TIPS ON HOW TO CALCULATE THE ELECTRICAL LOAD OF A HOUSE?

 {Sopet Electrical Solutions (a subsidiary of Sopet Integrated Services Ltd) - 08065098121}

LOAD CALCULATION

This is a simplified method for doing a very rough calculation. Remember, electricians and designers use rules that are much more complicated, so don't get ahead of yourself.

Let's look at a simple formula. HOUSE LOAD = BASIC LOAD + LARGE APPLIANCES + SPECIAL LOADS BASIC LOAD include lighting, outlets, and smaller appliances including oil or gas furnaces, central vacuums, pool pumps, waste disposals, etc., but NOT baseboard heaters based on house size (square feet).

LARGE APPLIANCES include electric stove, electric dryer and electric water heater. SPECIAL LOADS include fixed electric heaters (most commonly baseboard heaters), central air conditioners, etc.

Follow these five steps: BASIC LOAD Estimate or measure house square footage. Include 75% of any basement floor area. Don't use measurements based on the outside wall surfaces.

Calculate interior space. For the first 1,000 square feet, allow 5,000W. For each of the next 1,000 square feet, or part thereof, add 1,000W. This gives a BASIC LOAD, in watts.

LARGE APPLIANCES a typical house has an electric stove and an electric water heater. Note: Include these in the calculation even if the house presently has a gas stove, for example, if you plan on changing appliances. Allow 6,000W for the stove.  Allow 750W for the electric water heater. Allow 1,500W for any additional stoves. The total of these gives you the LARGE APPLIANCES LOAD, in watts. Add the BASIC and LARGE APPLIANCES LOAD, and divide by 240V to get a subtotal, in amps. Subtotal = (BASIC + LARGE APPLIANCES)? 

SPECIAL LOADS find out any special loads the house may have. The load in amps is read off the data plate on each appliance. Common special loads are (a). Electric furnace (b). Electric baseboard or wall mounted heaters add up the wattage on each data plate; divide the total by 240V to get amps (c). Central air conditioner use the FLA (full load amps) HOUSE LOAD The house load is the sum of the Subtotal and the Special Loads. Let's run through an example with a 2-story, 1,500 square foot home with 100-amp service. BASIC LOAD Each story is 750 square feet (1,500). Seventy-five percent of the basement area is: 75% x 750 = 562 sq. ft. Total area for calculations = 1500 + 562 = 2062 sq. ft. Use 5,000W for first 1,000 sq. ft.: 5,000W Use 1,000W for next 1,000 sq. ft.: 1,000W Use 1,000W for the last 62 ft.: 1,000W BASIC LOAD: 7,000W LARGE APPLIANCES Electric Stove: 6,000W Dryer: 1,000W LARGE APPLIANCE LOAD: 7,000W Subtotal: (7,000W + 7,000W) 240V = 58.3 Amps SPECIAL LOADS 2-ton air conditioner with full load amperage rating (FLA) = 12 Amps 2 x 1,000W baseboard heaters = 2,000W/240V = 8.3 Amps  HOUSE LOAD TOTAL (Subtotal plus special loads) 58.3A + 12A + 8.3A = 78.6 Amps This house doesn't look like it has quite enough electricity. It's close, though, so we recommend that the homeowner try it before committing to a service upgrade. Remember that the baseboard heaters won't be on when the A/C is. But this service cannot support any additional loads.

 Sopet Electrical Solutions (a subsidiary of Sopet Integrated Services Ltd) - 08065098121

Save Money with LED Lighting.

With the benefit and low cost of today’s LED (light-emitting diode) lighting technology - and your family’s lighting demands using approximately 12 percent of your energy budget - upgrading lighting has never been a better investment.   

What’s the bright idea?

LED lighting offers a substantial savings over other lighting varieties. The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing estimates that widespread adoption of LED lighting by 2025 will reduce electricity demands from lighting by 35 percent, eliminating 100 million metric tons of carbon emissions.   

How much does LED lighting save compared to other common bulb choices?

