Comments on: Side-tracked yet again http://thumbandhammer.com/blog/2007/07/146/ Our life in a Money Pit Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:48:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Thumb & Hammer http://thumbandhammer.com/blog/2007/07/146/#comment-22594 Thumb & Hammer Wed, 25 Jul 2007 03:54:52 +0000 http://thumbandhammer.com/blog/?p=146#comment-22594 Wiring in old houses is always a challenge, especially when it comes to kitchens. But then, years ago, in the time before microwave ovens, we didn't have as many electrical gadgets. Not everyone had food processors and cappuccino makers. And then, looking at the rest of the house, you didn't have computers, video game consoles, VCRs and DVDs, and the only TV was the one in the family room (or the rec room in the basement). 60 amp service with a half a dozen breakers (or fuses) was plenty for the whole house. Now, we are pushing the limits of 30 space 200 amp panels. It's amazing how times have changed. As for doing your own electrical work, it is good that you called in a professional. I am able to do most of my own work myself, but that's because I've spent a lot of time reading the electrical code, studying DIY books on household wiring, and paid attention to electricians who have done work for me. I am always extremely careful to make sure whatever I do is done correctly and up to code. In Ontario, the homeowner is allowed to obtain his own permit and do his own electrical work. Other jurisdictions only allow licensed electricians to work on wiring. Only people in jurisdictions that allow it should work on their own wiring. The problem with our house is not the original wiring, though like yours it needs updating. The problem is that the previous owner, who WAS an electrician, messed with the wiring and overloaded the circuits. Amazingly, the breakers didn't trip, and from what I have seen, there is no evidence of any arcing. My main problem has nothing to do with tying into the old circuits (I almost always run new). It has to do with trying to figure out how the previous owner tied into the old circuits. Thanks for your comments and good luck with your house. Go ahead, open up some walls. I dare you.... Wiring in old houses is always a challenge, especially when it comes to kitchens. But then, years ago, in the time before microwave ovens, we didn’t have as many electrical gadgets. Not everyone had food processors and cappuccino makers. And then, looking at the rest of the house, you didn’t have computers, video game consoles, VCRs and DVDs, and the only TV was the one in the family room (or the rec room in the basement). 60 amp service with a half a dozen breakers (or fuses) was plenty for the whole house. Now, we are pushing the limits of 30 space 200 amp panels. It’s amazing how times have changed.

As for doing your own electrical work, it is good that you called in a professional. I am able to do most of my own work myself, but that’s because I’ve spent a lot of time reading the electrical code, studying DIY books on household wiring, and paid attention to electricians who have done work for me. I am always extremely careful to make sure whatever I do is done correctly and up to code. In Ontario, the homeowner is allowed to obtain his own permit and do his own electrical work. Other jurisdictions only allow licensed electricians to work on wiring. Only people in jurisdictions that allow it should work on their own wiring.

The problem with our house is not the original wiring, though like yours it needs updating. The problem is that the previous owner, who WAS an electrician, messed with the wiring and overloaded the circuits. Amazingly, the breakers didn’t trip, and from what I have seen, there is no evidence of any arcing. My main problem has nothing to do with tying into the old circuits (I almost always run new). It has to do with trying to figure out how the previous owner tied into the old circuits.

Thanks for your comments and good luck with your house. Go ahead, open up some walls. I dare you….

]]> By: Kate H. http://thumbandhammer.com/blog/2007/07/146/#comment-22342 Kate H. Mon, 23 Jul 2007 08:36:08 +0000 http://thumbandhammer.com/blog/?p=146#comment-22342 Aaaghh! Foreseeing the snowball effect is one reason I've been such a coward about really ripping into things at my house. I had a circuit like yours in my house when I moved in-- Ran power and lights on all four floors (counting the basement), including a lot of major appliances in the kitchen. My dad may have been an electrician, but I'm not. Happily, the electrician I hired was able to detangle the mess. He also installed a bigger circuit board. True, there are still outlets I can't find the circuit breaker for, and the only way to turn them off is to kill the power at the mains. But at least the dishwasher no longer goes off if I plug in the vacuum cleaner in the basement john! Aaaghh! Foreseeing the snowball effect is one reason I’ve been such a coward about really ripping into things at my house.

I had a circuit like yours in my house when I moved in– Ran power and lights on all four floors (counting the basement), including a lot of major appliances in the kitchen. My dad may have been an electrician, but I’m not. Happily, the electrician I hired was able to detangle the mess. He also installed a bigger circuit board.

True, there are still outlets I can’t find the circuit breaker for, and the only way to turn them off is to kill the power at the mains. But at least the dishwasher no longer goes off if I plug in the vacuum cleaner in the basement john!

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