Dedicated circuit breaker

[sinkingbeach]

OK I'm prepping for my new tank, I've read some people create circuit breakers strictly for their tanks, give me some info on this please. I'm more than likely hiring a electrician, but wanted to have some knowledge before I get s*****d. The electrical box is outside in the shed and the outlet is in the middle of my living room, will they have to tear up my walls to do this? Also if you can give me an idea of typical cost to do this?

thanks

 

[sinkingbeach]

I also wanted to add that if my avocado :-X kitchen is any indication of the age of the wires they are probably 30yrs old.

 

[pgordemer]

Tha answer will depend on if there is any blank space in your circuit box.

If there is a blank space available, then running a brand new 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire is the best. Fishing the wire is the longest time killer, so if you can find the shortest path from the box to where you want the outlets, that helps.

If there isn't any space in the box, then the installation of a sub panel has to happen (which requires an inspection)

Phil

 

[sinkingbeach]

Humor me, I've been reading a little of the internet, lets say there is no blank space available but the water heater is connected directly to a wire with it's own circuit and happens to be right behind the wall that I want a circuit. Can a sub panel be built off that wire, will it be able to increase the amount of amps coming out of the sub panel, or do I need to increase the amount of amps on the main breaker still using the same wire to build a sub panel, naturally this is done with all the inspections and codes yada yada yada

Tha answer will depend on if there is any blank space in your circuit box.

If there is a blank space available, then running a brand new 20 amp circuit with 12 gauge wire is the best. Fishing the wire is the longest time killer, so if you can find the shortest path from the box to where you want the outlets, that helps.

If there isn't any space in the box, then the installation of a sub panel has to happen (which requires an inspection)

Phil

 

[mikem]

Is the shed attached to the house? Do they have to dig a trench to get to the house? How much wire do they have to run? How many walls do they have to snake the wire thru? A 30 year old house should have room for 1 more breaker. If not, they have doulbe breakers that fit in a single slot.

 

[sinkingbeach]

Shed is attached, if you went through the ceiling it would be aprox 20feet, through the walls is about 40 feet and 3 walls.

Is the shed attached to the house? Do they have to dig a trench to get to the house? How much wire do they have to run? How many walls do they have to snake the wire thru? A 30 year old house should have room for 1 more breaker. If not, they have doulbe breakers that fit in a single slot.

 

[roadking05]

Mike is right. YOu can get a piggy back breaker or twins. Do you know the maker of your panel? I hope it's not FP panel. Price is around few SPS colonies and some rare frags. LOL... JK

 

[Olivier]

if your breaker box is full, you can buy the dual thin breaker in replace of single breaker. The dual thin breaker is the same thickness of the single breaker. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[mikem]

if your breaker box is full, you can buy the dual thin breaker in replace of single breaker. The dual thin breaker is the same thickness of the single breaker. Correct me if I am wrong.

This is correct.


Francis. Did you ever do get this done yet?

 

[jayy1582]

Francis I would be willing to help you out with this. I Could stop by your place after I'm done work one night this week and see what you need and how the wire can be run. I know where the tank is in your place just not your panel. As for electrical supplies I have plenty, and my brother in law also manages an electrical supply store so anything you need would be cheap.
Let me know if this works for you ?
Jason

 

[Olivier]

does anyone know how much would it cost to upgrade to a larger main electrical panel (inspector cost). I think my house is 100A box. I like to upgrade to 200A box. If i have my appliances on, then i use vacume my house, I see the light flickering. I think I am running short in current supply or maybe other problem I don't know. Anyone know how to fix this problem? I am planing to running 1 new line out of my old box by using 2 thin circuit breaker but my other half told me to think about replace a old box with bigger box and fix the flickering problem.

 

[Brian]

That sounds like another problem. I have 100 amp service in my house and I have 3 dedicated lines for the tank, plus all my other crap.

You probably need to redistribute some of your breakers and add some new ones. I had problems a few years ago with lights flickering, there was some bad wiring and bad breakers. I was lucky enough to have my brother send over electrical contractors from his work to fix it...they were here 3 days and a lot of hours...Would have hated to know the bill on that one!

 

[danthemanj]

If you get the upgrade from 100 to 200 Amp done yourself (i.e. through a private contractor) the breaker box/supplies and labor will cost you about between $600 and $1500. Your electric provider should run a 200 Amp line and meter for you at no charge. You can run a feed off an existing breaker to a sub panel provided you have the right amperage cable already running to the outlet. If you have attic access or crawl space access, that would be the best way to run your new wires.