Electric wiring on house

[RZehr]

If you were wiring a house to live in, what would you wire?
Any special locations you’d put lights or outlets?
If you were wanting to wire for some convenient generator backup, what essentials would you wire for generator backup?
Looking for any tips and ideas.

[silentreader]

If you were wiring a house to live in, what would you wire?
Any special locations you’d put lights or outlets?
If you were wanting to wire for some convenient generator backup, what essentials would you wire for generator backup?
Looking for any tips and ideas.

You can never have too many outlets, especially in a kitchen. And each plug-in of a double outlet should be on a separate circuit, again, especially in a kitchen, also in any other high usage rooms.
If you wire the 220V generator plug into the 220V side of the house panel then you can run as many 110V circuits as your generator will handle. (Or is it 230V and 115V in the States?) Use heavy duty welding cable, not an extension cord.

[RZehr]

I don’t do wiring so excuse the ignorance. Are you saying that the generator would power the whole panel of breakers and I’d just flip on whatever breakers I want up to the generator capacity? Just sort of mix and match?

[Wade]

In the BC Electrical code you are required to have the separate circuits on one duplex receptacle in the kitchen if they are 15A but not if they are 20A. 20A is required now for new construction in the kitchen. It isn't necessary for other rooms I haven't seen it unless it is in a shop or shop type room.
Don't forget smoke alarms - one in each bedroom and another for each level in a common area of the home. Place them on a commonly used lighting circuit so that if the breaker trips it will be noticed quickly.
In Canada it is 240/120V. Often the rating of the device however will say something a bit different like 230V.

I have taken extra electrical code courses with my ticket but I am not familiar with your electrical codes in Oregon however.

[Wade]

I don’t do wiring so excuse the ignorance. Are you saying that the generator would power the whole panel of breakers and I’d just flip on whatever breakers I want up to the generator capacity? Just sort of mix and match?

That can work, but it does depend on your connection point and size of generator.

[RZehr]

Seems like people are buying electric recliners or furniture with charging ports in them. I think I saw one place had a floor outlet to plug the furniture into. Any thoughts on having an outlet in the floor? That seems sort of odd to me.
Are recessed lights a pro or con?

I have a plumbing inspection tomorrow so if that passes then on to electrical. That will take a long time I’m sure.

[Judas Maccabeus]

Seems like people are buying electric recliners or furniture with charging ports in them. I think I saw one place had a floor outlet to plug the furniture into. Any thoughts on having an outlet in the floor? That seems sort of odd to me.
Are recessed lights a pro or con?

I have a plumbing inspection tomorrow so if that passes then on to electrical. That will take a long time I’m sure.

Is this a renovation or is it new work?

Be a bit careful on those recessed lights. If they are in contact with insulation make sure they specify that. Every Home Depot has a book with a brief summary of the National Electrical Code. I have one and it has been more than helpful.

J.M.

[JimFoxvog]

How a house gets used changes over time. Put outlets and light fixtures to be available everywhere. Don't forget closets. Might want to consider wiring internet cable and phone cable also, as it tends to be more reliable than wireless and sometimes will keep working when the power is out.

[silentreader]

I don’t do wiring so excuse the ignorance. Are you saying that the generator would power the whole panel of breakers and I’d just flip on whatever breakers I want up to the generator capacity? Just sort of mix and match?

That can work, but it does depend on your connection point and size of generator.

That's correct, we can run all essentials with our generator, but some things are trade-offs. One thing to our advantage is that we have an oil-fired water heater rather than electric.
But yes, it is necessary to have the proper connection point, not a DIY thing.

[Signtist]

I think I saw one place had a floor outlet to plug the furniture into. Any thoughts on having an outlet in the floor? That seems sort of odd to me.

I'm gonna guess that's a no-no in most locations. A water spill could turn that into a hazard pretty quick.