Residential Limit 15amp or 20amp? | Bitcointalksearch.org

DeathAndTaxes

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Gerald Davis

Quote from: lightfoot on February 28, 2014, 03:08:21 PM

Quote from: repairguy on February 28, 2014, 02:44:52 AM

Quote from: lightfoot on February 27, 2014, 02:25:40 PM

Is the claw rated for 240 volts? Usually they look for the inductance based on a single hot (120), not two hots (240)

Just a thought.

C

I have never seen a clamp meter that is rated for less than 600v, and that rating is for arc hazard and has nothing to do with accuracy. amperage is amperage doesn't matter the voltage.

The trick though is these devices measure the differential in current as measured by a magnetic field around the wires. Stronger the field, more amps. However that assumes a hot and ground, I think you have two hots.

Whatever, good luck.

Two hots makes no difference in the current (and thus magnetic field and thus reported current). Two hots increases the voltage. The two 120V hots are out of phase so there is 240V potential between hots and 120V between either hot and the ground.

lightfoot

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Quote from: repairguy on February 28, 2014, 02:44:52 AM

Quote from: lightfoot on February 27, 2014, 02:25:40 PM

Is the claw rated for 240 volts? Usually they look for the inductance based on a single hot (120), not two hots (240)

Just a thought.

C

I have never seen a clamp meter that is rated for less than 600v, and that rating is for arc hazard and has nothing to do with accuracy. amperage is amperage doesn't matter the voltage.

The trick though is these devices measure the differential in current as measured by a magnetic field around the wires. Stronger the field, more amps. However that assumes a hot and ground, I think you have two hots.

Whatever, good luck.

cp1

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Grab an IR thermometer and get an actual reading of the temp.

repairguy

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Quote from: agilityvision on February 27, 2014, 01:23:06 PM

Quote from: repairguy on February 27, 2014, 01:23:22 AM

Quote from: agilityvision on February 26, 2014, 10:52:11 PM

I just had 2 of these 30 amp 240 volt lines with 10 gauge wiring installed and running the APC 9571 PDU on each of them. This past weekend when the temperatures got in the 80s the circuit breakers got really warm (I could still hold my hand to them, but barely) to the touch and the plugs at the wall were each very warm. Should I be worried about this? I can't imagine what will happen when the temps get up to 100 degrees. Now that it's cooled off again everything is nice and cool. I'm running 19 amps on each one.

19amps? as in you measured it?

Also, What does the outdoor temp matter? Do you not air condition your house?

Yes I measured it with one of those things with a claw that goes over the wire and tells you the amperage. The fuse box is outside and I set the AC to 85. How does any of this help answer my question?

Wire and breakers will get warm when running large current(proportionate to their diameter) even within the range that is considered safe or acceptable.

If wire is running in an unconditioned space, and is subject to high ambient temperature, then it should be derated in addition to the derating for a constant load.

The wire in normal conditions is rated for 30amp, derated 20 percent for constant load is 24amp if your setup is properly installed, not exposed to excessive ambient temperature and your reading of 19amps is accurate, then it would be my opinion that it is probably ok, your idea of warm could be different than mine.

The best advice that I can give without actually looking at it myself would be that if it concerns you, call your electrician back over on a warm day. A service call is a very inexpensive piece of mind.

repairguy

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Quote from: lightfoot on February 27, 2014, 02:25:40 PM

Is the claw rated for 240 volts? Usually they look for the inductance based on a single hot (120), not two hots (240)

Just a thought.

C

I have never seen a clamp meter that is rated for less than 600v, and that rating is for arc hazard and has nothing to do with accuracy. amperage is amperage doesn't matter the voltage.

lightfoot

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I fix broken miners. And make holes in teeth :-)

Is the claw rated for 240 volts? Usually they look for the inductance based on a single hot (120), not two hots (240)

Just a thought.

