Wiring a single-outlet circuit
October 9, 2011 11:38 AM Subscribe
What is the best way to get a single outlet on this circuit?
I tore out my old electric baseboard heaters a few years ago since we never used them, and just shut off the circuit breaker. Our house is older and has no outside outlets and few grounded outlets, and I often use an extension cord to power a few things in my shed, so I wanted to put an outside outlet on that circuit that could handle a heavier load. I thought I could run romex from that circuit to an outdoor receptacle.
The baseboards were running on a double-pole breaker, so I guess that was 240 volts. The wiring is 12-2 romex, and I found the initial splice off the breaker. I assume I need to change the breaker to a single-pole, but what kind of circuit would be best to run a single outlet that would get a fair load? Should I do a 20-amp breaker/receptacle? Is it cool to have a single outlet on a circuit?
I tore out my old electric baseboard heaters a few years ago since we never used them, and just shut off the circuit breaker. Our house is older and has no outside outlets and few grounded outlets, and I often use an extension cord to power a few things in my shed, so I wanted to put an outside outlet on that circuit that could handle a heavier load. I thought I could run romex from that circuit to an outdoor receptacle.
The baseboards were running on a double-pole breaker, so I guess that was 240 volts. The wiring is 12-2 romex, and I found the initial splice off the breaker. I assume I need to change the breaker to a single-pole, but what kind of circuit would be best to run a single outlet that would get a fair load? Should I do a 20-amp breaker/receptacle? Is it cool to have a single outlet on a circuit?
Is it cool to have a single outlet on a circuit?
Yeah, it's fine. People sometimes do that on purpose if there's a single appliance that draws a lot of power but not enough to require a 240v circuit. It's also nice to have the outlet on its own breaker if you put a GFCI breaker in there (and if it's an outdoor outlet, you should— might even be required by code now, I don't know) so that a false trip of the GFCI won't knock out unrelated stuff.
(IANAElectrician, though)
posted by hattifattener at 1:44 PM on October 9, 2011
Yeah, it's fine. People sometimes do that on purpose if there's a single appliance that draws a lot of power but not enough to require a 240v circuit. It's also nice to have the outlet on its own breaker if you put a GFCI breaker in there (and if it's an outdoor outlet, you should— might even be required by code now, I don't know) so that a false trip of the GFCI won't knock out unrelated stuff.
(IANAElectrician, though)
posted by hattifattener at 1:44 PM on October 9, 2011
>>so I guess....<>
Stop right there. Hire an electrician.
I'm not trying to be flippant. Electricity isn't something to proceed with using guesswork.
Yes, it's perfectly fine to put a single outlet on a circuit. Refrigerators are often wired this way.
posted by humboldt32 at 3:24 PM on October 9, 2011
Stop right there. Hire an electrician.
I'm not trying to be flippant. Electricity isn't something to proceed with using guesswork.
Yes, it's perfectly fine to put a single outlet on a circuit. Refrigerators are often wired this way.
posted by humboldt32 at 3:24 PM on October 9, 2011
Best answer: I am an electrician. But, I am not your electrician, and if you do not understand this advice, then hire someone who does.
If your baseboard heater was using 12-2 romex, then it should be easier to convert that to general use receptacle circuit. Seriously, if you are not sure, then do not do it. This is an easy DIY project, but it does deal with doing some work inside your electrical panel - and if you make a mistake in the electrical panel, you could kill yourself.
But, assuming you have some skill:
You say the 12-2 wire was on a 2pole 20A breaker, which sounds about right. Turn off the main first, so you can safely work on the breakers. (Please note, even with the main breaker off, the feeder wires into the panel ARE still hot). Remove the breaker for the baseboard. Install a new 1pole 20A breaker. Land the black wire on the new breaker, the white wire on the nuetral bar (you will see a bunch of white wires connected together), and land the ground to the appropriate bar (sometimes with the nuetrals, sometimes with just the other grounds.)
On the other side of the wire, remove the baseboard and expose the bare wire. Install an electrical cut in box, an a regular duplex receptacle, and a plate.
By code, 12gauge wire should always be on a 20A breaker. 12 wire begins to melt and burn when exposed to more than 20amps.
It is ok by code to have only one receptacle on a circuit.
posted by Flood at 4:06 PM on October 9, 2011
If your baseboard heater was using 12-2 romex, then it should be easier to convert that to general use receptacle circuit. Seriously, if you are not sure, then do not do it. This is an easy DIY project, but it does deal with doing some work inside your electrical panel - and if you make a mistake in the electrical panel, you could kill yourself.
But, assuming you have some skill:
You say the 12-2 wire was on a 2pole 20A breaker, which sounds about right. Turn off the main first, so you can safely work on the breakers. (Please note, even with the main breaker off, the feeder wires into the panel ARE still hot). Remove the breaker for the baseboard. Install a new 1pole 20A breaker. Land the black wire on the new breaker, the white wire on the nuetral bar (you will see a bunch of white wires connected together), and land the ground to the appropriate bar (sometimes with the nuetrals, sometimes with just the other grounds.)
On the other side of the wire, remove the baseboard and expose the bare wire. Install an electrical cut in box, an a regular duplex receptacle, and a plate.
By code, 12gauge wire should always be on a 20A breaker. 12 wire begins to melt and burn when exposed to more than 20amps.
It is ok by code to have only one receptacle on a circuit.
posted by Flood at 4:06 PM on October 9, 2011
Response by poster: I'm sorry, I should have mentioned that I do have a little experience with doing my own wiring and a very healthy fear of electricity.
Thanks, all.
posted by Red Loop at 3:15 AM on October 10, 2011
Thanks, all.
posted by Red Loop at 3:15 AM on October 10, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I did this in my garage to feed a work light and the garage door opener. Works fine.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 1:34 PM on October 9, 2011