What is involved in installing an additional fuse in my fuse box?

Question

Hi, I have a newer townhouse (6 years old). The fuse box has a main switch at the bottom that says 125. Above that, half the slots have those switch type fuses and the rest are empty. Both of the two outlets in the garage are on one fuse. I would like these outlets to be on seperate fuses. Do I need permits and electricians to install the extra fuse? Thanks a bunch.

Oh yeah, I live in Richmond, BC.

I forgot to mention. The outlets are on opposite sides of the fuse box and have seperate lines run to each. The junction is realatively close to the fuse box.

I response to the last comment. We have a gas furnace so that is probably why the amperage is low... or I might have not remembered the correct value. With only one circuit breaker supplying all the power to the garage I have difficulty when running power tools with other devices such as a space heater, extra lights, some tunes, fish tank...

Answer 1

It has been established that they are breakers and not fuses. 125 amp service is not low actually. It was very common up until just about 10 years ago to have houses under 1100 square feet with 100 amp service. Especially if you are using gas appliances. Now to your question you certainly can add a breaker which is not in itself a difficult project but it most definitely has its dangers. The main breaker switch (the one that says 125 on it) will shut off the breaker bar (the thing the breakers are attached to). But the main feed cables will still most definitely be hot and touching them would be VERY BAD. So if you have little to no experience with electrical work I would probably use an electrician. Also some homeowners insurance won't cover you for damage that could result from work not done by a licensed electrician. As far as permits that varies depending on location so there is no one right answer. If you still want to do it yourself you would have to shut off the main bar. Take off the cover over the breakers. Install a breaker on the breaker bar in one of the open slots (many of the breakers out there just snap on). Then you would have to run wire from one of the outlets to the new breaker. The hot (black wire) going to the breaker and the common (white wire) going to the common bus bar. Then a ground (green wire) going to the grounding bar. Then reassemble and flip the main breaker back on.

Answer 2

Those switch type fuses are called breakers. You can easily install extra breakers with the main switch off since you say you have spaces. Most domestic breaker panels in the US have crappy clip in breakers so you only need a screw driver to take off the cover.

Your bigger problem is that the wires are probably linked from one outlet to the next. If that is the case, this wire will need to be removed and a new wire put in from the "furthest" outlet back to the breaker panel.

Note - Unfortunately no-one answered your question about permit and this depends on the state. Its most likely that you don't need any permit but you should be registered as an electrician for the state. In reality most people that feel competent do their own work especially minor changes like this, just do it. I'm not condoning it by the way.

Answer 3

It sounds like circuit breakers not fuses. 125 is a pretty low rating??? Hmmm??? I live in an 800 sq. ft. Mobile rated at 180 amps service; and 33 years old.

Yes both 1 and 2 offer valid suggestions. I'd want to have an electrician if for no other reason than to understand why my house/circuit box wasn't rated higher. 125 could probably handle a Clothes Dryer and Oven at 220, but most water heaters are also rated at that, in 30 amp or double 20's at the breaker box. With lighting; entertainment; and all else; it would be rare to have everything "drawing" power at the same time?

I'm curious to know why you want to have multiple breakers for the garage?

But in total, I'm not at all familiar with BC other than to have visited often.

Steven Wolf

Answer 4

Step 1....call a qualified electrician, spend about $100 and be done with it. You could DIE if you mess around with electricity w/o knowing how. You shouldn't need a permit.