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In most homes the
electrical service is divided into branch circuits - each branch
circuit supplies power to a certain section of the house. Good home
wiring ensures that each branch circuit carries a manageable load,
otherwise you'll be spending all your time resetting breakers and
replacing fuses to deal with many an overload.
Some appliances, in fact, take up so much power that they require
their own circuits. For instance, an electric stove or dryer needs
its own 240-volt circuit, while other appliances that are used
regularly may require 120-volt circuits. In normal circumstances,
one circuit provides electricity to more than one outlet, each using
a varying amount of power.
A typical home circuit plan, if well planned, makes use of branch
circuits that provide power to areas that serve a specific purpose.
The danger is when a home, usually overhauled by inexperienced
do-it-yourselfers, has circuits strewn all over the house in an
unorganized manner. Again, a good electric system provides
sufficient power to such appliances as a microwave oven, dishwasher,
garbage disposal, and of course, an electric oven. The rest of the
circuits should be organized by room and level of demand.
If you do experience problems with overloading circuits and want to
check how much a particular circuit can take, look at the breaker or
fuse to discover how many amps the circuit can deliver. The
calculation is pretty simple: if the appliances hooked up to the
same circuit exceed the amperage that circuit can supply, you'll
have to move some equipment away. Another solution is to add another
circuit to your electrical system.
Wiring your home can be an involved process, especially if you have
no prior electrical experience. But it can also be dangerous for an
amateur to attempt on a grand scale, so if you have been thinking
about renovating your home without any professional help, it may be
prudent to consider hiring an electrician to handle the electric
system. |
