What amp means
An amp, short for ampere, is the unit of electric current: how much electricity is flowing through a wire.
Also called ampere, amperage.
Where it matters on a electrical job
Breakers, panels, services and appliances are all rated in amps. When a customer asks for an EV charger or a hot tub, the first question is whether the panel has the amps to spare, which is a load calculation, not a guess.
What it costs
Koira's electrical panel upgrade cost guide puts a typical job at $2,150, with most between $1,300 to $3,000. The guide shows its sources and what moves the price. The electrical load calculator prices a job line by line.
Work it out
- Free calculator: Electrical load calculator
- Cost guide: Electrical panel upgrade cost
- Licensing: Electrical license rules by state
- Tools, templates and guides: Free electrical resources