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#1
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Tapping into an electric circuit
I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire?
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#2
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:48:46 -0800 (PST), gary
wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? With an accessible junction box. Best bet is likely to run new wire from the light switch. (unswitched) |
#3
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Tapping into an electric circuit
In article ,
gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. |
#4
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Tapping into an electric circuit
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#5
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:07:52 -0600, Mark Storkamp
wrote: In article , gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. So tap into the light then. It's not rocket science either way. The point is, it HAS to be done at a box. You can't "vampire" it - and the box needs to be accessible. |
#6
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 22:01:31 +0000 (UTC), Red Green
wrote: wrote in : On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:48:46 -0800 (PST), gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? With an accessible junction box. Best bet is likely to run new wire from the light switch. (unswitched) And what will you connect the "new wire" white wire to on that switch?????? Depends if it line switched or drop switched. Drop switched won't work |
#7
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote:
I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever that is. Tapping into a wire is trivial. Making it pass inspection may take more knowledge than you currently possess. And the thing that trips you up will seem trivial or even stupid. A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan". My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed decapitation type. I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. He wasn't gonna get a permit or have it inspected. I didn't want to be party to denial of a fire insurance claim. This stuff is easy and you can always get away with it...until you get caught with your house on fire. Funny story... About 50 years ago, there was some problem with the window air conditioner. It got unplugged. Dad had difficulty getting the plug back into the wall, but made it happen. Next day, I was riding my bike home from school. "Cool, look at all the fire trucks!" Imagine how my mood changed when I discovered it was MY house. Point being, simple stuff can cause BIG problems. And that wasn't the last time I got burned out of my house. But that's a funny story for a different day. |
#8
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 12:48:46 -0800 (PST), gary
wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? An electrician would use a pair of wire cutters! But since you dont know that, you only need to use a telephone. Use it to call that electrician. |
#9
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 11, 5:15*pm, wrote:
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:07:52 -0600, Mark Storkamp wrote: In article , gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. *In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. *I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. *How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. *So tap into the light then. It's not rocket science either way. The point is, it HAS to be done at a box. You can't "vampire" it - and the box needs to be accessible. Agree, that's the essence of it. If he's found a cable that is not switched, ie live all the time, in the attic, he would typically need two new boxes. You cut the cable and put one box on each end, with a new piece between them to re-connect the existing circuit. You usually can't use just one because their isn't enough existing cable there to make it work with one box. The cable for fan power can then come off either box. For most applications, I'd then just use one of the remote control packages for the fan. That way you don't need to run cable into the wall, install switch, etc. Just run power in the attic over to the ceiling fan. Use the remote to control it. They also have a wall mount holder to keep the remote in if desired. |
#10
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:48:36 -0800, mike wrote:
Funny story... About 50 years ago, there was some problem with the window air conditioner. It got unplugged. Dad had difficulty getting the plug back into the wall, but made it happen. Next day, I was riding my bike home from school. "Cool, look at all the fire trucks!" Imagine how my mood changed when I discovered it was MY house. How can plugging an an AC that got unplugged start a fire? |
#11
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On 1/11/2013 5:48 PM, mike wrote:
On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever that is. Tapping into a wire is trivial. Making it pass inspection may take more knowledge than you currently possess. And the thing that trips you up will seem trivial or even stupid. A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan". My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed decapitation type. I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. I'd hope that there's more of a difference between a standard ceiling box and a fan support box than just a sticker, price, and necessity to open the ceiling He wasn't gonna get a permit or have it inspected. I didn't want to be party to denial of a fire insurance claim. This stuff is easy and you can always get away with it...until you get caught with your house on fire. Funny story... About 50 years ago, there was some problem with the window air conditioner. It got unplugged. Dad had difficulty getting the plug back into the wall, but made it happen. Next day, I was riding my bike home from school. "Cool, look at all the fire trucks!" Imagine how my mood changed when I discovered it was MY house. Point being, simple stuff can cause BIG problems. And that wasn't the last time I got burned out of my house. But that's a funny story for a different day. |
