House Electrical Advice Needed!
11-28-2004, 03:16 PM
#11
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Quite a paragraph there.. but anyways, I have had this setup for the past few weeks.. so, nothing has blown up yet. Am I safe? Oh yeah, the whole house has "new" wiring, nothing old in here, so that isn't a concern [don't worry, I have worked on the electrical.. but shh.. we don't need that getting out, otherwise we are sure to have a fire ].
Very dangerous situation.
Even though the house has been rewired....wires stapled to walls doesn't sound too professional, unless that is your doing.....you have an overload issue.
100 amp service is not enough for what you have explained.
Just that one electric heater could draw a full 1500 watts or the full capacity of a single 15 amp breaker. The same same goes for one 1500 watt hair dryer.
I sure hope that you haven't upped the breaker capacity to try and overcome the limitations.
I lived in a home once that burned down because it was only 60. amps at the main, and it was only 25 years old.
My home has a more standard 200 amp service and each plug, top and bottom is fed from a separate 15 amp circuit. It'* the only way to go these days with all the modern appliances we are spoiled with.
Be very careful and don't use multi plug extension cords, unless the total draw is less than than 1500 watts.
11-28-2004, 04:09 PM
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I aggree that an update wouild be in order, however i don't think you are in trouble as far as the lgihts dimming, that happens on any well used circuit, especially if your furnace is requiring a bunch of juice to start. I wouldn't sweat it, and i have seen the monitor think happen as well, again... i would just live with it
11-28-2004, 04:28 PM
#13
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I think you need more service... 100amp is not enough. Vacuums can take up 1/5 of that 
Or don't use all the computers, and peripherals. Don't leave audio amps on not being used, lights, printers, etc. Just jostling ya, but did this start after you got your new CRT?
Or don't use all the computers, and peripherals. Don't leave audio amps on not being used, lights, printers, etc. Just jostling ya, but did this start after you got your new CRT?
11-28-2004, 04:48 PM
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Nope, the new CRT is more tolerable. It came with the two more computers I have sitting in my room. Although they are only 250watt PSU'* in them [older systems], they still draw enough power to make a difference.
2000SilverBullet: Wasn't my doing.. just the idiot that wired the house, or re-wired, or whatever. I have 30 amp breakers.. or at least the ones I put in were 30'* [old ones blew, don't ask me how]. I have 4 6 outlet power strips, and each one is full. I guess I kinda went over that limit
.
My furnace is 30 years old [at least], and it'* a hog.
I don't mind living with it, as long as I stay living, because I am afraid I am going to blow something up.
-justin
2000SilverBullet: Wasn't my doing.. just the idiot that wired the house, or re-wired, or whatever. I have 30 amp breakers.. or at least the ones I put in were 30'* [old ones blew, don't ask me how]. I have 4 6 outlet power strips, and each one is full. I guess I kinda went over that limit
.My furnace is 30 years old [at least], and it'* a hog.
I don't mind living with it, as long as I stay living, because I am afraid I am going to blow something up.
-justin
11-28-2004, 05:08 PM
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Wasn't my doing.. just the idiot that wired the house, or re-wired, or whatever. I have 30 amp breakers.. or at least the ones I put in were 30'* [old ones blew, don't ask me how]. I have 4 6 outlet power strips, and each one is full. I guess I kinda went over that limit .
Most circuits are only wired for 15 amps maximum, unless for special purposes, then the wiring is up sized to handle the extra current.
You don't have to worry about blowing anything up.
What you have to worry about is the wiring inside the walls overheating and burning down your house
4 x 6 outlet strips connected to a 30 Amp breaker. Add up all the wattage that'* connected to them. It shouldn't total more than 3000. watts, assuming they are all turned on a the same time and drawing max power.
Most breakers will accommodate a bit more than their rating before actually tripping. Depends on what make and model breaker you are using.
