Circuit Specific Help
#1
Circuit Specific Help
I am finlizing the details for the addition mentioned earlier and I have a couple of more questions. (I've also gotten back into the books and on-line resources over the past few days so, more knowledge means more questions.)
As I mentioned, I am planning four circuits. The two lighting circuits will each have a load of around 1000 watts worth of fixtures on them, sound OK?
I've run 12ga for the receptacle circuits, including the designated computer circuit; should I run 12ga initial power feed to the switches for the light circuits, instead of 14ga? I have already wired the receptacles with 12ga but the lighting circuits were planned for 14ga. All four circuits will be 15amp breakers. The home run is about 35-40ft, so I don't think voltage drop is an issue but a lot of what I read talks about using heavier ga conductor than whats required. I already have most of the 14ga two wire already run between the fixtures. Lighting circuit power feeds are both going to the switches first, 'y'ing from there.
- I'm also curious about the following. The general purpose receptacle circuit will have light intermitant load. The light circuits will see periods of using, like while enternaining guests, where almost every fixture on each of the light circuits will be used. Why does it seem that the conventional wisdom is to use 14ga for light circuits and 12ga for the receptacles. It seems like it should be the other way around.
My service panel is an interesting set-up. 200amp service to the outside panel with a distribution panel inside rated at 125amps. The AC/Heat pump and lawn sprinkler pump are serviced from the exterior panel from the outside, house side of the meter, before service goes to the distribution panel; therefore my 125amp distribution panel does not have the AC/heat pump and lawn pump load on it. House was built in 1997 to Florida Code. Any thoughts on this Service Panel set-up? I planned on using half-size breakers for my new circuits; my load calcs indicate that the distribution panel 125amp should be plenty.
Thanks for the guidance
As I mentioned, I am planning four circuits. The two lighting circuits will each have a load of around 1000 watts worth of fixtures on them, sound OK?
I've run 12ga for the receptacle circuits, including the designated computer circuit; should I run 12ga initial power feed to the switches for the light circuits, instead of 14ga? I have already wired the receptacles with 12ga but the lighting circuits were planned for 14ga. All four circuits will be 15amp breakers. The home run is about 35-40ft, so I don't think voltage drop is an issue but a lot of what I read talks about using heavier ga conductor than whats required. I already have most of the 14ga two wire already run between the fixtures. Lighting circuit power feeds are both going to the switches first, 'y'ing from there.
- I'm also curious about the following. The general purpose receptacle circuit will have light intermitant load. The light circuits will see periods of using, like while enternaining guests, where almost every fixture on each of the light circuits will be used. Why does it seem that the conventional wisdom is to use 14ga for light circuits and 12ga for the receptacles. It seems like it should be the other way around.
My service panel is an interesting set-up. 200amp service to the outside panel with a distribution panel inside rated at 125amps. The AC/Heat pump and lawn sprinkler pump are serviced from the exterior panel from the outside, house side of the meter, before service goes to the distribution panel; therefore my 125amp distribution panel does not have the AC/heat pump and lawn pump load on it. House was built in 1997 to Florida Code. Any thoughts on this Service Panel set-up? I planned on using half-size breakers for my new circuits; my load calcs indicate that the distribution panel 125amp should be plenty.
Thanks for the guidance
#2
The two lighting circuits will each have a load of around 1000 watts worth of fixtures on them, sound OK?
should I run 12ga initial power feed to the switches for the light circuits, instead of 14ga?
All four circuits will be 15amp breakers.
The home run is about 35-40ft, so I don't think voltage drop is an issue but a lot of what I read talks about using heavier ga conductor than whats required.
Why does it seem that the conventional wisdom is to use 14ga for light circuits and 12ga for the receptacles. It seems like it should be the other way around.