#12
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:48:36 -0800, mike wrote:
I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. Did you actually look at his current ceiling light box? It may not need the "approved for ceiling fan use". Yes I have used them. It can be done without ripping out the bigger hole. Point. I've hung ceiling fans in some light metal boxes. I add a couple of 2" screws through the box and into the ceiling joist. This is when the box is not mounted on the side, but secure underneath at the bottom or if the box is plastic. I do suggest using the "approved for ceiling fan use" boxes when you would not have a sound attachment present already. |
#13
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:23:42 -0500, RBM wrote:
On 1/11/2013 5:48 PM, mike wrote: On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever that is. Tapping into a wire is trivial. Making it pass inspection may take more knowledge than you currently possess. And the thing that trips you up will seem trivial or even stupid. A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan". My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed decapitation type. I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. I'd hope that there's more of a difference between a standard ceiling box and a fan support box than just a sticker, price, and necessity to open the ceiling Ther IS. The ceiling fan box is designed to support the weight of the swinging ceiling fan and transfer the weight to the ceiling joists. He wasn't gonna get a permit or have it inspected. I didn't want to be party to denial of a fire insurance claim. This stuff is easy and you can always get away with it...until you get caught with your house on fire. Funny story... About 50 years ago, there was some problem with the window air conditioner. It got unplugged. Dad had difficulty getting the plug back into the wall, but made it happen. Next day, I was riding my bike home from school. "Cool, look at all the fire trucks!" Imagine how my mood changed when I discovered it was MY house. Point being, simple stuff can cause BIG problems. And that wasn't the last time I got burned out of my house. But that's a funny story for a different day. |
#14
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:23:42 -0500, RBM wrote:
On 1/11/2013 5:48 PM, mike wrote: On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever that is. Tapping into a wire is trivial. Making it pass inspection may take more knowledge than you currently possess. And the thing that trips you up will seem trivial or even stupid. A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan". My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed decapitation type. I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. I'd hope that there's more of a difference between a standard ceiling box and a fan support box than just a sticker, price, and necessity to open the ceiling Sure there is. It has to be able to take the weight of the fan and the vibration without falling out of the ceiling. It only makes sense to make sure the thing can take a beating. We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission. |
#15
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On 1/11/2013 6:26 PM, Oren wrote:
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 14:48:36 -0800, mike wrote: I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. Did you actually look at his current ceiling light box? It may not need the "approved for ceiling fan use". Yes I have used them. It can be done without ripping out the bigger hole. Point. I've hung ceiling fans in some light metal boxes. I add a couple of 2" screws through the box and into the ceiling joist. This is when the box is not mounted on the side, but secure underneath at the bottom or if the box is plastic. I do suggest using the "approved for ceiling fan use" boxes when you would not have a sound attachment present already. There are a number of retrofit fan support boxes that don't require opening a larger hole than the box already has. Screwing a standard ceiling box to a joist is probably adequate to prevent the box from falling down, but it doesn't address the 8/32 screws that are actually holding the fan to the box. To complete your conversion, I would drill those holes larger and tap new 10/32 threads through the back of the box, making it pretty much a fan support box, without the sticker |
#16
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 11, 7:02*pm, wrote:
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:23:42 -0500, RBM wrote: On 1/11/2013 5:48 PM, mike wrote: On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. *In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. *How do I tap into the existing wire? You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever that is. Tapping into a wire is trivial. *Making it pass inspection may take more knowledge than you currently possess. *And the thing that trips you up will seem trivial or even stupid. A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan". My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed decapitation type. I read the instructions and suggested he take it back. According to the instructions, you can't install the fan into an existing box in the ceiling. * You need a box approved for ceiling fan use. *Near as I could tell, the approved box differed in three areas. It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use". And a price sticker with a substantially higher price. And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up. I'd hope that there's more of a difference between a standard ceiling box and a fan support box than just a sticker, price, and necessity to open the ceiling Sure there is. *It has to be able to take the weight of the fan and the vibration without falling out of the ceiling. *It only makes sense to make sure the thing can take a beating. We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. *The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. |
