OT-house wiring/electrical question

[jacksonpt]

I want to add 2 new breakers to my breaker box, and set up 2 new electrical circuits in my basement. is it just a matter of adding the actual breakers to the box, putting up the outlets, then running wire between the outlets and the breaker?

 

[Conesus_Kid]

Yes, but I usually do it in the reverse order.

Also, remember to use the correct wire gauge for your breaker size.

If you're running two circuits and the outlets will be next to each other, I would use two 20 amp breakers and run a single length of 12-3 wire to the outlets. That way, you'll be able to run both circuits through the same wire.

If the outlets aren't adjacent to one another, use two lengths of 12-2 wire: one to each outlet.

 

[Dave VG]

Yes it is. I have added many new circuits including a couple of 220’s. Just make sure you leave enough wire out of each box and at that main breaker box to work with, learned that the hard way. I always use 20 amp breakers and 12-2 wire on outlet circuits and 15 amp breakers and 14-2 wire on lighting circuits. Pretty much standard. And I always shut the main off when I’m wiring and adding the breaker at the main box.

 

[iamwrasseman]

i have and many people here on RC have done this ourselves but i would suggest that if your not 100% confident that you hire an electrician as it wont be overly expensive and could save your house .
one of my dear friends just lose his house just by installing a simple switch to an exhaust fan so please be careful and dont be afraid to pay someone experienced if need be .no one got hurt but their life will not ever be the same ,needless to say the next year will be fun while their house is rebuilt .

 

[Srixon]

If you're running two circuits and the outlets will be next to each other, I would use two 20 amp breakers and run a single length of 12-3 wire to the outlets. That way, you'll be able to run both circuits through the same wire.

I don't recommend this sorry Scott.....There might be a potential to overload the neutral if the loading on the circuits gets heavy and we all know they do. Running a common ground would be fine but not a common neutral. Just run the 2 separate 12/2 lines that you were planning to do.....that would be the safest and code if I'm not mistaken.