# of items on a breaker - Residential

[James L]

Big entry with a curved staircase means it's a custom home.

Not necessarily. I spent 2-1/2 years roughing in 6,000-7,000 sf "spec" homes (with an occasional 9-10k sf). Lots of big foyers. Took about 3 weeks to wire one, and I moved from one right to another. And the shop I worked at had at least a half dozen others like me who only worked on houses that size

Does the GC or homeowner wish to pay for a dedicated circuit for this "Big Light Fixture" (sometimes referred to as a chandelier )?

Doesn't matter to me if they want to pay for it or not. I don't work for cheapskates who can't afford an extra $50.00-$100.00 on a $450,000 house. So I've already got enough money coming that I throw the circuit in and don't even mention it.

When you go into a restaurant do they try to figure out how hungry you are or do they bring what you order and are willing to pay for?

They're almost always making suggestions to have your taste buds and belly satisfied. If you don't tell them you're cheap, they'll offer dessert at the end, too.

But if you tell them right off that you only brought $3.17 with you, they'll probably leave you alone with your coffee and toast.

 

[kwired]

Does anyone fully load a lighting circuit in a dwelling with LED light sources? If so does the non linear loading at high levels ever give you issues with tripping AFCI's?

I generally still lay circuits out similar to as if they were still primarily incandescent lighting, might push it a little more at times knowing it is less load than incandescents were, but never really figure on putting as much as possible on an individual circuit like I maybe had with incandescent in the past.

 

[James L]

Does anyone fully load a lighting circuit in a dwelling with LED light sources? If so does the non linear loading at high levels ever give you issues with tripping AFCI's?

I generally still lay circuits out similar to as if they were still primarily incandescent lighting, might push it a little more at times knowing it is less load than incandescents were, but never really figure on putting as much as possible on an individual circuit like I maybe had with incandescent in the past.

I'm pretty much with you. If I have a mix of receps and lighting, I still figure a light the same as I did 25 years ago

If it's only lighting, I'll go to about double what I used to. That's only about 20% of a circuit's capacity when led is used.

I've had zero afci issues

 

[James L]

I figure an average 1500 to 3000 sq ft home has at least ten lighting circuits, most have more.

Wow. I don't know where you live, but that's quite excessive. 1500 sf house I might have 5 circuits for all 15a plugs and lighting. 3000 sf house maybe 8 circuits.

I challenge anyone to find a general purpose lighting circuit in a house that has more than two amps on it.

I'd take that challenge.

4 incandescent can lights are 2.5 amps. I still see it in kitchens.

1 ceiling fan with 3 incandescent 60-watt bulbs is 2 amps. I still see it.

1 x-box with a 32-inch tv is 2 amps

Point being I could put 75 recpts on a 15A circuit and never have the breaker trip.

You could, if they were all in a house owned be a little old lady who lives by herself. Try it with a house full of teenagers and....not even hardly

 

[nickelec]

My rule of thumb for residential is usually dedicated ckts for receptacles in each room , and usual 2 rooms per light ckt for a normal 2-3000 sq ft house

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[kwired]

My rule of thumb for residential is usually dedicated ckts for receptacles in each room , and usual 2 rooms per light ckt for a normal 2-3000 sq ft house

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I can see one 15 amp ckt per most rooms that includes lights or if going receptacles separate from lights (which I mostly do) two or three rooms on a 20 amp receptacle circuit unless you know there will be higher than usual load for some reason (window AC or expected space heaters especially, but those usually not expected in all new construction) and before LED's came in maybe 4 or 5 bedrooms per light circuit Two bedrooms today with the LEDS may only give you an couple amps max on the circuit.

 

[James L]

My rule of thumb for residential is usually dedicated ckts for receptacles in each room , and usual 2 rooms per light ckt for a normal 2-3000 sq ft house

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Do you set a subpanel on every house?

 

[nickelec]

Lol actually I usually do put a sub on the 2nd floor somewhere .it actually makes it easier for me depending on the size of the house and the construction..

In my own house I have a 30/30 100amp sub on my 2nd floor

Also to go a step further in nyc where I do most of my work and live we're not allowed to use #14 so all branch circuits are #12

I guess old habits die hard

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[whofrankw]

use recessed cans that only have led quick connects then you dont have to worry about people screwing in incandescent bulbs. IMO if you install 20 recessed lights with leds then the customer installs incandescents. its on them...