How Load Management Can Help Avoid an Electrical Service Upgrade!
Adding an EV charger, hot tub, electric heat or other major electrical equipment doesn’t always mean your home needs a full electrical service upgrade.
In some situations, a load-management device such as the Dandy Load Miser can help your existing electrical system manage two high-demand loads without allowing both to operate at maximum demand at the same time.
At Exquisite Electric, we recently installed a load-management setup that allowed available electrical capacity to be shared while protecting the home’s electrical service.
What Is a Load Miser?
A Load Miser is an electrical load-management device designed to help prevent an electrical service or circuit from becoming overloaded when high-demand equipment operates at the same time.The Dandy Load Miser monitors the current being used by a designated essential load. When that load reaches a preset threshold, the system temporarily disconnects the non-essential load.Once electrical demand drops back below the set level, the non-essential load can operate again.
How Does a Load Miser Work?
How Does a Load Miser Work?
The Load Miser monitors the electrical current being used by the priority circuit.
If that demand reaches the preset limit, the Load Miser temporarily shuts off the designated non-essential circuit. Once demand falls, power can be restored to that circuit.
This allows two large electrical loads to share the available capacity without both operating at maximum demand at the same time.
Load Management and EV Charging
Electric vehicle chargers can add a significant new electrical load to a home.
Before installing a Level 2 charger, an electrician should determine whether the existing electrical service has enough capacity for the additional demand.
In some homes, a load-management system can allow EV charging to be added without immediately upgrading the entire electrical service.
Does a Load Miser Increase Your Electrical Capacity?
A Load Miser does not increase the size or capacity of your electrical service. Instead, it manages when electrical loads are allowed to operate.
Your electrical service, breakers, wiring and connected equipment still need to be properly sized for the installation.
Load Management vs Service Upgrade
A Load Miser can potentially reduce or avoid the need for an electrical service upgrade in the right application, but it is not the right solution for every home.
An electrician should first complete a load assessment and review the existing service, panel, wiring and equipment being added.
Thinking About Adding an EV Charger, Hot Tub or Other Major Electrical Load?
Before assuming you need a complete electrical service upgrade, have your existing electrical system evaluated.
Exquisite Electric can review your electrical panel, determine available capacity and help decide whether load management, a panel upgrade or a service upgrade is the right solution for your home.
BOOK AN ELECTRICAL ASSESSMENT TODAY
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