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Well, here's my take on it. Theoretically you can run the spa on 100 Amp service as long as you are aware of the current draw. You say that the AC is on a seperate meter so by that I am assuming that you have 2 lines coming into your house so the AC is not on the rest of the power. If it is not and depending on how old it is it could be close to 40 Amp itself. There is a person who posts here who is an industrial electrician who would say - yes you can.Now in real life situations, theoretics sometimes don't work not to mention municipalities may require something else. Most circuits in a house are only allowed 80% of their intended current draw but I don't know where the Natioonal Electric code stands on the main breaker.Ultimately I had 100 amp service with almost the same appliances (I had no freezer and only 1 refrig with new central AC) and upgraded to 200 Amp service as I wanted to be 100% OK and not have to worry about any electrical problems. I would suggest to contact your municipality and find out what they require - ultimately they are the ones issuing building and electrical permits and you have to make them happy.
You should find out the rules in your city/county/township. There are demand load calculations that are performed to determine what size electrical service is required by the local electrical authority in your area. Only they can tell you what is allowed. If you choose to stay within the local code, you may face a service upgrade. If you choose to ignore code, you may (or may not) have some issues down the road if you choose to sell the property. Many cities in this area (not mine) require inspections before the property can change hands. They check to make sure permits are on file for all improvements in the property, and will not allow the sale until the property is brought up to code. It's your property, your headache. In my city, there are two inspections required for a spa install. The rough-in has all of the wiring uncovered and NOT connected to the power. If the rough in inspection is passed, then the spa may be powered up after the power is connected. The final inspection is done after everything is totally finished, and that's when the device is put into use. We can't use the spa prior to the rough in. After the rough inspection is done, we can power up the spa to test it prior to the final inspection. YMMV
I, too, run a stove, furnace fan, dryer, dishwasher, microwave, washing machine, 2 fridges, 2 freezers, a computer, 2 TVs, central AC and my hot tub all on a 100 amp service without any problems. The electrician who installed it said it would be fine and so far its been all good. I'm glad because upgrading to a 200 amp service is fairly expensive.
I have 100 AMP service in my house withRange-GAS Oven-GASFurnace-GAS Dryer-GAS Water heater-GASMicrowave-ELECTRIC Dishwasher-ELECTRIC Washing Machine- ELECTRIC 2 Fridges-ELECTRIC 1 Kegerator-ELECTRIC 3 A/C's1 Central Air2 Window units. 2 TV's1 500 Watt AmpMisc Household-ELECTRIC I turned everything on, the A/C's, TV's, Amp at 75% Vol, Microwave, Toster Oven, Fans, Hair Dryer, all the lights, everything I could think to turn on. Then the hottub with two 5 hp pumps and heater running (rated 240v @ 60amp). I left everything running for about 10 mins before I shut everything down. No circuit breakers blew.HOWEVER, the reason I did this test is becuase I was getting brownouts when my hot tub turned on. I was worried, I didn't have enough juice to run it. After running this test with no circiuts blowing, I knew there was another problem. So I checked every connection going from the breaker to the tub. I found that a wire connecting to the tub control box was clamped about 80% on the insulation of the wire instead of the copper. So I re-stripped the wire and clamped it back up. Sure enough I haven't had a problem since.The moral of the story is, you can problably run your hot tub ok with your setup, IF all your connections are good. But if you have one bad connection (or breaker) you might have problems. The only way to know for sure is to hook it up and try it. If your Main breaker keeps blowing, you know you have too much load, a bad breaker or bad connection. Then it's time to check connections, try a new breaker or if all else fails upgrade your service. It also depends on your situation (money, how long your staying there etc.) My opinion is if you can run everything in your house (like I did) without the Main breaker blowing, I wouldn't worry about.
I have 100-amp service in my home that was built in 1964. I've had no problems with my 220-volt '08 HS Sov II since I installed it in June '08.A/C, dryer, cooktop, and oven are electric.Furnace, water heater are gas.My meter feeds a 100-amp fused disconnect outside which feeds the breaker box inside. The disconnect also feeds a panel that I added outside that houses a 50-amp breaker that feeds the GFCI panel that came with the hot tub.According to my calculations, if I turned on everything at once I'd likely blow the 100-amp fuses. However, the likelihood of the A/C running while I'm drying clothes while someone is in the hot tub while baking in the oven and cooking on all four elements hasn't happened yet. If it ever does, I'll just reschedule laundry, replace the fuses, and continue on. I have spare fuses handy.I understand electricity and wiring practices and many electrical codes, but I am not a licensed electrician. I performed my own work and feel very comfortable with the reliability and safety of my installation, but I encourage hiring a qualified electrician for a multitude of reasons including safety, liability, reliability, insurance, etc. In my field of work, electrical and gas safety are priorities, so I tend to err on the side of safety when it doubt. I have no problem replacing a fuse or resetting a breaker, but I'm not comfortable with electrical fires or electrocution hazards - all of which can be avoided by using proper wiring practices. I was not willing to upgrade to 150 or 200-amp service, so I accept the very small risk of blowing fuses in my case.
***********************************************************Nitro,Thanks for the long detail! I appreicate your experaince.I can't believe that you were able to run all those appliances along with your hot tub. That is great! You must have some great wiring!!!!
I have never heard of brownouts. Do you think I have brownouts or just too much dedidcated to one circuit? When I plug in my vaccum (One living room outlet, bathroom outlet, and daughters bedroom) it blows a fuse. Its the only three places int he house that blows.
--I'm just so worried about my wiring because when we moved in five years ago we had the old twist knobs and replace. Last year we replaced it with a panel of flip circuit breakers. The house is 22 years old and has never had anything done to it. And, I mean nothing! We have had to paint, replace and almost start over with everything. Any suggestions for me?
I understand electricity and wiring practices and many electrical codes, but I am not a licensed electrician. I performed my own work and feel very comfortable with the reliability and safety of my installation, but I encourage hiring a qualified electrician for a multitude of reasons including safety, liability, reliability, insurance, etc. etc. etc.
******************************************************************Zroger73,I'm 100% on safty and procedures! I'll do what ever it takes, I was just curious if my 100amp could be done. Looks like its a all depends situation for me. My contracter is someone that HS reccommended. He does a majority of HS in my area, so I feel confident that he will do a great job and he is fully licensed.I just don't know if I should call him over to look at what I have and pay a service charge or just wait until he gets here? What would you do?So how do you like your new 2008 HS Soverign? What colors did you get? Are you using it this winter?Also did they have to dig a trench for the line to be burried? Being that we are in the single digit temps we are just waiting for the next time we have some 35-40* weather before having them come out to install. Thanks again for your advice and its great to know that someone has the same exact spa as me! Angie