C

agilityvision

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Quote from: repairguy on February 27, 2014, 01:23:22 AM

Quote from: agilityvision on February 26, 2014, 10:52:11 PM

I just had 2 of these 30 amp 240 volt lines with 10 gauge wiring installed and running the APC 9571 PDU on each of them. This past weekend when the temperatures got in the 80s the circuit breakers got really warm (I could still hold my hand to them, but barely) to the touch and the plugs at the wall were each very warm. Should I be worried about this? I can't imagine what will happen when the temps get up to 100 degrees. Now that it's cooled off again everything is nice and cool. I'm running 19 amps on each one.

19amps? as in you measured it?

Also, What does the outdoor temp matter? Do you not air condition your house?

Yes I measured it with one of those things with a claw that goes over the wire and tells you the amperage. The fuse box is outside and I set the AC to 85. How does any of this help answer my question?

repairguy

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Quote from: agilityvision on February 26, 2014, 10:52:11 PM

I just had 2 of these 30 amp 240 volt lines with 10 gauge wiring installed and running the APC 9571 PDU on each of them. This past weekend when the temperatures got in the 80s the circuit breakers got really warm (I could still hold my hand to them, but barely) to the touch and the plugs at the wall were each very warm. Should I be worried about this? I can't imagine what will happen when the temps get up to 100 degrees. Now that it's cooled off again everything is nice and cool. I'm running 19 amps on each one.

19amps? as in you measured it?

Also, What does the outdoor temp matter? Do you not air condition your house?

agilityvision

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I just had 2 of these 30 amp 240 volt lines with 10 gauge wiring installed and running the APC 9571 PDU on each of them. This past weekend when the temperatures got in the 80s the circuit breakers got really warm (I could still hold my hand to them, but barely) to the touch and the plugs at the wall were each very warm. Should I be worried about this? I can't imagine what will happen when the temps get up to 100 degrees. Now that it's cooled off again everything is nice and cool. I'm running 19 amps on each one.

fractalbc

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Quote from: Delarock on February 10, 2014, 11:57:06 PM

So what you're saying is that if the plugs are compatible, it won't matter? The breaker will go long before any issues in the the pdu?

http://internationalconfig.com/icc6.asp?item=5642-I

So if I remove the AC plug from the wall and plug this in, I should be fine?

You could mount a pair of those in a utility box with a short plug lead on it and not have to touch the wall plug. Just make sure you use 14 AWG wire or bigger for a 15 amp circuit.

cp1

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Quote from: Gazza1 on February 10, 2014, 11:16:55 PM

Yeah, there is washer/dryer and all the appliances, everything is electric and we are able to run everything at once, washer/dryer/stove/dishwasher/water heater/all rooms/etc. The breakers in the box add up to over 250amps. There is a double 40, two double 30s, a double 20, a double 15, and then then standard lot of random 15's and 20's

The total amperage of your breakers doesn't mean anything. They commonly go 2-3x your total service, because you're not going to use 100% of it all at once. You can just call the power company and ask. If you have a detached home you can look at the main breaker.

Delarock

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So what you're saying is that if the plugs are compatible, it won't matter? The breaker will go long before any issues in the the pdu?

http://internationalconfig.com/icc6.asp?item=5642-I

So if I remove the AC plug from the wall and plug this in, I should be fine?

lightfoot

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I fix broken miners. And make holes in teeth :-)

Quote from: Delarock on February 10, 2014, 01:43:37 PM

First off, thanks everyone for this thread.

I live in an apartment so I cannot make any major modifications to my panels/wiring. I was running into issues with my breakers on the normal 120v outlets. However, I have an air conditioner that runs off of a 220/240v plug. I believe that it is a NEMA 6-15. A lot of the server PDU's I've found use a 6-30 inlet, which I am assuming is not compatible. I do not remember seeing a 30 amp breaker in the box, but I can double check that.

Are there any sort of PDU/power strips that I can safely plug into a 6-15 outlet? I can't seem to find any. I'd like to run two PSU's (approximately 2 kw of hardware) through the air conditioner outlet, if possible. I would also like to keep the air conditioner plugged in, even if it is not running, but this is not as important. Would a simple 3-4 outlet strip that plugs into a 6-15 outlet suffice?

