I need help with basic wiring questions for a kitchen remodel

16 years ago

Hello all,

I am in the middle of a kitchen remodel. I have some basic wiring understanding. I also own the Black & Decker complete guide to home wiring which is quite informative.

My old electric range was direct wired. I am installing a new range/oven that is gas/electric and moving the wall that it is located on.

The wiring that is in the house for the old range is old and I don't plan to reuse it. If possible, I will try to remove the wire from the house completely. However, this may not be possible. What do I need to do for code/safety concerns? I will install new wiring to the new stove from the circuit panel after disconnecting the old wire. Do I have to do anything special to the old wire if I leave it in the walls?

I have a similar question for other wiring such as for an old garbage disposal and dishwasher. If I cannot remove the wires from the walls/floor, what do I need to do? If they are on a shared circuit, do I need to terminate the wires in a juction box?

I really have no idea. I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thank you.

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Comments (7)

randy427
16 years ago
For the range, if possible, remove the cable from the circuit panel and cut off as much of it as you can access, from both ends, without tearing out additional wall. Cap off the hole where the cable entered the box.
If you won't have access to the side of the panel to remove the cable, cut off all of it that is inside the box.
Take a lot of care working inside the panel. Unless the meter is pulled or there is an external disconnect, there will be live power in there.
As for the GD/DW circuit, if you are not removing the entire circuit as above, you can go to the next device upstream and disconnect and remove the wires leading downstream (or whatever is accessable, as above). If you can't identify the next device upstream, terminating in a junction box is acceptable, though that JB must remain accessable.
old_skool
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you. That is basically what I thought.

I should be able to remove the wires from the main box and I can cut them back as far as I can.

After looking again, it appears as though the disposal is on its own circuit. The dishwasher is on its own circuit. The range is on its own circuit. So, if those breakers are the right amperage for the new units, I can run new wire from the new units to the main box and attach to the old circuit breakers.

The refrigerator is not on its own circuit. The old refrigerator would make some lights dim when it kicked on. I am going to terminate those wires inside a junction box with a metal cover plate that can be accessed behind the new refrigerator. Then I am going to put the new refrigerator on the new circuit for the new GFCI outlets in the kitchen. Is that acceptable?
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long term best to get a range and hood on your exterior wall...left of window??...do you have some wall space there? 2nd best would be on fridge wall ..they go up into soffit w one 90 degree turn to the exterior . kind of tough because your kitchen is large and you probably arent ready for a big remodel right away which is wise. I dont think I'd vent a hood up at the island spot..... esp since you have abundant space to rework this.....if you removed cabinets left of window ..install range and hood / got a new top for the island/ left in place the wall oven and microwave ...seems okay . you have inherited builder grade stuff- [cabs and formica ] it appears / perfectly reasonable to do something this narrow in scope right now. perhaps the formica can be cut to make room for the stove on exterior wall....save a rip out cost which would get me going on the project.. If you think a full remodel could happen in 3-5 years..... [big space - save and plan] I'd wait .
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bigbird_1
16 years ago
Don't put a fridge on a GFCI cc't. If the GFCI trips, your fridge stops and you're screwed if you don't notice or are away.
old_skool
Original Author
16 years ago
Should I put it on a dedicated circuit or what?

As it stands I will be wiring in a number of dimmers, under cabinet lighting, GFCI outlets. Do I add it in to one of the other lines or do I run a dedicated circuit for it?
joefixit2
16 years ago
"Don't put a fridge on a GFCI cc't. If the GFCI trips, your fridge stops and you're screwed if you don't notice or are away."

When the 2008 NEC becomes effective all the exceptions for GFCI's will be gone. We had a NEMA rep at our IAEI meeting who is part of the CMP, he said the reasoning was new appliances do not trip GFCI's. If the fridge trips the GFCI, there's probably something wrong with it. The point that was made was, would you rather come home to find all your food spoiled, or your daughter lying on the floor?

We always begin new code practices early so when it becomes effective it is seamless for our company. The inspectors appreciate not having to "teach" us with red tags, which seems to be the only way most find out about new codes.
bigbird_1
16 years ago
I wouldn't bother with a dedicated cc't, as today's fridges use less power than older models. But I definitely wouldn't put it on a GFCI protected cc't. GFCI's can and will fail eventually. But that's me and everyone has different opinions.
DavidR
16 years ago
Seems to me I've seen a freezer that had a pilot light, so the owner would know it had power. If GFIs are to be required in 2008, this might be a worthwhile feature for the manufacturers to add to refrigerators, too. Maybe the multi-thousand dollar models could have an alarm (perhaps powered by a nicad battery or even a supercap).

I need help with basic wiring questions for a kitchen remodel

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randy427

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I need help with basic wiring questions for a kitchen remodel

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randy427

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