no room for more breakers
#1
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no room for more breakers
Need to add three 20 amp circuits for bath remodel. 100 amp Panel is full it has 8 20amp singles, 2 double pole 20amp, 2 double pole 30 amp, 1 double pole 50 amp and 2 tandem 20 amp breakers. Would it be code to switch 3 of the 20 amp singles to 20 amp tandems or is it time to add a sub panel. 1970's construction. I read somewhere the limit was 42 circuits but would think the amount if amps that the circuits can provide would be relevant too.
#2
Would it be code to switch 3 of the 20 amp singles to 20 amp tandems
#3
As Ray said, certain panels will allow tandems in certain slots. For instance, slots 1-4 may not take them. We can tell better with your panel numbers. I have one question, though. Why do you need 3full 20 amp circuits in a bathroom. Curious.
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The house was originally wired with 2 full baths and a half bath with all lights fans and outlets on 1 circuit.
In redoing the master its getting a tub with jets and a heater that call for separate circuits, a fan with heat and light need another circuit. I suppose they don't all have to be 20 amp other than the fan/heat/light combo. Maybe they shouldn't?
I was also thinking since all the candidates for switching from single to tandem are currently 20 amps I would keep them as 20's not wanting to have reduce the amps on any existing circuits.
This house has had a few special electrical surprises. Yesterday when demoing I found a live wire nicely coiled up to the last staple inside a wall.
In redoing the master its getting a tub with jets and a heater that call for separate circuits, a fan with heat and light need another circuit. I suppose they don't all have to be 20 amp other than the fan/heat/light combo. Maybe they shouldn't?
I was also thinking since all the candidates for switching from single to tandem are currently 20 amps I would keep them as 20's not wanting to have reduce the amps on any existing circuits.
This house has had a few special electrical surprises. Yesterday when demoing I found a live wire nicely coiled up to the last staple inside a wall.
#6
Do you also have a circuit for the receptacles? The three circuits sounds like you need at least that many.
Last edited by pcboss; 01-11-14 at 04:10 PM.
#7
is this the info that identifies the panel or is it stamped in the metal somewhere?
#9
100 amp Panel is full
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Thanks joe, that matches with what I found when I opened it up
The breaker at the house meter outside is a 100 amp. In the panel I also found a 50 amp double for a stove/oven that is now a gas unit and a 30 amp double for a dryer now also gas.
So, with what is now 4 full open slots would it be unreasonable to use them for powering the master bath and leave the rest alone?
The breaker at the house meter outside is a 100 amp. In the panel I also found a 50 amp double for a stove/oven that is now a gas unit and a 30 amp double for a dryer now also gas.
So, with what is now 4 full open slots would it be unreasonable to use them for powering the master bath and leave the rest alone?
#11
The open slots should be good to power your bathroom. I hope the breakers are the correct size on the newer circuits like the stove.
Last edited by pcboss; 01-11-14 at 04:07 PM.
#12
So, with what is now 4 full open slots would it be unreasonable to use them for powering the master bath and leave the rest alone?
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I hope the breakers are the correct size on the newer circuits like the stove.
#14
just plugged into available 110 outlets on 20 amp breakers.
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the second best thing would be to get rid of the thin THQP breakers