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.
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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)
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.
Home Electrical Wiring
Wire a GFCI Outlet without a Ground Wire
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Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
Great for any Home Wiring Project.
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 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.
Causes of Electric Circuit Buzz Crackle or Sizzle What is causing a buzz and crackle sound in the electric box? How to Locate the Cause of Electrical Circuit Buzz or Crackle, The Most Common Problems that Cause Electrical Circuit Buzz or Crackle and What Should Be Done.
What To Do With The Ground Wire Where do I attach the ground wire? Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches: What to do When there is Nothing to Attach the Ground Wire to, Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches, Ground Wires and Ungrounded Fixtures and Boxes, Bonding the Ground Wire.
220 240 Volt Air Compressor Wiring How to Wire a 220 Volt Air Compressor and Control Switch: Wiring a standard 240 volt motor for equipment such as an air compressor there are only two insulated wires for the 220/240 volts and one separate wire for the ground.
Splicing 220 Volt Wiring How to Splice 220 Volt Electrical Wiring: Considerations when splicing 220 volt cable wiring in order to make the splice safe, accessible and makes sure the circuit maintains integrity.
Receptacles Not Getting Full Power Why Do I Only Have 70 Volts on a 120 Volt Receptacle? How to Troubleshoot and Repair Outlet Problems, The Most Common Problem with Electric Outlets and How to Repair Them.
Identifying The Cause Of a Dimming Light Circuit What is causing my lights to be dim? How to Identify and Fix the Cause of Dim Lights, Dim Lights may be a Indication of an Electrical Problem, How to Check Electric Circuit Wiring.
electric circuit listing - 1797
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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