I think it's 1awg or something like that . I had 4 gauge before and it was sketchy af. I pulled it out and had the electrician redo everything . the other room is In veg right now so the lights aren't flipping one room on one room off. So I added the amps and got 140 total . Because I got 140 total I decided to go feel the breaker. She was pretty toasty . I am just worried If over time this is dangerous being borderline
The lights and acs and subpanels are on 240v
Electrician had mentioned we could use a bigger breaker than 100 if I have any problems . 125 would probably be best . But the main being warm is that bad? That means I'm getting close to max right?
Bigger wires is better but I don't know much more about electricity except that is magic.
use the 125 and make sure the wire connection at the breaker stays tight....constant check for burnt wires at the lugs too
He says if you can put your finger on the breaker for more than 20'seconds your good. He's going to come out in next couple days and check. Problem is it's only running heavy at night and he's a busy dude so within the week.
I can't do an upgrade here this is as good as it gets . Shouldn't the breaker be good until it pops then you know you used too much? Electrician said that it's rated for 20% under so running at max isn't bad unless the breaker is popping. Is this correct ? I am hoping when I am not vegging it will be better. I will put a 125 amp breaker and see if that cools that one at least . The wire itself is not hot . Just the breakers are toasty
Please explain
All electrical equipment will heat up during use. The heaver the load the greater the heat signature, but that would not be a reliable indicator of where you are at load vs. max capacity. I agree with your electrician about the touch test. That's a crude way to test, but for what it's worth to you, if you can touch it for 20 seconds it wont be starting any fires for you. How loaded is one leg vs. the other? That's useful info. have him clamp his amp meter on each leg under max load and you will know for sure where you're at. Wait until your sparky stops by. If he's competent he'll tell you the same thing I said here. Balance the load. Although There is nothing wrong with changing out the sub breaker either, it's just a little pricier, but you would gain capacity to your operation.
I believe the subpanel is pretty balanced. He moved a couple things from one side to the other before when we changed to bigger wire . Thanks for the info . I will have him test and see how much exactly I am pulling from each leg
Glad to see you finally upgraded the wire
It's around 100 feet of a run . I believe 125 is what the wire is rated for at this distance. I will have him add the 125amp breaker. I been adding dehus and pumps here and there so I slowly have been maxing it out. I didn't know that it's normal for breakers to be warm that makes me feel a lot better .Glad to see you finally upgraded the wire
If i'm not mistaken, it is a very long run to that subpanel rite? Hopefully a 125amp breaker will be ok to install. That sparky should be able to tell you yes or no. If 125 is ok, I would just do it already.
Splitting up the load is easy. Everything 240v is already split up. Do a load calculation for everything @ 120v, and make sure it's split up. Easy peasy. Again, glad to hear you finally upgraded the main wires. They were very undersized before.
Good advise . I am helping the electrician in his grow so I'm going to pick his brain and try to learn more of this electrical stuff.