2n1?

[jason]

I am attempting to fix up my electrical system in my house that I purchased about 6 years ago. the fella before me ran a couple of new circuits to the 100 amp (fuses) service panel, but instead of installing a breaker for this circuit, he wired it into an existing fused terminal so now there are 2 fused terminals that have 2 circuits to them. (ie upstairs and garage on the same 15 amp service.) No wonder I keep blowing fuses. duh. Question...Is this acceptable to run 2 different circuits on a single breaker? Thanks. There will probably be more questions later...

[jason]

I should clarify a bit. One of the fused connections has been connected to the line going to the 2nd level, and another line to the garage hooks onto the same terminal at the main panel. 15 amp fuse to this connection. The second doubled connection hooks to both the laundry room in the basement, and to the upstairs kitchen appliance linel. 20 amp fuse on this circuit. My question as before, should I get my socks in a bunch about this?

Another question is about plastic conduit. I purchased some 10' lengths of blue plastic conduit and would like to run 12-2 romex through it and screw it to my basement (cement block) wall. Can I use metal receptacle boxes if I have the box grounded?
Sorry about retarded questions. I have been steered wrong by the friendly folks at menards before, so I need advice from people who know what they are talking about.......
Thanks!
Jason

[6pack]

You could have several solutions to improve your situation.
Increase entire service to 200amp.
" " " " " 100amp. (if 60 present)
Changeout existing service if 100amp to larger breaker panel.
Add a Sub Panel next to existing Panel.
Move double up wires to unused circuit lugs.(if present, most likely not)
"These would be choices to update your existing wiring." "MORE information and recommendations would be needed after you decide on the above."
Knock your "Socks OFF" is somewhat vauge on what you want here. Your only violation that I see is, if wire's where terminated on fuse tap screw are doubled up is in violation.(existing) Only 1 wire is allowed under a screw. You would need to remove, wirenut and add a pigtail (single wire) to screw.
You would be in violation with kitchen circuit and doubled up laundry if a new installation.
Your biggest worry here would be if wiring(wire's themselves)is not rated in size for the size fuse your using. EXP= #14 wire 15amp fuse/#12 wire 20amp fuse.
Recommend you take time and read some of the (top of page YELL & GRN) thread's above. "Wiring a New Dwelling" & "Demand load calculations" along with this decide what's mentioned before.
Overloaded circuits your experiencing can be a problem with a new 200 amp service if not split properly or installed so. As long as you do not overfuse(larger) you are alright. But you will find most(self included) would recommend upgrading in some way.
I would recommend minnimum of 3/4" for basement outlets. Yes metal boxes OK if grounded propely. Not familiar with Blue Smurf pipe?
Hope this will give you some ideas here, many codes need to be abided by when doing this work, it would be good for you to read as mentioned to help you see this better. GL

[Wgoodrich]

Wannabbee is right, not allowed more than one wire per screw. However you may wire nut the two wires together using a pigtail to the fuse screw but only if the fuse amp rating is not exceeding the smallest wire combined as a circuit. You may have two circuits going to that fuse but if you combine the two circuits it becomes one circuit.

Romex is rated equal to the blue smurf pipe when it comes to subject to physical damage. Romex may be installed on the surface of a wall if not subject to physical damage. ENT [aka electrical nonmetallic tubing] {aka blue smurf pipe} is not approved where subject to physical damage. If you slide your Romex in smurf pipe in the eyes of the NEC you did nothing to improve protection.

Just my thoughts

Wg

[jason]

Great! The flexible conduit I have is FNT I think? So I will take the pipe back to the menards and get some PVC conduit.
--Is that a higher level of protection? I think I remember seeing Sch. 40 and 80 pvc...Which would meet the needs to run outlets and switches to a metal box on the cement block walls ( I have 3 young children that like to play down there.) Or is metal conduit a better choice?
--Securing outlet/switch boxes to wall. I want to place them so that they are flat on the wall. Secure the conduit to the wall close to the outlet box and that will suffice or do I need to screw the box itself to the wall? Platic boxes or fiberglass or metal?
--Another Q. I have is regarding splice boxes. The ceiling is unfinished, the 2x8s are exposed, so I need to splice off a couple of lines to feed receptacles. Can I use plastic boxes with plastic covers to place the splices or since it is exposed do I need to use the tougher plastic/fiberglass or metal boxes?
--and one more. In this same basement I have 6 fish tanks (4 10 gal. and 2 20 gal.) that each have 2 to 4 electrical cords coming from them (a few 50 W heaters, basic fluorescent lights, power filters, air pumps, ect). I am not feeling good about the multiple 6 plug extensions that are in use right now.. No GFCI! (I hear the crowd booing me now...) They are on a wood stand, initially I thought about running a line to attach to the wooden stand (it's about 6 feet long by 7 feet high) using the same blue conduit I mentioned above. But now I think I'd be better off using a raceway of sorts and attach that to the stand. Is this doable? What are the limitations of raceways in this setting? I would not be able to move the stand with all the tanks on there. But in case I needed to move it someday, what is the better option for this?

