Electric Circuit Listing

Summary: The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required.

Electrical Wiring Circuits for a Typical Family Home

This electric circuit listing is based on a single family home of 3000 square foot with the following electrical loads:

1- 12 kw electric range
20 kw of electric space heating (1 central elect. heating unit)
1- 5 kw electric water heater
1-central air conditioner, 9 kw
1- dishwasher, 1 kw
1- disposal, 0.9 kw
1- electric clothes dryer, 4500 watt

Electric Circuit Listing - Home 3000 sq. ft.
NEC Ref.	Circuit	VA	Breaker
220-3a	General Lighting, 3000 sq ft x 3 watts = 9000	--	1-pole 15
220-16a	2 Small Appliance, 1500 ea= 3000	--	1-pole 20
220-16b	Laundry (Washing Machine) = 1500	--	1-pole 20
T 220-11	Total General Lighting, Small Appl., Laundry = 13500	--
T 220-11	Apply Demands, 1st 3000 watts	3000
T 220-11	Balance(10500 watts) at 35 percent	3675
220-18	Dryer (minimum 5k)	5000	2-pole 30
220-19	Range (from col C)	8000	2-pole 50
220-17	Add Fixed Appliance x 100 percent (not more than four)	6900
220-21	Larger of Heat / Air Conditioning	20000	2-pole **
VA	Total	46575
Amps	Divide by 240 (volts) =	194
310-15(b)6	200 Amp service wire:	2/0 copper

15 amp circuit = 1800 watts
20 amp circuit = 2400 watts

Home Electrical Circuits

Additional Electrical Circuits:

Note:
Smoke Detectors are not required to be on a dedicated circuit. Smoke detectors are typically shared on a lighting circuit such as the hallway lights, this way if the circuit is off for any reason it will be noticed.

Questions about Home Electrical Circuits

Robert in Delaware asks:
Electrical Circuits
What circuits have to be wired with 12-2 wire?

Dave’s Reply:
Home Electrical Circuits

12-2 Type-NM cable is rated at 20 amps, therefore this cable is typically used for general purpose branch circuits such as kitchen GFCI outlets. However 12-2 Type-NM cable is also used for dedicated circuits for various small equipment such as a whole house vacuum system or a clothes washer.

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Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

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.