- Joined
- Nov 14, 2016
- Messages
- 2,995
My main question is in bold, the rest of this is mostly background.
We are going to add more outlets and a light fixture or two at the house, but we have reached the capacity of the current breaker box so will have to add one. We were initially planning on mounting the new box close to the old, but on further reflection, all of the new outlets (probably 5 or 6) and the lights are going to be at the opposite end of the house. Rather than run wiring 40+ feet for each, it makes sense to us to mount the box closer to where the new outlets are going in meaning a longer run of the heavier gauge wire for the box (30-40 ft vs >10 ft), but quite a reduction in the the smaller gauge wire and conduit. Currently planning on all 115v 15A and 20A, but planning ahead to be able to add a 30A or even a 220v if required by future tool purchases. I'm thinking we would probably at least break even on wiring costs and it would definitely be less work stringing the wire.
Just wondering if we are overlooking anything on location of the box, I don't believe there is any real advantage to both boxes being located immediately next to each other, except for not having to walk back and forth if a breaker pops and you don't know which box it is in. Only 30 or so feet apart, both in the basement plus we know which circuits are in which box so that is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.
I've done a fair amount of wiring, and am comfortable knowing how to choose the right size circuit / wiring etc to use but this will be the first time dealing with installing a new breaker box.
I don't really like working with electricity so what we have done in the past and intend to do this time is run all the wires, install the outlets and such, then hire an electrician to look over our work and do the "honors" of the actual connection. This has worked well for us as it adds a professional set of eyes to make sure we didn't do anything stupid which is worth paying for an hour or two of their time. At least once before they have caught something the prior owner had done wrong that was missed on the pre-purchase inspection.
We are going to add more outlets and a light fixture or two at the house, but we have reached the capacity of the current breaker box so will have to add one. We were initially planning on mounting the new box close to the old, but on further reflection, all of the new outlets (probably 5 or 6) and the lights are going to be at the opposite end of the house. Rather than run wiring 40+ feet for each, it makes sense to us to mount the box closer to where the new outlets are going in meaning a longer run of the heavier gauge wire for the box (30-40 ft vs >10 ft), but quite a reduction in the the smaller gauge wire and conduit. Currently planning on all 115v 15A and 20A, but planning ahead to be able to add a 30A or even a 220v if required by future tool purchases. I'm thinking we would probably at least break even on wiring costs and it would definitely be less work stringing the wire.
Just wondering if we are overlooking anything on location of the box, I don't believe there is any real advantage to both boxes being located immediately next to each other, except for not having to walk back and forth if a breaker pops and you don't know which box it is in. Only 30 or so feet apart, both in the basement plus we know which circuits are in which box so that is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.
I've done a fair amount of wiring, and am comfortable knowing how to choose the right size circuit / wiring etc to use but this will be the first time dealing with installing a new breaker box.
I don't really like working with electricity so what we have done in the past and intend to do this time is run all the wires, install the outlets and such, then hire an electrician to look over our work and do the "honors" of the actual connection. This has worked well for us as it adds a professional set of eyes to make sure we didn't do anything stupid which is worth paying for an hour or two of their time. At least once before they have caught something the prior owner had done wrong that was missed on the pre-purchase inspection.