Troubleshooting original home wiring done by others usually means that nothing is right and even though it may of worked once does not mean that it was done correctly.
Openings Electrical Residential refers to the maximum amount of openings/devices (outlets/switches/lights) that can be placed on a circuit breaker. Every electrician, homeowner, handy man has there way to install electrical wiring. Some mix outlet openings with lights and switching openings, not a very good idea because if you trip a circuit breaker your lights will go off also. Solution have dedicated circuit breakers for lighting and outlets loads.
Some will just backstab the wiring into the devices, not a good idea because if one device goes
bad it can knock power off to other devices downstream from the device that went bad, and then they will just ram the wiring into the box any way that it will fit. All not good ideas.
bad it can knock power off to other devices downstream from the device that went bad, and then they will just ram the wiring into the box any way that it will fit. All not good ideas.
Solution pigtail each opening to true series circuit to the necessary device outlet/switch/light opening and accordion fold wring into the box neatly.
By doing all this you have made a tap off a trunk line even if the device goes bad it will not take downstream devices off power unless it is a fault to ground then the breaker will trip and all devices will be offline.
The National Electric Code NEC/Your Local Authority is the minimum code required for your area. You can NEVER go below code but you can ALWAYS go above code. Most homeowners can take electrical Homeowners Permits out and do the work themselves on rewires, service upgrades and related electrical wiring issues. Contact D B Electric we can coach you thru the entire process to the final inspection.
On a recent service call the Client had lost power to outlets and lights in a 2nd floor bedroom? Not to bore you with all the troubleshooting details what was discovered was over 40 openings on one 20/amp 120/volt circuit breaker. It worked once make it work again and we have no money to upgrade the wiring harness was the information from the Client.
Allowable Openings Per Circuit Breaker Amp Rating
Single Pole Circuit Breaker 15/amp 120/volt = 10 openings (general purpose)
Single Pole Circuit Breaker 20/amp 120/volt = 12 openings (general purpose)
As described above you can never go below code but you can always go above code. For this example dedicated circuit breakers are used for the following loads
Single Pole Circuit Breaker’s 20/amp 120/volt for fridge/microwave/dishwasher = 3
Even though the code calls for 2 dedicated minimum branch circuit breakers for the kitchen area outlets/appliances this is usually not enough so splitting the appliance loads (dishwasher, refrigerator, disposal, microwave, ect) up with dedicated circuit breakers is a much better idea. Example going above the current code. By doing this the appliance will have dedicated power to do what it does and not be slowed down making compressors, motors and appliance loads operate more efficiently, the cooler you can operate electrical devices the more efficiently it will operate. Hook the same appliance up to circuit breakers that have other loads attached and that appliance is being starved/lagging on startup/operation and will generate more heat than is necessary.
Basic electrical knowledge is very useful and can help any electrical project from the start.
Line = incoming power
Load = device being operated (motor for example)
Neutral = Return Path to Utility Provider
Ground = grounding rod/rods to earth and related wiring
Switch Leg = load wire from device (light fixture for example)
By knowing what each part does and how to correctly plan-install-implement these items into your home or business wiring harness will provide reliable and safe operation 7/24/365
D B Electric
email www.offgridpowerdbelectric@gmail.com
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