Is this something I can safely do?

Disclaimer: I am not an electrician. I am a moron.

That said, the problem normally isn't plugging a higher rated power distribution device into a lower rated socket, it's plugging a lower rated power distribution device into a higher rated socket.

The reason is if you pull too much power through a higher rated dist device, the lower rated breaker in the panel will open. Boo hoo. However if you have a 30 amp socket and you plug a 15 amp electrical cord into it, then a short in the device will not trip the breaker before the cord heats up and hilarity ensues.

Does that help?

C

Gazza1

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Quote from: repairguy on February 10, 2014, 11:10:27 PM

Quote from: Gazza1 on February 10, 2014, 07:30:29 AM

Thanks man I very much appreciate your help. When I move I am just going to get the 400amp right off the bat. I was wondering one more thing though. I am staying in a townhouse right now and the owner said I can have a few changes made as long as I have it put back before I leave. So for now I need more juice. I uploaded pics of my box. Are you able to tell how many amps it is? And also, are those double breakers 240v? if not would I be able to have one of them switched out one of them for a 240v? The baseboard heater I never use and it has dual 20s. What do you think?

Yes the Double breakers are 240v. Do you have a clothes dryer or electric stove in your apartment? Unless you want to set the equipment right below the panel I cannot tell you exactly how many amps you have serving your panel. The best I can tell you is you have at the most 100amps.

Yeah, there is washer/dryer and all the appliances, everything is electric and we are able to run everything at once, washer/dryer/stove/dishwasher/water heater/all rooms/etc. The breakers in the box add up to over 250amps. There is a double 40, two double 30s, a double 20, a double 15, and then then standard lot of random 15's and 20's

repairguy

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Quote from: Gazza1 on February 10, 2014, 07:30:29 AM

Thanks man I very much appreciate your help. When I move I am just going to get the 400amp right off the bat. I was wondering one more thing though. I am staying in a townhouse right now and the owner said I can have a few changes made as long as I have it put back before I leave. So for now I need more juice. I uploaded pics of my box. Are you able to tell how many amps it is? And also, are those double breakers 240v? if not would I be able to have one of them switched out one of them for a 240v? The baseboard heater I never use and it has dual 20s. What do you think?

Yes the Double breakers are 240v. Do you have a clothes dryer or electric stove in your apartment? Unless you want to set the equipment right below the panel I cannot tell you exactly how many amps you have serving your panel. The best I can tell you is you have at the most 100amps.

Delarock

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First off, thanks everyone for this thread.

I live in an apartment so I cannot make any major modifications to my panels/wiring. I was running into issues with my breakers on the normal 120v outlets. However, I have an air conditioner that runs off of a 220/240v plug. I believe that it is a NEMA 6-15. A lot of the server PDU's I've found use a 6-30 inlet, which I am assuming is not compatible. I do not remember seeing a 30 amp breaker in the box, but I can double check that.

Are there any sort of PDU/power strips that I can safely plug into a 6-15 outlet? I can't seem to find any. I'd like to run two PSU's (approximately 2 kw of hardware) through the air conditioner outlet, if possible. I would also like to keep the air conditioner plugged in, even if it is not running, but this is not as important. Would a simple 3-4 outlet strip that plugs into a 6-15 outlet suffice?

Is this something I can safely do?

Gazza1

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Quote from: repairguy on January 25, 2014, 07:17:52 PM

Quote from: Gazza1 on January 25, 2014, 08:22:03 AM

Quote from: crazyates on January 20, 2014, 01:31:22 AM

Quote from: DeathAndTaxes on January 19, 2014, 02:09:44 PM

That is a lot of info, and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you SO much!

Agreed! Thank you DeathAndTaxes.

I was wondering something really quick and also goes with the note of starting smaller. If I get a house that comes with 200amp service, lets say I want to setup a subpanel and run 3 30amp breakers, would turning that subpanel box into a 240v be a complicated or rather simple task? I will hire a pro to do it of course, I just want to get an idea if I could easily run 3 30amp 240v breakers for a bit right off the bat without many complications before eventually upgrading to 400amp service, etc.

