How many basement outlets on ONE 15 amp breaker? (floor, phone, appliance)
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Normally a rule of thumb is about 10 but it definitely helps to identify the exact use age in case one of the items will be using significantly more power.
The question-
Theoretically the number is infinite.
For a more practical definition-
NEC 210–52 Generally, receptacle outlets in habitable rooms shall be installed so that no point along the floor line (measured horizontally) in any wall space is more than 6 feet from an outlet in that space. An outlet shall be installed in each wall space 2 feet or more in width.
However, if you plan to a dedicated "entertainment wall"- tv, cable, dish, av receiver, etc., I'd use a dedicated circuit for that.
And, overhead lighting should be on a separate circuit.
NEC 210–52 Generally, receptacle outlets in habitable rooms shall be installed so that no point along the floor line (measured horizontally) in any wall space is more than 6 feet from an outlet in that space. An outlet shall be installed in each wall space 2 feet or more in width.
However, if you plan to a dedicated "entertainment wall"- tv, cable, dish, av receiver, etc., I'd use a dedicated circuit for that.
And, overhead lighting should be on a separate circuit.
Agree with K'ledgeBldr here. Your local code is likely to limit the number of outlets. A common rule of thumb for residential (bedroom, etc.) is 12. If you are running new lines I would highly recommend running two circuits. I used to do this as standard with new houses, so every room had plugs from two different circuits and a separate circuit for lights.
all the recessed lighting is on one separate circuit
I will have a flat screen, stereo on the outlet circuit...guitar amps too (gulp)
I plan on parallel wiring one wall, parallel wire another, and run these 2 loads into a junction box with the hot wire from the panel (2 loads into one hot)
if for some reason I start tripping the breaker, I will add a breaker and run the hot wire to the junction box, and separate the (2 loads one hot each) if that makes sense
the breakers themselves are gfci so I don't need a gfci outlet
all the recessed lighting is on one separate circuit
I will have a flat screen, stereo on the outlet circuit...guitar amps too (gulp)
I plan on parallel wiring one wall, parallel wire another, and run these 2 loads into a junction box with the hot wire from the panel (2 loads into one hot)
if for some reason I start tripping the breaker, I will add a breaker and run the hot wire to the junction box, and separate the (2 loads one hot each) if that makes sense
the breakers themselves are gfci so I don't need a gfci outlet
The NEC says if the load is unknown you use 1.5 A per receptacle. That translates to 10. However it is recommended to only load it at 80%, so I say eight. Don't forget in a basement they must be GFCI protected so make sure the first is a GFCI, sub-feeding the rest.
Last edited by pvande55; 02-05-2020 at 06:15 PM..
Reason: Add line
Don't forget in a basement they must be GFCI protected so make sure the first is a GFCI, sub-feeding the rest.
That should read- "don't forget in an UNFINISHED basement..."
Since we're talking about a finished basement the only place(s) that GFCI would be needed is any unfinished area where mechanicals are, and a bathroom.
And depending on your AHJ and the approved NEC, it is possible that you may need AFCI's. Just so you know- those things are a major PITA!
The NEC says if the load is unknown you use 1.5 A per receptacle. That translates to 10. However it is recommended to only load it at 80%, so I say eight. Don't forget in a basement they must be GFCI protected so make sure the first is a GFCI, sub-feeding the rest.
Agreed, that is exactly what I recommended in a previous post for light usage only, lamps and chargers to install about 10 outlets.
KBldr is also correct regarding finished vs unfinished basements, the code does differentiate between the two.
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