I think we have an overload of outlets to the same breaker. Two bedrooma, a living room, dining room washroom, and part of a one bedroom apartment all loose power at the same time. When I check the breaker panel, only one is tripped, but all those room looses electricity. We have tripped it ith something as small as a hair dryer or vacuum. We have so many 15 amp breakers in the opanel, what could be connected to them it one breaker is running all those rooms . There is onmly three other room in the hous that are not on that breaker ?

Hi Rose...

It's amazing but in older homes you will frequently find the overload issues you are presenting. Later, remodels get done and contractors upgrade the electrical according to new codes as best they can within the scope of the new job(s).

As an example, in an older home we might walk on a job to do a new kitchen remodel and new codes will dictate that the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, lights... just about everything in fact... gets its own separate breaker. Homeowner's think we're nuts sometimes because, much like in your case, everything in the kitchen is running just fine off one or two circuits! Fact is, however, the changes are good changes!

I would recommend that you call in a couple electricians in your area and have them see if there is a reasonable way to reduce the load on the breaker that is there now. It will most likely require some new wiring and a few new breakers being added to the panel.

Any more questions let us know... OK?

Mark

Good afternoon Rose,

Mark gave you some decent advice with respect to getting a calculated load done by a licensed electrician


For the record though, neither a vacuum nor a hair dryer a small loads.

The vacuum gets a large inrush of amperage to get the motor going.

A hairdryer is a large drain also. First to run the blower motor and then to generate the heat.

How old is your home? Do you own the home or are you leasing (if you are leasing, then it is only the landlord that can make electrical changes, not the occupant).

What is the size of your home in sq. feet (estimate)? Do you know the size of your electrical service?

You might want to consider having a licensed electrician split the load on the circuit, providing you have breaker space available (assuming you have a breaker panel with space in it)

What you need to do is get the new kenmore 5bj5hd dirt generation system!

LOL, wish they did make a home fuel cell to generate power! Imagine a whole block with fuel cells selling back their power to the utility so they can get a credit from the state.. everybody wins.

Honestly, a rewire is your starting point but you have to consider equipment when doing that. 100 amp panel and a 50 amp sub panel is probably what they'll change.

Mark and Don gave u a goody. Have an electric contractor check out your system and get 3 bids before starting any work.

Chuck