Putting in an extra Electrical outlet?
Question:I just bought one of those microwave-range hood combos and the guy at Home Depot told me that they require an electrical outlet in the cabinet above the place where it will be installed. The house is older and does not have that. I'm wondering what the cost would be and if and how it can be done by myself or if I have to hire a electrician?
Answers:
Well, I have to say it is a matter of choice. The only time i use dedicated lines for a single device is when I am looking at a 220 line. I mean, I have a 120 v Air Conditioner that I never shut off, that runs on the same line as my TV, and there is no problem there.
I would not go excessive with putting too much on my 120 V line, but I'd never run a dedicated 120 v line .. .it just don't make sense to do this.
After all, a range hood is nothing more than a fan and a light so what is the reason for a dedicated line.you surely wouldn't run a dedicated line to operate a fan in your parlor, or bedroom so why in the kitchen.
With that being said, there is no reason to run such a long stretch of wire from the panel box. Instead you should run from your closest outlet
Route your wire from point 'A' to point 'B'
Inside existing working outlet
you will remove the white wire from the outlet
you will twist the two white wires together, then a small piece of white wire will be twisted with this connection also.
The small white wire you will run back to the existing outlet that you just took the wire off of.
The connection will be finished with a wire nut and electrical tape.
You will do this same thing to the black line.
Remove from outlet
twist with black wire you ran
twist with a small piece of black wire to go back to the outlet.
Ground wire also, twist them all together and run a piece of ground to the outlet.
use wire nuts and electrical tape on the three connections.
close up the outlet
Back at the cabinet
run your wire into the junction box
attach wiring to outlet
close outlet
Just remember to shut off power before you begin.
When complete turn on power before you plug in the Hood - if there is a problem you want to deal with that by itself without the hood being part of the problems or causing damage to the hood.
For best results though, I would get the closes outlet to my location, unless that outlet is the same one my Fridge is plugged into and there is not a great difference by going to the outlet that has a can opener plugged into it - then I would use the can opener outlet. Most often I go with shortest distance but if I can get to an outlet using less power simply by going a little bit further then I'll go that way.
But remember - You do not need a dedicated line to run a fan and a light,
Use 14/2 wire for this job just so you know.
It can be done, the hardest part is fishing the wire through the wall to the main electrical panel.
You really want to run a dedicated circut for this, instead of piggybacking off of an existing outlet.
Once your at the electrical panel, its a piece of cake to install the circut breaker.
You really need a dedicated circuit for the micro-hood. The main reason is because in almost every state it is required by code. If you ever plan on selling you house a home inspection will find this and make you correct it. If you can get into the wall behind the cabinet to the main electrical panel fairly easily then this could be done fairly easily. Otherwise I would suggest call a licensed electrician to run.
More Related Questions & Answers...