House wiring needed for kiln

Jewelry Discussion
21

Andrew,

What you are planning WILL work, but is overkill and is a lot more
than I would do. My house is over 80 feet long with the fuse box on
the front end of the house. Wiring runs from the box to all the
outlets. I was very upset that the electrician ran 14 gauge wire to
all the outlets and only used 15 amp breakers. I was always taught
that outlets should be 12 gauge and 20 amp breakers so they can
handle things like the kiln. Point is that if you run, even an
extension cord if it is 12 gauge (can be $25 or more for 100 ft) it
will handle your load. The best way would be to get a spool of 100
ft 10 g four strand wire, and it can be the kind that can be buried,
then run it to your shed and split it into two circuits of 20 amp
breakers each. 15 amp circuits are for lighting only, if you want
outlets, use 20, even if code says that all you need is 15! Yes,
running it inside conduit will help protect is from any digging that
may be done in the area. Good luck and make beautiful enamel.

Tom Parish
Heavy lifter for Designs by Suz

22

Don’t forget about the ground wire and if necessary a ground rod.

George in Green Bay

23

Be careful about giving advice. just like advice on jewelry, advice
given to a novice on running electrical circuits can get you/him into
trouble.

You didn’t specify a ground in the 10/4 cable. Did you intend that
he drive a ground rod and make a separately derived grounded system?

You told him that he “could” not SHOULD run underground or type UF
wire. will romex work? yes it will, for a while. up to code? No, it’s
not.

hmmm…how about the in’s and outs of wiring up a circuit/ adding
a breaker or two to a live and “mature” system that is already loaded
up?

or that circuits in a garage (uninhabited space) usually require
GFCI outlets?

the code was changed in the last few years to reflect a need to not
run conductors at 100% load. (fire safety)

thus…

a 15 or 20 amp circuit rating along with a 15 amp receptacle is
allowed to handle a 12 amp load

a 20 amp circuit rating along with a 20 amp receptacle rating is
allowed to pull a load of only 16 amps.

a 30/30 rating as above, is allowed to handle a load of 24 amps.
Yes, you can have “utilization equipment” that has a 30 amp 110 volt
circuit…

see NEC (national electrical code) table 210.21 (B)(2) in the 2011
NEC book.

there are two main reasons why electricians and the NEC exists…
to prevent fires. and injuries.

just friendly advice.

steve.