1. What is a Home Electrical Panel Load Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the total electrical load on a home's panel by summing the power consumption of individual appliances.

Purpose: It helps homeowners and electricians determine if an electrical panel can handle additional loads or if an upgrade is needed.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( P_{kW} \) — Total panel load (kilowatts)
• \( P_{load} \) — Individual appliance loads (watts)

Explanation: Each appliance's wattage is converted to kilowatts (divided by 1000) and then summed to get the total panel load.

3. Importance of Panel Load Calculation

Details: Proper load calculation prevents circuit overloads, ensures electrical safety, and helps determine if your panel can support additional appliances.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the wattage of up to three major appliances. For more appliances, simply add their wattage to one of the fields. All values must be ≥ 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical home panel capacity?
A: Most modern homes have 100-200 amp panels (24-48 kW at 240V), while older homes may have 60 amp panels (14.4 kW).

Q2: How do I find appliance wattage?
A: Check the appliance label, manual, or use a wattmeter. Common examples: refrigerator (150-400W), AC (1000-4000W), oven (2000-5000W).

Q3: Should I include all appliances?
A: Focus on large, frequently used appliances. Lighting and small electronics typically don't contribute significantly to total load.

Q4: What's the safety margin?
A: NEC recommends not exceeding 80% of panel capacity for continuous loads (16 kW on 20 kW panel).

Q5: When should I consult an electrician?
A: If your calculated load exceeds 80% of panel capacity, or if you're planning to add high-power appliances like EV chargers.