Summary: This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes.
Electrical Circuits and Circuit Breakers for House Wiring
The electrical circuit breakers serving your home wiring circuits are intended for switching and protection of your home's wiring from high temperatures caused by excess current higher than the rating of the wire.
While thermal-magnetic circuit breakers are the key element for overload and short-circuit protection of your electrical system, there are potentially dangerous conditions that do not involve over-current.
The following electrical circuit breakers should be utilized to provide further protection.
Basic House Wiring Circuits
15 amp 120 volt circuits
Lighting
Living Room
Kitchen
General Purpose Outlets
Living Rooms
Den
Library
Office
20 amp 120 volt circuits
120 volt appliance outlets
Kitchen
Garage
Laundry
30 to 60 amp 240 volt circuits
Large Appliances
Electric Clothes Dryer
Electric Water Heater
Air Conditioners
Stove
Range
The size of the circuit breaker will depend on the required circuit as specified in the equipment installation manual.
AFCI Circuits 15 and 20 amp, 120 volt
General Purpose Outlets
Bedrooms
Required for bedroom circuits and other areas as specified by the NEC Codes which have been adopted in the specific county or state.
House Wiring and Electrical Circuit Applications
Garage Sub-Panel - 4-Wire Feed
I connected a 60 amp sub panel in my garage,I used underground wire rate 600 volts, which has BX cable covered. I have connected the red and black as main power.the blue wire is taped white,connected to the left side of the grounding bar, and bare wire to the right side,I would like to know if this matters with the bare wire to ground,everything seems to be working fine, no breakers are getting warm , and I tripped a breaker to be sure all is working,your help in this matter would be appreciated,
Thank you AL.
Al, this looks good with one exception. Because this is a sub-panel it requires a 4-wire circuit feed with a dedicated neutral and a dedicated ground, with termination of each going to separate terminals strips or terminal bars. The neutral terminal strip is not connected to the ground at this sub-panel location and is dedicated for neutrals only. The ground wire gets terminated to a separate ground terminal strip that IS connected or bonded to the sub-panel enclosure and is dedicated for ground wires only. The ground wire and neutral wires can be terminated together ONLY at the Main Electrical Panel.
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Learn more about How to Wire Circuit Breakers and Panels Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians Includes: Home Electrical Circuit Breakers 120 Volt Circuits 240 Volt Circuits Multi-Wired Circuits Wiring Methods for Installing Electrical Circuit Wiring Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Be Sure to Get Your Copy!
Questions about House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers
Why Does a Circuit Stop Working and the Breaker is Not Tripped?
Ben from Beason, Illinois asks:
I am wondering what could make the power to the center of my house go out. It acts like the breaker is tripping, but when I check it, the breaker is not tripped. It can set for a day or so and I can switch the breaker off and then back on and it stays on for a couple minutes and then goes back off. What could be wrong?
Dave’s Reply:
Great question Ben. Typically with your situation, the circuit breaker that provides power to the center of the house may be faulty and need to be replaced. Circuit power that turns on and off as you have described can be due to the amount of electrical load being increased which can cause a faulty connection to stop the flow of electricity. This can be a serious problem that can cause other components in the electric panel to become damaged s well. I would encourage you to contact a licensed electrician to have this problem evaluated as soon as possible.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
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circuits - 1880
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Installing Electric Circuits
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Working in an electric panel is dangerous due to arc flash hazards and the possibility of electric shock.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for circuit wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional electrical circuit wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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