Is it okay to insulate the interior walls of a basement? How many outlets to a 15 amp and a 20 amp breaker? Is it okay to use 12 gauge wire for the breakers? I'm running wiring to a bath, small kitchen, 1 bedroom, living room and home music studio. And is better to add more outlets to a room or to a specific wall rather than using a plug strip?
thanx Jeff

skiberger

Yes you can insulate interior walls. Yes you can use 12 gauge wire to wire your basement as long as there are no circuits over 30 amps.
Make sure all the receptacles in the kitchen and bath are GFCI protected and on their own circuit.
It always better to install more receptacles than run power strips. Recepts shall be installed so that no point along the floor line in any wall space is more than 6' measured horizontally from an outlet in that space. Recepts shall be placed an equal distance apart.

JayDubb

So you mean, for example if I have a 12' wall I could put 6 outlets 2' apart?
It wouldn't be a good idea to install a outlet box that would hold 3 to 4 outlets in it?

skiberger

2 outlets in a 12' wall 6' apart.

tkrussell

Skiberger asked me to help out here with the electric questions.

All the wiring can be done with #12 cable, and use either 15 or 20 amp devices.

The kitchen and bath outlets must be 20 amp circuits. Min 2 circuits for the kitchen counter, and min 1 for the bath GFI.


The total maximum of outlets on a circuit does not apply to residential, but as good guide, no more than 8 outlets on a 15 Amp, and 10 on a 20 Amp circuit. This is only for general purpose outlets.

Any appliances, such as AC unit, should be on it's own circuit. you may want to have a separate ciruit for computer, things of that nature.

As far as spacing, 12 foot is the max amount outlets can be spaced, they can be closer, and is usually recomended. Layout your furniture and place outlets that will best suit your furniture, either behind or to the side whcihever is best. As long as no space along the walls between any two outlets is greater than 12 feet.

Adding more outlets or using a plugstrip is really up to you whichever works or looks better. Behind a TV center or a PC a plugstrip make work well.

Hope this helps. If not get back with an other questions you may have.

Don't forget to include hard wired AC smoke detectors that are interconnected and have battery backup.

JayDubb

I'm building a home studio in my basement and I'll need more outlets in a small area. How would I go about doing that?

tkrussell

Plug strips work well here, just be careful to have enough circuits.