Our last post was about understanding the plumbing needs of your basement, especially drainage. The plumbing plan for your project is essential. However, a comprehensive electrical wiring plan may be more critical. This post focuses on understanding the requirements and options for electrical components. You should complete an electrical plan before you begin finishing your basement. The first step to developing your electrical wiring plan is to secure the Residential Electric Code from your municipality’s building department. Consider the additional load from appliances and electrical components that facilitate your lifestyle. The added electrical load will likely require the addition of a sub-panel to service your basement. Most existing homes need sub-panels for expansion. You may benefit by consulting with an electrical contractor.
When we built our Atlanta-area home 28 years ago, we made a point to add as many electrical upgrades as possible. We wired for telephone service with outlets in every room. Additionally, we wired cable service for twelve rooms, which included all bedrooms, two Family Rooms, the Master Bath, the Kitchen, the Bonus Room, and the Basement. In retrospect, I wish we had wired the house with Ethernet cables for enhanced PC connectivity. WiFi is OK, but we would have enjoyed the benefit of direct wired connections for computers and audio-visual components. There are many more options today, from high-tech safety and security features to audio-visual, lighting, and smart technology.
Electrical Plan: Things to Consider
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- HVAC
- Outlets and fixtures
- Smart Tech
- Audio Visual
- Switches
- Lighting
- Safety & Security
The layout of your basement, captured vs walkout, will determine your heating and cooling needs. Our basement remains relatively comfortable throughout the year, requiring minimal additional heating and cooling capacity. For that reason, we decided on a mini-split system. Your needs may differ based on the square footage you want to finish. One could also install an in-floor heating system in a part of the basement. Nevertheless, you will need to factor this electrical demand into your planning.
Refer to your municipality’s building codes for guidance on the minimum number of outlets required and the placement of smoke detectors. The standard for placing outlets is usually no more than 12 feet apart in living areas and 6 feet apart in kitchens and bathrooms. Your building codes also cover halls, doorways, and other areas. If you want to add wall-mounted televisions, plan for additional outlets where you want to hang the television(s). These outlets will facilitate the concealment of electrical cords and other wires. You may want to add additional outlets to accommodate Smart Technology solutions, including USB Enabled Outlets, Touchless Taps, or Concealed Outlets.
Much of our Smart Technology is WiFi-compatible. It is convenient and provides a lot of flexibility. WiFi connectivity can become overloaded, requiring booster systems or added routers. I expect that, eventually, we will need to add another modem and router to accommodate the increased demand.
A primary objective for finishing our basement was to make a desirable retreat for our teenage Grandchildren. That means accommodating electronic gaming systems, HD Televisions, and a great sound system. We planned accordingly. We installed two wall-mounted televisions with all cables and plugs hidden in the walls or behind the televisions. We installed ceiling-mounted speakers connected to a state-of-the-art stereo receiver. The audio-visual installation has been tested by the grandkids and given a big “thumbs up.”
We extensively used LED flush-mounted lighting throughout the finished area. We wired for ceiling fans in the Great Room and on the Patio. We added a wall-mounted, two-light fixture over the bathroom vanity. We wired the kitchenette for full functionality, including task lighting. The remainder of our lighting plan relies on table and floor-mounted lamps. Your plan might also consider under-counter/skirt board/task lighting, closet/cupboard lighting, and motion-sensitive lighting.
Switches and outlets are another essential consideration. There are many options for size, style, and functionality. We used dimmer switches to control all of the lights. Our electrical contractor added GFCI outlets in the bathroom and kitchenette. A third GFCI outlet was part of the original construction. GFCI outlets are an essential safety consideration covered by your Building Codes.
Summary and Conclusion
When developing your electrical wiring plan, begin by understanding the building codes. You may want to engage an Electrical Contractor to help with this task. As you start your work on your electrical plan, think about how you will use the space now and in the future. The significant issues to address are Safety and security, HVAC, and lighting. Aesthetic features like audio-visual, Connectivity, and Smart Technology offer many opportunities for your consideration.
For more information about Kitchen Connections, LLC and what we can do for you, visit http://kitchenconnections.biz
770-650-0632
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Jim Weber, Managing Partner – ITB Partners
Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners
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