Consider a Furman with LiFT and SMP. Living in an apartment until recently I always could hear when the Furman was missing from the system.
Dedicated Circuits - Subpanel importance?
My system is no more. Sold everything. Starting from scratch. Thanks to you and seven months of experience I am doing the following, which is taking care of the number one component, the room:
- Treating. The full GIK order in October is starting to arrive.
- Running one or more dedicated circuits.
I am addressing #2 in this post. There are extensive discussions here and one can spend hours if not days trying to wring-out the critical details needed for a DIY solution. I have spent hours and there a few things I need to confirm before I proceed because I was unable to find definitive answers.
I am doing this myself. I do not want or need lectures on only having a licensed electrician do this work. I have been doing my own electrical work for many years and am very comfortable doing so.
- Does a subpanel help? Is it required? Subpanels are typically supplied from a breaker off of the main panel's bus, so I'm guessing there is no advantage in terms of SQ? Perhaps if I can independently ground the subpanel it might make a difference?
- Opening up my walls is not an option, so I need to use conduit. This may restrict the number of lines if the wire should not share the same conduit? If I am restricted to Romex 8 or 10,2 versus metal-clad, is it okay for two runs to occupy the same conduit?
- How much better is metal-clad? Is it required vs Romex? Will metal conduit accomplish the same result with Romex?
Answers to these questions will complete my plans and I will go forward at speed. Hopefully this discussion helps others as well even if it's to know what to have their electrician setup for them.
Thank you!
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Before you go to pull a permit for the electrical, you need to know IF you, the homeowner, can legally do the electrical work in your state.If not, you cannot even get the permit. Some states require a licensed electrician to do any and all work. I know the state of MD used to be that way. Don't know what other states have the same rules. I'll leave it at that |
A sub panel is great for adding shorter runs. It add 220/240 if you want. I use it on my bass amps. Romex is for running on it’s own. No conduit. There is flex armor that meet code in the bay area. # 10 is great for a subpanel feed # 12 for 20 amp circuits # 14 for 15 amp circuits Use copper not clad they sell that crap everywhere. COPPER, not cryo anything just Copper romex or if your going to use conduit use the correct wire for inside conduit or Flex armor. BTW a lot of the new flex armor is aluminum with copper clad.. ALL grounds must be tied at the main Any breaks in runs must be put in a box ALL boxes must have a 2 hour fire rating It’s actually easier for me to run the wire in the wall after it’s all said and done. You just have to ask someone that knows how to string wire without tearing up the whole house. It usually involves a couple of fancy drill bits and just a little patience. Time wise there is an increase but only because of drywall mud setting. I’ve used hot set mud and only had to primer and paint, still a 2 day wait. PERMITS: Permits mean you bought permits and paid for something. It doesn’t mean you got anything for your money. The home, building or any thing else could burn down and take out half the neighborhood and the inspector is responsible for absolutely nothing other than looking (if they do at all) and signing the little box. My neighbors house was worked on by a contractor, signed off on by the city and caught fire within a year.. THREE issues all via inspection after the fire. All boo boos, caused an electric mickey mouse clock to burn the joint up. You can get a loan easier for selling or buying if you use OPM, I don’t. Pretty simple. Sell a house or buying one, I pay cash. I buy "AS IS" I sell " AS IS". I have for 50 years and 22 pieces of property. Same goes for most of the people I deal with, unless I carry the paper or something.. We both shake hand call each other suckers and wait until the next time we meet. Regards |
@artemus_5 I started the online permit application and it accounts for homeowner work. I stopped filling-out the form and booked a few quote calls with local electricians. I know what it will cost me to do the work and I will contrast it to a few quotes. I did get one quote for a single run in December of $800 that did not include mention of materials used. I know I can do it for less and why I've considered it. @oldhvymec Any chance you live in MA? :) |
- 68 posts total