Using two 12/2 wires instead of one 12/3
yaavetz
17 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
blacknumber1
17 years agoRelated Discussions
My 3 1/2 year old's room scares us both
Comments (24)ajsmama, thanks for your comments. the house was built in the 50s and the problem is not with the bedding touching the outlet but with it being only one of 2 outlets in the room, we will need to plug into it and it's an older outlet where the plugs sag out of it. My dh doesn't want the plugs from a light to be jammed against the bed, and since my son is only 3 1/2 we need a bedrail and a wall for him not to fall out so bed needs to be against wall...I guess we could have another outlet put in at some point, but not now. Polly929, I will be getting rid of the dresser soon and getting a long one to put in it's place against the wall the head of the bed in on. The curtains we have do come in red (Pottery Barn Kids)and you can't really tell but they are navy blue with colorful stitching in stipes. I just noticed they have curtains which match the bedding (see link) what do you think about that? Shannon01, the door is on the same wall as the bed. The closet wall is to the left of the door and the closet is not very long but takes up half of that wall. In the picture with the bookcase, the wall to the left is where the closet is, pretty much within inches of the left edge of photo. I like your ideas. I think I will keep the bed where it is. As for toy, we have a playroom so he doesn't really need any storage for them. Just books. And we just bought this bedding he picked out in January when he changed from a crib to a big boy bed. So that stays. Making a headboard out of the cards is a fantastic idea! Valinsv, thank you for considering the real reason behind my son's feelings. We actually have had a big year with lots of changes. We moved in October (just up the street, so same friends etc but still a move), I just had a baby, and he moved from a crib to a big boy bed. I'm with you in not wanting to make too many changes at once. The problem is that ever since we moved in here, his room has been in constant flux, now with the bed so I guess this is my last ditch effort to get it right. But I agree too much change is no good. So I think the biggest thing is the paint color. I will paint it a wheat/khaki. I will keep the bed where it is and move the animal cards down to make either a headboard or put on the wall next to his bed. And I will get a new longer dresser for safety reasons and put it next to his bed. But like you said, first the paint and then wait to see. We don't have room for a chair but we do cuddle up for a long while on his bed and talk and read at night. The problem is I don't feel warm and cozy in there, so there may be a real issue of design to address as well as being sensitive to is growing independence and feelings of fear. Wow. This has all become much more complex than when I began but it's good. I'm going to involve him in all of this too so that should help. So tell me what you all think of matching the curtains to the bedding? Here is a link that might be useful: Madras curtains...See MoreOld 12 gage wire and new 12 gage wire
Comments (16)What you are missing is that if there is no ground wire in the existing cable, there will be no ground for the circuit and any extension of that circuit. The new cable's ground wire can therefore be ignored because if it were connected it would not be doing anything. Connecting it would only mislead someone who was working on the circuit later. The purpose of the ground wire is to trip the breaker if the housing of the exhaust fan came in contact with the wiring and would shock someone who touched it. It is unlikely that someone would be touching the housing unless there is a light in the fan housing. I'm not sure what the electrical code says about extending a non-conforming circuit to a new fan but I doubt it is allowed. Of course, it is also likely that only a licensed electrician is allowed to do this work. In any case, if the installation caused a fire it is unlikely you would be insured if there was evidence the fan was not installed by a previous owner. Also, if the new junction box is metal you must use cable clamps where the cables enter through the knock-out holes. The box not only provides isolation of the connection but secures it so it can't be pulled apart. The cable must also be stapled to the framing at certain intervals; it can't be lying loose in the attic. 2 wire ungrounded non-metallic sheathed cable is rare in my area. Post knob & tube, home wiring was metal armored (AKA "BX") and the metal provided a ground to the metal boxes although it was not always reliable for long circuits. In the 60's an aluminum strip was added inside the cable to improve the continuity of the ground. Non-metallic (plastic) sheathed cable (AKA "Romex") became popular in the 50's and in 62 the electrical code made a bare ground wire mandatory for all branch circuits. For your wiring to have only 2 wires and no ground it would probably have been installed in the 50's by someone who didn't want to use BX cable. But this is not all bad because the insulation on BX wiring tended to crumble when exposed to air and is more dangerous than any other kind of wiring wiring. For any further help you should post photos of the original cable and the main panel with the cover off. Tripping the main breaker is wise but NEVER assume a branch circuit is dead without using a voltage detector. If a breaker can be turned off, it can be turned on again by someone else. Always put a note on the panel. A 120v wire can stop your heart instantly. A voltage detector is the smartest $10 you will ever spend. Here is a link that might be useful: voltage detector...See Moregas line sizing question 3/4 instead of 1/2
