Hi guys,
Me and Jackie have had our first crack at an electical plan. We'd really appreciate any comments you have.
(new version further down)
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Browse Forums Building A New House Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 2Jun 08, 2008 4:52 pm I would add another power point in the study if you are having standard double ones and will use the study as a study. Lots of things to plug in with computers.
Actually I would have a minimum of two in each room. Paula Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 5Jun 08, 2008 5:59 pm these are the items we included :
- light switches - single, 2way, 3way, etc.. - external lights, external powerpoints - junction box to get power/light to an existing garage at the back of the block - TV points - foxtel points - stair lights - motion detector over the garage Built the Eden Brae Cambridge 34 Family with Boston Corner Facade Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 6Jun 08, 2008 6:04 pm Hi,
I would put quad powerpoints wherever you have a tv point cos you usually have more than one other thing plugged in (Foxtel, dvd, etc). Also a two way light switch in the hallway. Make sure you have a kitchen light switch on both sides of the kitchen, otherwise from your master bedroom you'll have to walk through the kitchen to turn the light on. Very annoying every time you get up to have a glass of water. Also consider your outside electrical needs, water feature, garden lighting etc. Jo I leave you to fend for yourself, figure things out yourself. Terrence Malick Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 7Jun 08, 2008 6:34 pm That floor plan is very similar to mine in alot of ways. In fact if you switch some of the bedrooms around it practically is the same. I've attached my electrical plan which might be of interest.
Anyway I reckon thats a very good plan. The only things I'd do to save money is go for only 4 downlights in the theatre room and 2 in the entry hall - this should be enough. Also I'd put the garage lights further forward as you normally need light up towards the front of the car/garage. I'd also think about maybe a powerpoint on the island bench (I think I forgot mine) as now and then it can be handy for electric knives or mixers that you may want to use there. If you decide later it will be too late as the power goes under the slab. Other than that I reckon thats a great plan (because it's so similar to mine - lol) http://bp0.blogger.com/_4nQsWUkSzsg/R9aYRQgDBxI/AAAAAAAAABk/huQy1t6-n-I/s1600-h/elecplan.jpg Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 8Jun 08, 2008 6:35 pm Hi,
I fyou are having a standard vaccume (not ducted) then you need to think about powerpoint placement to be able to plug this in to vaccume the house (such as the front entrance, lounge etc. It would be hard to access some of your powerpoints if they are behind furniture, or plugged into TV's etc. Do you want a powerpoint on your island in the kitchen to be able to use appliances here? On the road to building our 1st home Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 9Jun 08, 2008 7:01 pm Mozzie That floor plan is very similar to mine in alot of ways. In fact if you switch some of the bedrooms around it practically is the same. I've attached my electrical plan which might be of interest. Anyway I reckon thats a very good plan. The only things I'd do to save money is go for only 4 downlights in the theatre room and 2 in the entry hall - this should be enough. Also I'd put the garage lights further forward as you normally need light up towards the front of the car/garage. I'd also think about maybe a powerpoint on the island bench (I think I forgot mine) as now and then it can be handy for electric knives or mixers that you may want to use there. If you decide later it will be too late as the power goes under the slab. Other than that I reckon thats a great plan (because it's so similar to mine - lol) http://bp0.blogger.com/_4nQsWUkSzsg/R9aYRQgDBxI/AAAAAAAAABk/huQy1t6-n-I/s1600-h/elecplan.jpg Wow our plans are very similar! I think you're right, I'll move the garage lights up and remove the downlights as you pointed out and we'll try for one on the island bench. Leece Hi, I fyou are having a standard vaccume (not ducted) then you need to think about powerpoint placement to be able to plug this in to vaccume the house (such as the front entrance, lounge etc. It would be hard to access some of your powerpoints if they are behind furniture, or plugged into TV's etc. Do you want a powerpoint on your island in the kitchen to be able to use appliances here? Yeah I just had a re-look over it with 'just' vacuming in mind, and I think that the entry needs one, an extra one in the theater and perhaps one near the doors to the alfresco oposite the kitchen to help get all of the family room with the vac. Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 12Jun 09, 2008 12:21 am I'd also be more tempted to make the 2 middle of the kitchen lights as standard batten type and the 3 across the kitchen bench area as downlights. Another power point in the lounge might also be handy, on the wall shared with the garage. Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 13Jun 09, 2008 1:53 am My suggestions:
- TV point in the study and TV point in the garage (had one in the old and got one in the new - love it watch the footy whilst working in the garage), make sure they put a decent aerial splitter in not some two dollar jobo....AV guys can give advice and going from a four way to six way splitter would be minimal cost - Additional double GPO on bottom wall of study, tippin that's where the desk will be - Another double GPO in minor bedrooms otherwise as soon as you get a computer you need a powerboard - Another GPO above the ensuite vanity, if you got two bowls have two GPO's so you don't cross wires with your partner - GPO on end of island bench we've got one in the new place and it's bloody brilliant - If your serious about your HT I'd be putting more GPOs in the theatre room - Another GPO in the lounge - Phone points? and think about where the cordless will be plugged in - I'd put four battens in the garage and swap them for double bulb fluorescents later on (or now if they aren't going to sting you to much) - Additional GPO in the garage - My personal preference is IXL's in bathrooms and no separate fan - Get them to wire the pantry light so that it turns on when you open the door, your can get little limit switches that do that (again had it on old house and in new) Hope that helps....good night. mmm....donuts Homer Simpson 1956- Links: Site Costs Ready Reckoner | H1 Addiction Medical Advice | Château TDL: The Backyard Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 14Jun 09, 2008 9:42 am I'd be very interested to see the circuits. Exactly how many rooms are going to run on a single circuit. And most importantly, which circuit shares with the kitchen ? And will the huge power-slurping plasma TV share that same circuit ?
