Wiring a basement/bed/wetbar/bath

Originally Posted By: abishop
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Got a question for the sparkys.


I am getting ready to help a buddy wire up his basement. Prior to doing this we are going to layout everything and then bring in the big gun sparky to finalize it.


My question is…how do i know how many plugs and lights i can have on one ciruit?


One circuit to the wet bar 20amp.


One circuit to the bath 20 amp.


One circuit to the 2 bedrooms 15 amp.


One circuit to the family room 15 amp.


I will take any recommendations or helpfull hints.


Thanks!


Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Andy,


![](upload://me4MtRe3nGBGET8vgZY42XGj9kl.gif)





--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: bking
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I would do all of the following.


1. Install a subpanel in the basement.
2. Keep lights and outlets on different circuits.
3. Use 12 gauge wire and 20amp breakers for all outlets.
4. Use a different circuit for the 3 smoke detectors.
5. Use arc-fault breaker for bedroom outlets.
6. Install two double gang boxes at the entertainment center location.
7. Install a double gang box with accessible one inch conduit for low voltage wiring and future needs.
8. Run extra RG-6 coax and Cat5e or Cat6 cables and speaker lines.
9. Install a circuit for a ceiling heater/fan assembly in bath. These are sometimes required to be only 15amp circuit but run 12 gauge anyway.
10. Run 14/3 or 12/3 to all locations that might have a ceiling fan so that you can have a seperate wall switch for fan and light.
11. Consider having some outlets wired as switchable from a wall switch.
12. Install wiring for any heat or backup heat sources.
13. Install plenty of overhead lighting like recessed lights.
14. Consider intercom wiring or boxes and conduit for future use.

You can have a lot of outlets and lights on the same circuit but I would not have more than 8 outlets on a circuit. Lighting circuit depends on the wattage and number of bulbs that can be used so do not put too many on one circuit, about 6 to 8 is ok.

The feed for the subpanel depends on many things such as any large loads that may be added, water heater, other heaters, refrigerator etc.
I would go ahead and install the subpanel with 8gauge wire (blk, red,wht, gnd) and keep the neutrals isolated from the grounds.

It is a lot of work to do all this but much easier to "overkill" it now than try and add something later.

have fun ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)


Originally Posted By: abishop
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



You guys rock!


Thanks



Andy Bishop


Bishop Home Inspection, LLC.


bishophomeinspection@charter.net


269-686-6485

Originally Posted By: abishop
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



How far apart are the outlets suppose to be?


Is it a 6’ lamp cord needs to reach one to the other? So really 12’.


Thanks


--
Andy Bishop
Bishop Home Inspection, LLC.
bishophomeinspection@charter.net
269-686-6485

Originally Posted By: dvalley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Receptacles shall be installed in the finished walls of every room or area, other than kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, laundry rooms, utility rooms or closets, so that no point along the floor line of any usable wall space is more than 1.8m (6’) horizontally from a receptacle in that or an adjoining space, such distance being measured along the floor line of the wall spaces involved.



David Valley


MAB Member


Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."

Originally Posted By: bbadger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



dvalley wrote:
Receptacles shall be installed in the finished walls of every room or area, other than kitchens, ........


David remove kitchens from your list. ![icon_smile.gif](upload://b6iczyK1ETUUqRUc4PAkX83GF2O.gif)

Quote:
In every kitchen, family room, dining room, living room, parlor, library, den, sunroom, bedroom, recreation room, or similar room or area of dwelling units, receptacle outlets shall be installed in accordance with the general provisions specified in 210.52(A)(1) through (A)(3).



Originally Posted By: dvalley
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Will do, Bob.


I just did a quick cut and Paste.


--
David Valley
MAB Member

Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."