I recently got a portable a/c unit for the garage(12kbtu). Now whenever it is on and I try and use my shopvac it will blow the breaker after a few minutes. I want to install some flourescent lighting but obviously if i'm already having problems blowing breakers this will only make it worse. I dont really know any thing about electrical stuff, so what should I do? Do I need to get an electrician out to run a new line from the breaker box to have just the a/c plugged into?
Blowing breaker what now?
- Thread starter fiveoh
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ForceFed70
Well-known member
I'm assuming that this is an attached garage right?
If so, check to see if you have more than 1 circuit in the garage. Easiest way to do that is to turn off the breaker that keeps tripping, then go around to all of your plugs with a lamp or something to see if any of the plugs are still "hot". If there is only 1 circuit feeding your garage and you don't know much about electrical, you'll have to call an electrician to get a quote for adding another circuit or 2.
If so, check to see if you have more than 1 circuit in the garage. Easiest way to do that is to turn off the breaker that keeps tripping, then go around to all of your plugs with a lamp or something to see if any of the plugs are still "hot". If there is only 1 circuit feeding your garage and you don't know much about electrical, you'll have to call an electrician to get a quote for adding another circuit or 2.
Yes it is. Unfortantely its all on the same ive checked this before. Any idea how much an electrician will charge to run me a circuit/plug for the a/c?
ForceFed70
Well-known member
The materials are cheap. Probably $100 or less.
The biggest part of the cost will be labor. Without looking at your home, I have no idea on what it would cost you. If you have an unfinished basement with easy access to the walls/studs between the garage and the electrical panel then it will be an easy job for the electrician and probably less than 2hrs of labor. If he's got to try to fish through walls, climb through the attic, etc the amount of time spend will be much higher. Distance from the electrical panel comes into play as well. If your electrical panel is in the garage it would be much easier job than if it was on the other side of the house, etc.
I reccomend you have the electrician run 2 circuits if you are going through the process. It wouldn't be much more cost and it's always handy to have another circuit for future needs.
Yeah... the breaker panel is all the way on the opposite of the house by the back door. I live in tx, no basements(1 story with attic). I'm guessing this will be 3-4 hour job then.
Good suggestion for 2 circuits thanks.sdowney717
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- Mar 17, 2010
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just put in a bigger breaker
I wonder how many have done that. like when people had fuses, you could unscrew a 15 and put in a 30 amp
People run little extension cords, gang them together and do other crazy stuff.
I have seen them heat and melt from the current flow.
The price of wire is awful high. I am looking to buy some 8/3 and can get it for 2.10 per foot.
I wonder how many have done that. like when people had fuses, you could unscrew a 15 and put in a 30 amp
People run little extension cords, gang them together and do other crazy stuff.
I have seen them heat and melt from the current flow.
The price of wire is awful high. I am looking to buy some 8/3 and can get it for 2.10 per foot.
Ford12508
Well-known member
You might be better off just having the electrician run a box to your garage, and have the box have a few circuits. one or two for receptacles, then 1 for lights, 1 for the A/C, and then have an extra just in case.I could only imagine running 2 circuits would cost about the same as the new panel. I would suggest you really look into learning up some electrical stuff, or hire a student from a vocational school to put in the outlets and such for you, it would really save you quite a bit of money, and a high school student has no problem being paid $15 an hour vs what an electrician makes.
My only suggestion with the voc student would be to ask the teacher to recommend his best student, because I had a few staple ******* in my class that weren't too good with a hammer.
My only suggestion with the voc student would be to ask the teacher to recommend his best student, because I had a few staple ******* in my class that weren't too good with a hammer.
ForceFed70
Well-known member
Having a subpanel installed is a great suggestion.
Careful about suggesting a student, etc however. Not sure what the rules are in his neck of the woods but in most of Canada it's not legal. I suspect it's the same in the US. Canadian law says the homeowner is the only non-ticketed person who can do electrical work. And even then, it needs to be permited/inspected. Tho I suppose you could always lie to the inspector and say that you did the work yourself.
Ford12508
Well-known member
He could either get the permits and lie to the inspector, just not have it inspected like a lot of people do around here, and do it under the radar, or have the electrician look it over once its done and give him $20 to say he did it.
The problem with it not being inspected would be if your house burned down, you might have a problem with insurance, but they would have a hard time proving the work was done illegally if you can have an electrician look it over and just say you did it yourself.
The problem with it not being inspected would be if your house burned down, you might have a problem with insurance, but they would have a hard time proving the work was done illegally if you can have an electrician look it over and just say you did it yourself.
even if you do it yourself you still have to pull a permit (in most places).
What electrician is going to put his license, insurance, livelyhood, and family's well being on the line for $20?
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
When I was younger my Mom needed extra circuits for a microwave over her stove. This was in the late 70's, before it was a popular option. I set the box, pulled all of the wire to the panel, and brought it into the panel, and set the breaker. I was going to finish the installation,but she was afraid I would burn something up. She had an electrician from her work come by and land the wire in the panel and check my outlet install. She paid him $15-20 and the deal was done.
The more you can do yourself, the cheaper it will be. And you might learn something.
The more you can do yourself, the cheaper it will be. And you might learn something.
When I was younger my Mom needed extra circuits for a microwave over her stove. This was in the late 70's, before it was a popular option. I set the box, pulled all of the wire to the panel, and brought it into the panel, and set the breaker. I was going to finish the installation,but she was afraid I would burn something up. She had an electrician from her work come by and land the wire in the panel and check my outlet install. She paid him $15-20 and the deal was done.
The more you can do yourself, the cheaper it will be. And you might learn something.
that was 30 years ago before the current licensing and insurance requirements and the litigous society we live in today.
Ford12508
Well-known member
Yea, looking at what I said, an electrician probably wouldn't go near anything for $20. Might as well just learn some stuff yourself, and start pulling the wire if you aren't going to hire someone.
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
step 1: learn stuff
step 2: make plan
step 3: visit local building department and obtain a permit (as them if they need rough / final for your proposed work or if you can do it from start to finish and have final)
step 4: purchase material
step 5: complete work
step 6: call for inspection
supertooljunkie
Well-known member
Most libraries have the NEC code books in the reference section. That will give you the info needed to size your wire, and the sub panel and breaker sizes.
If you have to pull permits, try to speak to the electrical inspector and let him know what you are trying to do. He might offer suggestions. My brother and I pulled new service into my MIL and SIL's house 3-4 years ago. My brother is an electrician and I was just starting. When my SIL & I went to get the permit, I managed to meet the inspector and told him what I was doing. He had all of the info from the local power company, as to how to, and where to place the mast, and how they wanted the feeds to the panel , and meter cans placed. Saved a lot of time. After we were done, and ready for inspection, he looked at the work and made two or three small changes. It took me 15-20 minutes to make them while he was there. He then called the power company for them to reconnect the service at the mast. When they told him it would be the next day, he got the supervisor on the phone and had a crew out within the hour. It gets cold on a sixty five year old lady in mid January.
It might take you longer than an electrician, but the learning experience and money savings are worth it. Take you time and, of you don't know something look it up. Good luck.