Hi. I searched (a little), honest.
So you see, my microwave oven died.
TLDR preramble spoiled for your protection[spoiler]Being a reasonable man (contrary to most of my otherposts here) I replaced it. Not with anything that could communicate with alien planets, mind you, just a normal 1000 watt unit that I can make popcorn with or reheat yesterday’s coffee faster than just brewing a new pot. Works great. For about a minute, at which point it trips the breaker. And this is where it gets out of hand.
See, the house is ca 1971 which presents a number of problems, most of which you don’t find until you replace something like a microwave. One such problem is the plug in the microwave cubby is on the same circuit as the fridge *** gasp ***. Also on this circuit is half of the living room–the plugs that run the TV, cable box, DVD; and the computer birds nest (PC, monitor, printer, cordless phone, PC speakers, cable modem, network router…probably some other stuff) *** horrified gasp ***. This causes problems. Not because I can’t run the wave long enough to do anything practical like warm up coffee or make popcorn, but because when that breaker trips it shuts down the modem & network router, which has an adverse effect on the teenagers in the house who are Tumbling or killing virtuals on the Xbox downstairs. Even as I’m returning from the breaker box, having reset the circuit, they start filing in asking me when I’m gonna fix that?
So, OK, it’s not biggie for a champ like me to leave the living toom on it’s own 15 amp (oh yeah, the circuit in question is just a 15 amp) circuit and run a pair of 12 gauge cables to the box for some shiny new 20 amp circuits to the fridge & wave. Except, 1971 100 amp breaker box is full. As is the 50 amp sub panel downstairs. [/spoiler]
Answer: new 150 or 200 amp service. *sigh * OK, I know a new panel is beyond me and I’m gonna have to fork out some bucks for the new service. But now my inner OCD is wreaking havoc on me and I need some opinions. See, it’s an old house and Gawd knows how many DIY handy’s have layered their work on top of each other’s. Besides, it used to be a rental and the drywall is already beat to shit. So I’m plotting a room-by-room refit.
It is understood all opinions solicited are secondary to local codes, etc.
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Normal household stuff is 15 amp on a 14 gauge wire. In my experience, 14 gets brittle and breaks when you try to replace switches/outlets. If I’m willing to pay extra for 12 gauge to service the bedrooms, is that a problem? Can I make it a 20 amp circuit or does it need to stay 15amp?
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Wireless home network connections are much slower than ethernet. Since I’m prepared to tear out walls & ceilings, this is an ideal time to run some CAT6 (yes, I know there’s more to it than just running a wire). Is that already stone-age or should I get ahead of the game and run my CAT6 through PVC conduits so whatever’s next is easily rethreaded?