Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose. For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom

On Dec 29, 7:21*am, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...





Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose. For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...





Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose. For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?



*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.

On Dec 29, 11:57*am, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose. For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. *I have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. *It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. *It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. *His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. *When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Gee thanks for the reminder:

There is one (now unused and not GFI'd) outlet in what is now our
enclosed garage, but was once an outside convenience outlet in our
then open to the world car-port.

Back then (almost 40 years ago) GFIs not heard of!

But that outlet, if memory serves correctly is wired as part of a run
of outlets on the far kitchen wall.

Not used; and next time I have the shelving or movable tool chest away
from the wall of the garage must connect wiring through, remove the
duplex outlet and blank off, probably with a standard metal plate. The
garage btw has it own separate correctly circuit breakered outlets and
again separate lighting from a pony panel for that area of house.

John Grabowski wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?



*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I have been in many older homes where after years of adding
outlets and lights there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting.
It gets very confusing and inconvenient when you need to shut off a
bedroom outlet, but it is connected to the bathroom lights. It is also
a PITA when it comes to identifying circuits and labeling the circuit
breaker panel.

All true.

The advantage of a circuit going to different areas is that the area
then has multiple circuits available. May be useful, for instance, if
you have multiple relatively large loads, like a space heater.

It is easy to wind up with more receptacles than are desirable on a circuit.

--
bud--

On Dec 29, 12:55�pm, bud-- wrote:
John Grabowski wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
....
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
....

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. �I have been in many older homes where after years of adding
outlets and lights there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. �
It gets very confusing and inconvenient when you need to shut off a
bedroom outlet, but it is connected to the bathroom lights. �It is also
a PITA when it comes to identifying circuits and labeling the circuit
breaker panel.

All true.

The advantage of a circuit going to different areas is that the area
then has multiple circuits available. May be useful, for instance, if
you have multiple relatively large loads, like a space heater.

It is easy to wind up with more receptacles than are desirable on a circuit.

--
bud--- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Its far better to have too many circuits on different breakers. this
home originally had all second floor lights and outlets on one fuse.

poof when wife plugged in hair dryer

lighting circuitsd should be only lights, and multiple circuits.

outlets are better mixed.

so one tripped breaker doesnt leave you in the dark!

On Dec 29, 9:57*am, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose. For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. *I have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. *It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. *It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. *His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. *When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

Thanks again.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.



* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.

On Dec 29, 3:16*pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose..
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. *Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!

On Dec 29, 4:03�pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:
On Dec 29, 3:16�pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. �Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps

On Dec 29, 4:12*pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle.. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit.. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker
to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along
the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need
to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker
to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to
and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about
one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be
on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!

Current code requires new bathroom outlets to be on 20 amp circuits, but
nothing prevents you from adding bathroom outlets to existing circuits, and
IMO, it would be safer for you to tap this attic circuit and install a gfci
outlet where you need one, than tripping over the cord, trying to use the
existing outlet

On Dec 29, 4:32*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:





"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

....
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker
to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along
the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need
to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker
to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going to
and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me about
one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles. Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to be
on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!

Current code requires new bathroom outlets to be on 20 amp circuits, but
nothing prevents you from adding bathroom outlets to existing circuits, and
IMO, it would be safer for you to tap this attic circuit and install a gfci
outlet where you need one, than tripping over the cord, trying to use the
existing outlet- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Don't worry, there's no chance a cord to the existing out will be
used. The girls aren't even getting the radio until I solve the
receptacle issue.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle.
Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going
to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that
no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle
in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing circuit.
I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it
is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on to
the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need to
be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?



* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker. Siemens
(And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style. Read the
label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers on one buss.
If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the hook on the
side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The BR twins will be
much better.

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going
to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or
a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that
no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle
in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but it
is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?



* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style.
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The BR
twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of the
new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few models
though, and not all will fit every panel

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's going
to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit, or
a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by
code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer that
no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex receptacle
in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but
it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more
specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for
vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom
next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?



* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style.
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The
BR twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of the
new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few models
though, and not all will fit every panel



*Roy there are several condo/townhouse housing developments built by the
same builder in NJ. They all have that hook type breaker and I am amazed at
the failure rate. Good for my business though. What is really surprising
is that the panels are approved for other types of breakers yet they chose
to install this type which was hard to find in stock when Crouse-Hinds was
in business. I surmised that they got a fantastic deal as it was around the
time when Crouse-Hinds and Challenger were getting bought out.

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:





On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's
going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit,
or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by
code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer
that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex
receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but
it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more
specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for
vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor
bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom
next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes
me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so
they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?



* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style.
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The
BR twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of
the new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few
models though, and not all will fit every panel



*Roy there are several condo/townhouse housing developments built by the
same builder in NJ. They all have that hook type breaker and I am amazed
at the failure rate. Good for my business though. What is really
surprising is that the panels are approved for other types of breakers yet
they chose to install this type which was hard to find in stock when
Crouse-Hinds was in business. I surmised that they got a fantastic deal
as it was around the time when Crouse-Hinds and Challenger were getting
bought out.

