GFI Circuit breakers

[Young Frankenstein]

Lets not use waterkeepers panel as an example. This is how a nice electrical panel should look like.

Tight connections is the most important think in a panel. If you have aluminum wiring you should change to copper.The NEC geniuses found that although aluminum wiring is ok to use they have no way of terminating an aluminum wire properly.

 

[WaterKeeper]

He's saving my panel for his bit on Arc Fault Protection I bet.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

AFCI breakers do not detect low current arcing or series arcs, without the presence of the ground wire. They rely on the fact that a break in the ungrounded conductor will eventually cause arcing to the bare ground wire in romex cable. Without the ground wire, AFCI's will only protect against high current arcs, like a short circuit. That is why it is pointless to use them for two wire systems, like knob and tube. Also, many knob and tube circuits have shared neutral wires. You may find several circuits with only one neutral return wire. This will cause the AFCI to false trip constantly.

 

[Paul B]

That aluminum wiring was the best thing for us electricians. Thats how I paid for my house, rewiring all those fire jobs :lol:

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9584967#post9584967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paul B
That aluminum wiring was the best thing for us electricians. Thats how I paid for my house, rewiring all those fire jobs :lol:

I totally agree with Paul B. Aluminum wiring was the #1 cause of fires. Here in Florida Paul when we pull a permit anything aluminum has to be change to coper in order to get a final inspection.:smokin:

 

[sgallagher7]

Im just a newbie, so be kind. Can you change a 15 amp circuit to a 20 amp circuit?

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Yes if the wire is # 12 THHN and it dos not feed lights, you can change the fuse or breaker to 20 Amps.

 

[sgallagher7]

How can i check the type of wire? The circuit feeds outlets only.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

See if it has a small teflon coating on the outside insulation, and if it says AWG 12 THHN, one of the 2. Turn all your lights on and turn off the breaker, if it dos not turn off lights than you are ok.

 

[sgallagher7]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Will going from a 15 amp to 20 amp circuit give me a sizable gain in total wattage. I will be running approx 450 watts of lights, heaters, pumps, etc, for a 75 gal.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9586835#post9586835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sgallagher7
Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Will going from a 15 amp to 20 amp circuit give me a sizable gain in total wattage. I will be running approx 450 watts of lights, heaters, pumps, etc, for a 75 gal.

Ladies and Gentleman........... another happy customer .....

 

[Paul B]

It will give you an increase of 5 amps as the amount of current you can draw but I doubt your wiring is #12. It is more likely #14 wire.
As was said, you can read it on the insullation on the wire. Generally an electrician will wire most house circuits for 15 amps with #14 wire because it is cheaper. If he used #12 wire he probably would have installed a 20 amp breaker. Usually only kitchen circuits, washers driers etc will be #12 wire but you may be lucky. Sometimes we only have #12 wire left over and we will use it on a 15 amp circuit.
Paul

 

[WaterKeeper]

I thought most of that modern aluminum wiring was #12.

 

[sgallagher7]

so if it is #14 then 15 amps is the best I can do on that circuit?

 

[Young Frankenstein]

Table B.310.1 Ampacities 90degC (194degF) NEC .. #14 copper fused at 15 amps max. .. #12 copper fused at 20 amps max. .. #10 copper fused at 30 amps max. . #14 aluminum (not allowed for anything) .. #12 aluminum fused at 15 amps max. .. #10 aluminum fused at 25 amps max.

 

[Young Frankenstein]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9591507#post9591507 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by WaterKeeper
I thought most of that modern aluminum wiring was #12.

#14 is not used anymore

 

[sgallagher7]

Thanks. Now its time to look at the wire casing and see what number is on it.

 

[Icefire]

aluminium wiring isn't used in house, only copper here.

 

[HBtank]

Does anyone have a thread that covers the basics of this discussion.

As in the maximum recommended wattage to any single receptacle (or circut I guess, since multiple receptacles are on a circut right?) and how to replace a standrad receptacle with a GFCI receptacle .. etc..

This has been bugging me for awhile and I want to make my tank totally safe and reliable..

 

[bertoni]

I'd invest in an electrician's time to redo wiring, personally. I know enough to wire together GFI boxes on my own, but I'd rather pay a pro than risk my life or home with anything more complicated.