Sorry about the long post.
Thanks again!
Jason

[6pack]

210.8.a.6 All outlet's in unfinished basements MUST be GFI protected. There is an exception here. In your case tripping will cause death to your fish, since you cannot move(now) your tanks this would be a AHJ call. WG will touch on that one since an inspector.(still individual call)(read "dwelling wiring" under GFI's.)
Box type and conduit would be personal choice? EMT or PVC would work.
I would use 4'sq with plaster rings. Use deep 4'sq allowing room and 2 gang rings allowing for 4 receptacles. Not big on mixing, would go all plastic or
metal.
Boxes also must be fastened. How to attach as your asking? unsure of without seeing how arranged? Guessing here? could you come down from ceiling on wall(pipe) go to a J box and continue down to another on each side providing outlets at right location? sooner see you start with a box on ceiling joist/elbow to wall then down to boxes as mentioned! Then purchase THWN wire's seperate and install. Run romex power to those ceiling boxes. Just a thought.
Where you wish to get power from "READ" dwelling wiring for fastening and stapling of wires properly up to code.
Many ways to do, if mine would do entire in conduit, hard to tell someone how as there are always(little) differences on how too. GL

[Wgoodrich]

PVC sch 40 is probably all you will find in 1/2" or 3/4" conduit. Sch 40 PVC is not approved where subject to physical damage anymore than normal romex would be.

EMT is your better choice on surface of masonry walls. I would wire in Romex daisy chain wiring style from receptacle to receptacle eliminating any need for junction boxes. Power in a receptacle and power out of a receptacle. I would place a conveniently placed accessible deep metal handy box for a single duplex GFI receptacle as the first receptacle on each circuit. Then power out of that receptacle to the location where you have you fish tanks. There I would install a normal metal handy box mounted to the wall for again a single duplex receptacle. Then power out of that receptacle to the next location of your fish tanks.

I would consider fish tanks as furniture not fastened in place or large appliances. You may wish to get a ruling from your inspector on this subject of omitting GFI protection. Remember you are dealing with water and electricity. The GFI would be advantagous with aquariums and should prove reliable. I would then buy the plug in cord with a switch and multiple plug bar. Then at the receptacle I would buy a 24 hour timer, plug in the tank light. Then plug in a plug strip cord with a switch for you heaters and pumps, then plug in your equipment to that certain fish tank. This will let you auto control your lights on the timer and have constant power to your pump and heater. The plug bar is designed for multiple plugs of light loads like your fish tanks are designed.

REmember a 20 amp branch circuit will carry @ 100% 2400 watts. This could carry all your pumps, heaters and lights combined on one 20 amp circuit and still not approach a 20 amp load.

I would wire in Romex all the circuit hanging a Romex down for power into a receptacle then a second romex going to the next receptacle in a daisy chain manner. What you end up with is a pair of Romex cables hanging down where a receptacle is needed. Then I would install an EMT conduit connector on the end of the EMT using 3/4" EMT for the two Cables to be protected. Then cut off the EMT where the box will be mounted and install a second EMT connector mounting to a metal handy box with 3/4" knock outs stripping the cable sheathing where the cables enter the boxes.

Do not use 1/2" EMT because this is too small for the two cables to enter and pass down to the handy boxes. Be sure to install a connector on the high end of the EMT also to protect that Romex from being cut. Use an EMT strap at the top screwed to the wood top plate to secure the EMT.

Neat job, meets physical damage protection, and wired in romex using EMT as sleaving where along the masonry walls.

YOu may also power in and power out of your first light box in the ceiling using the same EMT design and a single switch leg where switches are needed.

HOpe this helps

Wg

[6pack]

Hard to teach an old horse how to drink. Always a fan of conduit. If not in Chicago your good to go.
Somehow always preferred SQ boxes and rings. If in future would allow for studs and changes 2 gang ETC. Here too personal choice. Always found handy boxes to be crowded.
Reason mentioned the GFI being a AHJ call, who's more important the fish or the kids. GL