These days, it seems all the condo's in Westchester all use QO panels, but
twenty years ago, it seemed like they bought whatever company was in their
death throws, FPE, Zinsco, etc. Those external hook breakers look to me like
they'd get very little contact with the buss, kinda like Murray's version of
Stab-lok

On Dec 29, 8:00*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"John Grabowski" wrote in message

...







"RBM" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
....
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:

On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's
going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit,
or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by
code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer
that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex
receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet, but
it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more
specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for
vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor
bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom
next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes
me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so
they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?

* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style..
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. *The
BR twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of
the new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few
models though, and not all will fit every panel

*Roy there are several condo/townhouse housing developments built by the
same builder in NJ. *They all have that hook type breaker and I am amazed
at the failure rate. *Good for my business though. *What is really
surprising is that the panels are approved for other types of breakers yet
they chose to install this type which was hard to find in stock when
Crouse-Hinds was in business. *I surmised that they got a fantastic deal
as it was around the time when Crouse-Hinds and Challenger were getting
bought out.

These days, it seems all the condo's in Westchester all use QO panels, but
twenty years ago, it seemed like they bought whatever company was in their
death throws, FPE, Zinsco, etc. Those external hook breakers look to me like
they'd get very little contact with the buss, kinda like Murray's version of
Stab-lok



- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks guys! Yep, I recall a hook, so we must be talking about the
same crappy breakers. I'll look into the BR twins.

Damn...now I might have even more wiring to do. There's a few more
circuits that I have always wanted to split but the Central Air I had
installed a few years back used up the last open spots.

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 8:00 pm, "RBM" wrote:
"John Grabowski" wrote in message

...







"RBM" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:

On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the
1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the
2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have
a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's
going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit,
or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by
code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer
that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex
receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets
and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet,
but
it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it
comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling
me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to
one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put
on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his
wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more
specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for
vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor
bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping
into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom
next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes
me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would
need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was
using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into
a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so
they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole
through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?

* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style.
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers
on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The
BR twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of
the new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few
models though, and not all will fit every panel

*Roy there are several condo/townhouse housing developments built by the
same builder in NJ. They all have that hook type breaker and I am amazed
at the failure rate. Good for my business though. What is really
surprising is that the panels are approved for other types of breakers
yet
they chose to install this type which was hard to find in stock when
Crouse-Hinds was in business. I surmised that they got a fantastic deal
as it was around the time when Crouse-Hinds and Challenger were getting
bought out.

These days, it seems all the condo's in Westchester all use QO panels, but
twenty years ago, it seemed like they bought whatever company was in their
death throws, FPE, Zinsco, etc. Those external hook breakers look to me
like
they'd get very little contact with the buss, kinda like Murray's version
of
Stab-lok



- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Thanks guys! Yep, I recall a hook, so we must be talking about the
same crappy breakers. I'll look into the BR twins.

Damn...now I might have even more wiring to do. There's a few more
circuits that I have always wanted to split but the Central Air I had
installed a few years back used up the last open spots.

Murray also makes quad half sized breakers. Its a one piece breaker with 4
poles, and comes in a variety of combinations including two sets of double
pole with amperage of your choice

On Dec 29, 10:11*pm, "RBM" wrote:
"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 8:00 pm, "RBM" wrote:





"John Grabowski" wrote in message

...

"RBM" wrote in message
...

"John Grabowski" wrote in message
...

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message
...
On Dec 29, 4:12 pm, " wrote:
On Dec 29, 4:03 pm, DerbyDad03 wrote:

On Dec 29, 3:16 pm, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 9:57 am, "John Grabowski"
wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...
On Dec 29, 7:21 am, "RBM" wrote:

"DerbyDad03" wrote in message

...

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single
breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the
1st
floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs
along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the
receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the
2nd
floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have
a
need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one
breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

The answer depends upon the particular circuit, where it's
going to and
doing currently, and where you want to locate it and for what
purpose.
For
example, you can't tap into a kitchen counter outlet circuit,
or a
dedicated
bathroom outlet circuit, for an outlet in a bedroom- Hide
quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

So, assuming it's not a circuit that needs to be dedicated by
code,
it's OK for it to run hither and yon throughout the house?

As another example, I have a circuit containing one duplex
receptacle
in my 1st floor living room that was dedicated for a computer
that no
longer exists. Can I tap into that run and add a duplex
receptacle in
my 2nd floor hallway?

*Yes. Although this is permissible by code I would not get too
carried
away
with spreading outlets all over the house from one existing
circuit. I
have
been in many older homes where after years of adding outlets
and
lights
there is no rhyme nor reason as to the circuiting. It gets very
confusing
and inconvenient when you need to shut off a bedroom outlet,
but
it is
connected to the bathroom lights. It is also a PITA when it
comes
to
identifying circuits and labeling the circuit breaker panel.