·         Incandescent: Feeling the burn!
Unlike LEDs, which are 100 percent efficient at turning energy into light; up to 85 percent of the energy of incandescent is converted to heat. Not a friend to your wallet – or your cooling bill in the drying season!

·         Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): A shining flaw...
LED’s can save up to 50 percent of the energy consumed by CFLs (20-30 percent for standard fluorescent tube lighting), and offer a greener alternative to the mercury harboring bulbs of fluorescents.

Energy efficiency isn’t the only reason LEDs are a great choice:

·         LEDs last 2-5 times longer than CFLs and 25 times longer than incandescent.

·         Because of their lifespan, LEDs require less in maintenance time and costs (changing bulbs).

·         The longevity of LEDs significantly reduces landfill waste.

·         LEDs do not contain hazardous mercury.

·         High-quality LEDs offer a superior lighting spectrum. (Read: they make you and your stuff look good!)

·         Unlike fluorescents, LEDs aren’t affected by temperature or humidity. They are instant-on, and can survive even the coldest conditions.

·         Unlike CFLs and fluorescents, LEDs come in an array of bases, fitting everything from a standard incandescent compatible socket to specialty fixtures and night lights.  

Where can you substitute LEDs?

·         In the living room…
Floor and ceiling lights, table lamps, and spotlights.

·         In the kitchen...
A cooler alternative for pot lights (recessed lighting), task lighting, track lighting, pendant lights, chandeliers, island lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and more.

·         In the bath....
LEDs come in an array of bases, offering versatility of use in overhead lighting, sconces, vanity light bars, and shower lighting.

·         Bedroom
Ceiling lights, wall sconces, reading lamps… even dimmable LED bulb options are available!

·         Throughout your home...
Entryway and hall lighting, lighting in utility rooms and offices, ceiling fan bulb replacements, and night lights. 

·         Outside your home…
Wall and ceiling lights, security lights, porch and patio lighting, pool lighting, landscape and deck lighting, and more.

Ready to upgrade to more efficient, longer lasting LED lighting options?  SOPET can help you find the perfect lighting solutions to meet your lighting and budget needs. Contact us (08065098121) today for a free consultation.

Sopet Electrical Solutions (a subsidiary of Sopet Integrated Services Ltd)

ELECTRICITY SAFETY TIPS

Each year there are approximately 300 deaths by electrocution and more than 10,000 shocks and burns in homes around the country. Do you want to be part of those statistics?

For a safer Nigeria, electricity safety tips are important for one main reason - you can be seriously injured or killed by electricity. If you don't have the time to do a project in a safe way, then you don't have time to do it at all!! 

Like anything else, working safely involves certain skills. You need to pay attention and learn what you need to, in order to work safely. That is why you need a professional like SOPET cannot be overemphasized.

Never attempt any electrical repair without taking the proper precautions. It doesn't take any longer to work safely. Fatal injuries from electricity are definitely possible. The amount of current in your home has more than enough capacity to kill you. This does not mean you should never attempt a repair. It just means you have to do them safely by calling on a professional like SOPET.

If you feel that working with electricity is beyond your comfort level, then hiring an electrician may be the course of wisdom. A certified electrician may be costly, but weigh that against an accident and its attendant injuries. This is especially true if you are unwilling to put the time and effort required to do the work safely.

This page is all about taking a realistic approach to fixing and repairing things in your home. Part of that 'reality' is that Accidents Can and Do Happen, be careful, take precautions.

The amount of current that goes through a single light bulb is more than enough to kill you if it passes through your chest. When a certain amount of electric current flows through a human heart, it attacks such heart and eventually leads to death. Take precautions while working with electricity by calling on SOPET.

This page however is not a comprehensive safety manual. What we have done is mention a few common problems to watch for.

Using electricity safety tips and practices will prevent accidents and save lives. Call a professional today (08065098121). Don't Take a Chance!

Sopet Electrical Solutions (A subsidiary of Sopet Integrated Services Ltd) 08065098121