Electrical Panel Problems

[sk8salomon]

just moved into an old house (1940's) that has been renovated. PO installed a new electrical box but when i opened it i found nothing labeled. no biggie, so i turned everything on and started flipping breakers. found that the kitchen, living room & dining room all wired to a 15A breaker so, basically i can't run the dishwasher, microwave or lights in the house at the same time. what's my best option here? should i just run a separate line for the dw and be done with it?

[John Smith]

Sounds like you need to run a few new dedicated circuits to the kitchen. Hopefully the new panel has some open space.

[FJ40_owner]

Originally Posted by sk8salomon

just moved into an old house (1940's) that has been renovated. PO installed a new electrical box but when i opened it i found nothing labeled. no biggie, so i turned everything on and started flipping breakers. found that the kitchen, living room & dining room all wired to a 15A breaker so, basically i can't run the dishwasher, microwave or lights in the house at the same time. what's my best option here? should i just run a separate line for the dw and be done with it?

Dishwasher, garbage, MW and refrig on a circuit.

Additional circuit for wall sockets. In the perfect world I would have two 15 Amp ciscuits for plugs to allow simutaneous use of e frying, toasting, blending, etc.

Remove the power, be safe.

JB

[LandCruiserPhil]

Run 2 new 20A (12/2 romex) dedicated circuits. 1 for dishwasher and 1 for the micro.
If you are low on breaker space in most cases you can use 1/2 size breakers if needed.

Not an uncommon problem for a house built in the 40s..didnt have dishwasher and micro back then.

[tehcruiser]

A kitchen should not have any 15Amp. circuits, except for lights.
But things being what they are, you should definitely run another 15A for the dishwasher, which is the recomended minimum. The microwave is another power hog, and should have it's own dedicated circuit, but a 20A circuit will handle both just fine. You should also have at list two more circuits for the counter-top loads, and a dedicated one for the fridge.

[sk8salomon]

ok thanks guys. the more i think about it, the more i want to boot the PO in the nuts. the family room is on the circuit which has the tv, stereo and lights. the dining room has a chandellier with dimmer switch and outlets near the floor on this circuit as well...then the kitchen. so basically the entire center of the house is run on this one 15A breaker
IDIOT IMO!

[LandCruiserPhil]

Originally Posted by tehcruiser

A kitchen should not have any 15Amp. circuits, except for lights.
But things being what they are, you should definitely run another 15A for the dishwasher, which is the recomended minimum. The microwave is another power hog, and should have it's own dedicated circuit, but a 20A circuit will handle both just fine. You should also have at list two more circuits for the counter-top loads, and a dedicated one for the fridge.

Min circuit of 20A for dishwasher per NEC code.

[UNBREAKABLE]

It would prob. be in your best intrest to rewire your house

Pull the panel cover and snap a pic...let's see what your workin with

edit: you are supposed to have 2 GFCI circuits in the kitchen....but being an old house your prob. not gonna get that

[sk8salomon]

no GFI in kitchen, only in bathrooms. at first glance, all the outlets in the house are new with the grounding plug. but when you test across the ground, it still has the old wiring so no true earth ground. THEY TRICKED US!!!!!!!!!

[LandCruiserPhil]

Grounded outlets are approved on a non-grounded system if the circuit has GFI protection. Almost all houses wired in romex prior to 1968 are non grounded system.

[tehcruiser]

Originally Posted by LandCruiserPhil

Min circuit of 20A for dishwasher per NEC code.

I personally don't like anything under 20A, but I've come to the conclusion that sometimes you got to work with what you have. (Money, Time, Materials)

[fj40charles]

Also, if you're going to run new circuits, use 12 gauge for everything. Don't bother buying 14 gauge wiring.

[stayalert]

pffft at least you have cicuit breakers!!!

My last house had screw in glass fuses......60 amps for a 5 bedroom house - 60 amps wasn't trouble some but the knob and tube wiring was 60 amps wasn't an issue 'cause there was gas hot water gas boiler and gas stove/oven & dryer.

first thing we did when we bought that house was gut it. we lived in a tent in the back yard for the summer and had demolition parties every night after work. Fun times....

Good luck and don't get zapped!!

[VanGo]

I agree with unbreakable. Unfortunately cost is going to be a big issue, but it beats becoming homeless because you did not take preventive measures. Install 20A half breakers, if room is an issue. Or, at best, you might be able to install a 100A sub-panel, clean things up at the main. Then make your dedicated circuits for lights, receptcals, dishwasher, dryer, kitchen/bath, spare room, etc... Dedicated2- 20A breakers (12/2 romex) is a min. /NEC. Consult with a qualified electrician. Also, check out Tauton press fine homebuilding electrical great resource.

Van

[Plowboy]

Originally Posted by LandCruiserPhil

Grounded outlets are approved on a non-grounded system if the circuit has GFI protection. Almost all houses wired in romex prior to 1968 are non grounded system.

I have found in a lot of remodel that I have done in older home using the old cloth covered romex that the boxes have been grounded with the ground wrapped around one of the nails used to attach the box to the studs

[LandCruiserPhil]

Originally Posted by Plowboy

I have found in a lot of remodel that I have done in older home using the old cloth covered romex that the boxes have been grounded with the ground wrapped around one of the nails used to attach the box to the studs

I have found similar wiring also. When grounded romex was first available they didnt know what the ground because they did not have 3 prong outlets yet. Out west you will find the ground wires stuck out the back of the box and crimped. Remember 3 prong adapters, you needed to screw the adapter to plate screw so you could pick up your ground threw the yoke of the outlet.