Electricity Question
 

The basement at my new house isn’t finished but it is (mostly) framed. Each room has a light switch and a light in the ceiling. What it doesn’t have is any electrical sockets. All of the light sockets/switches for the entire basement run off of a single breaker. (30 amp, IIRC.)

Can I run power to new sockets from the light switches, or do I need to add new breakers and run all the way from the panel?

It all depends on how much power you plan on sending to that circuit. You can google what typical draw is for most household items. Generally though in a case like this I think it would be wisest to run all your plugs off a separate circuit. When it's all just framing and no drywall, it's very easy and quick to do.

Check your local building code. There will be a maximum number of receptacles on each circuit.

You shouldn't run lights and outlets on the same circuit. Pretty sure thats against code. Appliance trips the circuit, lights go out, you fall... :).

Bo

Also if you run them with the lights and plug in something that trips the breaker you're going to be in the dark.

Run your new outlets on a separate breaker from the panel. Also throw a GFCI in on each run if it may have a chance of water seepage.

Chris,

Code interpretation allows 13 duplex outlets on the same circuit. And as others have posted, you don't want them to be on the same breaker as light switches.

Mark

As for the lights...

15amp lights/switches, 15amp wire, + 30amp breaker = potential for fire.
Those that don't understand electricity shouldn't mess with it.

30 amps for lighting?
Ya growin for Colorado?

Find out your local code requirement. To be safe, no lighting and outlet on same circuit. Keep each room (or two) on the same circuit (4-5 outlets per room?). Bathroom should be on its own outlet circuit even if there's only one outlet that's required by code. Some places, you can get away with 15 amps outlets, but we always run 12 gauge wires and 20amp breakers. Oh, no plastic, metal only, but that's just me overbuilding for only a few bucks more. I found most people would be MORE then happy to pay the difference.

Are you saying you use a 20amp breaker on a 15amp outlet?

How cheap a builder do you have? The reason there are no outlets down there is they require Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters and against concrete the wire has to be in conduit.

Ya know you don't need to buy that fancy "insulated" wire just twist together some coat hangers! It was good enough for grandpa!

But seriously, as long as you are going to do it and everything is open doesn't it make sense to go a little "overkill" and run a separate circuit for the wall outlets and lights? Not sure what the purpose for the basement is going to be but if you are going to run tools (shop?) or fancy A/V equipment (mancave?) I would run the extra circuit.

No,, never

And yeah +1 on the GFI, another reason to run a separate circuit.

I Highly doubt it's 30 Amp Breaker. Should be 14 gauge wire, 15 Amp Breaker

As others have said, better not to mix lighting & recepticles.
This.

Correct again

Yes, check breaker, SB 14 Gauge wire, 15A Breaker

Yes, OK per code in some situations, see below. All wire on this circuit needs to be rated for 20A (12 Gauge)

Not Correct, Often use (multiple) 15A receptacles on a 20A circuit, done in Kitchens, Dining Rooms, etc. See NEC code section 210.21 (B), and Table 210.21(B)(3)

A 15amp receptacle on a 20 amp circuit will not overload the circuit. You will only be allowed to plug in 15a devices. 20 Amp receptacles/plugs have a 'T' configuration.

My thoughts too. You could grow anything under that sort of lighting.

I use 10 amps for lights and 20 amps for power sockets, 32 amps for cooker.

That would never fly in NY, and I would never install it. The 15amp device/receptacle could melt down before the breaker ever tripped. Especially with an extension cord.

Where are you guys coming up with these numbers? That's why we have standards. There's a difference between "working" and "working safely".

I'm from a 240 volt country. The numbers?, they are the regulations.