Any Electrcians out there?

[Justa6655321]

Yeah, i'm going to try and do this myself.

Going to add a few breakers to my panel in the house. I'm pretty handy but never touched electric...

any sugestions?

Where should i got for info?

 

[420oclock]

I have a buddy who is good at home improvement stuff. He added a breaker to my panel and wired outlets to it. It was easy, maybe a 45 minute job. BUT I would not attempt it myself, even after watching him do it. One fuck-up and you could fry yourself or burn down your house.

 

[yamaha_1fan]

adding breakers is easy.

First. Remember your panel is rated at so many amps, probably 100 or 200 depending on size of house. Adding breakers isnt going to change that

Second, shut the power off to the panel before you do anything. There should be a main disconnect outside. yes experienced sparkies can do this with the power on but us DIYers should not


What kind of breakers you adding? 120 or 240? Do you have space for them?

It really is just a matter of popping the breaker in, connecting 3 wires and running the wire to an outlet. Of course you have to use the right wire, etc.

Give some more details and I am sure some of the more experienced will chime in.


Home Depot has electrical books that are real handy

 

[Justa6655321]

I have 4 breakers in the panel that arnt hooked up. I'll take some pictuers tonight and post

 

[SmokeToLive]

Personally, I just bought a couple of books on electrical wiring in the home. It seems to cover that enough that I think I can pull it off, but I don't know that I could explain it. Get something with pictures, maybe from the library if you want to do it on the cheap. I wanted to have the references around.

 

[lowriderguy]

adding breakers is easy.

First. Remember your panel is rated at so many amps, probably 100 or 200 depending on size of house. Adding breakers isnt going to change that

What kind of breakers you adding? 120 or 240? Do you have space for them?

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR HOUSE IS NOT RATED AT ENOUGH AMPS?

 

[420oclock]

Here is a really good step-by-step description with pics.
Circuit breaker installation DIY

 

[yamaha_1fan]

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOUR HOUSE IS NOT RATED AT ENOUGH AMPS?

Lets say your house has 100 Amp service. That means the service coming in can only provide a maximum of 100 AMPS. If you add up all the breakers in the panel, they probably equal much more than 100. Its not realistic for each circuit to be maxed out all at the same time, so multiple circuits are installed. Each circuit is wired and protected for a certain amount of amps.

You would have to calculate how much you actually use, then use the rest for growing.

I believe the 80% rule applies here as well. you only want to use 80% of the available service


But if your house is truly maxed out, then you are SOL. Service can be upgraded, but that absolutely requires a licensed electrician. The power company usually has to upgrade the line to the house, then the electrican puts in a new panel, etc. Not a DIY job


I hope PharmaCan steps in here soon to verify my info

 

[PharmaCan]

Lets say your house has 100 Amp service. That means the service coming in can only provide a maximum of 100 AMPS. If you add up all the breakers in the panel, they probably equal much more than 100. Its not realistic for each circuit to be maxed out all at the same time, so multiple circuits are installed. Each circuit is wired and protected for a certain amount of amps.

You would have to calculate how much you actually use, then use the rest for growing.

I believe the 80% rule applies here as well. you only want to use 80% of the available service


But if your house is truly maxed out, then you are SOL. Service can be upgraded, but that absolutely requires a licensed electrician. The power company usually has to upgrade the line to the house, then the electrican puts in a new panel, etc. Not a DIY job


I hope PharmaCan steps in here soon to verify my info

You're doing fine all on your own!

I kinda hate to see someone who's never touched a wire before playing around in a panel and I hate to encourage it. Even when you turn off the main (if there is one), there's still stuff above the main that's hot and it's a good way to fry yourself.

But I'll reserve judgement until I see his pics....

PC

 

[FreedomFGHTR]

Personally, I just bought a couple of books on electrical wiring in the home. It seems to cover that enough that I think I can pull it off, but I don't know that I could explain it. Get something with pictures, maybe from the library if you want to do it on the cheap. I wanted to have the references around.

I picked up Wiring 1-2-3 at Home De pot. cost $12. I learned enough to wire up my whole grow with two new circuits. No risk of fire.

 

[Justa6655321]

 

[Justa6655321]

Bottem 4 breakers are in but not hooked up