Appliances have always placed heavy demands on home electrical systems. Modern options like induction cooktops and electric ovens often require dedicated 40- to 50-amp circuits. This means your electrical system may require sufficient surge protection and grounding, and some installations may require a panel upgrade or new wiring.
The good news is that a little planning makes it safe to add appliances. Here is what you need to know to avoid overloading a circuit.
What Is a Circuit Overload?
Every circuit in your house has an amperage rating that traces all the way to the electrical panel. Circuit breakers in the panel establish the circuit’s peak capacity. If a circuit has a 20-amp breaker, for example, that means drawing 21 amps should trip the breaker. The power on that circuit goes out.
Overloading typically happens in two scenarios. First, many small devices accumulate on a circuit. People add stand mixers, coffee makers, electric tea kettles, and other countertop appliances on one circuit. Oftentimes, these work perfectly fine when only one is running. Once someone turns on two at the same time, the appliances demand too much amperage. The circuit breaker trips and kills power.
The second scenario occurs when an appliance significantly overshoots what a circuit can provide. Suppose someone buys an electric range that requires a 50-amp circuit breaker. They throw it on a 20-amp circuit. The breaker will trip the first time they use the appliance for anything meaningful.
Overloading a Circuit Panel for the Whole House
It’s also possible to overload the electrical panel for an entire house. This is most common in older homes, which frequently have 100-amp panels. Modern appliances and EV chargers can add 50 amps of demand each. Throw in your HVAC’s demands, and the requirements overwhelm an older electrical panel. The standard electrical panel upgrade today is a 200-amp setup.
Overloading the Wiring
A notable DIY mistake is overloading the wiring. A circuit’s wiring needs to match the breaker’s peak draw. Using 15-amp wiring for a 50-amp circuit is an invitation to a house fire.
Surge Protection
Surge protection doesn’t prevent overloads. However, it can protect appliances if an overload causes a surge. Especially with high-draw modern devices, it’s wise to add whole-house surge protection. This reduces the risk that a surge from one overloaded circuit will damage others.
How to Understand Appliance Requirements
One of the more annoying things about understanding overloads is how the units work. Your home’s circuit breaker is rated in amps, but lots of appliances are rated in watts. Homeowners only need to understand that amps times voltage equals wattage. Most US homes have 120-volt electricity for standard outlets and 240-volt power for larger appliances like washers, dryers, and EV chargers.
Suppose you have a 15-amp circuit. It operates at 120 volts, so the peak wattage is 1,440 watts. Even some high-draw, smaller appliances draw enough to test this limit. Many coffee makers draw 1,200 watts alone. Flip on a stand mixer while making coffee on that circuit, and it may trip.
Remember that the wattage calculations work backward, too. Check the manufacturer’s specifications for watts divided by 120 volts, and you will get the needed amperage.
You can also add all the requirements for other devices on a circuit. Many kitchens, for example, need three or more circuits to account for electric ranges, refrigerators, and more.
How to Deal With Overloads
The easy solution is to move devices to other circuits. Moving your microwave off the circuit for the fridge might be enough to prevent an overload.
Adding a New Circuit
Modern households can quickly outstrip a home’s electrical system capacity. The upside, though, is that adding a new circuit is usually easy. Many electrical panels have spare slots for additional circuits. As long as the panel can handle the addition, you can have one of our electricians run a new one.
Upgrading the Panel or Adding Another
Sometimes, panel capacity is the bottleneck. When this happens, you have two possible solutions. First, you can replace the panel. Second, you add another.
Upgrading is a good option if you have a lower-capacity panel or one without enough slots. Adding a panel is better if you need more circuits for a garage or workshop.
Appliances That Often Need Dedicated Circuits
Some appliances are far more likely to need a dedicated circuit than others. Knowing them makes it easier for you to recognize that there may be a problem.
- Refrigerators
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines
- Dryers
- Microwave ovens
- Electrical ranges and ovens
- Hot tubs and spas
- EV chargers
Permitting Requirements
Depending on how aggressive the solution is, the project may require a permit. Generally, anything involving upgrading or adding a panel requires a permit. It’s a good idea to contact your local code compliance office to learn what the permitting rules are for where you live.
Be aware that no-permit or DIY work creates more problems than it solves. Many insurance companies won’t issue a policy unless the homeowner can document that a licensed electrician did the work. Also, improper circuit capacity may void an appliance’s warranty.
Signs a Circuit Is Overloaded
The most obvious sign is that a circuit breaker trips. If the breaker keeps tripping, then the circuit is almost certainly running too much load. A single circuit breaker trip isn’t a big deal, but repeated trips are usually a problem. Likewise, you ought to be concerned if the breaker trips right after you plug in a specific appliance.
Another sign is that lights dim or flicker when you use high-draw appliances. Your system might be handling the demand, but it’s at the edge of a problem if the lights dim.
The panel may simply be out of slots. Especially if you’re adding multiple high-draw systems with dedicated circuits, your panel might just not have enough space.
Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has been in business since 1940. Numerous customers can attest to our great work, as evidenced by our many 5-star ratings. People trust our technicians because we are fully licensed, bonded, and insured. Customers also rely on us because we are a NextDoor Neighborhood Fave.
If you’re worried about cost, ask about our financing options available upon credit approval. You should also check out the specials page on our website to see how you can save this month. Save more with a Home Comfort Plus Plan. Members get discounted repairs, reduced trip charges, and two annual preventative maintenance visits.
You deserve to know that your home’s circuits can handle new appliances. Contact Bryant Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric today to ask about the electrical panel and surge protection services we offer to residents of Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio.
