I'm assuming you mean 100 amp service, not circuit breaker? The NEC code states the minimum service is 100A. Depending on your definition of "small", this would be sufficient. It all depends on your large loads too (Electric water heater, Air conditioner, electric range, etc). These appliances can pull some large amperage.
No, a double pole 50 amp breaker protects a 240 volt supply at 50 amps. The number that is on the handle of the breaker is the amperage that the breaker will trip at if an overload occurs on the circuit.
Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker
It's the amps that are controlled by the breaker not the volts. You can have a 600 volt 15 amp breaker, you can have a 347 volt 15 amp breaker. The breaker will trip when you exceed 15 AMPS.
There is no reason, it is most likely what the the installer did.
10 amps
No, a double pole 50 amp breaker protects a 240 volt supply at 50 amps. The number that is on the handle of the breaker is the amperage that the breaker will trip at if an overload occurs on the circuit.
Look on the heater and see what amps it is pulling. That will determine the wire size and breaker size. It must be on a dedicated circuit. 15 amps = AWG # 14 wire with 15 amp breaker 20 amps = AWG # 12 wire with 20 amp breaker 30 amps = AWG # 10 wire with 30 amp breaker 40 amps = AWG # 8 wire with 40 amp breaker
It's the amps that are controlled by the breaker not the volts. You can have a 600 volt 15 amp breaker, you can have a 347 volt 15 amp breaker. The breaker will trip when you exceed 15 AMPS.
There is no reason, it is most likely what the the installer did.
Yes, but they obviously cannot be simultaneously loaded their maximum loads because the 400-amp breaker will blow well before that. Similarly, you can have multiple 100-amp panels fed from a 200-Amp main breaker, knowing that you will NEVER have 100 amps running in all panels at the same time.
10 amps
When I went to a 100 amp service I could not find a 100 amp. breaker in stock. I used a 60 amp. breaker and have never blown it. The 200 amp you are using can handle up to 200 amps, but if you use a smaller breaker it will only handle up to that amperage. The 200 amp is usally the total amperage of all the breakers comming out of the box. You will probably never come anywhere near using 200 amps at one time.
probally about 100 dollars
I would suggest a 20 amp breaker. * Added - I would suggest a 25 amp breaker. A slight surge, depending upon what equipment is the source of the 17.3 amp load, should not result in circuit breaker opening. <<>> In North America, the electrical code only allows circuit loading up to 80% on a continuous load. A 20 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 16 amps. A 25 amp breaker can be legally loaded to 20 amps.
The equation for amperage is Amps = Watts/Volts = 10000/240 = 41.6 amps. It is not stated if this is a motor load or not. If it is a motor load then the feeder has to be rated at 125% x 41.6 = 52 amp wire. Also if it is a motor load then the breaker will have to be 250% x 41.6 = 104 amps. A 100 amp breaker will work and still be within the electrical code ruling. Otherwise for 41.6 amps a 50 amp breaker will be sufficient.
15 amp breaker.
A 100-A sub-panel would be fed from a 100-A breaker.