Main fuse query

[Garymcdee]

Hi I’m planning on getting my house re-wired soon, the installation at the minute is an ancient old fuse board with all sorts going on in there! My main fuse is rated at 60 amp and my question is should I get the dno in to upgrade if needed to 80 or 100 amp! Am I best doing this before or after re-wire?
Will 60 amp be ok staying put?
It’s a 3 bed semi.
Thanks for help

 

[davesparks]

Do it right the first time and be done with it

But it's already right, what you're suggesting is just an unnecessary waste of time, money and resources.

 

[Megawatt]

But it's already right, what you're suggesting is just an unnecessary waste of time, money and resources.

It’s called planning for the future. I can’t count how many people called me because they want to add swimming pools, out buildings etc. you get the point

 

[Silly Sausage]

Thanks megawatt.

I think Britain needs to start thinking along those lines also if we are going to get rid of gas and role out EV in the quantities that are being proposed.

We need to be thinking of continual energy reduction (electric & gas).

 

[Bobster]

It’s called planning for the future. I can’t count how many people called me because they want to add swimming pools, out buildings etc. you get the point

It's worth noting that in the UK generally speaking, houses don't come with enough land for pools, outbuildings etc...

They are also generally smaller, better insulated. No real need for AC.

Dryers and washing machines are usually <2kW so they can be plugged into a general outlet. Unlike your dedicated outlets for such devices.

We also rely a lot more on diversity. The network does not expect every high energy item in a household to be on all at the same time, or for a short period if they are. (Think cyclic heating on a stove element, dryer element etc...)

 

[GeorgeCooke]

We have electric hot water heaters at 4800 watts heat is 10000 watts stoves are 4000 watts dryer are 6000 watts plus all the other loads. I get what your saying but in the USA other than trailors 100 amp service no exceptions

You also have half mains voltage so twice the current is required fit any given load.

 

[DPG]

You also have half mains voltage so twice the current is required fit any given load.

They generally have 240v as well, using a split supply. Higher current appliances use the 240V.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

They generally have 240v as well, using a split supply. Higher current appliances use the 240V.

I could answer that with we have 3 phase so higher current devices use 415v, but of course it is not done domestically in the UK though it is in mainland Europe.

 

[Risteard]

I could answer that with we have 3 phase so higher current devices use 415v, but of course it is not done domestically in the UK though it is in mainland Europe.

There's nominally 400V between phases.

 

[DPG]

I could answer that with we have 3 phase so higher current devices use 415v, but of course it is not done domestically in the UK though it is in mainland Europe.

Yes, the thread here is regarding normal domestic supplies.

 

[Megawatt]

It's worth noting that in the UK generally speaking, houses don't come with enough land for pools, outbuildings etc...

They are also generally smaller, better insulated. No real need for AC.

Dryers and washing machines are usually <2kW so they can be plugged into a general outlet. Unlike your dedicated outlets for such devices.

We also rely a lot more on diversity. The network does not expect every high energy item in a household to be on all at the same time, or for a short period if they are. (Think cyclic heating on a stove element, dryer element etc...)

It's worth noting that in the UK generally speaking, houses don't come with enough land for pools, outbuildings etc...

They are also generally smaller, better insulated. No real need for AC.

Dryers and washing machines are usually <2kW so they can be plugged into a general outlet. Unlike your dedicated outlets for such devices.

We also rely a lot more on diversity. The network does not expect every high energy item in a household to be on all at the same time, or for a short period if they are. (Think cyclic heating on a stove element, dryer element etc...)

Rob in the USA the NEC is minimum requirements and I agree that everything doesn’t come on together at one time but we as Electricians have to figure worst case scenario and wiring it accordingly.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

There's nominally 400V between phases.

The so called nominal is no where near what is encountered in practice except in NI which has always been 230/400.

 

[7029 dave]

60amp is the size not blown, leave alone. If you are concerned about the load, clamp it an see how many amps you are pulling on full load.

 

[Megawatt]

They generally have 240v as well, using a split supply. Higher current appliances use the 240V.

in the USA we have single phase on houses 240/120

There's nominally 400V between

 

[Garymcdee]

Do you have gas hob and oven or electric?

Do you have electric shower or mixer taps?

Do you have electric rads or gas central heating?

Gas hob/oven, mixer taps, gas central heating

 

[Megawatt]

60amp is the size not blown, leave alone. If you are concerned about the load, clamp it an see how many amps you are pulling on full load.

Dave I have put a amp meter on my house and just when the heat which has 10000 watts of power kicks on I’m reading 74 amps on the start up then levels off to 41 amps, that’s not counting if your drying clothes or cooking supper or washing dishes which all has heating elements