Comments (11)Gas is tricky and dangerous. If you have to ask these questions, you really should be having the conversation with a licensed and bonded plumber instead of on an online forum. OK, now that we have the mandatory safety warning out of the way, let's talk about your question :-) As with any type of pipe, the diameter determines the pressure drop and the maximum sustainable flow rate. For most types of pipes, oversizing is not a problem (domestic hot water might be an exception to this rule). It simply costs more in parts and possibly in labor, but it'll work just fine. Adapters that step down the diameter at point of use are readily available. Your plumber will be able to do the math and will then tell you what the minimum diameter is so that none of your gas appliances are starved for fuel. In extreme cases, he might tell you that you have to install multiple runs, but frequently it is OK to supply multiple appliances from the same pipe. Stepping up the gas pressure is usually not possible. Unlike with water, you can't just install a booster pump. Your only option is installing a bigger diameter pipe. Reducing pressure is possible, but you shouldn't have to do anything special. All appliances already come equipped with a suitable regulator. Solid black pipe is commonly used in residential applications. It's cheap, and plumbers know how to work with it. Flex pipe is usually more expensive and is handled differently. Most plumbers should be familiar with it, but some might balk at using a product that they are not usually working with. Building inspectors could also complain. My inspector told me that for a while, flex pipe wasn't legal for residential installations; and I wouldn't be surprised if that's still true in some jurisdictions. Better double-check before you make a costly mistake that needs to be ripped out again. And don't even think about doing the gas installation without a permit/inspection. That's way too dangerous....See Morecan 12/3 be used to supply 2 different circuits of the same phase?
Comments (19)An MWBC is a completely normal, legal. safe, and efficient way to run wiring. 14 ga with a 20 A breaker certainly isn't and will be well undersized for a kitchen. Given the amperage requirements of many kitchen appliances you're probably going to want to properly re-wire the kitchen. Depending on what else you have you can re-use those 14 ga 15A circuits for lighting, dishwasher, disposal, perhaps a range hood or 120V supply to a gas range. You're going to want at least two 20 circuies for countertop appliances, one for the fridge, and one for the microwave. The fridge is the only one of those I would definitely not put on a MWBC. Another advantage is that if you have need for a 240 V outlet (eg for your serious espresso machine) that's easy to add when using MWBCs. It also makes it easy if you want to split a duplex outlet or four-plex outlet box into two circuits for two high amperage appliances fed from the same outlet box....See Morexdriver
17 years agoDavidR
17 years agoyaavetz
17 years agobus_driver
17 years agoperel
17 years agogenr8rs
17 years agospencer_electrician
17 years ago
Related Stories
FEEL-GOOD HOME12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers
These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDESSpare Room? Lucky You. Here are 12 Fresh Ways to Use It
Imagine all the things you could do in your extra space: painting, planting, playing or nothing at all
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?
Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures
Full StoryBATHROOM VANITIESShould You Have One Sink or Two in Your Primary Bathroom?
An architect discusses the pros and cons of double vs. solo sinks and offers advice for both
Full StorySTORAGEBedroom Storage: 12 Ways to Work Your Wardrobe
Instead of letting the mess in your closet overwhelm you, tackle it head on with these smart and simple solutions
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGN12 Ways to Make Better Use of Yard Corners
Tap into your landscape's full potential with sculptures, seating, fire features and more
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES12 Great Ways to Use Home Office Corners
You work hard, and your home office corners should too. These ideas will boost their efficiency and their style quotient
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGN12 Designer Tips to Make a Small Bathroom Better
Ensure your small bathroom is comfortable, not cramped, by using every inch wisely
Full StoryKITCHEN DESIGN12 Ideas for a Knockout Kitchen
Give your cooking space sizzle with color, pattern and materials used in unexpected ways
Full StoryLOFTSHouzz Tour: 12 Years of Tinkering Produce an Amazingly Artful Loft
Major DIY efforts turn 3 units in a former Portland factory into a single home brimming with personality
Full Story
bus_driver