Help adding 2 power outlets
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Help adding 2 power outlets
I took the advice in another thread to add 2 outlets instead of using extension cords (fire hazard). I need one outlet by the window (for the portable AC unit) and another outlet to the left for the 1,500 watt oil heater (I want the heat to be near the foot of the bed -- not the head of the bed). Long story short but the other circuits in the room will be overloaded by these appliances -- I must tap into the outlet in the foreground.
I bought my 14/2 cabling, got my kit for drilling studs with the long bendable bit, got my blue after-work boxes, etc. Now I'm plotting what to do. I assume that I need to tap into the outlet in the foreground. So where would you cut into the wall (besides where my new outlets will go)? Going around that corner looks like trouble. I'm guessing that I need to cut a hole after the corner (on the far wall). Any advice appreciated.
BTW the breaker box is about 8 feet to the right, just outside this room.
The bed has been moved (to the left) away from the wall.
Here's the room.
https://i.imgur.com/nzJORFG.jpg
I bought my 14/2 cabling, got my kit for drilling studs with the long bendable bit, got my blue after-work boxes, etc. Now I'm plotting what to do. I assume that I need to tap into the outlet in the foreground. So where would you cut into the wall (besides where my new outlets will go)? Going around that corner looks like trouble. I'm guessing that I need to cut a hole after the corner (on the far wall). Any advice appreciated.
BTW the breaker box is about 8 feet to the right, just outside this room.
The bed has been moved (to the left) away from the wall.
Here's the room.
https://i.imgur.com/nzJORFG.jpg
Last edited by ray2047; 11-11-18 at 09:23 PM.
#2
If you need new receptacles for capacity you will need to run from the panel and add a new breaker. Tapping into the existing circuit to feed them will electrically be the same as the extension cord.
#3
Do you have an unfinished attic above or unfinished basement below? Please post a picture of the breaker box and area around it. How to add images. (May not work on some phones.)
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Tapping into the existing circuit to feed them will electrically be the same as the extension cord.
There is no basement or attic above.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Tapping into the existing circuit to feed them will electrically be the same as the extension cord.
#6
You mean just as much of a fire hazard?
You may want to research using wiremold to wire from the panel.
#7
Forum Topic Moderator
Drilling through a number of studs is doable, but will be a lesson in expletives. Those long bendy bits are great, but take some practice to use and can end up in places you don't expect.
If you have an attic or basement, that's most likely the way to go.
And I agree with Ray, if you're going through the hassle of running new cable and new receptacles, you might as well go the extra 8' to your breaker box and never worry about a tripping breaker again!
If you have an attic or basement, that's most likely the way to go.
And I agree with Ray, if you're going through the hassle of running new cable and new receptacles, you might as well go the extra 8' to your breaker box and never worry about a tripping breaker again!
#8
Member
Thread Starter
No, but an existing circuit already has existing loads and therefore limited capacity.
Just tapping into the line would be cheaper for me. If I had to run to the breaker I'd have to hire an electrician to finish off that part of it.
But you've got me thinking about running to the breaker. If I did that then I'd actually want to stick just one outlet on this other adjacent wall by another window. This would work out well because the noisy AC unit would be farther from my guest's head(s) when trying to sleep. And during the winter they could use this same outlet for the heater because it's close to the foot of the bed (not the head part). But I worry about running across the top of this doorway. There's a lot of weight on this doorway (you can see the roof beams rest up there). Are electrical cables normally run across the top of doorways? I might want to cut into the drywall at each stud and just shave off enough of the end of each stud to fit the cable past.
The other adjacent wall (The big white box represents where the breaker box is behind the wall):
https://i.imgur.com/yawHUpI.jpg
Breaker box:
https://i.imgur.com/Gm4kKzP.jpg
Inside of the outlet:
https://i.imgur.com/suFjmQt.jpg
Last edited by AndyRooney; 11-12-18 at 12:13 PM.
#9
Member
Just because that outlet appears to be at the end of the line does not mean that here are no other outlets before it.
Is your panel outside? You could run a new circuit in exposed conduit on the outside of the house to the location by the window. Same path you show but outside.
Is your panel outside? You could run a new circuit in exposed conduit on the outside of the house to the location by the window. Same path you show but outside.
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Just because that outlet appears to be at the end of the line does not mean that here are no other outlets before it.
Is your panel outside?
Is your panel outside?
Circuit breaker box is outside.
This house was built in 1956. There is also an old fuse box outside. Maybe this outlet used to run to the fuse box.
I'm good with drywall. Maybe I'll cut out a line in the drywall across the doorway, then patch it up with 1/4" drywall so the cable fits in there.
#11
Member
By code any wire or cable less than 1.5 inches from the wall surface must be protected from damage. Cable buried in drywall is prohibited. If cable goes through a stud but is less than 1.5 inches in it must be protected by a metal plate.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/USP-5-in-x-...-Plate/3374518
https://www.lowes.com/pd/USP-5-in-x-...-Plate/3374518
#12
Member
Thread Starter
By code any wire or cable less than 1.5 inches from the wall surface must be protected from damage. Cable buried in drywall is prohibited. If cable goes through a stud but is less than 1.5 inches in it must be protected by a metal plate.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-2-in-x...3428/100400405
No, but an existing circuit already has existing loads and therefore limited capacity. A heater on high uses almost all of the available capacity of a 15 amp circuit. A portable A/C half the available capacity.Breakers may trip.
Last edited by AndyRooney; 11-12-18 at 04:24 PM.
#13
Member
run it through some conduit across the top of the door
https://www.legrand.us/wiremold/race...d-raceway.aspx
#14
Just a thought of mine
If you are going to go through all of this trouble for a space heater why not install a permanent heater (Ex: Baseboard or a wall heater) the heater can be bought with a built in thermostat so a wall one will not be necessary (Unless you want to go that route)
If you are going to go through all of this trouble for a space heater why not install a permanent heater (Ex: Baseboard or a wall heater) the heater can be bought with a built in thermostat so a wall one will not be necessary (Unless you want to go that route)
Last edited by CircuitBreaker; 11-12-18 at 06:46 PM. Reason: Spelling
#15
Member
Thread Starter
I already have the heater (like the portable one below). There's already central heat but I can't really coordinate with my Airbnb guests because the "guest suite" is separate from my living area.
I also have a portable AC unit. Would like to get it near this particular window so it's not right by their ears when sleeping by the other window.
I think I will run my conduit outside to work around the door. Will post pics when done. Thanks for the help.
https://cloudfront.zoro.com/product/...rIK0hcpEx_.JPG
I also have a portable AC unit. Would like to get it near this particular window so it's not right by their ears when sleeping by the other window.
I think I will run my conduit outside to work around the door. Will post pics when done. Thanks for the help.
https://cloudfront.zoro.com/product/...rIK0hcpEx_.JPG
#16
Member
Thread Starter
I ran into trouble making the turn around a corner of the house. I wasn't able to merge 2 drilled holes together inside what I think was a 4 X 4, so I stuffed the drill holes with wood patcher and I jammed some split wood in there to strengthen it.
I could run pipes around the outside of the house to get past this corner, but now I'm wondering how long it would take for an electrician to finish my job by just running the line up about 2 feet into the breaker and connecting it to a breaker. I was told once upon a time that I have some unused breakers in there. Less than an hour of work?
I could run pipes around the outside of the house to get past this corner, but now I'm wondering how long it would take for an electrician to finish my job by just running the line up about 2 feet into the breaker and connecting it to a breaker. I was told once upon a time that I have some unused breakers in there. Less than an hour of work?