On Wed, 27 Oct 2004 00:19:19 GMT, ender (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"?

Go with 15A. The wire is much easier to work with...especially if yer
chaining from one recpt to the next. And you can back wire them with
standard recepts...which you can do with #12 wire. Its easier to get
all that wire in a duplex box if its 14 wire.

You might consider getting Arc breakers...which might already be code
in your area.

- 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?

No. If you need to upgrade, it'll simply be because yer tripping a
breaker...which will logically usually require an additional circuit
instead of a larger breaker.

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

Breakers are usually the same price...wire is a little more for 12.
Working with the larger wire is the real pain.

Make sure you check yer code to see what size is needed for specific
circuits.

Good luck.


Have a nice one...

Trent

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