Any electricians in the house?

[Doug]

I could fix a tire sized hole in sheetrock.... no problem

I could install a new water heater no problem... I can weld/Braze copper, did that for years.

change a light fixture.... easy job

Change a plumbing fixture like a faucet, toilet.... no biggie

I can do this type of SHIT.

It's old hat to me.

I'm not expert, but I can do it.

 

[ProPokerPlayer]

Accept my apoligies Doug, i confused you with somebody else. Im not in a very good state of mind right now and jumped off the handle...Very Sorry

 

[kcameron95]

i have kinda of related question...i have a fuse box...i kept having one particular fuse keep going out on me (living and electric heater)...i changed it from 15amps to 20amps..i no longer have it going out..

is this dangerous? shouldn't have i done that?

 

[ProPokerPlayer]

It depends...its probably not a good idea but what you need to know is the combined Amp draw of the HTG and lights. If it totals say 19 amps then yor probably ok, the circuit was designed for 20 but extra draw when the htg kicks on etc could have been y it was tripping. If the combined draw is say 25+ then yes you have more draw than the system was designed for and over an extended period any loose connection or weak point could actually start a fire...

 

[DaShark]

I am an electrician and would be happy to answer any questions you have . Let me know if you need anything .

 

[bigbet1234]

Thomas, here is the breakdown.

My one fridge is 8.5amps
freezer one 5amps
freezer two 5amps
freezer three 5amps
display case 8.2 amps

i also have a 42in LCD TV

Now, I had the fridge, display case and 2 freezers on one. i can see that causing a problem.

i think i need to spread it out more. The only problem is the outlets are at the other end of the shop, and all the equipment is behind the counter.

I have 3 separte outlets to work with. I am assuming the breakers are 15amps, but I am not sure.

What is the most I would want on one circuit?

Thanks

There's nothing wrong with extension cords if you use the right ones and the right ends. Being in the industrial sector for my whole career I can steer you in the right direction if that's what you choose to do. There are spec grade plugs and receptacles and high end extension cords that would work fine especially if it's a shop of some kind. Just let me know I can help.

 

[bigbet1234]

Sunday is re-wiring day i guess

 

[DaShark]

After reading over the thread , just a couple of things to add .

Don't use ext cords .
Breakers are made to handle 80% their rating (for example a 20 amp breaker will trip with any load over 16 amps )

Did you recently start plugging anything new into this circuit ?

Turn the circuit off and let me know what goes off and how many amps they draw (fridges and stuff will have nameplates on them and shoul have a amps or FLA ??

 

[DaShark]

Look at the breaker . What is the number on it . 15 or 20 ? Use 80% , 12 for 15 and 16 for 20

 

[bigbet1234]

I have 2 extension cords right now. They are 20 gauge I think, they arent the cheap ones.

I am going to replace the breakers Sunday, then run it to where I do not overlaod one circuit.

I think that was my problem, I had to much shit on one cirbuit.

I know 3 outlets are on one circuit. Because when the fridge went out, so did the 3 other outlets.

I think I can spread my equipment evenly over the 3 circuits, or 5 oulets.

I have one with only the small chest freezer on pulling 5amps, so i can put the other small freezer on that one for a total of 10 amps on that line.

then divide the other 15 or so over the other 2 circuits.

not sure how much a LCD tv draws, but cant be too much id imagine. along with a few 60watt bulbs

After reading over the thread , just a couple of things to add .

Don't use ext cords .
Breakers are made to handle 80% their rating (for example a 20 amp breaker will trip with any load over 16 amps )

Did you recently start plugging anything new into this circuit ?

Turn the circuit off and let me know what goes off and how many amps they draw (fridges and stuff will have nameplates on them and shoul have a amps or FLA ??

 

[bigbet1234]

I will do that. I am not there right now, I will take a look at it tomorrow.