#18
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Tapping into an electric circuit
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#19
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Friday 11 January 2013 22:15 wrote in alt.home.repair:
On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:07:52 -0600, Mark Storkamp wrote: In article , gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. So tap into the light then. It's not rocket science either way. The point is, it HAS to be done at a box. You can't "vampire" it - and the box needs to be accessible. Do we even know where the OP lives (ie which electrical regulations are in effect)? I agree that screw terminals, regulation or no regulation, need to be accessible - screws can loosen over time. However, local regulations *may* permit: 1) http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html - spring loaded "maintenance free" joints. 2) Crimps - done with a correct ratchet tool and not the piece of tin from some car radio shop. Granted, not much help with a 3 way tap. 3) Soldered joints, insulated in heatshrink and boxed. The British IET 17th Edition regulations permit all the above. I have no idea about the US NEC, or canadian regs. Soldered joints are an art though - the conductors should be mechanically bound prior to soldering - eg ferrule or overlapped and a thin copper wire used to lash them. It's not good enough to just blob them together. Regarding where to tap: I can't imagine the OP's jurisdiction has any more different ways of wiring lighting than the UK. So... Switch: May have a permanant live/hot. But no neutral. Light fitting: May be used as a junction box so may have live/hot. neutral and switched live/hot in which case it is possible. Or it may just have switched live and neutral and the junction box with live and neutral is somewhere else. So the OP needs to possibly find the main feeder cable and joint into that? Does the fan require a ground/earth and is there one present in the lighting circuit? ================ Also - do local regulations permit fans running from lighting circuits? How many amps does the fan take? It's probably OK, but the question needs asking. -- Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/ "It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies." |
#20
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 12, 4:15*am, Tim Watts wrote:
On Friday 11 January 2013 22:15 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:07:52 -0600, Mark Storkamp wrote: In article , gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. *In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. *I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. *How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. *So tap into the light then. It's not rocket science either way. The point is, it HAS to be done at a box. You can't "vampire" it - and the box needs to be accessible. Do we even know where the OP lives (ie which electrical regulations are in effect)? Yes, you have a point. I should have qualified my answer with the fact that it applies to most of the USA. Also many places require a permit to do that work, though most are done without one, required or not. |
#21
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 09:15:49 +0000, Tim Watts
wrote: On Friday 11 January 2013 22:15 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 15:07:52 -0600, Mark Storkamp wrote: In article , gary wrote: I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the existing wire? The power may be running to the light, and the wire going to the switch might only be a loop used to break the circuit to the light. If that's the case then you can't tap into it there. So tap into the light then. It's not rocket science either way. The point is, it HAS to be done at a box. You can't "vampire" it - and the box needs to be accessible. Do we even know where the OP lives (ie which electrical regulations are in effect)? I agree that screw terminals, regulation or no regulation, need to be accessible - screws can loosen over time. However, local regulations *may* permit: 1) http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html - spring loaded "maintenance free" joints. 2) Crimps - done with a correct ratchet tool and not the piece of tin from some car radio shop. Granted, not much help with a 3 way tap. 3) Soldered joints, insulated in heatshrink and boxed. The British IET 17th Edition regulations permit all the above. I have no idea about the US NEC, or canadian regs. Soldered joints are an art though - the conductors should be mechanically bound prior to soldering - eg ferrule or overlapped and a thin copper wire used to lash them. It's not good enough to just blob them together. Until very recently ALL of the above were forbifdden by american and canadian code. In some areas the "vampire" clips formerly allowed in mobile homes are now also allowed in permanent residential installations - although I would NEVER use them - even in a trailer. Regarding where to tap: I can't imagine the OP's jurisdiction has any more different ways of wiring lighting than the UK. So... Switch: May have a permanant live/hot. But no neutral. Or may have both Light fitting: May be used as a junction box so may have live/hot. neutral and switched live/hot in which case it is possible. Or it may just have switched live and neutral and the junction box with live and neutral is somewhere else. So the OP needs to possibly find the main feeder cable and joint into that? Unlike UK "ring circuits" there is no "feeder" per se. All circuits have "home runs" to the service panel, where they are protected by a breaker (or in some cases , still) a fuse. Does the fan require a ground/earth and is there one present in the lighting circuit? In all recent (last 40 years or so) north american installations the ground is there and required. ================ Also - do local regulations permit fans running from lighting circuits? How many amps does the fan take? It's probably OK, but the question needs asking. The fan draws less than most lights - and in all North American codes lighting and ancilliary loads can be shared on the same circuit. |