11-28-2004, 05:12 PM
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leave it to a LICESNED ELECTRICAN to take care of your problem because if you dont do it to code and you try to sell the house with out it done to code you wont be able to and you WILL HAVE TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN TO BE SAITIFED WILL THE BUILDING INSPECTOR i know you probbaly dont plan on selling the house but what about in 20 or 30 years you never no get it done right and one more thing house arnt cheap to buy nor maitain but the the responibleity issue you have when you buy one
11-28-2004, 06:56 PM
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There were 30'* sitting in there previously, and I put in 30'* to replace them. The old breakers weren't tripping, they just flat out didn't work. Power never went through them, period. It was like they were just plastic encased with nothing inside. I don't know what it may have been wired for or whatever, but I put 30'* in because that'* what was in there. I am not a licensed electrician, and I am sure the guy that wired my house wasn't either. But anyways.. how can I find some teltale signs that I may cause a fire?
-justin
-justin
11-28-2004, 08:39 PM
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There were 30'* sitting in there previously, and I put in 30'* to replace them. The old breakers weren't tripping, they just flat out didn't work. Power never went through them, period. It was like they were just plastic encased with nothing inside. I don't know what it may have been wired for or whatever, but I put 30'* in because that'* what was in there. I am not a licensed electrician, and I am sure the guy that wired my house wasn't either. But anyways.. how can I find some teltale signs that I may cause a fire?
With a 100 Amp total supply and 30 amps going to just your room.
Usually about 60 amps go to just the kitchen and laundry room major appliances.
If the guy that wired your home was not an electrician, I would be worried.
Go to the main fuse box and add up all the ratings of the breakers and tell us the total.
These are the tell tale signs. By the time there is physical evidence, it'* too late.
11-28-2004, 08:53 PM
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Well first of all find out where those 30'* are going to. If you have 30'* for all your house wiring then you need to find out what gauge wire was used. Hell the 30 amp is what you use on a dryer. So look at the dryer wire and if the wire on the wall is NOT that big then YOU HAVE PROBLEMS. Most house wiring is 14 gauge wiring and can handle 15 amps MAX. Then if you went to 20 amp breakers then you need 10 gauge wire and it can handle 20 amps MAX. And then on to the 8 gauge wire which can handle 30 amps.
Also most household plugs and switches are only rated for 15 amps. You can get 20 amp plugs but they usually have a t-slot on them for a 20 amp 120volt plug.
I would seriously have a licensed electrician have a look at the house and maybe get more than one opinion. Cause with all that load you are sure to have a fire sooner or later and maybe sooner than you want.
Also most household plugs and switches are only rated for 15 amps. You can get 20 amp plugs but they usually have a t-slot on them for a 20 amp 120volt plug.
I would seriously have a licensed electrician have a look at the house and maybe get more than one opinion. Cause with all that load you are sure to have a fire sooner or later and maybe sooner than you want.
11-28-2004, 09:14 PM
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Re: House Electrical Advice Needed!
Originally Posted by opensourceguy
As you may know, I live in a 120 year old home. Nothing is perfect in the house.. including the electrical. Lately everything seems to be dimming. I haven't blown a circuit in a while [only if I have all my computers on in my room, and my mom is vacuuming, do we blow one]. However, I am afraid I am going to overheat something, and possibly cause a fire. I have two outlets in my room, and both are connected to different circuits [house was wired weird]. I have 3 computers, 3 printers, tv, sat. dish reciever, speakers galore, small little ac adaptor devices [at least 10], monitor, and the list goes on. I just want to make sure that I am not going to blow anything. My mom'* computer is also on the same circuit, but she doesn't have anything more than a monitor. When my furnice turns on, the whole house dims, and with my old monitor, it would sometimes shut off when the furnice came on, and wouldn't turn back on until it turned off. My TV seems to get very scratchy with it'* reception when I have my laser printer going [not the photo or reg. inkjet], and if the furnice is on, forget about watching tv. We also don't have heat upstairs, so we have a small portable heater [electric] that keeps the upstairs warm.. or warm enough. When it turns on, my lights dim, and my tv flickers, but if the furnice and the portable heater are on at the same time, there is nothing worse that them alone. And just in case if it matters, 90% of the electrical drain, is my room. 9% for the electric drier, and the other 1% for lights and stuff.