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OliveGS t1_itwcf06 wrote

I see no reason why that won't work. You're not likely to overload the circuit with one extra outlet. I'm not a licensed electrician, but I was trained by the USAF in HVAC and have done a lot of my own electrical modifications.

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dak1220 OP t1_itwep06 wrote

Thanks for the help! The extra outlet will also only be lightly used. Definitely not adding any kind of constant load on that circuit. The second closet is quite large and I wanted to plug in a single LED strip and run it around the room with a switch so I can see when I have to dive in to that room to find something. Considered just branching off to run light fixtures and stuff, but the ceiling is really low in places (under the stairs) and I think just running a little LED strip around would be easier and more effective.

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Justbu1ldit t1_itwdty4 wrote

Depends on how many lights are on that breaker and the size of wire feeding it. If there is still capacity on that circuit (15 A are the norm with 14G wire). Use 14 from the switch box to the new 15 A outlet box if that is what is feeding the light circuit. Wire up your new ground fault/arc fault as required depending on the basement room. Also make sure you get the correct black wire in the switch box that is line and not switched. Makes sure you tie the new ground wire and white wire to the existing wires in the switch box. Watch some youtube if you get stuck.

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dak1220 OP t1_itwee6r wrote

Awesome, thanks for the help! I will check the breaker and see what else if anything is fed from that circuit. I don't think there is anything else, but I will see.

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iamthemoose t1_itwfeqj wrote

Won't be to code in a lot of places as lights are on standard breakers and often outlets need to be arc-fault protected.

Could work tho.

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dak1220 OP t1_itwfpn8 wrote

Thanks for the help. I will see if I can find some more information on code in my area.

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iamthemoose t1_itwg3re wrote

Easy solution is to put the lights on the arc-fault breaker, nothing wrong with it that way.

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dak1220 OP t1_itwgnc6 wrote

Would that just require making sure the breaker that feeds that circuit is arc-fault protected and swapping it with one that is if it is a standard breaker? With that change, an outlet on that circuit would be protected and compliant? Basically I could add that peace of mind it provides and be code compliant with just the cost of the arc-fault breaker.

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iamthemoose t1_itwheqe wrote

Yes, exactly. The only downside is those breakers are pricey.

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dak1220 OP t1_itwhpfo wrote

Yeah I see that. 15A ones are like ~$50. I will do some research on code in my area and see what I can find, and also take a look at my panel. Who knows, there might already be one on that circuit. I appreciate the information! I wasn't aware of that potential issue!

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