#22
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Saturday 12 January 2013 18:24 wrote in
alt.home.repair: Until very recently ALL of the above were forbifdden by american and canadian code. In some areas the "vampire" clips formerly allowed in mobile homes are now also allowed in permanent residential installations - although I would NEVER use them - even in a trailer. Like these: http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Co.../Scotchlok.jpg ? If so - oh dear... I have used them in a car, in the old days. But they have no place in house wiring. Unlike UK "ring circuits" there is no "feeder" per se. All circuits have "home runs" to the service panel, where they are protected by a breaker (or in some cases , still) a fuse. Possible slight confusion? Ring circuits are for sockets and make a peculiar (but valid if conditions are met) claim that you can use nominal 20A rated cable for a 32A protected circuit based on there being 2 paths back to the fuse box. Lighting, in the UK, has always bee "tree wired" - ie one or two cables leav ethe fuse/breaker and then branch all around the place until every subcircuit on a lighting circuit has been fed. I'm curious - do you really bring 5-15 cables back to the fusebox for a single lighting circuit if you have 5-15 switched sets of lights? Or do you put a lot less lights on a single breaker? Me: I'm running with 2 circuits (pretty normal for a UK house), both 10A (regs permit 6A, 10A and 16A - 6A is most common, and 16A is usually for commercial premises). Does the fan require a ground/earth and is there one present in the lighting circuit? In all recent (last 40 years or so) north american installations the ground is there and required. Curiously, if you go back to even the 1980's in England, (change was between the 15th to 16th Editions of the regs IIRC) not every point on a lighting circuit needed an earth provided *unless* the fitted was Class I (ie earthed). This of course was a bugger if a double insulated fitting was swapped out and a Class I installed. ================ Also - do local regulations permit fans running from lighting circuits? How many amps does the fan take? It's probably OK, but the question needs asking. The fan draws less than most lights - and in all North American codes lighting and ancilliary loads can be shared on the same circuit. OK - thanks for that. Pretty much the same then. -- Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/ "History will be kind to me for I intend to write it." |
#23
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On 1/12/2013 12:24 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 09:15:49 +0000, Tim wrote: .... However, local regulations *may* permit: 1) http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html - spring loaded "maintenance free" joints. 2) Crimps - done with a correct ratchet tool and not the piece of tin from some car radio shop. Granted, not much help with a 3 way tap. 3) Soldered joints, insulated in heatshrink and boxed. The British IET 17th Edition regulations permit all the above. I have no idea about the US NEC, or canadian regs. .... Until very recently ALL of the above were forbifdden by american and canadian code. .... Well, that's just not so--soldering has been acceptable by NEC since the git-go w/ the provision as above mentioned of mechanically sound irrespective of the solder. 110.14 Electrical Connections. ... ... (B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose. ... -- |
#24
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts
wrote: On Saturday 12 January 2013 18:24 wrote in alt.home.repair: Until very recently ALL of the above were forbifdden by american and canadian code. In some areas the "vampire" clips formerly allowed in mobile homes are now also allowed in permanent residential installations - although I would NEVER use them - even in a trailer. Like these: http://www.wppltd.demon.co.uk/WPP/Co.../Scotchlok.jpg ? No, not like that at all - but just as useless, in my opinion If so - oh dear... I have used them in a car, in the old days. But they have no place in house wiring. Unlike UK "ring circuits" there is no "feeder" per se. All circuits have "home runs" to the service panel, where they are protected by a breaker (or in some cases , still) a fuse. Possible slight confusion? Ring circuits are for sockets and make a peculiar (but valid if conditions are met) claim that you can use nominal 20A rated cable for a 32A protected circuit based on there being 2 paths back to the fuse box. Lighting, in the UK, has always bee "tree wired" - ie one or two cables leav ethe fuse/breaker and then branch all around the place until every subcircuit on a lighting circuit has been fed. I'm curious - do you really bring 5-15 cables back to the fusebox for a single lighting circuit if you have 5-15 switched sets of lights? Or do you put a lot less lights on a single breaker? My house has a small panel - it's only got 16 circuits. 2 of those feed the range, 2 feed the drier, 2 for the AC, So 10 15 amp circuits left.for the rest of the house. Not sure what the code limit is now as far as how many lights or outlets on a circuit, but there are about 25 outlets and lights combined in the house, plus 2 exterior oulets and 2 exteriour lights, plus the garage. A typical circuit would run cable from breaker to an outlet, on to another outlet, then on to a couple of lights, with drop switches - or on to a couple of light switches, feeding one or two lights per switch. Me: I'm running with 2 circuits (pretty normal for a UK house), both 10A (regs permit 6A, 10A and 16A - 6A is most common, and 16A is usually for commercial premises). 