath tub...

It was smaller than a carry on suitcase, made by Siemens and was 380v 3 phase... which is available residential there.

One huge problem with tankless heaters... they only heat with demand. I went away for a week in winter and closed the door to the laundry/utility room and temp dropped below freezing and it took out the tankless.... cost $300 to have the $1000 unit repaired in 2002.

Tax Code is part of the reason tankless heaters are popular there... Tank Type Water Heaters are taxed with property tax based on volume... tankless units are not taxed.