Hey guys, hope everybody is doing well in this crazy time. I have been trying to get some home improvement done and had a question about a new project I'm working on.
The house I am in is 50's era and had the wiring upgraded at some point (in the 70s) but it still lacking compared to modern standards. I only have a 100a panel and right now most of the outlets are all on one 20a branch circuit. Obviously the "heavy hitter" appliances test that limit. Eventually I'm planning to have the house rewired and upgraded to a modern 200a service, but that's a ways down the road.
For now I picked up an over the range microwave on a good sale and I'm looking to get a new circuit run for it. Fortunately, I freed up a 240v 20a circuit last year by replacing the (original!) electric W/H with a gas model. The wire that used to feed the W/H comes out of the wall in a finished utility room right on the other side of the wall where the OTR Microwave will be going, but down at waist level.
To be clear, I am planning to have an electrician come out and make the connections, but just wanted to get thoughts on my plan.
My plan was to replace the existing 240v breaker for the water heater with 2 120v 20a breakers, one for the microwave and one for future expansion. I would then use one of the existing hot 240v wires for neutral and the other for hot, and still have a ground, essentially converting the 240v circuit into a 120v. (Wire is 10ga IIRC)
Now, the other issue is that the wall between the kitchen and utility room is insulated, and lath/plaster on both sides. So fishing a new wire up to above the microwave is not really a viable option. Would running some EMT from a junction box on the utility room side where the existing wire comes out of the wall, running up and going through the wall and into the kitchen cabinet on the other side to a surface mount box be a safe/code complaint option? I've read so many opinions and code references but all I can come up with is "nothing says it isn't legal".
I appreciate any feedback, thanks in advance!
The house I am in is 50's era and had the wiring upgraded at some point (in the 70s) but it still lacking compared to modern standards. I only have a 100a panel and right now most of the outlets are all on one 20a branch circuit. Obviously the "heavy hitter" appliances test that limit. Eventually I'm planning to have the house rewired and upgraded to a modern 200a service, but that's a ways down the road.
For now I picked up an over the range microwave on a good sale and I'm looking to get a new circuit run for it. Fortunately, I freed up a 240v 20a circuit last year by replacing the (original!) electric W/H with a gas model. The wire that used to feed the W/H comes out of the wall in a finished utility room right on the other side of the wall where the OTR Microwave will be going, but down at waist level.
To be clear, I am planning to have an electrician come out and make the connections, but just wanted to get thoughts on my plan.
My plan was to replace the existing 240v breaker for the water heater with 2 120v 20a breakers, one for the microwave and one for future expansion. I would then use one of the existing hot 240v wires for neutral and the other for hot, and still have a ground, essentially converting the 240v circuit into a 120v. (Wire is 10ga IIRC)
Now, the other issue is that the wall between the kitchen and utility room is insulated, and lath/plaster on both sides. So fishing a new wire up to above the microwave is not really a viable option. Would running some EMT from a junction box on the utility room side where the existing wire comes out of the wall, running up and going through the wall and into the kitchen cabinet on the other side to a surface mount box be a safe/code complaint option? I've read so many opinions and code references but all I can come up with is "nothing says it isn't legal".
I appreciate any feedback, thanks in advance!