Hooking Up a New Circuit

Connecting a new circuit is no more difficult than most other wiring projects. You'll spend most of your time running cable from the new service to the service panel.

Make sure that adding a new circuit does not overload your electrical system. Talk with an inspector or an electrician about your plans. If the service panel cannot accept another circuit, install a subpanel. If your system cannot accommodate a new circuit, have an electrician install a new service panel.

If there is an available slot for a new circuit breaker in your service panel, you can add a breaker there. If not you may be able to replace a regular circuit breaker with a tandem breaker.

Checklist

Time
About 2 hours to make connections for a new circuit once cable has been run

Tools
Flashlight, hammer, screwdriver, strippers, lineman's pliers, long-nose pliers, voltage tester

Skills
Figuring loads on circuits, stripping sheathing, and wire insulation, connecting wires to terminals

Prep
Install boxes for the new service and run cable from the boxes to the service panel.

Materials
New circuit breaker and cable