[willc86]

hey guys, just wondering...what happens if there is more than 6 connections on a current circuit and I want to add the 7th outlet?

so 6 current connections, but 3 or 4 of those outlets are never being used and just an extra outlet that existing circuit. Opinions? No fireblock...just an open drywall with a stud next to it

Im going to hire an electrician to do my garage since I need to add a circuit to the box..so that is something I dont want to mess with.

 

[willc86]

just realized that kind of didn't make sense

the outlet is inside the home that I want to add the existing outlet,
but need to add an additional 5 or 6 outlets in the garage, which I know ill need a new circuit to the box, so ill hire an electrician for that

 

[Jim Port]

Unless this is a special circuit like a kitchen, bathroom or laundry, there is no reason the receptacles cannot be added. The NEC does not have a limit for receptacles in a residential setting.

 

[psgama]

12 outlets per circuit if the load is not known. You're good to go.

 

[ddawg16]

12 outlets per circuit if the load is not known. You're good to go.

In the US you 'could' have 120 ckt's.

You could have a 1000....but if you're only use one or two....no difference

 

[Tom738]

The only real difference (assuming you don't need to draw loads that exceed the capacity of the breaker) is failure. The more independent things you have on a circuit, the sooner it is likely to develop a problem and the more widespread the effects of the problem will be. It's also easier to isolate the problem if it's on a circuit with fewer devices.

But most circuits, if done right, aren't going to develop a problem any time soon. There's plenty of working knob-and-tube still around. Electric circuits are amazingly reliable when you get right down to it.

Yay physics.

 

[Speedy Petey]

The OP's location really needs to be established.
I am curious as to where he got this mystery "6 connection limit" from.

 

[joed]

Even in Canada the limit is 12 outlets per circuit.

 

[AllanJ]

Knowing the routing of a circuit daisy chain is more important compared with the number of devices on that circuit when it comes to isolating a problem.

Just my opinion, I would not want different rooms quite far from each other to share a branch circuit.

 

[ez2wire]

I am curious as to where he got this mystery "6 connection limit" from.

Part time paint clerk at a big box store.

 

[concrete_joe]

Even in Canada the limit is 12 outlets per circuit.

please define "outlet". a duplex receptacle is different than a single receptacle. in code verbiage it makes a difference.

 

[joed]

An "outlet" is defined as any point that uses power including but not limited to duplex receptacles, light fixtures, fans, pumps, etc. A duplex receptacle is one outlet. A single receptacle is another type of outlet.

A switch is NOT an outlet.

 

[concrete_joe]

hmmm, so is 5 duplex "receptacles" that are side by side considered one "point", or is the the point defined by how the wires are tapped to the device? is a quad receptacle box considered one "point", one "outlet"?

 

[joed]

I would assume one yoke is one outlet.
These are the definitions fromthe book

Outlet — a point in the wiring installation at which current is taken to supply utilization equipment

I believe this section would be referring to a power strip of the type you can find in a computer cabinet that can 5 or 6 feet long.

(4) Where fixed multi-outlet assemblies are used, each 1.5 m or fraction thereof of each separate and
continuous length shall be counted as one outlet, but in locations where a number of electrical appliances
are likely to be used simultaneously, each 300 mm or fraction thereof shall be counted as one outlet.