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I just typed a really long message and hit 'post' and the sign on screen came up....UGH...and when I hit the back button...my message was lost....

Buying a new home...want to create a quality herp room. HOWEVER, the main area I need help with is electric. I will have a 150 amp electrical system that comes standard in most homes today (with the option of upgrading to 200amps but costly).

How do those of you with herp rooms handle the need for extra electric/outlets (for heating and lighting)? Is it easy to install new circuit breakers for wiring new outlets? If so, does anyone know of a good source for info or easy instructions? I am a fast learner.

Plumbing, insulation, drywall, etc etc, basically everything else, i'll be fine with...its the electrical that I either need to learn about OR should I simply hire an electrician when I get to that point and save myself the headache?
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With envisioning a new herp room down the road, plan to make custom enclosures. I want to start using flexwatt for heating but like I said in the previous post, i am not electrically inclined so...

if your standard home electrical outlet is 15amps/120volts....
how much flexwatt could you use while maintaining safety?

I'm sure that there are people that have a billion powerstrips or have flexwatt wired with little consideration for what their outlets are rated for....any thoughts???? just curious
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>>if your standard home electrical outlet is 15amps/120volts....
>>how much flexwatt could you use while maintaining safety?

I believe the 11 inch flexwatt only pulls around 20 watts per foot and the smaller tape pulls much less. At 20 watts per foot, your 15 amp outlet could handle somewhere around 90 feet of it! I don't think it is a significant problem in itself.

Now, if you start putting some 150 watt spotlights on there, you might want to start doing the math.
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Chris Harrison

well this is what i run on a 20amp breaker in my herp/bedroom

4 lamps with 65(2)100watt(2) bulbs

2 florescent lights(20watt each)

2 under tank heaters(11 watt each)

refridgerator

computer system

T.V

and in 4 years i never tripped my breaker
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1.3 Leopard Gecko's
1.0 Mali uromastyx
0.0.3 Tokay's(adults unsexed)
1.0 Water Dragon

Just curious. Thanks

I had 20 75 watt bulbs and about 20' of 3" heat tape.
I had my beardeds in vision cages. I have since gone away from the visually pleasing, and now use 4 7' tortiose tubs.

>>Plumbing, insulation, drywall, etc etc, basically everything else, i'll be fine with...its the electrical that I either need to learn about OR should I simply hire an electrician when I get to that point and save myself the headache?

Best to check with building codes in your area. Some types of work has to be performed by a licensed electrician in order to be "approved", at least in my area. Personally, I'd get a bid from an electrician or two first. If it's cheap, why not let somebody else hassle with it? Get them to do the work from the breaker box into the room. If you need to add additional outlets, that's pretty easy to do on your own (e.g. just extend the wires from an existing outlet to a new box).

Home Depot has some pretty good do-it-yourself books. If they don't cover something like this, it's probably best left to a Pro...

you said..."If you need to add additional outlets, that's pretty easy to do on your own (e.g. just extend the wires from an existing outlet to a new box). "

If I added a new outlet from an existing outlet, won't it still be on the same circuit (which is 15amp/120volt)? How is the electric current divided up? Is it split 50/50 between the two outlets? I may end up having someone else do my herp room electric when I get the studs up/before drywall; when the time comes since its something that has to be 'up to code' and probably requires permits and inspection.

>>If I added a new outlet from an existing outlet, won't it still be on the same circuit (which is 15amp/120volt)? How is the electric current divided up? Is it split 50/50 between the two outlets? I may end up having someone else do my herp room electric when I get the studs up/before drywall; when the time comes since its something that has to be 'up to code' and probably requires permits and inspection.

Yes, it will be on the same circuit. If you're trying to save money, get your electritian to bring the required number of circuits into the room and connect them to one outlet each. If you need more outlets (e.g. so you don't have 500 ft. of extensions cords), that's easy enough for you to do yourself. If you're building the house yourself, I'd just let a licensed electrician do the whole thing. Should be pretty reasonable if you can get them in before the drywall goes up...