[mikekow80]

I do mainly commercial work, so when helping a fellow electrician doing some residential work we ran into this "difference" of style how to add 4 circuits.

Basic single level house, they wanted to add a 4 circuits to the pantry/garage they were having remodeled. Panel has space, also has an open 60amp breaker. Main panel is about 60-70' away surface mount on an outside wall. Pretty open attic access, basically a straight shot.

He wanted to go romex with 4 home runs route, adding 4 20s.

I wanted to go THHN to a sub panel reusing that breaker or swapping to something appropriate.

We figured the price would be about the same. Maybe a bit more in labor doing the sub panel, but we aren't talking more then an hour. We figured only real advantage either way so future expandability if you add the load center.

Which would you do and why? This wasn't a "what do we have with us" job, so just because you have it doesn't make it the right answer.

 

[Deep Cover]

I think I would have piped the 4 circuits over there.

 

[Chrisibew440]

Id run two 12/3's. why? because all you'd need is one roll most likely.

 

[SparkyDino]

I'm a sub panel kinda guy, in pipe.

and I'd look good doing it. "Dino's are all the rage right now"

 

[BBQ]

From a price standpoint no question at all cables.

Why in the world would you want to pipe this?:blink:

 

[SparkyDino]

From a price standpoint no question at all cables.

Why in the world would you want to pipe this?:blink:

I have too in my area.

I just thru that in lol

I'd prefer a sub panel, but of course would do what the customer wanted.

 

[BBQ]

I'd prefer a sub panel, but of course would do what the customer wanted.

Its four circuits 70' away and you would like a subpanel?

Man you would be all messed up wiring big stores.:laughing:

 

[SparkyDino]

Man you would be all messed up wiring big stores.:laughing:

BIGGER sub panels! :whistling2:

seriously, he said feeding garage also, so I'd offer a sub panel price too. they may want the option to add more circuits or 220 later and would have it right there then.

 

[mikekow80]

SparkyDino thinks like I do. He quoted and talked to the lady about both options. She of course had to talk to the husband and the option of 220 in the garage sold him.

I think I was leaning and pushing for the sub panel cause of the garage. Mostly cause I'm jealous it was SO simply for him to get 220 in his garage.

Just went back today to do the work and help him with the pipe. Super simple.

BBQ I agree with you as well. Anywhere else I would have been on the home run route. Something about garages just always needing more power!

 

[BBQ]

SparkyDino thinks like I do. He quoted and talked to the lady about both options. She of course had to talk to the husband and the option of 220 in the garage sold him.

I think I was leaning and pushing for the sub panel cause of the garage. Mostly cause I'm jealous it was SO simply for him to get 220 in his garage.

Just went back today to do the work and help him with the pipe. Super simple.

BBQ I agree with you as well. Anywhere else I would have been on the home run route. Something about garages just always needing more power!

If you can up sell that is great.

I would still run cable to feed the sub.

 

[chris856]

If you are dead set on a sub panel that's fine, but it is a waste of time and money to use pipe and THHN if you can conceal it. Conduit should be a last resort in a house and the only people who like to look at it are other electricians.

 

[SparkyDino]

If you are dead set on a sub panel that's fine, but it is a waste of time and money to use pipe and THHN if you can conceal it. Conduit should be a last resort in a house and the only people who like to look at it are other electricians.

Brother get out of your basement and learn sh*t is different in other jurisdictions. some areas it ALL has to be in pipe. just the rules.

sine you know better, next time you come out of the mountains tell an inspector how you think the job should be done.

when he's done laughing at you look down & see what color tag he hands you smartass

 

[chris856]

Brother get out of your basement and learn sh*t is different in other jurisdictions. some areas it ALL has to be in pipe. just the rules.

sine you know better, next time you come out of the mountains tell an inspector how you think the job should be done.

when he's done laughing at you look down & see what color tag he hands you smartass

Dude doesn't live in Chicago. Almost no one pipes in houses outside of Chicago. We have our own rules in our state too, and different rules for specific cities, but we don't don't throw occ sensors in every room in Everett just because Seattle requires it because it is a waste of time and money.

Also, we really don't have a lot of basements here.

 

[SparkyDino]

Dude doesn't live in Chicago. Almost no one pipes in houses outside of Chicago. We have our own rules in our state too, and different rules for specific cities, but we don't don't throw occ sensors in every room in Everett just because Seattle requires it because it is a waste of time and money.

Also, we really don't have a lot of basements here.

when I was on the road I heard rumor that east was good & west sux when it came to your state.....is that true?

 

[chris856]

when I was on the road I heard rumor that east was good & west sux when it came to your state.....is that true?

Other than keeping my Mom's trailer from burning to the ground, I haven't done much work on the east, but I assume they keep things a little more simple over there and just stick to NEC and state code. Service guys on the west have to keep three different code books handy not counting the NEC. Every time you cross city limits you have to switch to a different code just about.
Some cities just stick to WAC, some go by "Washington Cities Code", and Seattle alone has their own code.

We only have one license requirement for the whole state at least, but we now have to have our licenses displayed visible on us at all times when we do work.