Adding points and lights is all very well, but when you then come to plug in a few things like TVs, computers, and heaters will that circuit handle the load ? Also (and I'm certainly no expert!) what is the total amp rating for the house ? I understand many old houses are 150amps; new ones are likely to be anywhere up to 400. You need to look at the total potential load. Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. - Dale Carnegie Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 15Jun 09, 2008 10:42 am Bet your sorry you asked now?
Here's another thought, I have sensor lights in the bathrooms - very annoying if you want to go in the middle of the night, you get a bit blinded, but as Mike suggested, Quote: Get them to wire the pantry light so that it turns on when you open the door, your can get little limit switches that do that (again had it on old house and in new) But not when you open the door just when you walk in, I'm finding I leave my door open, so when it senses movement would be much better. I would love to have this. Also on your new plan, you have placed the powerpoint on the island bench facing out to the family room. I would move it around to face the wall with the appliances so it doesnt stand out. Paula Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 16Jun 09, 2008 11:16 am Paula Quote: Get them to wire the pantry light so that it turns on when you open the door, your can get little limit switches that do that (again had it on old house and in new) But not when you open the door just when you walk in, I'm finding I leave my door open, so when it senses movement would be much better. I would love to have this. Paula, you've just realised one of the pitfalls of pantry switches, plus another problem is if you have double doors and the switch is only on one of them. Regarding getting your pantry light upgraded might I suggest either of these products? Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 17Jun 09, 2008 11:27 am Paula Here's another thought, I have sensor lights in the bathrooms - very annoying if you want to go in the middle of the night, you get a bit blinded, but as Mike suggested, I would suggest getting a dimmer installed for when the sensor is activated. You could have it permanently dimmed, with an override wall switch for full brightness when required. Or if you wish to spend a bit extra them dimmed for 'X' time (say 30sec) for the eyes to become accustomed and then come to full brightness. Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 18Jun 09, 2008 11:57 am kiwi056 Paula Here's another thought, I have sensor lights in the bathrooms - very annoying if you want to go in the middle of the night, you get a bit blinded, but as Mike suggested, I would suggest getting a dimmer installed for when the sensor is activated. You could have it permanently dimmed, with an override wall switch for full brightness when required. Or if you wish to spend a bit extra them dimmed for 'X' time (say 30sec) for the eyes to become accustomed and then come to full brightness. thanks Kiwi05 We will be getting the electrician in to change a few lights - this might have to be another. Also a good idea in the pantry! Paula Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 19Jun 09, 2008 12:07 pm also thought, do you need an exhaust fan in the laundry for when you have the clothes dryer on? (if you use one)
I agree with the study. I would be inclined to put either an additional powerpoint where the table goes, or move the other one over. You will likely need more than a double powerpoint to run the computer, printer, phone, speakers etc. Same goes with the home theatre Also where will your phone be situated. is it cordless, does it require a powerpoint? On the road to building our 1st home Re: Our Electrical Plan, first attempt 20Jun 09, 2008 12:38 pm my two bits....
extra GPO in the lounge room. I can't see a TV point in that room so maybe you could move the current GPO to the garage/lounge wall and adding another one opposite on the lounge/dining wall for lamps etc. GPO on Island as Paula said needs to be on the side. Tip - PD won't do this if you are having QQ Apron. We are having apron so GPO is going inside a single cupboard next to utensil drawer. extra GPO's in all the kids bedrooms TV point in study dimmer switch in the Home Theatre and extra GPO's two way light for kitchen one entering from lounge and one entering from laundry/master (Love the Illoura!) following on re the vac'ing. Do you need a GPO in the passage/toilet wall for vacuuming the kids area. IMO you should go for ducted vac. PD can rough in the pipes for $300 and you'll need to put a GPO in the garage for the unit and then you can source your own unit and installation afterwards (that was my advice from Prestige when looking at the Illoura or go with the whole set-up through PD for about $1200 - so worth it!) the GPO might look a bit ugly sitting where it is in the entry. What about moving down towards the front door next to the internal garage door? extra GPO on the family/master hallway wall exhaust fan in the pantry if you plan on having jug or toaster etc in it and if so maybe another GPO in there too Are you having low pendant lights over the Island? If not, I'd swap the batten for downlights Are you having batten lights for outside or Junction Boxes? We were advised to go with JB as it would be easier to hook up preferred lights after handover. Have fun!!! Try and start a blog, would love to see your house as it gets built. Happy at Home Thanks for info, yes met with Power Utility, Builder's Site Supervisor and Electrician on site and aligned on the mains connection. Seems like the builder and Electrician… 2 9987 Must be labour only. One of those how long is a piece of wire questions. 4 3288 |