60 Amp Electrical Service

Many insurance companies across North America now consider homes with 60 amp services to be unsafe and inadequate. Yet this level of service (a maximum of 16 circuits) is typical of older houses and can accommodate the usual number of lights and receptacles plus one electrical range and a gas hot water heater. A 60 amp service becomes unsafe only when a homeowner places more demand on the system than it can deliver. Typical household circuits are on a 15 amp rating, garage and outdoor receptacles are usually 20 amp, and large appliances such as stoves and ranges are typically 50 amp.

The wires coming to your meter, either overhead or underground supply 120/240 volt electrical power. Major appliances use the 240-volt power. From the meter the power is fed into a distribution panel, which typically has two bakelite fuse holders (one marked “main” and the other “range”). The main pullout shuts off all power except to the range. This permits up to 12 circuits and a special cartridge fuse to supply the range.

Today houses are built with a minimum of 100 amp service and 125 to 200 being the norm. You should upgrade your service if you install one or more of the following appliances to an existing 60 amp service: central air conditioner, heat pump, electric hot water heater, dishwasher, washer or dryer, whirlpool or hot tub.

Note that the addition of numerous small appliances, such as microwave ovens, computers stereo equipment and the like, will contribute to a significant draw on the system. Although a 60 amp service is legal, some jurisdictions require that the service be upgraded to at least 100 amps, especially if the meter is located indoors.

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