How can one tell the number of amps entering one's home at the main service entrance? In doing a Google I've run across phrases like "100 amp service" and "200 amp service" and of a homeowner's 100 amp service being "maxed out". Is there a standard number?
Look at the main circuit breaker (the big one) in your panel. It will be stamped with a rating such as 100, 200, etc. This will usually, but not always, give you the correct number. (Some older panels had up to 6 multiple main breakers in which case you would have to add them up).
Other places to look. It's usually included somewhere on the electric meter and/or the manufactuers sticker that is pasted on inside cover of the circuit breaker panel.
For houses built in the early twentieth century, 60 Amp service was considered adaquate.
In the 1950's and 1960's there were more appliances and for a modest size home, 100 Amp Service was the minimum.
These days, most modern houses will have 200 Amp service unless they are mansions, in which case they might have an even higher service rating.
Beachcomber
This is Turtle.
The number that your speaking of is the ability of the house meter pan to accept that amount of amps to the house circuits at one time. it does not mean anything as to what the true amps are going into the house at any time but shows the max. amp it will be let into the house at one time.
Now tell use what you really want to know by asking this question .
TURTLE
The best way to determine this is by the size of your service entrance conductors. These are the underground or overhead wires that feed your house, but not the conductors from the utility company, which are often smaller. These are usually aluminum and standard sizes are: 4/0 = 200 amp,
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