Timeline for How do you plan capacity for electrical circuits?
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| Jun 16, 2020 at 10:07 | history | edited | CommunityBot |
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| Feb 9, 2018 at 23:53 | comment | added | Harper - Reinstate Monica | Sometimes I am constricted in how many circuits I can run, for instance I had to do a whole upstairs office with 3 circuits (+1 GFCI protected circuit, in 1 conduit, MWBCs not possible). So I split the lights, each room already had 2 switches +1 unswitched light, so I spread them on all 3 circuits. Spreading multiple lights on several circuits is a viable workaround. | |
| Dec 18, 2011 at 10:16 | comment | added | Jay Bazuzi | @Scivitri: I'm not suggesting more or less ampacity, but more receps per room, so I don't have to struggle to find a plug nearby, or use as many power strips. | |
| Dec 17, 2011 at 18:23 | comment | added | Scivitri | @Jay No, I would always err on the side of fewer receptacles per circuit. The room we intended to be an office I required 2 separate outlet circuits in, for computers. While I support green movements and reduction of electrical consumption, I also realize we will always use more electricity. Better design for load is important. In my original question I wanted to know what guidelines there are; but I would never cheat in the direction of higher load. | |
| Dec 16, 2011 at 18:26 | comment | added | Jay Bazuzi | Please, please put more receps in than code. Please. | |
| Dec 14, 2011 at 12:51 | comment | added | Tester101 | @Craig You are correct. As far as I know, there is no limit on the number of receptacles on a circuit in a residential dwelling. However, common sense says the more receptacles that are on the circuit, the more likely it is the circuit will be overloaded. 10 is just a reference point, I'm not saying if you have 11 the world will end. | |
| Dec 14, 2011 at 7:48 | comment | added | Craig | I found this: "The number of receptacles permitted on a branch circuit for commercial occupancies is based on 180 VA per receptacle [220-3(c)(6)]." But that is for commercial not residential. There is no maximum for load per receptacle for residential and at least one page I found said that the 3VA/sq. ft. includes the load for "general purpose" receptacles (e.g. not receptacles for a specific purpose like a washing machine or sump pump). | |
| Dec 13, 2011 at 23:34 | comment | added | Scivitri | Okay, it was more math than I expected, but this was exactly what I needed. I like tying square footage to power for lighting; that makes changing light fixtures safe. (For the curious, that's 20 60w bulbs in a 20x20 room. Lots of light.) I'm curious where 180VA per receptacle comes from, and if it's something which may increase in the future. But it seems a good number to work with. Thanks! | |
| Dec 13, 2011 at 23:30 | vote | accept | Scivitri | ||
| Dec 13, 2011 at 23:10 | comment | added | JYelton | The lighting calculations of VA/ft² is very interesting, it could be in its own Q&A thread... | |
| Dec 13, 2011 at 19:53 | comment | added | Craig | An important thing to remember is that the receptacle spacing requirement exists to reduce the use of extension cords which are a major fire hazard. For any given room the number of receptacles will not change the load. More receptacles mean less extension cords. I almost alway put in more than code requires. | |
| Dec 13, 2011 at 17:51 | history | answered | Tester101 | CC BY-SA 3.0 |