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. Does the fan require a ground/earth and is there one present in the lighting circuit? In all recent (last 40 years or so) north american installations the ground is there and required. Curiously, if you go back to even the 1980's in England, (change was between the 15th to 16th Editions of the regs IIRC) not every point on a lighting circuit needed an earth provided *unless* the fitted was Class I (ie earthed). This of course was a bugger if a double insulated fitting was swapped out and a Class I installed. ================ Also - do local regulations permit fans running from lighting circuits? How many amps does the fan take? It's probably OK, but the question needs asking. The fan draws less than most lights - and in all North American codes lighting and ancilliary loads can be shared on the same circuit. OK - thanks for that. Pretty much the same then. |
#25
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 13:15:32 -0600, dpb wrote:
On 1/12/2013 12:24 PM, wrote: On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 09:15:49 +0000, Tim wrote: ... However, local regulations *may* permit: 1) http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ASJ804.html - spring loaded "maintenance free" joints. 2) Crimps - done with a correct ratchet tool and not the piece of tin from some car radio shop. Granted, not much help with a 3 way tap. 3) Soldered joints, insulated in heatshrink and boxed. The British IET 17th Edition regulations permit all the above. I have no idea about the US NEC, or canadian regs. ... Until very recently ALL of the above were forbifdden by american and canadian code. ... Well, that's just not so--soldering has been acceptable by NEC since the git-go w/ the provision as above mentioned of mechanically sound irrespective of the solder. 110.14 Electrical Connections. ... ... (B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding, or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically and electrically secure without solder and then be soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device identified for the purpose. ... OK - allowed in the USA - not allowed in the areas of Canada I am familliar with. Soldered was allowed/required with H&T wiring - not allowed with non-metallic sheathed cable. |
#26
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Saturday 12 January 2013 21:01 wrote in
alt.home.repair: A typical circuit would run cable from breaker to an outlet, on to another outlet, then on to a couple of lights, with drop switches - or on to a couple of light switches, feeding one or two lights per switch. Me: I'm running with 2 circuits (pretty normal for a UK house), both 10A (regs permit 6A, 10A and 16A - 6A is most common, and 16A is usually for commercial premises). 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. Ah - so your lighting and socket circuits are combined. Think I've seen something similar in Switzerland. In which case it makes sense. Our word for that type of socket circuit is "radial" (to differenciate it from "ring"). It is a permitted circuit, usually 16A or 20A but can be done at 32A, but the required cable size becomes prohibitive at 32A. However, we would never combine lighting at sockets on the same circuit - although by the regs, it could be done with a 16A breaker - but never is. A typical old style house would have 2 lighting circuits (lighting only plus odd things like bathroom extractor fans) - one upstairs, one downstairs. Then typically 2 32A ring circuits - upstairs and downstairs. Then a cooker circuit, another for shower etc. My house, done to my own design and wired by me (I hold some qualifications and the correct test instrument, so my building inspector is happy for me to sign my own work off) has: 2 indoor lighting circuits at 10A each, north end and south end 4 32A rings for sockets 1 45A circuit for backup heating (if gas boiler fails) 1 10A outdoor lighting (RCD/GFCI more likely to trip due to bugs and damp) 1 16A "radial" for a couple of outdoor sockets (own circuit fo rsam ereason as above). 1 32A workshop (well, big shed) supply, if I ever get around to it. That's fed off a 100A 230V incomer. -- Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/ "She got her looks from her father. He's a plastic surgeon." |
#27
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Tapping into an electric circuit
" wrote:
On Jan 11, 7:02*pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. *The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug |
#28
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Tapping into an electric circuit
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#29
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G
wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. |
#30
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair:
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). -- Tim Watts Personal Blog: http://www.dionic.net/tim/ "It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies." |
#31
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 12, 4:59*pm, Douglas Johnson wrote:
" wrote: On Jan 11, 7:02*pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. *The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. *By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. * It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. *Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. *The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. *This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. *The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug Not to spoil the moment, but I can think of one potential line of argument to deny a claim. Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover criminal acts that you commit. They could argue that the electrical circuit you added without a permit that was done incorrectly was a violation of the law. But I'm not sure it meets the level of a true criminal act. And they would have to prove that it was the cause of the loss, etc. Claims may in fact have been denied for work that was done incorrectly by a homeowner, without a permit, etc., somewhere, sometime. But if it's happened, funny that the folks that keep bringing this up don't have cases to show us. If they do, I'd be happy to see them. |
