• Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    Master Electricians in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Pompano Beach
  • Lance Burley | Burley Electrical
    South Florida Residential & Commercial Electrician
  • Residential, Commercial & Industrial Lighting Specialists

How Much Power is Enough in Pompano Beach, FL; Wiring of Switched Outlets, Residential Electrical Load & More

With the plethora of electronic, power sapping gadgets in the modern home how much power is enough? Nearly all homes were built under code requiring outlet placement no farther from a corner than 6 feet and no more than 12 feet between outlets on long walls. This is the minimum, but there is no actual maximum. Electronic devices multiply like a cold virus sweeping through an elementary school. So maybe if you’re planning a new home you should consider quad or double duplex outlets.

Electrical Wiring of Switched Outlets

Many electronic gadgets are remote controlled, meaning they’re always on to enable a remote to operate the device. It is estimated that these devices consume from a quarter to a third of their rated power when ‘off’. Switched outlets allow the power to be killed to all outlets, well and truly turning any connected devices off. This can save considerable power consumed over a year’s time. However circuits with night lights, clocks and security devices will need to remain active. A little planning is needed to ensure utility but manage power usage from inactive devices.

Home Theater & Other Wiring

Home theater and entertainment systems require special wiring to accommodate projectors, amps, large screen TVs and the ability to attach pads, computers and game decks. And regards as to the kitchen it seems that there will never be enough outlets to power kitchen tools and provide under cabinet lighting.

LED Lighting for Energy Efficiency

Modern home design incorporates various devices for security purposes. Lights, camera and alarms all need power and low voltage wiring to operate. If is far easier to run wire during building than doing it after the wall board is hung. LED lighting can provide economical and long service life, though a bit pricey up front. Indeed LED lighting is the only item requiring less, not more power.

Residential Electrical Load

Additional circuits will be required for double duplex outlets as a maximum of 10 receptacles can be handled on the typical 20 amp circuit. The NEC (National Electrical Code) does not limit load on residential circuits but many local codes do. Indeed as you don’t what is going to be plugged in many designs are based on 7-8 outlets per circuit. The saving grace is that it is seldom that all of the receptacles are in use at any one time. Even offices usually power a lot of low amperage electronics. Mostly the convenience of being able to plug in to a handy location is the rule.

Extension Cord

The problem is that if the outlet is not handy to the device, we tend to run extension cords. Extension cord runs are subject to mechanical wear and tear. When dealing with your dream home, being conservative on electrical loading is only prudent.

Electrical Wiring & More in Pompano Beach, Boca Raton, Davie, Fort Lauderdale & South Florida

If you don’t go the double duplex route be sure to space your duplex outlets at a convenient intervals.
Older homes you pretty much have to put up with what you got, but keep extensions cords to a minimum if possible.
Of course new construction requires Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter breakers on all circuits and Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters in bathrooms and kitchens. Safety and fire prevention is the hallmark of the AFCI and GFCI devices. For help in design or new builds and improvement of an older existing building consult the experts at Burley Electrical Services.

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