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striv1
Oct 26, 2009, 06:47 AM
I am finishing a room in my basement and I am installing 8 duplex receptacles and one switched light. The line I am feeding the circuit with is on a 15 Amp 120V line and it is about 25 feet from the breaker box to the entrance of the room I am finishing. If I just run one continuous loop around the entire room the total circuit is about 110 feet and according to my calcualtions the total voltage drop exceeds the 3% suggested maximum even if I use 12/2 wire. Would I be better off splitting the circuit when it enters the room and do two shorter runs in opposite directions or does that not help the voltage drop issue?

stanfortyman
Oct 26, 2009, 01:15 PM
I'd use 14/2 and not give it as second thought.

What load are you using to figure the VD?

KISS
Oct 26, 2009, 02:22 PM
Usually one doesn't care, because the loads are generally not well known. It's always a good idea to make the lighting loads separate, so you don't end up in the dark.

You could break it up into two 4- receptacle circuits, every other one. You can pigtail with a smaller wire 14 or 12 in the outlets, which is a good idea anyway. The smallest wire determines the breaker size.

The arrangement can make a difference, especially if the expected large load is closer. Center fed offers no advantage.

Is this a one-way drop? e.g. 110 ft of wire which translates to a 220 foot run.