Look at the breaker . What is the number on it . 15 or 20 ? Use 80% , 12 for 15 and 16 for 20

 

[Thomas]

Just got back in in time to watch a little world series, took Philly -100 and parlayed it to the over 7.5 even for a couple of bucks, it pays 580 and I don't know much about BB but I do enjoy a good game in the fall. Just had a great walk in the park here, the fall weather up here is spectaculair.

anglebroom I started out in the industrial field as a welder/fitter when I was first starting out, got a welding ticket out of that and went to the electrical union and worked out of there as a combination trades person, I got paid journeyman rate my whole apprenticeship and worked at a local steel mill for years. While there I also obtained a instrumentation ticket so when I went on my own I was loaded with all the right tickets. I did motor controls and, overhead electrical cranes and whatever came my way. I'd persist if I was you and try and get a foot in somehow it's a great trade with some great money.

sparticus I think it's the elements heating up in your baseboards by the sound of it nothing to worry about imo.

As far as changing out to a 20 A breaker it's pretty much common practice and your breaker (fuse) was probably weak from use because it obviously worked at one time, the initial inrush current at start up was probably the culprit, it's common. I wouldn't go any higher than that however and your still adequately protected with the 20 A.

 

[DaShark]

don't worry about the tv . they don't draw shit 2 or 3 amps max. If your going to use ext cords short term make sure they are heavy duty (#12 wire) construction type . Just remember to look at the breaker or on the breaker handle for the rating and use 80% .

 

[Thomas]

My one fridge is 8.5amps
freezer one 5amps
freezer two 5amps
freezer three 5amps
display case 8.2 amps

i also have a 42in LCD TV

Yeah big bet you got the right idea with how your splitting things up, that cord your talking about isn't 20 ga. that's like christmas tree light wire you need to go to 12 ga with a good grade jacket, any hardware store will know what your talking about. I also wouldn't be afraid in your case to change two breaker up to 20A because your start up current for the compressor is usally about 200%. So one fridge and a freezer @20A, one freezers and display @20A and one freezer and the tv on a 15A, your good to go buddy.

 

[bigbet1234]

Thomas:

It's a 60amp box only.

I have some 15,20 and 30amp breakers.

I have it now where there is nothing else on the breakers with the Fridge or Display case.

I have limited my amps to about 5-9 amps per breaker.

I think this should do the trick for now.

Thanks

 

[TTinCO]

p.s. If the extension cords(especially the ends) are hot, that's bad.

Do you have insurance on this place? Any fire instpector expected in there in the near furture?

 

[Thomas]

ttinco there"s a problem with a warm end on an extension cord for sure but that will never happen here with the amperage he's drawing. Plus there is quality type ends and cords available but he doesn't need that here a good grade ext cord from home depot will do the trick and there's nothing illegal or dangerous with them in use, that's what there for.

Hope that works out for you bigbet, I don't see any problem. I know the box you speak of and it probably had 8 circuts originally and somewhere in time somebody put in space savers to double your breakers to 16. Nothing wrong with that either as long as your total load is under the main breaker rating of 60 A

 

[bigbet1234]

TT:

Did away with the extension cords. Everything is quite for now......

If I have to bring in more equipment, I have to look for another location. But this location is worth the hassal for now, decent spot and decent rent.

p.s. If the extension cords(especially the ends) are hot, that's bad.

Do you have insurance on this place? Any fire instpector expected in there in the near furture?

 

[bigbet1234]

Yea, for now its under the 60.

I could get rid of two freezers and replace it with one big on if need be, but it's working for now.

I will give it some time.

Hell, at least I don't have the extension cords running from the bathroom, the front of the store, etc....now that was a pain in the ass!

ttinco there"s a problem with a warm end on an extension cord for sure but that will never happen here with the amperage he's drawing. Plus there is quality type ends and cords available but he doesn't need that here a good grade ext cord from home depot will do the trick and there's nothing illegal or dangerous with them in use, that's what there for.

Hope that works out for you bigbet, I don't see any problem. I know the box you speak of and it probably had 8 circuts originally and somewhere in time somebody put in space savers to double your breakers to 16. Nothing wrong with that either as long as your total load is under the main breaker rating of 60 A