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About Bob Sponaugle
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Just about any home wiring question. (not appliance repair) I have done all kinds of home wiring for myself, including adding a new breaker box, etc. Please, questions from North America only. Please be specific with details.

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Electrical Wiring in the Home - Do I need a bigger breaker box?

Expert: Bob Sponaugle - 7/3/2009

Question
I am remodeling a 25 year old master bath that currently runs off the same 15 amp service that the master bedroom uses. I need to supply the bathroom with at least 3 new service lines of 15/20/20 amps. Is there any way to tell if my panel is overloaded and/or needs to be updated in order to support this additional load. Note: I do have 5 single slots open on the panel.

Thank you.

Answer
Hi.

In most cases 100 amps is not enough, 150 is OK, but 200 amp main is best. Either look at the main breaker, or count the breaker slots. You should have 20 slots for each 100 amps.

It also depends on how big your house is and how many big electrical users you have, as far as appliances. If you have electric heat, you need a lot of capacity. Also water heater and range, depending if you have electrical or gas.

Having empty slots is a good sign you are OK.

I hope this helps.

Bob

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