Hello,

What a great forum! I have a circuit plan for my basement, and I want to get some input from professionals. I do plan to hire a contractor, but want to make sure my plan is sound.

Floor Plan

http://i830.photobucket.com/albums/zz225/schmidtwi/BasementPlan1.jpg

Circuit Plan

Bathroom/Kitchenette
- 1 15 amp dedicated for vanity light/overhead light/closet light, 3 sconces in rec room, under cabinet lighting in kitchenette - max 1000W
- 1 20 amp dedicated for 5 outlets in kitchenette/bathroom area
Lobby - GFI circuit breaker
- existing circuit, tie basement light into 1 sconce, add 5 outlets
Main room/bedroom/closet - max 500W
- 1 20 amp dedicated for 14 bedroom & rec room outlets -
- 1 15 amp dedicated for 14 can lights - max 1200W
Main HT
- 1 20 amp for 6 zones of lighting wired to Grafik Eye (7 soffit cans, 6 sconces, rope, riser, 3 stage front, 3 stage rear) - max 1800W
- 1 20 amp for outlets (riser 2, columns 6, stage 1, projector box fan 1)
Equipment Room
- 1 20 amp for 2 outlets - 1 powerbridged switched outlet for projector & 2 powerbridged switched outlets on stage for subs - max 1200W
- 1 20 amp for 3 outlets - max 1500W
Storage room east
- 1 20 amp for storage room work bench area - 4 outlets, shop light, Equip room light - max 1500W

Any comments, questions or criticism is welcome!

Thanks,
Bill

My commnets follow each statement in red:

Circuit Plan

Bathroom/Kitchenette
- 1 15 amp dedicated for vanity light/overhead light/closet light, 3 sconces in rec room, under cabinet lighting in kitchenette - max 1000W

Circuit is fine, Need AFCI circuit breaker for this.

- 1 20 amp dedicated for 5 outlets in kitchenette/bathroom area
Lobby - GFI circuit breaker

Kitchen circuits/outlets must be dedicated for kitchen.
bathrrom circuit must be dedicated for bathroom(s) only.

- existing circuit, tie basement light into 1 sconce, add 5 outlets

OK, just be sure existing circuit can handle added load.


Main room/bedroom/closet - max 500W
- 1 20 amp dedicated for 14 bedroom & rec room outlets -
Perhaps a separate circuit for each room. Need AFCI
- 1 15 amp dedicated for 14 can lights - max 1200W

OK need AFCI

Main HT
- 1 20 amp for 6 zones of lighting wired to Grafik Eye (7 soffit cans, 6 sconces, rope, riser, 3 stage front, 3 stage rear) - max 1800W
OK need AFCI

- 1 20 amp for outlets (riser 2, columns 6, stage 1, projector box fan 1)
OK need AFCI

Equipment Room
- 1 20 amp for 2 outlets - 1 powerbridged switched outlet for projector & 2 powerbridged switched outlets on stage for subs - max 1200W
- 1 20 amp for 3 outlets - max 1500W
OK need AFCI

Storage room east
- 1 20 amp for storage room work bench area - 4 outlets, shop light, Equip room light - max 1500W
OK need GFI for all receptacles.

Me personally would be using all #12 wire and 20 amp circuits for the entire project as minimum.

Dont forget smoke detectors, one in the bedroom, and at least one in the common area outside bedrooms, interconnect with others in the home.

Thas all I see at the moment.

Thank you sir! I will isolate the kitchen and bathroom area. Can I combine lighting & circuits on the same circuit for each room with GFI breaker? (1 circuit each?)

I plan to use AFCI for all non GFI breakers. Will also GFI for the work bench area.

May just up everything to 20 amp also. Appreciate your help!

A couple of things:

Rethink shop lighting. It's not a good idea to have the whole room go dark when using a power tool. Lighting not combined with outlets makes sense in some cases.

I will also suggest wiring the switches with ?/3 view to allow the use of automation devices that may require a neutral.

Thanks for the input, KISS. The shop lights I have come with a standard 3 prong plug, so I plan to use one of the 20 amp outlets for that anyway. The shop is also a storage room, with other lights attached to another circuit. I may use this circuit for a light right over the shop section.

I do plan to use 12/3 or 14/3 for most switches.