Matt Whiting wrote:
zxcvbob wrote:

Jeffrey J. Kosowsky wrote:

We are about to install several new circuits as we upgrade the
electrical systems in this very old house.

- For "normal" rooms (i.e. not kitchen, bathroom, garage, workshop, or
outdoors), should one go with standard 15A circuits or should one put
in 20A "just in case"?

- Even if you just put in 15A breakers and receptacles now, does it pay
to pull through #12 wire just in case you ever later want to
upgrade?

- How big is the difference in price for wiring (per foot) and for
circuit breakers?

Thanks,
Jeff




#12 cable costs almost twice as much as #14, but it's such a small
part of the total cost it's the wrong place to try to save money. Use
20A breakers and #12 wire for any branch circuit that has even one
receptacle.


I just checked Lowe's and they are $21.50 for 14 and $30.50 for 12, more
like 50% more rather than 100%.


Matt




It was $15 and $25 last time I bought any...

All the more reason to use #12 -- the savings is not that much to pay
for the added capacity.

Bob