The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California
First Aid For The Ailing Houses
The name plate on the appliance should give either the wattage or the amperes. If wattage is given, add all the watts given for the various appliances and light bulbs together and then multiply the result by 0.0087. This will give you the number of amperes of current the items draw. For example, a 75-watt table lamp, a 1,000-watt portable heater, and a 300-watt floor lamp add up to 1,375 watts. Multiplied by 0.0087 this gives 11.9 amperes.
The average house circuit is fused for 15 amperes. But this is not always the most efficient rating for the type of wiring used. A No. 14 wire, for example, may not burn the insulation until more than 15 amperes is demanded from it, but it operates inefficiently above 8 amperes. This means that when more than 8 amperes of appliances are connected to a single circuit, each one receives less than full current. This is sometimes noticed at night, when the picture shrinks on a television set which is connected to the same circuit as a refrigerator, a few lamps, and a kitchen appliance or two.
Even if the individual (branch) circuits are not overloaded, there may be too much amperage drawn for the main supply circuit from the utility line. To check this, calculate the amperage draw of every appliance, lamp, and other piece of electrical equipment that might be turned on at one time. Then check the main fuses (often round tubular types) or the front of the main switch box for the "service" rating of the circuit. This figure should not be less than one-half of your total inventory figure in order to provide good service. If this service is not adequate, more outlets is not the answer. A call should be made to the utility company, outlining the problem and asking advice. They will usually be glad to have a man come out and suggest a solution that will provide more current. The answer may be 220-volt service. Without changing the branch circuits from 110 volts, running a 220volt line into the main switch box will provide almost twice the former current capacity.
Certain appliances, such as air conditioners, electric clothes dryers, and large electric motors, should be on their own separate circuits. Local electrical codes often specify the type of appliance that must be connected up to a separate branch circuit in this way.
If a circuit is not overloaded and the branch circuits are still below efficient capacity (8 amperes for No. 14 wire), more outlets may be desired. One of the easiest methods of doing this is to replace older single and double outlet receptacles with multiple-receptacle units designed to fit into the same-sized space.
