200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

I ascertained that we each have 50 Amps in our 950 sq ft coop units (8 unit bldg). The wire to the individual boxes is 6 gauge so by changing out the breakers in these individual boxes (to 60Amp) and reconfiguring the main panel, we will instantly add 20 Amps per unit without ripping the place up and going to massive expense. I think this would make us all safer at roughly 2K bucks (including a repair to the building's ground. Anyone want to weigh in on the wisdom of such a move?

Posted by: catomatic at November 9, 2009 7:21 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

Thanks to all of you - to impose on you even further - Here's what puzzles me. Each unit's respective breaker has two 25 Amp switches bound together and marked as 50 - ok no problem, but why then does the main panel say 200 Amps when there are 8 units. Is there a different relationship between these two numbers than simple math? Its either that, or something was mislabeled. There's unanimity that its too low, but what do you think the number should be? cmu says 60-80 individually and oldmansam says 400 total. I confess I'm still a little confused. Anyone?

Posted by: catomatic at September 22, 2009 11:09 AM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

Sorry folks, but I have to strike a countering note to the customary internet acerbity here. I saw this house on 6/7, and if I had the wherewithal to make a competitive bid at this moment, I would.

Now, determining what a competitive bid is will be left to the market, and this price would indeed seem to be on the higher end of the spectrum, but if you interpret 1.5 as a starting point, which I do, there is no need to get in a twist about it as some here have. Pure square footage is a starting point, just as asking is. I'm not sure I understand why people get so personally offended. Ever bought a car before? No need to get pissed off at sticker, make an offer that you think is reasonable and then you both work towards your limits. The plaintive tones here smack of something other than market savvy.

As houseowax noted, the central staircase allows this floorplan to breathe. The renovation exudes intelligence and warmth, the aesthetic is spare, clean and commodious at the same time. Faithful Victorian Brooklyn renos have completely lost their appeal for me - stultifying antiquity that I find numbing to the imagination. You have to work to find a space that has the virtues of clean, modern, independent minded design wedded to a soulful brick shell. This one does that - for me anyway. The Mansard, dormered faces front and back need some cosmetic attention, but the roof is new, as are all the mechanicals - it appears to be a nearly worry free home from a maintenance perspective. Nice backyard, a very habitable basement level, top notch materials everywhere.

I've spent years in construction and finish work and the fit and finish of this home is to my eye, immaculate. Just wanted to give credit where credit is due.

Posted by: catomatic at June 15, 2009 6:56 PM in response to House of the Day: 130 South Oxford Street

Call an electrician since none is responding here. A 200 amp main service will feed more than 4-50amp panels. It is assumed that not all the available electricity will be used at the same time., but 8? I don't know, maybe ,call an electrician

Posted by: edifice rex at September 22, 2009 12:22 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

You should have sufficient service to allow each unit to have a minimum of 60 amp service. Anything more than 100 amp service per unit would be overkill.

Posted by: FenFen at September 22, 2009 2:44 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

OP, do you have 200 amp 3 PHASE service??? Open the box and see if there are 3 200 amp fuses inside. If this is what you have then you have a lot more than 200amps. Electricians are loath to say 200 amp per phase but that is the layman's rule of thumb.

Posted by: modsquad at September 22, 2009 2:49 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

Ok, while each unit may have say 60A 220v service, the main for all eight can indeed be not 8x60=480 but, say 300 or 400. Just like each unit may have 10 20A 110v breakers (which tot up to 10x20/2 = 100A 220v) but the main for the unit may be 60A. The individual breakers protect that circuit, but the assumption is (rightly) that ALL breakers will not simultaneously be at maximum load.

Just fyi, most people have no idea what appliances etc draw. A toaster, a microwave, and an iron may draw 1500w (14A); computers are way below that unless you have a HP MEGAMUX printer. Even gas dryers are low. Heating elements in d/w and washers (which should never exist, imo) are very high.

Posted by: cmu at September 22, 2009 9:10 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?

I ascertained that we each have 50 Amps in our 950 sq ft coop units (8 unit bldg). The wire to the individual boxes is 6 gauge so by changing out the breakers in these individual boxes (to 60Amp) and reconfiguring the main panel, we will instantly add 20 Amps per unit without ripping the place up and going to massive expense. I think this would make us all safer at roughly 2K bucks (including a repair to the building's ground. Anyone want to weigh in on the wisdom of such a move?

Posted by: catomatic at November 9, 2009 7:21 PM in response to 200 Amps enough for 8 unit Coop?