Rewire house: West Philly twin

Apr 20, 2011   //   by Robert Monk   //   Job Roll, Residential Renovation, Whole-house Rewires  //  No Comments

This project broke down into three main phases, with a 200A service upgrade, rewiring the 2nd floor  before move-in, while water-damaged ceilings were being repaired, and the First Floor and Kitchen undertaken during occupancy, months later.

200A Service Upgrade

The 200A panel upgrade involved replacing the service cable drop, meter pan, and carefully preserving a special timer-controlled metering setup for a discontinued but grand-fathered tariff featuring time of use rates that provide 1/2-price energy for water heating, but no energy at all from 10am – 4pm.

2gang meter pan replaced an inelegant separate meter arrangement from the old service.

Note the use of AFCI breakers (grey, right-hand column) for all newly-installed circuits (see “2nd Floor Rewire”, below). At $40 each vs. $4 for standard breakers, this is a legally required ‘option’ that you will want to verify with whomever you choose for your new electrical installation.

2nd Floor Rewire

Signature features in the 2nd Floor Rewire included extensive wiring for coordinating switches for hallways and stairways, along with careful fishing to avoid increasing workload for the other trades in the renovation.

Control, functional and safety elements integrate with well-chosen color and location.

Multiple switched light sources add dimension to bedrooms

2FL Rear: sconces in a master bedroom

In the right finish, a ceiling fan may tie room paint and furniture together like a rug.

2FL Rear: ceiling fan in master bedroom

 

 

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