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Planning Electrical Circuits. Original by Ryan Talton Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office –June 2004. Planning for the SEP and/or Sub panel. SEP should always be located near the service entrance
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Planning Electrical Circuits Original by Ryan Talton Modified by Georgia Agriculture Education Curriculum Office –June 2004
Planning for the SEP and/or Sub panel • SEP should always be located near the service entrance • Might want to place the SEP close to large appliances and equipment that will require most electricity • Should be accessible at all times • Try to anticipate future needs when finding site • Never have SEP in clothes closet or bathroom • Box Should be installed 40-48 inches above floor level • Can be installed flush or surface mount.
Outlet Spacing • Overhead Lighting • May be placed in discretion of owner • In single overhead light should be in center of room • Wall Outlets (Receptacles) • No point on a unbroken wall measures greater than 6 feet • This includes wall space of 2 feet or more in width • Unbroken by doorways, fireplace, etc. • Most receptacles should be 12 and 16 inches above floor level
Kitchen Countertop Outlets (Receptacles) • Should always be installed at each counterpace no wider than 12 inches • Should be installed within 24 inches of each other on countertops • No more than 18 inches above countertops • All kitchen Receptacles should be GFCI protected • We will learn more about this later
Closet and Storage lighting Outlets • Surface mounted incandescent fixtures should be located 12 inches between fixtures and storage area • Surface mounted fluorescent- may be mounted within 6 inches of storage area • If recessed- both can be 6 inches from storage area.
Determine the number of circuits necessary to meet wiring plan requirements Larger homes may call for more circuits Planning Small Appliance Branch Circuits
What is a Small Appliance Branch Circuit? • Generally supply power to kitchen counter top surfaces and dining room areas where small appliances are commonly used • Coffee makers, fry pans, blenders, toaster ovens, waffle irons
Planning General Purpose Branch Circuits • Make up the largest portion of the home wiring system • Include all ceiling and wall mounted lighting outlets and most receptacles • Not ones for a specific purpose • All circuits originate in SEP
How do I Calculate the Required Number of General Purpose Circuits? • General Rule: • One General Purpose Circuit for every 500 square feet • 2500 sq ft house= 5 gpc • What about a house that is 2240 sq ft • 2240/500=4.48 • This equals 4.48 gpc • Always go to the next highest number when figuring the number of circuits • So: 2240/500=5 gpc • Only figure the amount of heated space • Not garage or porch space
Balancing a Load • Why is it important to balance a load? • General rules are: • 10 outlets per 15 amp circuit General Purpose • 13 outlets per 20 amp circuit General Purpose • If the above 10 or 13, add another circuit
Example Problem 40’ 50’ Determine the number of general purpose circuits. (1 circuit for every 500’)
Answer to Example 1 • 40’x50’=2000 sq ft. • 2000/500=4 GPC
Example 2 • 45’ 65’ • 20 amp GPC • 75 outlets
Answer to example 2 • 45’ x 65’=2925sq ft • 2925/500=5.85 • Need 6 circuits • 75 outlets / 6 circuits= 12.5 • Do we need to add another circuit?
Example 3 35’ Two story house 15 amp GP 55’ 96 outlets
answer • 35’ x 55’=1925 sq ft • 1925 x 2=3850 sq ft for both floors • 3850 / 500= 7.7 • Need 8 circuits • 96 outlets / 8 = 12 outlets per circuit • Do we need another circuit • Add 2 circuits • Need 10 general purpose circuits which would make it 9.6 outlets per circuit