nizo's Journal: Home electricity: This seems like it would work

Ok I was thinking about calling in an electrician to run some new circuits for the converted garage aka computer room (since there is only one scary outlet in that room that isn't even grounded; pics of this to be posted) but then I realized there is this huge horkin' 50amp circuit that was once used for an electric range very close to where I want my extra electricity (in fact, I think the mystery breaker box sitting right in the office looks suspiciously like the feed to said useless outlet). It seems to me like I could convert this circuit to a much more useful grounded 20amp circuit (and heck even have some left over for a small AC unit). Knowing what a great idea it is to get electrical advice online that could either kill me and/or burn down my house, whatchyallthink?

Call an electrician.

[Scott Lockwood]

He should be able to re-utilize that circuit. For the love of God, don't do it yourself, unless you have a lot of experience with electrical. I'll do insulation, been doing that for years, but the most I'll do in a house with the electrical is change out an outlet or fixture. Anything else, I get a pro.

Yes - what he said

[stoolpigeon]

n/t

I always recommend a screwdriver

[WillAffleckUW]

And working on live circuits.

Don't worry about .... CARRIER LOSS - TRANSMISSION INTERRUPTED

Re:

[nizo]

When I was four I remember testing if an outlet was live by sticking a bobby pin in it. Sure enough, it was! I always meant to ask my parents if they noticed the pin before trying to plug something into the outlet.

Re:

[WillAffleckUW]

never underestimate the insanity of doing your own electrical projects if you have no formal training.

(I should point out I was a power engineer with four years of training in various electrical and electronic theory and practice courses).

concept one: don't mess with the fuse/breaker box.

concept two: if you know wiring, grounding, and understand connectivity, it is ok to swap an outlet for a different one of the same rating after turning off the circuit at the box and testing that it is dead with a live bul

Don't call an electrician ...

[tomhudson]

Just flip the switch on the back of your computer power supply from 110v to 220v. You should have enough juice there to run a small server farm, which you could probably construct for free using discarded pentiums.

Then just remote in from a laptop.

You can also score bonus points for using the room as a clothes dryer in the summer, and your primary source of heat in the winter. If you need to generate more heat on cold days, just run SETI@Home on a couple dozen boxes.

Should be able to consturct TWO 25 amp circuits

[Marxist Hacker 42]

It occurs to me with the way most household 50 amp 220 volt lines are wired in the United States (really, 110 V on each leg with a common ground, or alternatively, two 110 V legs, depending on if it's a 3 or 4 prong plug, respectively) that you could actually leave the current circuit in place and wire up two 20 to 25 amp fused 110V power strips to a 220V plug. As an additional bonus, doing so would give you a powerline communications bridge between the phases of your house.

Warning: if none of this makes

Some of my electrical experience

[Shadow Wrought]

Is summarized here [slashdot.org]. I'd call a pro, but only after you try this;-)

Re:

[nizo]

Yeah I am just hoping this doesn't spark (heh) a blog entry from my kids when they are older about how their dad died and burned down the house playing with electricity....

You can, but

[plover]

[ Disclaimer: I am not a licensed electrician. ]

Yes, there are conditions in which someone can easily install a distribution panel fed by a former 50A range circuit. And not to slag you or anything, but the fact that you're asking the question indicates a gap in your knowledge of how to do so safely; I'd strongly recommend you call in a professional electrician. Ask around your local area for recommendations if you don't know one.

A reputable electrician should give you an estimate for free. He or she

Re:

[Bill Dog]

Aside from safety reasons, you hit on another biggie, IMHO, for why to get it done professionally: So that it's up to code. No one likes surprises when they go to sell their house, there's enough to worry about during then.