Old Wiring

[ninfan77]

I'm looking to possibly purchase an older home and have a question re: knob and tube wiring.

It appears to be in safe working order, its a 100amp service. The panel box has the glass screw in breakers.

Now my question is...

If i wanted to utilize a bedroom for gardening, is it possible/safe to install a sub panel and run new wire to said bedroom?

Or should i bite the bullet, and install a new box, run new wire to the rooms i want?

If i run new wire to the bedroom i want to use for gardening, can i just use the existing wire and connect to the new panel box (for the living spaces of the house that wont' be drawing much power)??

I have an electrician friend who can help me with this, but would rather do as much as i can prior.

 

[Guest]

i would ask the electrician friend his thoughts on it...thats what friends are for...can never be to careful when it comes to electricity..peace

 

[TGT]

If it's still knob and tube, it's not safe. Insurance companies will not insure you with that type of old wiring. I would bite the bullet and get all new wiring. Safety should come first.

TGT

 

[Guest]

I couldn't agree more,dont use K and T wiring on HID loads.This what what I would do.I'd replace the existing panel with a circuit breaker panel.I'd run romex or mc cable to desired location and either set subpanel or Intermatic WH40 hot water heater style timer for my HID loads.This is providing you have adequete upgrading capabilitites for the additional load.Or in english,your wire coming into the panel is of sufficient size to handle the additional load.This is almost always the case,a service upgrade is only necessary of you live in Green Acres haha.Utilize 240V circuits for HID loads to keep amperage down thus negating any need for service upgrade

 

[TGT]

^^ gREAT ADVICE!

tgt

 

[Guest]

TGT, don't feed him (TA) compliments. He'll never leave. He'll follow ya around like a lost puppy just wanting for another bone. lol

 

[Guest]

Thats it?How come the small g in gREAT?It should be a big G.A really really big G!

 

[ninfan77]

Yea thats what i thought, replace it

Now next question:

Is it possible to run mixed voltage in the home? Like, have a 120v panel for most of the house, and then a 240v subpanel running to the grow areas?Obviously using 12-2 or soemthing that handles 20amps. I was thinking that'd be a much better thing to do for the grow areas. Maybe a 120 panel, with a 240v subpanel? Or vice versa?

I guess i gotta get my buddy up there, just dont wanna pester him a lot as he's got a regular business to run, and i'm asking for a favor here.

 

[Guest]

Its not only possible its the commonest of practices to have both 120 and 240V loads in a dwelling.If you have a hot water heater or a range it is likely 240V.This is done by using 2 pole breakers in the panel instead of single pole and landing both wires on the breaker instead of 1 on the breaker and 1 on the neutral buss.If your buddy knows electrical he should know exactly what to do,a subpanel for a small grow is overkill.I run 3 1K verts straight from the panel to timer to load,no sub necessary.A sub is good if you're going to have many seperate 120 and 240V loads but a load or three can be taken straight from the panel.

 

[TGT]

I got 4 - 1000's powered right from the panel hooked to my industrial timer. I was told it's safer with a sub-panel, but I don't know too much about it - just the basics. From what I was told, I have a disconnect and it is safe the way it is. I would feel better with a sub panel, but everyone tells me differently. I use the power from my dryer plug. I think almost every home has one and it's the easiest to draw from. Just my 2 cents.

TGT

 

[Guest]

I wouldn't call it safer.In fact the only real advantage that comes to mind is it would take the full startup amperage delivered to the contacts on the timer and distribute it evenly between breakers in the subpanel.I've been running 3K on an intermatic WH40 for years now,it wont last forever one day my lights wont go out because the contacts have welded shut and its time to replace the timer.Close to 4 years now and counting..It may outlive me.

 

[Guest]

^^^^ or you jinxed yourself. lol Works that way for me.