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Mark Duchene · Mar 4, 2008, 08:00 PM

Hi all, I am new to this forum and I appreciate any direction you can offer.

I live in Farmington MI and have a mess in my basement. The person that put the wiring in did not use junction boxes, just wire nuts and tape everywhere.

Anyway the whole basement is on one circuit. If I pull the breaker everything in the basement shuts off. Is it OK to have it all on one circuit? I started redoing the workroom side of the basement and put 7 light fixures and 4 outlets in the room. The other side of the basement would need probably 6 flourecsent lights and 4 or 5 more outlets.

The basement is not used much but I'd like it to be at least correct in how it is done.

Washington1 · Mar 4, 2008, 08:05 PM

Rather one circuit is enough or not all depends on the loads being served. What are you planning for your basement?

No Junctions is a code violation, and I would start getting to work on making sure each wire ends in a box--making sure you install a faceplate, or faceplate and device for each box.

Mark Duchene · Mar 4, 2008, 08:14 PM

Hey thanks Washington,
Nothing too special planned in the basement. 1/2 of it is my work room and furnace room. I putts down there from time to time but no heavy duty work takes place anything. The other side of the basement is finished but no one really uses it. There is a TV down there and a pin ball machine but again it is seldom used.

Washington1 · Mar 4, 2008, 08:27 PM

Then one circuit should work fine. As far as code, there could be a number of violations in your space we have no idea about, so I would first start by getting those wires in a box, and go from there. If you feel you see other violations, then let us know, and we can help you along the way.

If you feel your situation is above you, hire an electrical contractor.

hkstroud · Mar 4, 2008, 09:39 PM

One circuit will not be enough. As soon as you plug the TV in the lights are going to go out. You might be able to get away with a 15 amp circuit for the lights alone but you are pushing it. What you really need is a 20 amp circuit for the lights and a 20 amp circuit for the outlets. For planning of general lighting circuits figure 1.5 amps per outlet.

KISS · Mar 4, 2008, 09:49 PM

It's really a good idea to separate the lighting from the outlets like hk suggested.

Suppose you are using a saw and the saw overloads or you had a space heater, shame, at least you won't be left in the dark especially if multiple lighting circuits are in use.

If you decide on an outlet arrangement, then using two circuits and arrange them such that every other outlet is on the same circuit can sometimes be useful.

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

One circuit will not be enough. As soon as you plug the TV in the lights are going to go out. You might be able to get away with a 15 amp circuit for the lights alone but you are pushing it. What you really need is a 20 amp circuit for the lights and a 20 amp circuit for the outlets. For planning of general lighting circuits figure 1.5 amps per outlet.

What the heck are you basing this on?

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 03:23 PM

Keep, I like your design plan, but it's not needed in this case. Guys, lets not post just to post!

Re-read what I asked, and what the OP said.

WOW!

KISS · Mar 5, 2008, 03:30 PM

Washington1:
Let's not just give red marks just because YOU ARE ON A ROLL!

A furnace room does not necessarily mean that all the other circuit share the breaker with the furnace. The furnace would have been installed with the house and the OP never said his heat went out. Your taking things much too literally.

I'll invite you to read the following post: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electr...on-191213.html

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 03:30 PM

Ok, I see! Mis-read what you wrote keep.

Heck, even I can make a mistake.

Don't yell at me! :)

What does "you are on a roll" mean?

Keep,

Keep it simple: :)

Is this why TK is missing!

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mark Duchene

Hey thanks Washington,
Nothing too special planned in the basement. 1/2 of it is my work room and furnace room. I putts down there from time to time but no heavy duty work takes place anything. The other side of the basement is finished but no one really uses it. There is a TV down there and a pin ball machine but again it is seldomly used.

By the way, the OP did mention a furnace.

KISS · Mar 5, 2008, 03:53 PM

Washington1:

I expanded on hk's post, hopefully clairifying his points especially

Originally Posted by hkstroud

As soon as you plug the TV in the lights are going to go out.

ON A ROLL means, that you gave hk a red mark and you even liked my design plan yet you disagreed.

Urban Dictionary: on a roll

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 03:54 PM

Ok, I can see Keep did an edit.

Hey,

I think the design plan is "Great", but based on what the OP said, you can not come along and say a 15 amp circuit want work, and then say it will trip the breaker. Bad assumption! I rest! This is waaay past me. I'm not here to argue about silly stuff! We can only assume what the op has.

Please note that I'm use to having long debates with well qualified electricians. This is not a debate! Lets move on, and help each other along the way!

KISS · Mar 5, 2008, 04:03 PM

Mark mentioned a "furnace room". "Nothing too special planned in the basement. 1/2 of it is my work room and furnace room."

If the builder built the house, the furnace would be on a separate circuit and would have likely had one additional circuit for the basement at a minimum. For a moment I did some thinking outside of the box and U MEed that the furnace and the basement would not share a single circuit.

hkstroud · Mar 5, 2008, 04:38 PM

Kiss,

Let it go .
We have another Dana here.

Washington1 · Mar 5, 2008, 04:41 PM

the furnace would be on a separate circuit

Exactly!