I was recently looking at a job and the homeowner was telling
me
about one
problem he wants corrected. His garage outlet is connected to
one
kitchen
outlet and one den outlet as a result of an addition being put
on
to the
house a few years ago. When he is using a power tool and his
wife
is
cooking the breaker blows and kills the stereo as well.- Hide
quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

OK, so now that I know that in a generic sense it's ok to have
circuits scattered hither and yon, how about something more
specific:

Years ago I ran a circuit from the breaker box to the crawlspace
attic. Currently on this circuit a

- The crawlspace lights (2 fixtures switched in the attic)
- The bathroom exhaust fan
- 1 receptacle in the attic for a cable-TV distribution amplifier
- 1 receptacle in the upstairs hallway, typically used for
vacuuming,
etc.

I now want to add a second GFI receptacle in the 2nd floor
bathroom.
This GFI will be used for a radio mounted on a shelf. Tapping
into
the
"new" attic circuit would be a lot easier than tapping into the
original-to-the-house circuit that currently powers the bathroom
lights, the existing GFI outlet and 3 receptacles in the bedroom
next
door. In addition, the use of curling irons and blow dryers makes
me
shy away from adding anymore receptacles to the existing bathroom
circuit.

Would it be OK to use the attic circuit for the 2nd GFI in the
bathroom?

I'm open to other suggestions for wiring the new GFI except for a
dedicated circuit since I am out of space in the breaker box.

* I don't recall any usage distinction for bathroom receptacles.
Therefore
as far as I know your additional bathroom GFI receptacle would
need
to be on
a 20 amp circuit that is dedicated to bathroom use.- Hide quoted
text -

- Show quoted text -

Yeah, I didn't mean to imply that the NEC would care what I was
using
the receptacle for, but I was hoping that regardless of its use, it
wouldn't need to be dedicated. That's going to be a problem.

I don't want to turn a simple Christmas gift for my daughters into
a
major electrical upgrade. I'm not about to add a subpanel just so
they
can listen to their CDs while they put their makeup on.

Maybe I'll put the receptacle in the hallway and drill a hole
through
the wall for the cord. Kidding!- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

have you considered half width breakers? sounds like your main is
full.

quick easy fix, baths should be 20 amps- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've used half width breakers in the past, but they always seemed to
fail. I was even told by an electrician that they don't last as long,
but this was many years ago. I eventually replaced them with full
widths, never expecting to fill up the box.

It's a Crouse-Hinds panel. Any suggestions on a decent half width
breaker?

* The Crouse-Hinds panel should be able to take a BR type breaker.
Siemens (And Murray) and Cutler-Hammer both make this in a twin style.
Read the label in the panel to see if it is approved for two breakers
on
one buss. If the half width breakers that you used in the past had the
hook on the side then I am quite familiar with their failure rate. The
BR twins will be much better.
The ones with the external hooks on them were real garbage, but all of
the new ones Murray (Crouse-Hinds) makes are fine. They do make a few
models though, and not all will fit every panel

*Roy there are several condo/townhouse housing developments built by the
same builder in NJ. They all have that hook type breaker and I am amazed
at the failure rate. Good for my business though. What is really
surprising is that the panels are approved for other types of breakers
yet
they chose to install this type which was hard to find in stock when
Crouse-Hinds was in business. I surmised that they got a fantastic deal
as it was around the time when Crouse-Hinds and Challenger were getting
bought out.

These days, it seems all the condo's in Westchester all use QO panels, but
twenty years ago, it seemed like they bought whatever company was in their
death throws, FPE, Zinsco, etc. Those external hook breakers look to me
like
they'd get very little contact with the buss, kinda like Murray's version
of
Stab-lok

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Thanks guys! Yep, I recall a hook, so we must be talking about the
same crappy breakers. I'll look into the BR twins.

Damn...now I might have even more wiring to do. There's a few more
circuits that I have always wanted to split but the Central Air I had
installed a few years back used up the last open spots.

Murray also makes quad half sized breakers. Its a one piece breaker with 4
poles, and comes in a variety of combinations including two sets of double
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Wow! With enough quad breakers I could put every receptacle on it's
own circuit!

On Sun, 28 Dec 2008 20:15:55 -0800 (PST), DerbyDad03
wrote:

Happy Holidays!

What does the NEC say about running a circuit from a single breaker to
"unrelated" locations of a house?

For example, let's say I want to add a receptacle in the 1st floor
family room. Let's say the feed to a 2nd floor bedroom runs along the
basement ceiling right below where I want to add the receptacle. Is
there anything in the NEC that says I can't tap into the 2nd floor
circuit to add an outlet in a 1st floor room?

This is really just a curiosity thing, not something I have a need to
do. I'm just wondering if it's OK to run a circuit from one breaker to
all sorts of different locations in a house.

Thanks!

There are numerous things the NEC says about adding an outlet, but it
is allowable to properly install an electrical outlet in another room
or floor. Don't overload any circuit.