What is the minimum service rating for a typical single-family dwelling?

What is the minimum service rating for a typical single-family dwelling?

• A. 60A
• B. 100A
• C. 150A
• D. 200A

Answer: (B)

The service rating represents the maximum current the service equipment must safely carry for a dwelling. For a typical single‑family home, 100 amperes is the standard minimum because it provides enough capacity to handle common loads—lighting, receptacles, the kitchen range, water heater, and clothes dryer—even when several are used at once. A 60‑amp service is usually too small for modern homes with these appliances, while 150 or 200 amps are common for larger homes or when heavy electric loads (like electric heat or multiple large AC units) are present. In practice, the actual service size is determined by a load calculation, but 100 amps is the baseline for a typical dwelling.

The service rating represents the maximum current the service equipment must safely carry for a dwelling. For a typical single‑family home, 100 amperes is the standard minimum because it provides enough capacity to handle common loads—lighting, receptacles, the kitchen range, water heater, and clothes dryer—even when several are used at once. A 60‑amp service is usually too small for modern homes with these appliances, while 150 or 200 amps are common for larger homes or when heavy electric loads (like electric heat or multiple large AC units) are present. In practice, the actual service size is determined by a load calculation, but 100 amps is the baseline for a typical dwelling.