New circuits are required for any hard wired appliance like AC’s (Air Conditioners), Spas, Pools, kitchen applainces, Some Dryers, Any 15A appliance, Some Renovation’s or a new garage, Most industrial Machines and plenty more. Here are some examples of where new circuits may be required around the home…
- New circuits for Spa with a weatherproof isolation switch
- Air Conditioners need new circuits
- Ovens, steam oven and microwaves
- Big stoves, upright stoves and combination stoves
- Induction cooktops, Electric Cooktops, Ceramic cooktops
- Industrial Cloths Dryers and washing machines
Trade secrets revealed… How to tell if you need a new circuit for your appliance?
New appliances with larger pins means new circuit required. You are not allowed to just change the outlet from a 10A to a 15A.
15A plug needs a new circuit. See how it has a bigger earth pin and won’t fit in a standard power point. A standard power circuit is usually 16 or 20A. If you add a 15A appliance to an existing power circuit it will overload. To avoid this its best to run a new circuit just for your new 15A appliance.
10A plug usually ok to go on your existing power circuit. Best to do a max demand calculation on the circuit and test the current it draws before you add the new appliance. General rule is if it draws over 8A and if you use the appliance for more than 15mins every time you use it probably best to have it on its own circuit.
20A plug must always be installed on a new circuit. All 20A appliances must go directly connected on its own circuit run directly from the switchboard. Some 20A appliance must be installed directly connected or hard wired onto its own circuit with an isolation switch.
Once you get up to 25A…
32A, 40A, 50A, 63A.
There are industrial style plugs and sockets available. Usually these items are directly connected on its own circuit run, from the switchboard.
Not all isolation switches, sockets and outlets are the same. Be super cautious of cheap copies because you get what you pay for. Some are 1/10 of the price but when they fail the results are catastrophic!!
A Hard wired an isolation switch will need to be installed next to the appliance.
Also with this type of load you may be require to upgrade the mains so they can handle the increase in load without burning out.
