1yr warranty inspection,
Is it allowed to have 14.2 amps (measured) of permanent light fixtures on a 15 amp circuit that also has some wall outlets on it?
This involves kitchen, dining, breakfast nook and hallway lights and also the outlets in the front living room where lamps could be plugged in later.
Homeowner trips the breaker when using a (10 amp measured) vacuum cleaner. Breaker is labeled “kitchen lights”.
Just poor wiring/labeling practice or is this a code violation?
In a dwelling, that’s legal. Inconvenient as can be, but legal.
It’s pretty much poor practice. The lighting isn’t considered a continuous load, so it doesn’t fall into the 80% FLA category. Check with the town’s local codes, they may have a limit on the number of outlets (inc lighting) on one circuit. In my town they have a limit of 8.
Jeff
Hello,
In any situation like this were CODE is a major point you will want to call in some Sparkys.
The other posters are correct, but they give no advice for you.
Hmm, how do you know there are 14.2 amps on that circuit? Did you tell anyone?
If you are not doing a complete code HI then you have no need for the info you provided , and I hope you did not put it in your report…:shock:
If you did , then that makes you a top of the line electrical consultant…
Measured by what? Are you a licenced and qualified electrician?
Bla bla bla… them Lawer type as-s wipes can go on forever…
Correct me if I am wrong, but did your post state that the kitchen is on a 15 amp breaker???
kitchen lights etc…
Would have been too easy if it were the kitchen counter outlets.
Not to worry, many of us ask questions on here that go much deeper than inspection SOP’s and report writing. No harm in learning or contributing knowledge beyond the scope.
Bruce .,
The sistuation you are describing it is legit set up however it kinda poor pratice to do that.
I know it can get out of hand but some case in some of the homes some of the contractors go by few diffrent way ., Bare minuim NEC code requirement { that typically a cheapest route to run the conductors } and med or top of line which it mean more than minuim code requirement.
Merci,Marc
Hey Bruce, I am curious how you picked that up. Did the owner’s statement tip you off to look for a problem, or did you find it on your own?
Owner discovered the issue, I was doing a 1 year warranty inspection and took the time to make a few extra checks to see if the problem appeared to be an immediate fire hazard or if the circuit was loaded beyond max with just the lights.
I always try to accomodate the client on these 1 year inspections, they always have some inside information about the house that is interesting. This is not something I usually look for and do not recommend anyone start checking current draw without experience with doing so. I didn’t even stay in a holiday inn all year but could.