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name123
Sep 28, 2009, 11:28 AM
I appreciate the speedy answers to my question, and the more detailed the better! I will get a professional electrician to install the circuit panel. Once that is done, I will do ALL the wiring. I have done some MILD electrical work already (adding circuits, installing ceiling fans, outlets, etc) with the help of a book (Creative Homeowner-Ultimate Guide to Wiring) and it is great!

I have a gas water heater and a gas furnace, electric stove and washer and dryer and 110v window ac units, so 100 or 125 amps should be great for my house of 1200 feet.

I was hoping that when I rewire the rooms (on their own circuit) I could wire all the outlets farthest from the light switches in the room TOGETHER and then end the circuit with a light or ceiling fan.

There are no more than 4 outlets per room. Before I done anything, my wife had the wire from the city (Detroit) cut down. Once again, I appreciate the help in advance.

<Edited for readability - KISS>

medic-dan
Sep 28, 2009, 11:56 AM
It should be a fun project. Are you gutting the place first? It'll make it easier to run the wire.

I'm not an electrician but I do sometimes work with a Master, pulling wires, etc. I've seen a lot of houses from 800 - 25000 square feet. Yeah, that one was big.

A few things to consider:

100 or even 125 amps is small for a house today. At some point someone may want to put in central a/c or something else, who knows. For the cost of the new service, go at least 200 if you can.

Even if code only requires 4 outlets per room plan ahead for christmas lighting and things like that. It never hurts to have an extra outlet or two available. How about a dedicated 20 amp circuit near the window for the a/c's? Maybe another for the home entertainment center.

You might also want the ceiling lights/fans on their own circuit. That way you're not in the dark in the room if you trip a breaker.

Don't forget, you need to bring it up to the latest code. You'll need GFCI's and AFCI's. You'll also probably need hard wired smokes and maybe co detectors. Check your codes.

Good luck and have fun.

KISS
Sep 28, 2009, 12:05 PM
There is a relatively small incremental cost in going fro 125 to 200 A service. The AC and the stove are MAJOR contributors.

It's not a good idea to put the rooms on a separate circuit. You can end up in the dark.

It's a good idea to put lighting on a separate circuit and in my opinion, it makes sense to use 12/3 or 14/3 for the swtch loops.
A lot of automation devices require a neutral and since your re-wiring, I think it makes sense.

Don't forget smoke detecters.

It's always a good idea to put lighting on a separate circuit or two circuits somewhat staggered.

Generally, you don't "end a circuit". Typically, you provide power to receptacles and ceiling boxes and then run "switch loops" to the toggle switch.

By using say 14/3 at the toggle switch, you now have the ability to control the fan and the light at the wall or you can insert an automation device. You can cap off the neutrals not used.