On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 11:37:29 GMT, "Jack Schidt®"
> wrote:
>
>"sf" > wrote in message
.. .
>> On 02 Dec 2003 17:37:31 GMT, (PENMART01)
>> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Btw, unless you're absolutely positive that your home wiring is in top
>notch
>> > condition and is more than adequate for carrying its normal load, do
>NOT run
>> > electric clothes dryers and/or electric stoves while an array of
>decorative
>> > lights are energized... if you need to cook or dry clothes de-energize
>all
>> > strings of holiday lighting... folks who live in older homes whose
>wiring
>> > hasn't been inspected and upgraded recently are extremely vulnerable.
>Never
>> > leave that tree lit without someone in the same room, someone sober.
>> >
>>
>> Do you mean - people don't have 2-20 (220) wiring and have
>> not upgraded their fuse boxes yet? There aren't many left.
>>
>>
>
>Haha!! In the original US, there's still a lot of 100 amp service and even
>knob and tube wiring. I've bought 2 houses in the last 10 years and the
>first thing I did was have the wiring updated.
>
>Jack Kilowatt
When I started in the electrical trade in the late 70's, 100 amp
services were still being used for many smaller homes. I'm a little
behind on my NEC code books so I'm not sure if the minimun has been
raised above 100 amps. 200 amp is what's usually installed. City and
county codes vary. The largest home I've wired had an 800 amp service.
I'm sure the electric bill is as large as most mortgage payments.
<gasp>
I've read that the "push" for the larger services has more to to with
the power grid than actual useage. SF <idiot> has mentioned 220. 220
only exists when there is a problem. In the US, 120/240 is what we
have. I don't know about the rest of the country, but in Chicago,
ComEd is allowed 10% +/-. An air conditioner normally drawing 12 amps
at 240 volts will draw more amps at the acceptable rate of 216volts.
Voltage drop is greater in smaller wire. The theory I've read is the
short section of wire to a home being increased for a larger service,
decreases the voltage drop, thus decreasng the amperage increase, thus
decreasing the amperage load on the power grid. It's not my theory,
but a small increase multiplied by thousands of homes might make a
difference. I dunno. It prolly makes sense. <----EG
As long as a small home has gas appliances, 100 amps plenty of power.
Insurance companies always ask about the service. I asked a real
estate person why they cared about the service when who knows what
demons are buried in the walls. The reply was that they were hoping
that with the upgrade, the electrical contractor would try to "upsell"
the job by pointing out other potential problems to the homeowner.
And there would also be an inspector poking his/her nose around.
You are correct that there is lots of knob and tube still in service,
and not only in old farmhouses. I learned early in my apprenticeship
to be very carefull in old attics. I once found a room addition that
had the new BX cable spliced into knob and tube. That didn't feel so
good when I found it.
1. This post was plopped on you because I don't feel like responding
to idiots like Barbara LaCrotch
2. Extension cords start most fires.
3. An old and outdated 120v 30 amp service is no more dangerous than a
480/ 3 phase state of the art service.
4. fuses are safer than circuit breakers.
5. Worry about what's plugged into your walls and what's in the walls
before you worry about your service.
6. My older cat refuses to shit in the litter box and shits next to
it. Can I break this habit by putting his grease logs in his food
bowl?
Sparky