kal
Well-Known Member
Doing some math and realizing that a 30A 2-pole service may not be enough for the control panel of my 100% electric brewery. I think the rule is that you shouldn't load a circuit more than 80% which would be 24A max on a 30A line. (right?)
I plan on running the following through the control panel:
- One 5500W/240V element at a time: 23A
- Two 120V March 809 pumps (both running at the same time in some instances): 1.2A each so 2.4A total
- Various 120V pilot lights, PIDs, some gauges possibly, etc: Neglible current.
So a max of ~25.4 amps which is above the 'recommended' 24A on a 30A circuit. How annoying. It's so close that it's probably ok but I should probably go for a 40 or even a 50A service (parts seem more common for 50A) as I'm likely forgetting something right? If I ever want to go RIMS too with an extra element on while the HLT element is on, I'd be screwed.
I'm torn because I would really like to go with a 30A service so that I can be able to brew elsewhere if I need to (we have brew meets once and a while where everyone gets together to brew). 30A would allow me to use a dryer outlet. A separate GFI would of course be needed.
Notes:
I do have some other GFI'ed regular 120V/15A utility outlets for other things that I'll be using in the brewery (drill for crushing grain, lighting, etc). The 30A is strictly for the control panel.
The control panel will have a switch in it to have either the BK or HLT element on, never both at the same time. Otherwise I'd need a 60-70A+ circuit since both BK and HLT have 5500W elements.
Thoughts?
Kal
I plan on running the following through the control panel:
- One 5500W/240V element at a time: 23A
- Two 120V March 809 pumps (both running at the same time in some instances): 1.2A each so 2.4A total
- Various 120V pilot lights, PIDs, some gauges possibly, etc: Neglible current.
So a max of ~25.4 amps which is above the 'recommended' 24A on a 30A circuit. How annoying. It's so close that it's probably ok but I should probably go for a 40 or even a 50A service (parts seem more common for 50A) as I'm likely forgetting something right? If I ever want to go RIMS too with an extra element on while the HLT element is on, I'd be screwed.
I'm torn because I would really like to go with a 30A service so that I can be able to brew elsewhere if I need to (we have brew meets once and a while where everyone gets together to brew). 30A would allow me to use a dryer outlet. A separate GFI would of course be needed.
Notes:
I do have some other GFI'ed regular 120V/15A utility outlets for other things that I'll be using in the brewery (drill for crushing grain, lighting, etc). The 30A is strictly for the control panel.
The control panel will have a switch in it to have either the BK or HLT element on, never both at the same time. Otherwise I'd need a 60-70A+ circuit since both BK and HLT have 5500W elements.
Thoughts?
Kal