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View Full Version : How do you split a circuit in a house?


NeedMorePower
Oct 16, 2009, 11:43 AM
My house was built in 1950 and the electrical components were upgraded at some point before I bought it. The house is 1 1/2 stories and the top floor is all one room and there are 4 outlets. When there is a computer, a window air conditioner, and other miscellaneous smaller items (alarm clock, curling iorn which is off, etc.) plugged in, the circuit blows. A few outlets in the living room, and the lights and one or two outlets in the basement are also on the same circuit and go out too.

I believe the circuit is a 15 amp

It seems strange to me that there are outlets on each level on the same circuit. It is only a problem in the summer while the air conditioner is running, but I would really like to fix the problem. Is there an easy way to split the circuit so the air conditioner can have one, the upstiars room can have one, and the other outlets can be on one?

Thanks for your advice!

tkrussell
Oct 16, 2009, 01:15 PM
Install a new dedicated circuit for any air conditioner. This will "split up" circuits.

The circuits you mention that take care of different levels are considered as General Purpose Lighting Circuits. Back then one circuit could serve many rooms. Nowadays we will install more circuits so that not so many rooms are on one circuit.

lowmax3
Nov 8, 2009, 11:26 AM
I believe I read somewhere on this site that you should have a separate circuit for a window air conditioner because it draws a lot of amp...