Running a dedicated circuit

[platax88]

I am starting a 180 in-wall build in my finished basement.

I am thinking of having one or two dedicated 20amp circuits ran from the circuit box (in garage) to the guest room in the basement. To me it seems almost impossible to run this cabling unless it is exterior to the home... but what do i know.

Does anyone know if that's a possibility (to run the electrical cable outside and around the home perimeter? I think i can manage the cableing but would like an electrician to complete the connection.

What can i expect an electrician to charge for something like this?

Thanks!

 

[8BALL_99]

I would get a Electrician to look at it first. For one he might be able to run the wire inside. Also two he is probably going to run the wire himself vs you doing it and him connecting it. Yes they can run it outside though. You will end up with some ugly plastic pipe on the side of the house where the wire comes out at and where it goes back in, But it can be done. If this is on the back of the house its really not that bad. I had to do the same thing to get power from my home to my work shop.. Again though the electrician might be able to run it inside in a way you haven't thought of. I've ran several cables in houses everything from electrical to Cable wires. Several times I've found ways to do it when the home owner thought it couldn't be done.

 

[platax88]

Thanks for the info 8BALL_99!

 

[nyvp]

depending on your area codes you may have to run tubing or BX cable not just the wire outside.

 

[Kenzy]

I would call an electrician to come out for a estimate on what it would cost. At least you will have a better idea of whats involved and in a lot of cases an estimate is free.

 

[platax88]

Thanks again guys!

In your opinion, do you think i even need a dedicated circuit for a 180? The existing circuit is shared by another bedroom which only runs a computer/monitor/printer

 

[Kenzy]

Absolutely, 2 would be better. I had 2 on my 170g and by the time you add up all the electrical equipment you will be surprised.

 

[FREEZY POP]

you can have up to a 16 amp load on a 20 amp breaker. I would check the current rating on all the loads you would like to run on that circuit. if your under 16 amps when you add them up you should be fine. electricians can run from 75 to 125 dollars an hour and a good one can install the new line any way you want it just depends on how much you want to spend. just be wary of running the cable yourself, there are many code requirements for running a new circuit. if you dont install it correctly an electrician may refuse to hook it up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[8BALL_99]

You will need atleast one 20amp circuit for a 180 between the lighting and the pumps. If you have to run one anyway you might as well run two.

 

[platax88]

Thanks again all ...

Ive determined that running it myself is out of the question. If i do have an electrician out here i will run two and split the equipment for redundancy.

Ho can i tell i have a 20 amp circuit vs 10?

On 20 amps i should be able to run: 2,200 watts correct? I am following: 1 amp * 110 volts = 110 watts

 

[funman1]

The voltage in the US is 120VAC
And the most you can legally load a circut is 80% of its rating...
so 20*120 = 2400 watts -20% = 1920 Watts

 

[platax88]

Thanks Funman ... well here is a quick estimate of my current equipment. This is in addition to a computer/monitor, small tv and any lighting in that room:

Metal halide 1: 250
Metal halide 2: 250
Metal halide 3: 250
Heater 1: 250
Heater 2: 250
Return Pump: 150
Tunze 1: 62
Tunze 2: 62
Maxi Mod 1: 20
Maxi Mod 2: 20
DAS EX-2 skimmer: 76 watts


TOTAL: 1640 watts

No way that would work. I will have the circuits ran.

 

[funman1]

Good idea....

 

[8BALL_99]

The other thing to consider is if your MH Ballast are HQI They pull more like 320-340watts each on top of that lights and pumps pull more when the are first turned on. So IE the power goes out and comes back on a lot if not all your stuff will kick on at the same time. With the extra circuits though you should have plenty even if you end up with a chiller..

 

[platax88]

Yup they are HQI's

Seems like there is no way around it. I'm afraid that it's going to cost an arm and a leg

 

[jayel]

Just had my buddy from NYC who is a union electrician come out to my house and he ran me two 20amp dedeicated lines for my tank. He had brought pipe incase he had to run it outside but he found a way to run it inside. Two cut-in boxes, 18' of wire, two outlets (non-gfi was his recomendation from experience), one plate cover, and two single pole 20amp breakers. Parts were under 50 bucks it took about an hour and a half (with beer and smoke breaks). I would say to get a electrician. Makes it easier.

 

[funman1]

And put in GFCI's!!!

Don't want to start a whole Union, nonUnion thing (Don't even get me started)
but having a tank not on a GFCI, is just plain stupidity!
And when your homeowners insurance refuses to pay up after your house burns down,
You'll wonder why you didn't install a simple $15 device......

Let alone the whole electrocution thing!


Sorry jayel, but been to too many service calls where people's houses are half burnt down because they didn't have GFCI's where there was water near.

 

[EnderG60]

do two circuits!

always have your lights and circulation pumps on a seperate circuit then your return pump. that way if one trips while your away you will have some water moving.

 

[platax88]

Yes, getting two circuits ran.

I am debating about the GFCI's though. I travel a bit and have head many horror stories about the whole tank crashing due to tripped CFGIs

 

[stugray]

platax88

"and have head many horror stories about the whole tank crashing due to tripped CFGIs"

How about the horror stories where the tank crashed because the house burnt down?

Or how about the case where the tank crashes because of the dead human slumped over the side of the tank who was electrocuted?

Stu