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The US electrical system
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Monkeh:

--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 10:06:00 pm ---We do have 120/240V single phase in the US.  Other countries have 240/415V three phase or perhaps the house doesn't get 3 phase, just 240V single phase.  I don't see why the video author is so amazed, it's been this way forever!
--- End quote ---

.. did you watch the video at all?
rstofer:

--- Quote from: bdunham7 on June 24, 2020, 09:59:05 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 09:43:48 pm ---
 (the US has none, I have installed 400A residential panels)


--- End quote ---

I doubt those McMansions ever actually pull that much power at once, but might one reason to get a 400A service might be to get approval for more breaker spaces?  I don't know if the code limits subpanels, but my 200A service is maxed out on breakers even with a 12-space subpanel and separate panels for the solar and the pool stuff.  If it wasn't for tandem breakers, I'd be screwed.  And yet there's almost no way to get my max current over 100A, even if I run the AC, charge the car and bake a cake all at once.

--- End quote ---

If they use marginally more than 200A, the next panel size is 400A and that is independent of breaker spaces. I think panels are limited to 42 circuits (poles) but you can buy 30 circuit, 24 circuit, any of a number of other sizes.

My incoming panel is 400A with just 2 pole breakers for feeders.  There is a 100A panel in the Laundry, another 100A panel in the Garage, a 50A panel in the shed and another in the Gym.  Lots and lots of 15A and 20A circuits.  We use gas for heating and the fireplace insert but the rest of the place is electric.
rstofer:

--- Quote from: Monkeh on June 24, 2020, 10:07:38 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 10:06:00 pm ---We do have 120/240V single phase in the US.  Other countries have 240/415V three phase or perhaps the house doesn't get 3 phase, just 240V single phase.  I don't see why the video author is so amazed, it's been this way forever!
--- End quote ---

.. did you watch the video at all?

--- End quote ---

About the first exciting 30 seconds!
Monkeh:

--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 10:17:38 pm ---
--- Quote from: Monkeh on June 24, 2020, 10:07:38 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 10:06:00 pm ---We do have 120/240V single phase in the US.  Other countries have 240/415V three phase or perhaps the house doesn't get 3 phase, just 240V single phase.  I don't see why the video author is so amazed, it's been this way forever!
--- End quote ---

.. did you watch the video at all?

--- End quote ---

About the first exciting 30 seconds!

--- End quote ---

Well that explains why you don't know what the video is about, doesn't it?
duckduck:

--- Quote from: bdunham7 on June 24, 2020, 09:59:05 pm ---
--- Quote from: rstofer on June 24, 2020, 09:43:48 pm ---
 (the US has none, I have installed 400A residential panels)


--- End quote ---
I doubt those McMansions ever actually pull that much power at once, but might one reason to get a 400A service might be to get approval for more breaker spaces?

--- End quote ---

Just put in a bigger breaker for one breaker space and then run a sub-panel. This is sometimes done for a kitchen that is far away from the main panel, etc. It's cheaper / easier to run one big wire than a bunch of little ones.

EDIT:

I realize this doesn't directly address your question. I'm not sure how permitting is typically done for residential in the USA. It's by county and they all follow the National Electric Code (with various modifications). I assume that as long as everything meets code you can get as many amps and breakers as you can afford to install. Those damn breakers are US$50 each for modern combo GFCI/arc-flash ones (you might need 15-20 of the 20A ones) and US$1,000 for an average size residential load center / panel / breaker box. You'll be paying an electrician to do this work, too.

EDIT EDIT:

I've never heard of a power meter that can cut power by remote control until this thread. That seems a little scary to me for all kinds of reasons: fire safety, security, etc. My nest has two 120 V RMS phases that can easily supply 100 A each. That's a lot riding on a couple of switches that I can't physically inspect or secure from hackers.

EDIT EDIT EDIT:

I'm just gonna edit this post to death. I live in the Seattle metro area and I haven't noticed more house fires than when I lived in other (warmer) parts of the US.

EDIT EDIT EDIT EDIT:

Electromechanical spinning disk meter on my nest. I'm not a big fan of "smart" meters or "smart" anything else. Also, get off my lawn.
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