joperezmuela

Hi, Feb. 19, 2007

We will be Taking off Range hood, we know it only has a wire coming from wall. I know this wire is also connected to swithces and outlets in Master Bath, Master Bedroom and Hall Bathroom on a (15A Breaker) the main switch panel outside on the side of my home.
Know wonder why they would stop working and we'd go out and flip the switch back, too many things connected to this one breaker.
Anyway,

I have read that the Microwave hood needs to have its own 20A breaker.
And I know we will have to put in an outlet in the cabinet above.

How the heck do we do that?
Would we use the same existing wire?
My husband will be doing this work he pretty much is a do it yourselfer.


Can someone explain to us in detail and elementary on how to do this ourselves.

Any Pics I can see? or web sites that show how to. Or just explain.

Hoping and Planning to do this, this weekend.

And hope some one understands me.

Thanks a bunch!
Hope someone can help!

Josie

kcroberge

In order to have the hood on a separate breaker you will have to run new electical wiring from the hood to the main box. You will have to find a way to snake the wire through walls, attic, basement/crawl space, whatever it takes to get the wire from one place to the other.

The wire that is in the wall for the current hood will have to be properly terminated to avoid future shock and fire hazards. I would suggest making sure that you know what you are doing before hand prior to adding the breaker to the main electrical box. It is not hard, you just don't want to mess up there.

I would suggest going to Home Depot and getting wither the orange 1-2-3 home project book or the blue (I think) home wiring book. Either should lay out clear instructions for what you are trying to do.

And you are right, there is way too much stuff on that current circuit. Make sure that you use the correct wire that can handle the 20 amps.

JLatimer

You would not be able to use the existing wire. It will be 15A rated wire (14ga) - you need 20A wire.
You will need to safely abandon the old wire. Disconnect it from its source - probably one of the bathroom outlets.
You will need to run new 20A rated wire (12ga) from the electrical panel to where you want to locate the outlet. Be prepared to poke holes in your walls. Hopefully you can find a good path from the panel to the outlet.

See this link for installing a breaker...
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/e...er/install.htm

This link describes how to install an old work box in an existing wall.
http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/e...oldworkbox.htm

That Hammerzone website has some decent articles...

WORK SAFE!!! Electrical work is not beyond the ability of a capable do-it-yourselfer, but it does deserve respect and care....

joperezmuela

Thanks for the Information. Well I was hoping it was going to be a lot easier. NOT!
See what the other end says. I know it can be very dangerous.
I did find that hammerzone website, I had found it while surfing the net. I think we may need to find an electrician. So much work for a 125 dollar over the range microwave...

As for the the existing wire, You say we should pull the wire out, but first find where other end is connected to and unconnect it....Most likely Hall bath, which sits behind the kitchen wall. Is there another way? Could the range wire be connected or spliced to another place?
Or just connected to outlet or switch? I hope you understand what I mean.

Thanks for your replies

joperezmuela

I just went outside to the panel and saw that there is a breaker that has 20 in the kitchen which is connected to 3 oulets in kitchen, in one of the outlets is one switch for the disposal which I just tested and the disposal has it's own breaker. I have a coffee maker connected to that outlet with the switch to the disposal.
In another outlet I have connected a countertop water dispenser and the other is not used (well that's where my countertop microwave is, which we will get rid of if this ever gets done.)
This breaker that has the 20 the electrician wrote GFI and the outlet that I used micro has a black and red button, to test and reset.
Question is could we run a new wire from that outlet. it's a 20 like I said and is located next to stove. Getting a wire from there to the cabinet would be most difficult. The outlet would be in the cabinet.
Is this out of the question? Duable? Or does the Mircro Hood absolutely need it's own breaker?

Thanks

Dan

How close are you to the local fire department/paramedics?

joperezmuela

That bad huh, Well at least I asked. Must be a specialist.
Thanks for the thought.

Infamous425

funny, when i bought my place i couldnt wait to take out the microwave hood and replace it with a regular range hood.

joperezmuela

Well, I have the microwave taken up space on my counter. (Feng Shui) Clear the clutter.
It'll just will look a bit cleaner and for that matter it would be easier to clean counter now.
It a matter of choice I guess.