Wire an electrical outlet from and existing electrical box?

jixan

Active Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #1

I was curious if anyone could help me wire an electrical outlet.

I would be tapping into an existing romex line that runs to an existing power outlet.

Is this a safe way to install a new electrical outlet?

Thanks!

 

collective gardener

Well-Known Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #2

jixan said:

I was curious if anyone could help me wire an electrical outlet.

I would be tapping into an existing romex line that runs to an existing power outlet.

Is this a safe way to install a new electrical outlet?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

That's fine. Your challenge will be having enough slack in the wire to connect up the plug. Also, make sure to see what it goes to so you can calc your amp load.

https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/407048-20-000-watt-medical-grow.html

 

jixan

Active Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #3

I will be attaching a new romex cable. It wil run from the origianl romex cable providing power to the original power outlet I am wanting to splice into.

Does that still sound safe? Do I need to build an electrical conduit box for the splice to eliminate any issues of fire? Or would wire nuts be sufficent enought to protect the exposed wires. My attic is insulated with cellulose insulation, jsut FYI.

Thanks again!

 

redeye75

Active Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #4

All Electrical connections should be enclosed in a metal junction box with a cover plate and the proper connectors to feed the wire in and out of the box. (Romex Connectors). If you intend to run a big light off the new outlet you should do some research and see what else the existing circuit feeds. If you overload the existing circuit you are going to be tripping the breaker a lot and possibly cause a fire if the breaker decides it doesn't want to fully trip.

 

jixan

Active Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #5

O well thank you redeye75 for the advise.

I will be running a few fans and 12 42 Watt lights. So quite honestly not a whole lot I don't think. I am planning out a small grow, like 2 plants at a time under CLF's. I am growing for personal use and not really any more.

How could I calculate maximum possible amperage load? Simply go through and add the numbers up?

Thanks!

 

mystifiedbongs

Well-Known Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #6

you wont have a problem unless you have a couple electric heaters hooked up to the same line. most home breakers are 15 or 20 amp. 3 or the setups you just described still wouldnt come close to popping any normal home circuit

i have 8 cfls, a 400wmh/hps digital ballast, a 160cfm fan, a oscilating fan, 3 air pumps, and a germination heating mat. and im not even close. i can still turn on an electric fan rated at 3amps, 1750watts without blowing the circuit

 

jixan

Active Member

• Apr 8, 2011

• #7

Haha, yeah I won't even come close to that kind of load. More power to you though for using every bit of power you can.