Estimate circuit breaker type, capacity in ResStock?

asked 2021-02-12 08:04:05 -0600

sashadf1
1146 ●1 ●41 ●10

updated 2021-02-12 09:01:26 -0600

Aaron Boranian

14250 ●86 ●24 http://bigladdersoftware.com/

Hi all,

I am using ResStock v2.2.4, EnergyPlus v9.2, and OS v2.9.0.

I am working on heat pump electrification projects and realized that we should probably add the cost for an electric panel upgrade to our total installed capital cost, if the houses we are modeling for require upgrades.

The research I have done so far suggests that whether or not a panel upgrade is necessary, and how much it will cost, is really variable from house to house, and depends on what type of breaker is in place (fuse box vs circuit breaker panel), if it will be new vs replacement, and most importantly what the difference in amperage capacity from the old panel to the new panel.

Does ResStock provide data on breaker type in building_characteristics_report? Is there a simulation variable that I could use to estimate total load on the household circuit to see if it exceeds certain amps thresholds?

answered 2021-02-12 18:55:42 -0600

Determinant
1149 ●2 ●8

updated 2021-02-15 10:27:12 -0600

I had a similar task. I used the baseline system (existing building) to get the peak load before electrification, and of course the electrification model for that peak load. Annual peak load is the ABUPS. I then used these guidelines to figure out the panel size for the baseline and electrification.

If the electrification required a jump to a new panel amperage, then that was included in the cost. I upped the amperage of the panel rather than trying to change the service voltage. Not sure if that's how an electrical engineer would do it, but I figured that upping the amperage was lower cost than changing to a higher voltage and was still safe.

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Comments

Thanks for your help already! This is really good advice.

Do you know what EnergyPlus Simulation Output Report variable would correspond to peak load? What is peak load variable called in the ABUPS? Did you account for "Future Growth"?