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The electrical system consists of the main panel, lighting, outlets and various hardwired appliances. The electrical service must be sized to accommodate the lifestyle of the occupants, and is usually between 100 amps and 200 amps.
Upgrade and relocation of the main panel may be required if one or more of the following: |
1.The panel is too old or fully occupied.
2.The addition is built under the overhead
service supply lines.
3. The panel is located on a wall proposed to become interior in the construction
process.
The location of the new panel must be
approved
by the company supplying the power to
the house (Edison, DWP, etc...), even
when maintaining the old location.
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| An electrician installs the service, and may also install telephone and cable TV wires and, less frequently, security systems.
Almost every addition planed right needs to be wired directly to the main panel. tapping to existing circuits is not recommended. In fact, state code requires for all lights & outlets in new bedroom to be installed on a dedicated circuit, connected to an Arc-fault breaker.
the electrical lines are run from the electric panel board, which has switches (also known as breakers), through walls, attics and crawl spaces to control the electricity in different areas of the house. Electrical systems are regulated by an international and local building code. For example, electrical codes in some regions require wiring to be in flexible metal casing ("Flex") as an additional fire prevention measure.
All wire must be protected (metal stud protectors) and tested before the walls & ceilings are covered with drywall, to ensure safety and to prevent unnecessary troubleshooting & drywall repairs @ later stages of the project.
Finally, The electrical panel must be labeled (by state code), a clearly marked electrical panel is important for maintenance (e.g., when you have to fix a circuit breaker in little Billy's room).
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If you have specific needs, like a large audio/visual entertainment complex or a home office, an advanced wiring system that can handle specific electronic functions such as video and audio distribution will be designed. A gateway hub, or central distribution panel, acts as the distribution point for all incoming telephone, data, cable and satellite TV lines. Information is carried over high-speed, high-quality cabling, terminating in wall plates throughout the home. An advanced wiring system may also include dedicated voice, fax and computer modem lines to help you work at home.
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| Energy costs can be minimized through the use of a control system. With a control system, you can operate the heating, cooling and ventilation equipment from work or while on the road. In addition, you can program the operation of sprinklers or the pool. And lighting controls allow you to make your home look lived in when you're away.
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| Planing ahead is the key to a quality electrical system that will fit your lifestyle. When working with your architect on the new floor plan, staging furniture, doors, windows and more will help designating efficiant and decorative locations of outlets, lights and other fixtures. 3-way switches at both ends of hallways, staircases, and large areas is only one minor detail that can make significant difference in your lifestyle.
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