ESB Connection - What KWA

yop · 19-04-2005 11:30PM #1

Lads

Am sending in my new connection form to the ESB.

Now there is 2 options for the standard 12kva - (3.5 kilowatts continuous load, 9 kw switched load, max 2 showers)
then there is 16kva - (5 kw continuous load, 12kw swithced load, max 4 showers)

Now 12kva cost 1300 euro and the 16kva cost 1800 euro so if I do not need to spend it then I will not!
I have yet to confirm which electrician I will be using so would like ur opions.

We will not have any electic showers, will have a 11.5kw heatpump, then your fridge, tv, washing machine etc, no electric hob.

Now I cannot figure out should I need the 12kva or the 16kva

thanks in advance

Spocker · 20-04-2005 11:43AM

Hey yop,

If it's any help I recently got my "Welcome to the Electricty Distribution System" letter from ESB Networks for my new house (haven't actually moved in yet - waiting for keys)

Ours is a 4 bed semi, with 1 electric shower, fridge, washing machine, dryer, electric single oven, dishwasher, gas hob (although electric option was available), gas heating and they've put us on a 12 KVA supply. AFAIK it was the builder who ticked the box on the form so I can only assume that his sparky had some kind of input into the choice.

Hope this helps

yop · 20-04-2005 11:47AM

Thanks lad.

I rang ESB and they could not advise!!

pajoemccracken · 20-04-2005 12:25PM

All you should require is a 12KVA supply. I'm an Electrician and wired my new house recently and have 2 KW showers and 40 sockets , 20 Lights, Shed, Immersion etc and 12KVA is sufficient.
PaJoe

yop · 20-04-2005 12:32PM

PaJoe - I would suspect that for a "standard" house but with a 11.5KW heatpump on the ring what do you think?

Alun · 20-04-2005 12:48PM

But, an 11.5kW heat pump doesn't actually consume 11.5kW of electricity, though, does it? With my limited knowledge of these things, I think you're looking at an electrical power consumption of 2-3kW for heat pumps of this capacity.

pajoemccracken · 20-04-2005 12:53PM

It would depend on the usage of the heatpump. I suspect it comes on intermittently and mainly at night. If it was running continously during times when you are using everything else in the house then there might be a need to go to a higher KVA supply and your electricity bill would be enormous.

But since there will be no Electric Shower and most appliances use small amounts of power ( e.g. TVs are around 100w, immersion 2-3kw, then I would think there should be no need for higher KVA.)
PaJoe

yop · 20-04-2005 12:55PM

PaJoe- gentleman,

That makes sense alright, thanks for your help!

Slán

yop · 10-05-2005 02:13PM

PaJoe - I put in the app for the new domestic connection, ticked the 12kva standard box, added that we had a HP, no electric showers and standard appliances, no electric hob though.
I got a call from the ESB on Wed last, asking me the KW input required by the HP and I asked a few different HP suppliers and it came in at about 3.5 - 4 KW so I told her 3.7kw at most.

Got the quote yesterday and they have me quoted for a 16kva (1800 euro) connection, personally I think they have this wrong, what you think?

ESB Connection - What KWA

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