I live in a 1951 single story house which is 1200 sqft, I have a nordyne HVAC system. I am looking at rewireing my house and replacing the panel but I am getting tired of everyone saying only the pros can do that. I can rewire but the box I would leave to the pros I have been jolted by hi amperage before. I am looking at do I need a 8 gauge or a 12 gauge wire and what type of panel do I need. I have a Murry panel with 12 slots, 11 used. I know it is overloaded because I can't run the microwave and coffee pot at the sametime. Thanks

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Originally Posted by dazedandlost

I live in a 1951 single story house which is 1200 sqft, I have a nordyne HVAC system. I am looking at rewireing my house and replacing the panel but I am getting tired of everyone saying only the pros can do that. I can rewire but the box I would leave to the pros I have been jolted by hi amperage before. I am looking at do I need a 8 gauge or a 12 gauge wire and what type of panel do I need. I have a Murry panel with 12 slots, 11 used. I know it is overloaded because I can't run the microwave and coffee pot at the sametime. Thanks

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I actually have no idea what you are asking.
You say you will leave "the box" to a pro? What are you asking about wire size? There is a BIG difference between #8 and #12, and you are asking which one you need. FOR WHAT?

I have to say, from the tone of your post here I would agree that having a pro do all this will be in your best interest.

I am trying to find out what gauge wire to use in my house.

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Originally Posted by dazedandlost

I am trying to find out what gauge wire to use in my house.

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For what circuits?? :confused:

For the whole house. The breakers are all overloaded and trying to stop tripping the breakers.
So the HVAC, Drier, Ect.

So the HVAC, dryer, stove, etc are all tripping?
That is VERY odd.


It seems to me that you are not very experienced in this. Re-wiring you whole house is not a very good place to start.

Also, I highly doubt your HAVC, dryer, stove, etc are all tripping. I bet it is just a few key circuits such as a bathroom receptacle or kitchen counters. Am I wrong?

Not really the whole kitchen is on 2 breakers and the drier is also n that breaker and they keep keep tripping, the HVAC is on its own breaker.

Well, let me ask it this way, please.

Do you have a permit, if not, get one now.

Also, please understand that replacing the main panelboard will require you to pull the meter. Some power companies will not allow a homeowner to do that work. They will require a licensed electrician to do that. Also a complete inspection of the work done must be passed before they will allow the meter to be replaced.

Where I live, Tidewater, Virginia, homeowners are allowed to pull the meter with the permission of the Power Company. Failing to pull the meter will have you working near live, unprotected conductors that can be fatal if you touch them or short them out.

Start with the most critical question, do you have Aluminum or Copper wiring in your home. This is a very important question.

Next, what is the total amperage being delivered to your home by the power company. The minimum requirement at this time is 100 Amps. Have you done a load calculation to determine the amperage needed for your home? The process is described in the NEC. By the way, which NEC edition that is required by your area?

If your home is being serviced by a 60 amp service, you may be overloading the installed branch circuits.

For example, the stove has no place being on the same circuit as the kitchen counter receptacles. Is the stove an all electrical stove? If it is a gas stove then it might be allowed on a general use branch circuit, but I would put it on a dedicated circuit.

The kitchen counter receptacles, must be fed by two 20 amp. Circuits and they must be protected by a GFCI breaker or receptacle.

Bedrooms, Living Rooms, Dens and just about every other room in the home will need to be protected by AFCI breakers. Garage and unfinished basements must be protected by GFCI breakers or receptacles.

Bathrooms are another set of special conditions. Each bathroom must have a 20 Amp, GFCI protected receptacle. There are some exceptions to this rule but you would have to find them in the NEC. Next you have to decide on whether to use two circuits per bathroom. One for the lights and fan and one for the receptacle. It is always smart to have the receptacle on it's own branch circuit so that if the GFCI trips, you are not standing in a dark bathroom.

You must have smoke and fire alarms installed properly.


In general terms, you can certainly use 12/2 AWG (20 amp) for all of the general branch circuits within your home, however, lighting and most general circuits are wired with 14/2 AWG (15 amp) circuits.

12/2 is stiffer and a little more difficult to work with then 14/2 AWG.

Speciality circuits such as clothes washers, dryers, water heaters and heat pumps all need correctly sized cables for them.

Now, with all of the above said and with the understanding that there is much more you need to know in order to pass an inspection might I suggest that you get several electricians to bid on the job, with the understanding that you will be doing most of the "Scut" work yourself.

Thanks donf. I was planning on have a pro change the box. But as for the permit I was going to get a remodeling so I am covered in all areas. And I was going to talk to the power company about what needs to be done to change out the box. And yes I think I have a 60 amp panel.

Dazedandlost, perhaps your questions would have more merit if your name was different.

I sure hope you see that we cannot tell you how to rewire your entire home.

You need to come here with specific questions that we can help with.

You do need a professional electrician to at least upgrade your service. As far as the rewiring, there are so many details we cannot convey to you here in this forum.

If you decide to tackle the rewiring yourself, perhaps you should read one of the many "How To" books to get you started.

Thanks tkrussel. The problem was what type of wire should be used and what size panel. I know never mix copper and aluminum and the house has no ground that is one the main reasons, and because I can't have 2 items running in the kitchen because the breakers are over loaded. I have read those how to book and were I live the city doesn't allow just anyone to change the panel, you need to be an electrician to do that.

Your electrician will size the panel and service entrance. The panel is not the only piece that needs to be replaced.

Perhaps the electrician you hire to upgrade the service will help you with what type and size wiring needed to rewire the home.

Thank you tkrussle.