#32
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Tapping into an electric circuit
" wrote:
On Jan 12, 4:59 pm, Douglas Johnson wrote: " wrote: On Jan 11, 7:02 pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug Not to spoil the moment, but I can think of one potential line of argument to deny a claim. Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover criminal acts that you commit. They could argue that the electrical circuit you added without a permit that was done incorrectly was a violation of the law. But I'm not sure it meets the level of a true criminal act. And they would have to prove that it was the cause of the loss, etc. Claims may in fact have been denied for work that was done incorrectly by a homeowner, without a permit, etc., somewhere, sometime. But if it's happened, funny that the folks that keep bringing this up don't have cases to show us. If they do, I'd be happy to see them. I, for one, would not be happy to see them. I'm quite happy believing that all of the upgrades I've done to my electrical system are not going to come back and bite me should I ever, God forbid, have to put in a fire related claim. |
#33
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:18:33 -0800 (PST), "
wrote: On Jan 12, 4:59*pm, Douglas Johnson wrote: " wrote: On Jan 11, 7:02*pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. *The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. *By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. * It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. *Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. *The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. *This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. *The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug Not to spoil the moment, but I can think of one potential line of argument to deny a claim. Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover criminal acts that you commit. They could argue that the electrical circuit you added without a permit that was done incorrectly was a violation of the law. But I'm not sure it meets the level of a true criminal act. And they would have to prove that it was the cause of the loss, etc. It is not a criminal act. Infraction crime. Claims may in fact have been denied for work that was done incorrectly by a homeowner, without a permit, etc., somewhere, sometime. But if it's happened, funny that the folks that keep bringing this up don't have cases to show us. If they do, I'd be happy to see them. Citation needed. |
#34
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 13, 12:46*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:18:33 -0800 (PST), " wrote: On Jan 12, 4:59 pm, Douglas Johnson wrote: " wrote: On Jan 11, 7:02 pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug Not to spoil the moment, but I can think of one potential line of argument to deny a claim. *Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover criminal acts that you commit. *They could argue that the electrical circuit you added without a permit that was done incorrectly was a violation of the law. But I'm not sure it meets the level of a true criminal act. And they would have to prove that it was the cause of the loss, etc. It is not a criminal act. *Infraction crime. Why? How would you know all the building code laws and penalties across the USA? You can clearly be prosecuted in court for building code violations. If convicted, they can certainly fine you and I would think in certain circumstances they could probably impose a jail sentence. What exactly does it take to make something a criminal act? Let's take an extreme example. Let's say somebody runs their own gas line, using garden hose. The house blows up, killing 2 children. Might they not be charged with manslaughter? Isn't that a criminal act? And note again, I'm not saying this routinely happens in insurance cases, where a claim is denied because the homeowner did work that caused say a fire, that was done wrong, without a permit. I agree, if it happens it must be rare because no one here seems able to find an example. |
#35
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:11:38 +0000, Tim Watts
wrote: On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). Insufficient even for lighting in MANY North American homes. - but as I noted, here there is no such thing as a "lighting circuit" in MOST cases. The only time you would have a "lighting circuit" would be if you had massive Low Voltage Control or dimmer panels - basically theatre lighting. |
#36
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Jan 13, 1:23*pm, wrote:
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:11:38 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? *Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power *( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). *Insufficient even for lighting in MANY North American homes. - but as I noted, here there is no such thing as a "lighting circuit" in MOST cases. The only time you would have a "lighting circuit" would be if you had massive Low Voltage Control or dimmer panels - basically theatre lighting.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - What exactly is a lighting circuit? If it's just a circuit that has only lights on it, then it's not all that unusual,' is it? You could add a circuit to run 4 outside flood lights for example. I agree most circuits you're going to find don't have just lights, but it's not all that unusual either or limited to the the couple of cases given. |
