How many outlets to a breaker?

toyarmy · 08-30-2010, 07:01 PM

Currently our 2 br 1 ba house (including basement) has all non appliance outlets on 2 15 a circuits. How many SHOULD it be on?

Speedy Petey · 08-30-2010, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyarmy

Currently our 2 br 1 ba house (including basement) has all non appliance outlets on 2 15 a circuits. How many SHOULD it be on?

There is only one correct answer to this question.
Assuming a roughly 1200 sq/ft house that is still code legal to this day.

Why do you ask?

toyarmy · 08-30-2010, 07:29 PM

What is the correct answer?

It's just over 900 sq ft. And were trying to make sure everything meets code. It was built in 1915 so it's hard to tell what meets current specs and what doesn't.

Thanks.

Jim F · 08-30-2010, 07:41 PM

I have a Reader's Digest book that says "a rule of thumb one 15-amp circuit for every 600 sq. ft. of floor space, or better yet, only install a combination of 10 lights and outlets on a 15-amp general purpose circuit." That's from their "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual" Page 129 of the 2005 edition.

Scuba_Dave · 08-30-2010, 08:01 PM

What do you consider appliances ?
Are you renovating ?
House built in 1915 is not required to meet todays codes
--some exceptions - smokes, CO detector...etc

Bathroom(s) needs a 20a dedicated circuit, can go to multiple bathrooms
Kitchen requires (2) 20a SABC
Laundry requires a dedicated 20a circuit
Bedrooms need AFCI protection
My Master bedroom has (2) 20a circuits
2nd bedroom has a dedicated 20a circuit
My Dining room has a 20a circuit

Lots of new codes since 1915
All depends upon what you are doing & what you want to do

One correct answer might be enough so that you are not tripping breakers or overloading circuits

Speedy Petey · 08-30-2010, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyarmy

What is the correct answer?

Sorry. This:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedy Petey

Assuming a roughly 1200 sq/ft house that is still code legal to this day.

frenchelectrican · 08-30-2010, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toyarmy

Currently our 2 br 1 ba house (including basement) has all non appliance outlets on 2 15 a circuits. How many SHOULD it be on?

Most place I know they will have no limit unless there is a state or local requirement for the numbers of recepetales per 15 amp circuits.

Normally there is no limit how many receptales on 15 amp circuits but for myself I just stop at 10 recepectales unless you have something specal set up then it will change a bit.

Merci.
Marc

Red Squirrel · 08-30-2010, 10:59 PM

In Canada it's 12 outlets per circuit. I don't think US has a code for this. The way I see it, if you do overload it, the breaker will (or should) do it's job and trip, so as long as it's all wired in correctly and proper sized breaker, it's not really a safety issue as far as I know.