Thread: Minimum circuit breaker verbaige

Does anyone call it out when there are less circuit breakers than you would expect?
For example, a 2,000 sq.ft. house with only 9 total 15 and 20 amp breakers.

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No, that in and of itself is not a problem. Why do you think it is?

Only thinking that there may not be enough circuits to handle certain loads. Perhaps I'm over thinking it.

Two for the kitchen, two for the bedrooms, two for the bathrooms, one for outside, one for the family room, how many more do you need?

Point taken.

Just over thinking it again.

If you think it is a concern you should mention in the body of the report. You could say something like:

"There are nine 120 volt circuits feeding the lights and receptacles in the house. Depending on what devices you will be using in the house this may not be enough to circuits to supply the devices you will be using. If there is a concern that nine circuits may not be enough to supply the loads required you should have an electrician survey the electrical system in the house. Any additional circuits that are required would be an improvement and not a repair."

This may help cover you if the buyers do discover that there is not enough power in the house supply their needs. You have a reason to be concerned so why not mention it.

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Two for the kitchen, two for the bedrooms, two for the bathrooms, one for outside, one for the family room, how many more do you need?

One more for the washer and dryer, even if it's gas. Dishwasher should be on its own, garbage disposer needs one. Fridge? What about the garage? I'd question it.

Maybe before you question it you should find out what the NEC minimums are for a 2000 Sq. Ft. residence.

There's no way to properly answer this question as there's not enough information provided.
Before anyone can determine what size service or how many circuits a dwelling will need ,one must first gather ALL the information.

Blindly making generalized statements about the lack of circuits is doing a dis-service to your customers.

Is the dwelling using natural gas or propane for heat, cooking, water heating, or clothes dryer ?

Is the dwelling using fuel oil for heat, hot water ?

Is the dwelling using electric for clothes dryer, water heater, cooking, heating ?

What type of heating loads : heat pump, hot water baseboard, electric baseboard, oil burner? Does the dwelling have central A/C? What fixed in place appliances are in the dwelling ?
you need the range/ cook top KW ratings, the dryer KW ratings, the heating KW ratings,The A/c KW rating
Before anyone can provide an answer as to how many circuits in too few one must have all of that information and the associated loads for each.

Originally Posted by Bill Kriegh

Maybe before you question it you should find out what the NEC minimums are for a 2000 Sq. Ft. residence.

I'll take a stab at it:

2000 sq. ft @ 3 VA per sq. ft. = 6000 VA

6000 VA /120V = 50 amps / 15

two 20 amp small appliance circuits, one 20 amp laundry circuit and one 20 amp for the bathrooms.

So I say four 15 amp circuits and four 20 amp circuits?

Originally Posted by chris mcintyre

I'll take a stab at it:

2000 sq. ft @ 3 VA per sq. ft. = 6000 VA

6000 VA /120V = 50 amps / 15

two 20 amp small appliance circuits, one 20 amp laundry circuit and one 20 amp for the bathrooms.

So I say four 15 amp circuits and four 20 amp circuits?

Ok, I should have said" I'd question it in the area where I live".

Up here in civilized Canada, the fridge goes on one, dishwasher on one that's 2 15 amps gone.
(Also, up here in Canada, only 12 outlets per 15 amp circuit.)
Outdoor and garage circuit ought to be on a designated circuit. Is this right?
So maybe it's a 2 room bungalow with one lighting circuit?

But you guys are right, it depends on the number and size of the loads, not enough info.

Originally Posted by John Kogel

Up here in civilized Canada, the fridge goes on one, dishwasher on one that's 2 15 amps gone.
(Also, up here in Canada, only 12 outlets per 15 amp circuit.)
Outdoor and garage circuit ought to be on a designated circuit. Is this right?
So maybe it's a 2 room bungalow with one lighting circuit?

Yeah, you guys have less sunlight and natural heat. Forget the lights, We function just fine so long as with have a big honking A/C.