If you install a sub panel, It is going to be 240v. I have never seen an electrician install 120v sub panel. you are going to need to run 100amp sub panel. Not a difficult task, however some panels are not made to install a 100amp breaker in them. If that is the case you will need to replace your primary panel or install a 200amp "sub"panel and feed it directly off the meter (if your meter has overcurrent protection, otherwise you are looking at a new meter can), although it technically wouldn't be a sub panel then.

When you upgrade to 400amp are you going to feed more power to your sub panel or add an additional one? A 200amp service should be able to run 4 or 5 30amp twist locks and the rest of a house pretty easily. (unless you have one of those electric instant hot water heaters).

What is your long term plan. I would hate to see you waste alot of money for something temporary.

Thanks man I very much appreciate your help. When I move I am just going to get the 400amp right off the bat. I was wondering one more thing though. I am staying in a townhouse right now and the owner said I can have a few changes made as long as I have it put back before I leave. So for now I need more juice. I uploaded pics of my box. Are you able to tell how many amps it is? And also, are those double breakers 240v? if not would I be able to have one of them switched out one of them for a 240v? The baseboard heater I never use and it has dual 20s. What do you think?

repairguy

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Quote from: Gazza1 on January 25, 2014, 08:22:03 AM

Quote from: crazyates on January 20, 2014, 01:31:22 AM

Quote from: DeathAndTaxes on January 19, 2014, 02:09:44 PM

That is a lot of info, and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you SO much!

Agreed! Thank you DeathAndTaxes.

I was wondering something really quick and also goes with the note of starting smaller. If I get a house that comes with 200amp service, lets say I want to setup a subpanel and run 3 30amp breakers, would turning that subpanel box into a 240v be a complicated or rather simple task? I will hire a pro to do it of course, I just want to get an idea if I could easily run 3 30amp 240v breakers for a bit right off the bat without many complications before eventually upgrading to 400amp service, etc.

If you install a sub panel, It is going to be 240v. I have never seen an electrician install 120v sub panel. you are going to need to run 100amp sub panel. Not a difficult task, however some panels are not made to install a 100amp breaker in them. If that is the case you will need to replace your primary panel or install a 200amp "sub"panel and feed it directly off the meter (if your meter has overcurrent protection, otherwise you are looking at a new meter can), although it technically wouldn't be a sub panel then.

When you upgrade to 400amp are you going to feed more power to your sub panel or add an additional one? A 200amp service should be able to run 4 or 5 30amp twist locks and the rest of a house pretty easily. (unless you have one of those electric instant hot water heaters).

What is your long term plan. I would hate to see you waste alot of money for something temporary.

Gazza1

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Quote from: crazyates on January 20, 2014, 01:31:22 AM

Quote from: DeathAndTaxes on January 19, 2014, 02:09:44 PM

That is a lot of info, and exactly what I was looking for! Thank you SO much!

Agreed! Thank you DeathAndTaxes.

I was wondering something really quick and also goes with the note of starting smaller. If I get a house that comes with 200amp service, lets say I want to setup a subpanel and run 3 30amp breakers, would turning that subpanel box into a 240v be a complicated or rather simple task? I will hire a pro to do it of course, I just want to get an idea if I could easily run 3 30amp 240v breakers for a bit right off the bat without many complications before eventually upgrading to 400amp service, etc.

repairguy

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Quote from: crazyates on January 23, 2014, 01:41:24 AM

C14 is still rated for 10A, and we're not pulling 2kW through any single port. In fact, most of our individual power cables (after the PDU) will only be pulling 3-5A, so I think it'll be fine.

I picked up a CW-8H2-L630 to try. 208-240V 24A 8xC13 Switched PDU. It was cheap, with plenty of features. I can't wait to try it out and see how well it works.

So then you must be using 120-240v power supplies. Then you are probably ok. They use the heavy duty connector for 120v use, but it isn't necessary for 240v. Sorry didn't know which power supply you were using.

Topic: Residential Limit 15amp or 20amp? (Read 13187 times)