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#51281 04/27/05 03:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 80
B
Bert66 Offline OP
Member
Guy's I've wired several new and remodeled homes and have had them all pass. But it never fails that I'm always second guessing myself when it comes down to laying out my circuits. (Will I have enough spaces in the panel, am I over loading a circuit, This circuit only has a few drops and is not loaded when the one next to it is maxed out, etc.). These are some of the questions that I wonder about often. Do any of you have some tricks that you use that may help me get through these types of stumbling blocks.

#51282 04/27/05 07:25 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 1
Broom Pusher and
Member
Just take a few Hours, prior to beginning the rough Installations, and figure out what to do.

Get a set of "Clean" Plans - at least "D" size media (24" x 36"), and layout your Circuitry on paper first.

Count up the circuits for Panel Requirements (AKA spaces and frame types), and identify them on both the plans and the NM cable end (at the panel). This helps out logistically and makes it easier to enter circuit data in a Panel Directory.

If you can get 2 or even 3 "Clean" Plan Pages, that would be best.
Use colored PENCILS for drawing circuitry / Homeruns, where multiple "Types Of Circuitry" will be used (i.e. Lighting = Blue, Gen. Receptacles = Black, Kit. ckt = Red, etc.)

What I mean by "Clean" sheets is to find plan pages with the least amount of stuff printed on them, so the Floor Plan (Base Template) is easilly seen - plus there will not be so much confusion between what you write/draw for As-Built data, and notations text printed on the sheet.

"A" Sheets might have something rather clean (like a Foundation plan, or similar), and if there are any "P" sheets, these would be the cleanest.

One last thing, make use of Multiwire Circuits as Homeruns where ever possible.
(ohhhh, this is going to draw some flack!)

Scott35


Scott " 35 " Thompson
Just Say NO To Green Eggs And Ham!
#51283 04/27/05 08:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 687
A
Member
Planing is the key.
For loading the circuits just add up an estimated wattage. For 15 amp circuits I keep it under 1440w. No one may agree on genaric numbers but here are mine:

Keyless / pullchain 100w
Vanity light 250-300w
Bath fan 50-100w, light add 100w
Sconce 75w
Cieling fan w/light 300w
general rec 180w
5 OR 6" can light 75w
3 OR 4" CAN 50W
coach light 120w
Chandelier 300-600w
Flood lights 200w
closet light 40w
smaller cieling light 120w
4' lay ins 200w

Most numbers are on the higher side.

Kitchen appliances are all dedicated and at least 2 counter top circuits.

For us a middle of the road bedroom is 1 circuit. A larger master bedroom with extra lighting gets 2 circuits.

Tom
Tom

#51284 04/28/05 07:22 AM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,056
R
Member
I'll go along ith Active's numbers.

#51285 05/07/05 09:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 186
N
Member
When in new const. we kept it simple for recpts no more then 10 per circuit. Lighting was pretty much the same execpt when low voltage cans are used they draw little to no amps so load them up and buy the good dimmers and your golden. Kitchens always home runs for each peice all in 12 NO 14 ever!!! ovens get whats needed. The only 14 in my kitchens is lighting and u/c lighting.
JUst keep it simpole 10 items and no more and its never failed me yet. I also beleive in keeping lighting and power on there own circuits.

#51286 05/07/05 11:48 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
C
Member
I have done homes as large as 14000 square feet, and i find that keeping each room to its own circuit is best. Especially since most costume homes floor plans always seem to change. This does not include rooms that have multiple recess cans, obviously some rooms may need more than 1 ckt. I try to keep 10-13 openings per circuit. Also, In reply to scot35, I will take a set of plans to a printing place and have them remove all but the exterior wall and then I fill in acording to my layout....cost is 5$per page but it is worth it

#51287 05/08/05 01:09 AM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 693
L
Member
When left to myself to do the layout, I usually do something I haven't seen done much in residence wiring: keep the lighting and receptacles separate, even in other-than-kitchen areas.

We just finished roughing-in a small 3-br/2ba house; we placed the bedroom receptacles (12) on a single 20-amp circuit, and the bedroom and bathroom lights and fans on a single 15-amp circuit.

Likewise, we placed the livingroom receptacles (6) and the hallway receptacle on a second 20-amp circuit, and the living-room, kitchen, hall, and exterior lights on a second 15-amp circuit.

A small advantage of the single bedroom receptacle circuit is the need for only a single AFCI breaker (1999 NEC). By the way, has (or will) anyone come out with an AFCI feed-through receptacle?

By saying "I also beleive in keeping lighting and power on there own circuits.", NJ may have meant the same thing, in which case I'll give him credit for mentioning it first.


Larry Fine
Fine Electric Co.
fineelectricco.com
#51288 05/09/05 06:25 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
+! for separate lighting and receptacles. At least your HO can find their way to the panel to reset the breaker!

Another +1 for the "clean" plans. Worth every penny.

#51289 05/09/05 06:42 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 51
M
Member
hey larry, was just wondering how small the house was? and what you charged for wiring?? I am bidding a 2500 sq foot home and just want to get an idea of my price with others around the country,,, I am in upstate ny.. thanks.............. wayne

#51290 05/09/05 06:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
S
Member
Hope I'm not jumping the gun here, but it would be kind of hard to keep the bedroom lights and receptacles on a separate circuit, unless you're prepared to add extra AFCI breakers for them. May not be too bad for a small house where you can get by with two breakers, but a larger house, it could get pretty expensive. Just a thought. Steve....

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