LF: Licensed Electrician

[Sonicboom]

been planning to move my tank from the dining room to the library and need two dedicated circuits in there. looks like the last owners piggy backed the other 4 outlets off of one circuit. Funds are limited so I can help if climbing in attic is needed or whatever. if anyone knows of someone would be great. will probably need a drywaller afterwards.

 

[CuzzA]

A few questions and I could help you save some money. Do you have space in your breaker box for an extra circuit? How old is your home? Can you access the top of the wall in the attic you want the outlets?

 

[Sonicboom]

I have space for two additional in the main and in a sub breaker box, also if one of the current ones get replaced well there's one down.

home was built in 78, i cannot access the top of the wall through the attic, but above the room is an empty room i think the previous owners used as a panic room. there is AC, light, power, water and a sink there with an unfinished floor. that is where i plan on moving all my tank related stuff and turn it into a fish room.

 

[robthorn]

Adding new circuits requires an electrical permit doesn't it?
Hunter Green Electric. Licensed and insured.

 

[Sonicboom]

They are not new, changing existing to dedicated

 

[CuzzA]

Hmmm... Panic room, interesting. So, this could be challenging. What you're trying to accomplish is rather simple and could be done without an electrician. However, if you can't access the top of the wall then I'm not sure how your going to fish the wire. You mentioned unfinished floor, can you pull it up to access the top wall plate? If so, you could do everything yourself.

Fortunately, you don't have a newer home with the firewall code requiring the center board inside the wall.

Basically you're going to need to purchase a remodel/old work double gang box, 1 standard outlet, 1 GFCI outlet, 1 double wall plate, 12/3 gauge wire and a 20 amp breaker.

Tools: drywall saw, wall fish pole, wire strippers, screwdriver, drill.

Find where you want the outlet, trace the gang box on the wall and cut it out with the drywall saw or utility knife.

From the room above, locate the top wall plate and drill a hole large enough for you're wire and wall fish pole. Make sure you're above your cut out. Tape the wire to the pole and fish it down to the square you cut out.

Feed the wire though the gang box and install the gang box. Cut about 6 inches of wire off. Wire the GFCI (hot/black to copper, neutral/white to silver, green to ground). Use the extra 6 inches you cut off and wire from the GFCI to the standard outlet. Screw in the outlets to the gang box and put the wall plate on.

Now, back in the panic/fish room... You're probably going to have to drill holes through the ceiling joists to run the wire to the attic. Once you've done that you'll need to run the wire to your breaker box and replace the floor in the panic/fish room.

At this point if you don't feel comfortable working in a breaker box, don't. Call an electrician. However, it's very simple, switch the main breaker off. Take the front panel off, run the wire into the box from the top, hook up the wire to the breaker and neutral and ground bar. You can use an existing breaker inside your box for reference.

I hope this helps and I am no way responsible if you kill yourself from electrocution. ;-)

 

[Sonicboom]

Hahaha, I love the disclaimer! . I have everything but the fish tape and 40 ft of wiring. I replaced our old out of code sub breaker box with no issue. I will see what I come up with but thanks for the detailed instructions!

 

[CuzzA]

Hahaha, I love the disclaimer! . I have everything but the fish tape and 40 ft of wiring. I replaced our old out of code sub breaker box with no issue. I will see what I come up with but thanks for the detailed instructions!

You're welcome. I guess it's a matter of a days work or a weeks pay if you know what I mean.

 

[robthorn]

Call it what you want but what you are describing here requires a permit. Sure you can get around the laws all day but if your house burns down and that wire is not on the plans submitted to the building department in the city you live good luck getting an insurance claim.
I am not an electrician and would never turn you in. Just trying to let you know.

 

[CuzzA]

Call it what you want but what you are describing here requires a permit. Sure you can get around the laws all day but if your house burns down and that wire is not on the plans submitted to the building department in the city you live good luck getting an insurance claim.
I am not an electrician and would never turn you in. Just trying to let you know.

I hear you robthorn. They also want a permit to rearrange your bedroom furniture. ;-) If a permit is that important to the individual, then get one. You still don't need to pay an electrician a thousand dollars or whatever the cost to do the work.

Btw, If your house burns down good luck trying to find anything that matches to a building design submitted in 1978 which has probably had multiple owners at this point. I'd bet the panic room the op described wasn't permitted. Is his insurance company going to deny a claim for that? No, they'll pay the claim.

 

[Sonicboom]

I never said I didn't want a permit and cuzza is right, I question some of the work I have found in here and that's why I was asking in case someone was an electrician and wanted some cash on the side. No worries I'll just leave the tank where it is for now.

 

[CuzzA]

When I bought my house (foreclosed and I completely remodeled everything) I found some of the most brainless excuse for workmanship and so I understand why permits are necessary.

For example, the previous owner wired an above range microwave by twisting the wires around the the 3 prong plug and then wrapped it in blue painters tape and stuffed it in the attic covered in insulation. "BRILLIANT"

 

[Ted_C]

I used di'mond electric in Dunedin for my apartment in largo. $250 for a single GFI circuit and a 40 foot run.