Cost is going to largely depend on the existing panel and whether there's room for another breaker and if you have standard or slim breakers already.
do you know how many amps the main is?It's a standard square d setup with lots of space.
I have never seen so few breakers in a panel.
Not to argue with you WC but that is not a safe thing to do because then he would be using a double pole breaker as 2 singles and running an un balanced load. Also a dryer runs on a double 30 amp breaker not a double 15 so to do what you are saying it would be like 2 120v 30 amp circuits..If its just a matter of adding a breaker and outlet, then I'd estimate $300-$600 depending on the price of the breaker itself, the GFCI outlet, the cost of the permit (if any) and how far away the new outlet is from the panel itself. You could save money by having the electrition install an outlet close to the panel and running Romex cable yourself to a second, more convenient outlet. Or....if you really want to save money and you already have a dedicated 220volt dryer outlet in your garage, you can get what is referred to as a pigtail (I think yours would require a double reverse Y-adapter.) This would effectively turn your dryer outlet into two 110volt 15amp outlets which you could easily run a fog machine and several other props. They are usually available at Boating or Marine Hardware stores and websites. You wouldn't be able to dry laundry Halloween night and I would ask an expert about the exact type of pigtail you would need. They aren't cheap, but it could be considerably less than adding the breaker.![]()
How does it drop it down to 15 amps when you have a 30 amp breaker. Your max load would be 30 amps unless that adapter you are talking about has 15 amp breakers on it.The adapter takes it down to two 15amp circuits, but you are correct about the unbalanced load....and yet I know several contractors who use them regularly. I guess its no big deal when its not your own property.
Don't feel too bad Terra...my brother recently needed an electrician on a sunday because even tho' he knows how to fix anything...he just couldn't find the problem. The guy shows up and was too heavy to fit into the attic access so my brother got up there and did all the work while the electrician yelled instructions. It ended up costing my brother $300 to just connect a loose wire!I embarrassed to say this 'cause I think I overpaid. It cost around $400 to put in a double 20 amp circuit for the outside. Now, I also talked to the electrician for an an hour asking him all about wattage etc. so that, I'm sure, added to the cost.
My suggestion: Do not do what I did and just tell him to do it and then he bills you later. That was one yucky surprise I got in the mail. Get an estimate first![]()
That is correct. Each plug on the adapter has a 15amp internal breaker.How does it drop it down to 15 amps when you have a 30 amp breaker. Your max load would be 30 amps unless that adapter you are talking about has 15 amp breakers on it.
OK, I got it, now I see that would be fine as long as it has 2 breakers. In almost 19 years in the trade I have never seen/used the adapter you are talking about, thats cool though. I have seen where people have tried to take a double pole breaker and turn it into 2 single circuits and over load one side and only that side try and trip and it get jamed and start a fire, mainly Federial Pacific breakers. That was what I was thinking about earlyer..That is correct. Each plug on the adapter has a 15amp internal breaker.
I'm fairly handy around the house, so I bypassed the "electrician" and just did it myself. I added a 20 AMP breaker to my main and ran the 12 gauge wire myself. The new breaker cost about $10 and the 100 ft of wire cost about $30.