[PLUG-TALK] [PLUG] USB enclosures

John Jason Jordan johnxj at gmx.com
Thu Apr 6 18:48:18 UTC 2017


On Thu, 6 Apr 2017 08:15:55 -0700
Dick Steffens <dick at dicksteffens.com> dijo:

<moved to Plug-talk>

>The engineer and I designed the wiring so that there were
>two different 20 amp circuits in each of the four bedrooms. (Not that
>there were just the two outlets in that room were the only outlets on
>one circuit. The same two circuits served two rooms.) This was done
>because the typical family had six or more members, (Mom, Dad, and
>four kids) and one bathroom. So there could be up to four or five hair
>driers running in the morning. Anyway, Habitat had an electrical
>contractor wire another one of the houses. The electricians didn't
>follow our plan, but did their typical run. That put too many outlets
>on one circuit for the need. It was to code, but not what was needed.
>So, yes. A good idea to make sure the wiring meets code, but being
>able to do it yourself so you get what you want is a major benefit.

My main panel has room for 40 breakers, and they are all in use,
because when I wired my house I wanted at least two 20-amp circuits to
each bedroom, the kitchen has five circuits, the garage has four, and my
office has three. I do sometimes have five or six outlets on a circuit,
but that is because I hate extension cords so I have outlets spaced no
more than two studs apart. 

The interesting thing about codes and outlets is that you can use the
cheap 15-amp duplex receptacles on a 20-amp circuit. I think the reason
they allow that is because I have never seen an appliance that takes
more than 15 amps unless it has the funny plug with a horizontal
prong, which will only fit in 20-amp receptacles. Appliance
manufacturers use a de-facto limit of 15 amps because 15 amp outlet
circuits were the norm when most of the nation's housing was built, and
they would limit their sales if they exceeded 15 amps.

And regarding bureaucracy, I want to add that in Portland you need a
permit to replace a water heater. They insist that you get a permit
because you are hard wiring the appliance or, in the case of gas,
you are connecting it to the supply pipe. Strangely, you can connect a
gas range to the supply pipe without a permit. But don't say anything
about that lest they start requiring permits for ranges as well. I have
mentioned the permit requirement for water heaters to numerous people,
and they are always surprised. 

I am not opposed to permit requirements, but sometimes it is obvious
that the real purpose is revenue. Sometimes I am surprised that the
city doesn't require a permit to change a light bulb. Wait ... don't
say that out loud. 



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