Ah, I read the "it currently has..." as the panel currently has, not the jointer.
Quote:
I'm just wondering if there's a code calculation or something that says I can only have a total of x amps of breakers in the panel because it is protected by a y amp breaker or has z gauge wiring to it. It sounds like I can have as much as I want and long as the expected load is less than 80% of the upstream breaker, which would be the case here.
There are calcs, and the lesser of the y breaker or z wire is you limiting factor. The 80% thing is a *******ized rule of thumb. There is no 80% rule in the NEC. Article 240 says you have to size a breaker to 100% of the non-continuous load plus 125% of the continuous load. That got morphed into keeping loads at 80% as to not worry about it, but it's not a hard and fast rule.
Using 2500sqft for your house. Adjust as needed.
2500** x 3 VA/sqft = 7500 VA
small appliance 2 x 1500 VA = 3000 VA
laundry 1 x 1500 VA = 1500 VA
disposal 1 x 1200 VA = 1200 VA
built in microwave 1 x 1800 VA = 1800 VA (another assumption)
dishwasher 1 x 1500 VA = 1500 VA (another assumption)
(you only need to worry about permanently connected appliances)
Total = 16500 VA
First 8000 at 100% = 8000 VA
Remainder at 40% = 0.4 x 8500 = 11,400 VA = 47.5 A.
You theoretically have 12.5A of load to play with if the 60A worth of wire holds true. From a more practical perspective, could you run two vacuum cleaners at the same time in your house during an average day with the TV on, lights on, etc? That's about what that jointer would use.