[Crow]

Well my tank keeps popping the breaker, so i need to get 2x 20amp switches installed, I'm looking for a licensed electrician to do the job, please let me know if you are one or know of one, thanks...

 

[spieg]

While I can certainly appreciate wanting to contract a licensed electrician for this kind of work, running single outlet circuits like this is pretty straight forward and not that difficult at all. Check your breaker box to make sure you have room for a couple of breakers. Pop the cover off the panel, install the breakers, pull wire from your box to where you want the outlets, install gfi outlets (or use afi breakers if you prefer), and thats really about all there is to it. Get at least 12gauge wire for 20amp circuits. Get outlets rated for 20a circuits as well. Just throwing it out there as an option...

 

[Crow]

While I can certainly appreciate wanting to contract a licensed electrician for this kind of work, running single outlet circuits like this is pretty straight forward and not that difficult at all. Check your breaker box to make sure you have room for a couple of breakers. Pop the cover off the panel, install the breakers, pull wire from your box to where you want the outlets, install gfi outlets (or use afi breakers if you prefer), and thats really about all there is to it. Get at least 12gauge wire for 20amp circuits. Get outlets rated for 20a circuits as well. Just throwing it out there as an option...

I've been told by a few people now that its not all that hard at all, so I'm going to head up to homedepot and get what I need and be done with it!

Thanks

 

[omarizgreat]

Just a suggestion but you could use 2c/10awg w/g that is rated for 30 amps and before you pull out the old wiring, make a head binding the new wire with the old and that way you install the new wire while you take out the old. That way you don't have to fish a wire to pull the new cable.

FWIW, JMO

Do you plan on using a GFCI or AFCI?

 

[on the spot]

...you could use 2c/10awg w/g that is rated for 30 amps and before you pull out the old wiring...

WW

I can't imagine a reason to replace the current wire. That would be extremely difficult, as I'd expect it to be stapled off. Plus the 10g would be very stiff, making it near impossible to snake through studs blind.

I can't do that anyway.

at least not cheap.

I would use 12/3 though. 2 separate circuits, just in case.

 

[omarizgreat]

I only suggested that awg because he wanted a 20 amp breaker. If he ran two seperate breakers at least he would have access to 220v also. As for the wire pulling who knows till you get in there they may have used grommets, kinda depends on how old the house and how efficient the electrician.

 

[ereefer]

You do not need 10 awg for 20amp. It's overkill. 12/2 or 12/3 would be more than enough.

 

[primetime]

i you still need a hand let me now

 

[trick440]

I love reading electrical advice on the internet. .. (. This is coming from a master electrician)

run 12-3

 

[jasoncw]

I love reading electrical advice on the internet. .. (. This is coming from a master electrician)

run 12-3

Just curious why the need for 12-3? I'm asking because I need to run a couple 20A circuits in my basement and planned on running 12-2 w/ground.

 

[spieg]

I love reading electrical advice on the internet. .. (. This is coming from a master electrician)

run 12-3

Im also curious, as I just ran 2 runs of 12-2 on separate breakers. I was under the impression that 12-3 would force both circuits to share a common neutral and that wouldnt work so well with separate gfci's?

 

[trick440]

Just curious why the need for 12-3? I'm asking because I need to run a couple 20A circuits in my basement and planned on running 12-2 w/ground.

Cheaper, saves wire & usually easier to pull. Running 2 12-2 is fine aswell.

Spieg you can do anything with the neutrals before the GFCI it doesn;t matter. Its after the GFCI it would cause a problem.

 

[Crow]

I ran two 12/2's to outlets that I just mounted to my stands, everything is working great, and it was an easy install. :jester:
I didn't do GFI's as the MH and return pumps would just pop them anyways.

 

[trick440]

neither should trip the gfci. I'm not a fan of gfci on my tank but I do use then on the lighting because it's over the water and could easily come in contact with the water.

Good job on the circuits Crow.