Assistance greatly appreciated... :^)

[PE Islander]

Hi all, I read somewhere that a 15 amp circuit using #14 wire can extend to a max of 50 feet from the panel box...does this mean that I should run #12 wire on the 15 amp circuit that will extend to 50 feet long?

Secondly, I see the NEC has a requirement for 'a minimum of 2 20 amp circuits' for living room/entertainment areas'. As I have 3 areas of my house that fit that definition - does that mean I need 6 20 amp circuits (which are not permitted to run lights)?

Third - Can anyone point me to a link that gives a formula for Canadian 'box-fill' requirements? I have heard that they differ from the NEC..

Finally, does anyone know of electrical inspection rules for PEI? A friend told me that electrical work in PEI can only be carried out by an electrician - no 'do-it-yourself' permitted....Is this true?

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide!

[Homer]

Hi all, I read somewhere that a 15 amp circuit using #14 wire can extend to a max of 50 feet from the panel box...does this mean that I should run #12 wire on the 15 amp circuit that will extend to 50 feet long?A 120V circuit using 50 feet of #14 loaded at the full 15A will have a voltage drop of about 3.3%. It all depends on what the expected load is on that circuit and if it's going to be a motor load or not. For example, a small lighting load of 180W would need a 500 foot run to reach the same 3.3% voltage drop.

Secondly, I see the NEC has a requirement for 'a minimum of 2 20 amp circuits' for living room/entertainment areas'. As I have 3 areas of my house that fit that definition - does that mean I need 6 20 amp circuits (which are not permitted to run lights)?The NEC has no such requirement. There is a requirement for the kitchen counter circuits for a minimum of two 20A circuits in the USA. Futhermore there is no such requirement for living areas in the CEC for Canada.

Third - Can anyone point me to a link that gives a formula for Canadian 'box-fill' requirements? I have heard that they differ from the NEC..Yes, they differ from the NEC. I did give some example calculations on a thread here a while back.

Finally, does anyone know of electrical inspection rules for PEI? A friend told me that electrical work in PEI can only be carried out by an electrician - no 'do-it-yourself' permitted....Is this true? Quebec has these labor union "make work" laws but I don't know about PEI.

Homer

[PE Islander]

Thanks for the info, Homer. My assumptions about the requirement for 20 amp circuits in living room came from the 'Code requirements' section of the Black & Decker home electric book...maybe those are 'recommendations' and not requirements....

I have a question about the CEC max of 12 outlets on a circuit - does outlets pertain to the number of lights, or is that the limit for lights and receptacles combined?

Thanks

[Homer]

I have a question about the CEC max of 12 outlets on a circuit - does outlets pertain to the number of lights, or is that the limit for lights and receptacles combined?It is the total number of fixtures and receptacles combined.

Also, don't forget that all light fixtures must be on 15A circuits only.

Homer

[PE Islander]

Thanks for the info, Homer.

How would a track light with three 50 watt halogens be counted - as one or three? - Or ,can I use factor the known wattage rating for my fixtures leaving me a certain number of receptacles, and if so, what is the standard 'default' wattage to attribute to a general purpose receptacle for calculation purposes?
Thanks again.

[Homer]

How would a track light with three 50 watt halogens be counted - as one or three?Even if a fixture has multiple bulbs, it's still a single fixture or 'piece of utilization equipment'.

What is the standard 'default' wattage to attribute to a general purpose receptacle for calculation purposes?For a general purpose receptacle you really can't put a load value on it. You can plug in just about any portable appliance. The twelve or fewer rule is just an attempt at lowering the odds that you will overload the circuit by restricting the number of receptacles you can plug into.

Homer

[mdshunk]

Even if a fixture has multiple bulbs, it's still a single fixture or 'piece of utilization equipment'.
I'm not sure if I agree or disagree with this. I'm just thinking out loud here. Is the track along with the associated installed heads the "fixture" OR is the track just the bussway and each head is a seperate "fixture".

What do you think?

[Homer]

IMO, it depends on how power is connected. I would think that if a single power feed enters a fixture box then it's one fixure regardless of how many lights connect at that box.

I guess if it weren't for this silly 12 outlet maximum rule, the definition of a fixture wouldn't matter.

Homer

[jeffo]

Thanks for the info, Homer. My assumptions about the requirement for 20 amp circuits in living room came from the 'Code requirements' section of the Black & Decker home electric book...maybe those are 'recommendations' and not requirements....

I have a question about the CEC max of 12 outlets on a circuit - does outlets pertain to the number of lights, or is that the limit for lights and receptacles combined?

Thanks


I know the book you're talking about. It's not for Canada but for the US. I don't know why it is sold in Canada, a Canadian edition should be released and all US editions taken off store shelves in Canada- they're only asking for problems.

In many respects (although not all), the CEC is more strict than the NEC. I suggest you read the B&D book, but also refer to a Canadian publication. Much of the content of the B&D book is still relavent, except the sections where the code is mentioned.

[gbeichho]

I originally bought the B&D book because it has nice pictures, and some useful techniques. It also shows some ways of pulling wires through closed walls and it will talk about running network cable as well.

The book I use for CEC advice is Knight's book: Electrical Code Simplified. I don't know if he publishes a version for PEI... but you might want to pick one up in NS (if he sells them there) to get the CEC perspective on some rules. Then you'll just have to call a local inspector for the PEI rules.

Home Depot in Ontario sells them, but I bet you won't find one on the Island :)

IMO, I think it would be crazy to count a multi-light halogen fixture as > 1 in terms of the circuit maximum. These only connect to one junction box, and they only require one electrical connection. On the other hand, you should carefully consider the wattage. I had 3 such fixtures in my cottage, and then I plugged my shop vac in an outlet on the same circuit and sure enough it popped after a couple of minutes. Then I added up the wattage. 200 + 200 + 200 just for the lights.