On Mon, 20 Feb 2017 12:15:29 -0600, philo wrote:

On 02/20/2017 11:13 AM, trader_4 wrote:
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There is really no limit to the number of outlets on a general
lighting circuit but the code implies that it should serve no more
than 600 sq/ft for a 15a and 800 sq/ft for a 20a based on 3VA per
sq/ft.
Of course that is the minimum standard and the average of all of the
circuits. For the last 20 years or so the bathroom should be on a
separate 20a and the laundry are should have another dedicated 20a.
The code has required 2 20a small appliance circuits for more like 40
years.
As for box fill (the number of wires in there) you add the 14 ga up at
2 cu/in each and the 12ga at 2.25 cu/in each. Then add another 2x
cu/in for each device depending on the size of the wires in the box.
(14ga wires makes the device worth 4 cu/in)
Lots of boxes in older homes are over filled.
If you have empty slots in the panel, running a new romex and
splitting this up is not a horrible idea but the question is, "are you
popping breakers?"

Another question is what's going on with that extra foot of wire
that he says was added? Splice is in a box? Just hanging in
the wall? It can probably be cleaned up and left on the one
circuit, but like you say, it would be better if he can run a
new circuit for the bathroom. And we don't know what actual
loads are typically on it, is it close to overloaded, etc.




A splice in a junction box is OK but I'd clean up the mess as much as
possible to keep the junction boxes to a minimum.


Maybe others here would know but I was always taught the just line up
the bare ends of the wires, inset then in a wire nut and twist until tight.

A few years ago I lost a connection due to me probably not getting the
wires lined up.

A friend who does electrical work told me he always grabs the end and
twists with a pliers and makes sure all is secure before putting on the
wire nut.


Any one here know if there is any reason not to do that?

When connecting 2 or 3 identical wires I don't pretwist. My father
was an electrician and said a properly wirenutted connection WILL end
up properly twisted and he'd never seen a wirenut come off if
installed properly that way. A wirenut applied to a pre-twistedc
connection stands a pretty good chance of falling off because the
"teeth" in the spring are not firmly embedded in the copper of the
wire. If connecting a14 and a 12 or any combination of the two,
CAREFULL pretwisting can make a better connection because if "direct
nutting" the 14 just wraps around the 12 - but the "teeth" in the
spring do still bite.