#37
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:23:00 -0500, wrote:
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:11:38 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). Insufficient even for lighting in MANY North American homes. - but as I noted, here there is no such thing as a "lighting circuit" in MOST cases. The only time you would have a "lighting circuit" would be if you had massive Low Voltage Control or dimmer panels - basically theatre lighting. Huh? I have several lighting circuits and am adding more. |
#38
Posted to alt.home.repair
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:04:34 -0800 (PST), "
wrote: On Jan 13, 12:46*pm, wrote: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 07:18:33 -0800 (PST), " wrote: On Jan 12, 4:59 pm, Douglas Johnson wrote: " wrote: On Jan 11, 7:02 pm, wrote: We hear the "insurance" nonsense here all the time but it's BS. The worrywarts couldn't take a **** without their master's permission.- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I was thinking the same thing. By now you'd think there would be case after case cited here by these folks where an insurance company denied a claim because someone did some work incorrectly themselves. It might be out there, but I have yet to see it. I once asked two independent insurance adjusters if insurers would deny such a claim. Neither one hesitated before saying "They'd pay." I've been all over my homeowner's policy. The only clause that might allow them to deny such a claim would be if they could establish it was deliberate with the goal of burning the house down. Please write down the date and time. This is an event unlikely to occur ever again. The three of us agreeing on something. -- Doug Not to spoil the moment, but I can think of one potential line of argument to deny a claim. *Typically homeowners insurance doesn't cover criminal acts that you commit. *They could argue that the electrical circuit you added without a permit that was done incorrectly was a violation of the law. But I'm not sure it meets the level of a true criminal act. And they would have to prove that it was the cause of the loss, etc. It is not a criminal act. *Infraction crime. Why? How would you know all the building code laws and penalties across the USA? Show me one that is a felony. You can't. You can clearly be prosecuted in court for building code violations. If convicted, they can certainly fine you and I would think in certain circumstances they could probably impose a jail sentence. What exactly does it take to make something a criminal act? Let's take an extreme example. Let's say somebody runs their own gas line, using garden hose. The house blows up, killing 2 children. Might they not be charged with manslaughter? Isn't that a criminal act? Go back to sleep. You might find someone there who wants to argue with you for the sake of arguing. And note again, I'm not saying this routinely happens in insurance cases, where a claim is denied because the homeowner did work that caused say a fire, that was done wrong, without a permit. I agree, if it happens it must be rare because no one here seems able to find an example. Citation, or STFU. |
#39
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Tapping into an electric circuit
wrote:
On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:11:38 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). Insufficient even for lighting in MANY North American homes. - but as I noted, here there is no such thing as a "lighting circuit" in MOST cases. The only time you would have a "lighting circuit" would be if you had massive Low Voltage Control or dimmer panels - basically theatre lighting. Maybe I'm missing your meaning of "lighting circuit". Many workshops are wired with the lights on their own circuit. Keeps the place from going dark when a piece of power equipment pops the breaker. That's how I wired mine. I put in a dedicated circuit for the shop lights so nothing but a complete power failure will leave me stumbling around in a dark workshop. |
#40
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Tapping into an electric circuit
On Mon, 14 Jan 2013 00:14:02 +0000 (UTC), DerbyDad03
wrote: wrote: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 10:11:38 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: On Sunday 13 January 2013 04:40 wrote in alt.home.repair: On Sun, 13 Jan 2013 13:35:46 +1100, John G wrote: submitted this idea : On Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:54:34 +0000, Tim Watts wrote: 2 10 amp circuits in UK provide the same power as 1 20 amp circuit in America.. No way you would ever get away with that little power in an American or Canadian home. 2 X 10 amps in UK = 2 x 10 x 230 = 4600 Watts 1 X 20 amps in US = 1 x 20 x 120 = 2400 Watts According to my calculator. :-? Sorry - I meant one 10 amp circuit in UK provides same power as 1 20 amp in USA, and NO WAY would you get away with that little power ( 2 circuits) in a house in USA or Canada. That was just lighting (in the UK example). Insufficient even for lighting in MANY North American homes. - but as I noted, here there is no such thing as a "lighting circuit" in MOST cases. The only time you would have a "lighting circuit" would be if you had massive Low Voltage Control or dimmer panels - basically theatre lighting. Maybe I'm missing your meaning of "lighting circuit". Many workshops are wired with the lights on their own circuit. Keeps the place from going dark when a piece of power equipment pops the breaker. That's how I wired mine. I put in a dedicated circuit for the shop lights so nothing but a complete power failure will leave me stumbling around in a dark workshop. As Clare pointed out, it's also common for kitchens and other rooms that have a lot of can lighting. It makes a lot of sense everywhere, but it's rarely done. |
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