FREE Mains Upgrade in the U.S???

Posted by: Greg Beatty on 05 March 2003

An electrician from the power company came over today to unhook something on behalf of said power company. Turns out he's an inspector also.

Anyway...I asked what would be involved in running a seperate 30amp line to the living room. Turns out that having a finished basement with the power box on the opposite side of the house from the living room makes running the seperate line a bit of a project.

But he offered this. He said that recent code required a 20 amp line to be fed to the dining room. So, why not use that? 12 gauge wire could be used along the baseboards, under the carpet, to get the juice from the 20 amp outlet in the dining room to my living room.

Great idea but my house was built in 1977 so probably a nonstarter for me. But I offer the idea in hopes of helping fellow forum readers. If your kit is in the dining room already it may just be a matter of switching pulgs to get a free mains-induced upgrade Smile

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Posted on: 05 March 2003 by Stephen H
Hi Greg,

Just curious, but why would the code call for a line to the dining room? I can understand the kitchen requiring a feed for the oven, or a utility room/basement for washing machines/driers etc, but what could possibly need a seperate feed in a dining room??

A hostess trolley? Fondu heater?

Baffled.

Steve.
Posted on: 06 March 2003 by Greg Beatty
...why. Could be that they have found that people in the us use high-current appliances (or several lower current appliances at once) in the dining room for food service (keep food hot) or preparation when the kitchen is crowded. I don't know really.

But...

...here is how to see if you have such a dedicated line. Open your breaker box and look for the 20 amp breakers. Have lamps plugged in to your dining room sockets and turned on. Now look for a light to go off when you flick off the 20 amp breakers one at a time.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here
Posted on: 06 March 2003 by novelty
Thanks Greg.

my home is a recent new construction/rehab and i am interested in your findings..i will check tonight when i go home..

i plan to install a dedicated line in the upcoming weeks, i haven't decided on an electrician yet..

the nana site recommends a 20a line with hospital quality sockets..however i have seen recommendations from other sources for 30a and even 40a lines..can anyone comment on this?? i am inclined to go with nana but in the interest of 'more is better' i figure i should ask..

thanks in advance..
mark
Posted on: 06 March 2003 by JRHardee
Greg--

Every proud employee of the Department of Homeland Security gets this electrical upgrade.

Please speak slowly and clearly while expressing treasonous thoughts.
Posted on: 06 March 2003 by bec143
so what about the new Kestrels????
Posted on: 07 March 2003 by Greg Beatty
John -

If there was a "bug" in the house I have no doubt the baby monitor would sus it out Wink

Bec -

I've heard that the new Meadowlark speakers take a lonnnnnng time to run in (my dealer's Swifts took months). Very promising so far though Big Grin It's also tough to run them in properly or accelerate the run in process with a 5 week old in the house.

Now where is the StereoPhile CD3...

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here