Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/420861035328465/?multi_permalinks=1476577896423435
Additional reference: https://mxelectric.org/the-book/
- Stay with Square D QO line panels, breakers and meter base. Install at least a 100 amp panel (200 amp is preferred) with sufficient breakers and surge suppressor in the panel.
- Install a large enough main panel for expansion in the future. I used 42 slot panel.
- The total real world amperage in use at one time should not exceed 80% of the panel rating. Example a 125 amp panel should not exceed 100 amps at any one time.
- Consider installing wall receptacles every 2 meters ( 6 feet )
- Install 20 amp receptacles in kitchen with # 12 AWG wire.
- Consider using US style wall receptacles ( Leviton ) as opposed to Mexican. The Mexican style can be difficult to accept a plug.
- Put your Refrigerator, microwave, and heavy appliances on separate circuits.
- Put all AC units on separate electrical circuits
- Make sure the electrical lines are correctly color coded.
- Install grounds on all receptacles.
- After receptacles are installed use a inexpensive 3 prong circuit tester to confirm polarity and grounding is correct. Found at Home Depot or other electrical supply.
- Consider generator receptacle outside for ease of generator use.
- Consider Running conduit to all rooms to pull Ethernet wiring for good internet connections. Especially important In mamposteria homes.
- Do not use orange plastic flex tube for exterior use or direct burial. It’s only for interior dry and non sunlight applications
- Use # 12 AWG for your 120 volt wall receptacles. Don’t confuse the electrician . Good for 20 amps.
- Use solid conduit exterior for all electrical wire.
- Ensure all exterior electrical boxes are sealed properly.
- Make sure your main electrical panel is properly grounded. And all sub panels are tied directly back to the main panel.
- Ensure bonding screw is installed in main panel. This frequently missed.
- Consider solar from the start
- Use voltage Regulators. Not just suppressors.
- Use properly installed GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) plugs near the kitchen sinks, bath and outdoors.
- Consider timers on the Electric water heaters if installed.
- All pumps need separate breakers. These include pool, well and pressure pumps.
- Use only schedule 40 PVC in walls and burial for pressure
- Consider PPR ( I.e Tuboplus ) pipe instead of CPVC OR PVC for cold and hot water lines. Requires special tool for connections
- Install proper size venting at all drains and sinks.
- Use at least 3” ( I prefer 4” ) main sewer lines.
- Use PVC PRIMER during assembly of PVC. You don’t want to go back. Especially in your pool .
- DO NOT use white PVC exposed to sunlight.
- Consider install sewer clean outs and avoid old style registers ( shallow concrete boxes ) because of smell and unsanitary.
- If using a cistern , use a plastic cistern, and ensure it’s far away as possible from your sewer line in case of leakage
- Consider schedule 40 ( thick wall ) sewer pipe . Especially in any area you may drive over or dug in.
- Use brass female and male connectors at all wall connections
- Use 1/4 turn valves on all water connections for sinks and toilets etc..
- Install quality submersible pumps ( Franklin C1 10 gpm is a good one in your cistern) and pozo. 10 gallon per minute on this pump is much better for pressure as opposed to 20 gallon per minute.
- Water softener is a very good investment. You need pressurized water system to work properly. Stay with the cheaper Fleck mechanical timer head instead of the more expensive and fault prone electronic version.
- Consider Reverse Osmosis with line to refrigerator water. Consider placement for easy access to filters. It does not HAVE to go under the sink.
- Consider fiberglass wrapped pressure tanks for pressure system . Wellmate is a good one . Last much longer than steel tanks.
- Don’t terminate AC unit drains under your floor .
- Oversize your pool sand filter. Sarro is a real issue here.
- Use 2” schedule 40 PVC for all your pool lines
- Use the better quality 2” PVC valves with unions for pool lines.
- Consider Install overflow line in your pool for heavy rains.
- Install oversize skimmer in your pool . Especially in areas of trees .
- Consider using 115 volt pool pump if you are investing in a high dollar pump. 115 volt voltage regulators readily available. 230 volt regulators are expensive and harder to fine. But Remember you will need to run a larger gauge wire when using 120 volt vs 240 devices.
- Be sure to use the proper pool grout/adhesive if tiling your pool. It comes in blue or white and you will need about 1 bag per box of tile.Adhesivo Pegaveneciano in 20 kg bags. Do not use standard floor adhesive.
- HELVEX is an excellent brand of faucets and showers. Parts readily available. But more expensive. .
- Make sure your gas water heater is properly ventilated. These are responsible for many deaths.
- Install a Temperature/Pressure valve ( T&P) on the water heater and route the hot water towards the floor or drain . Never place a plug in the water heater T&P valve opening. This creates a very dangerous situation.
- Most, if not all, solar companies in Mérida buy from the same local wholesalers.
- When comparing system compare apples to apples. That is when comparison shopping by price compare the same inverters, panels , racking systems, breakers and boxes. There can be significantly different prices in inverters.
- Whether you choose micro inverters or a central inverter is a matter of choice and installation needs. Both are good and each has its own advantages. Central inverters are typically cheaper, but micro inverters are better if you are having a shade issue on one or more panels. And micro inverters make it easier to add panels in the future .Google has good comparison articles. Where as the implied warranties on the micro inverters can be longer ( up to 25 years ) compared to Central inverter ( 10 years ) in real life it’s kinda irrelevant. If your inverter lasts more than 10 years or 25 you will be considering upgrading panels most likely in case of a failure. But quality inverters are remarkably reliable . My Fronius central inverter has not missed a beat in 12 years. And My SMA has no failures in 8 years.
- The main difference we have found in installers is availability of the company after the sale. Many mom and pop installers come and go within a few months. Installation techniques vary as well. Some use pillars embedded into the roof to support the panels and some use a cheaper and faster epoxy all thread system to anchor the panels.
- For last several years installed systems have been around 1 USD per watt installed. It varies,but for reference , figure 5000 USD for good quality installed system.
- If you're possibly going be installing "smart switches", consider running an “extra” neutral wire to each switch. Some brands of smart switches require a neutral wire to power the small radio to communicate with your wireless network. While a few brands don’t require the neutral, most will. The slight cost of the wire while building is minimal. Compare to needing that wire after completion. If you don’t need it then simply tape it off and leave in the box.
- Ethernet (Wi-Fi) cable. Technology is rapidly advancing. Use at least CAT 6 Cable. Don’t Run interior rated cable out in the sunlight such as on the roof. Use exterior grade cable or in a sealed conduit. Also, don’t run unshielded cable across electrical lines. If you must run in Ethernet cable and electrical in same conduit use shielded cable (slightly more expensive, but not much).
- "Ring" or smart style door bell: You will need a good Wi-Fi signal or a hard wired Ethernet connection to the button (see above). Using an exterior Wi-Fi antenna to reach the door bell is a good option . Depending on model chosen you might need electrical power. Some models are battery powered and can use a small solar panel attachment sold separately.
- Sand. This especially applies at the beach. Know where your building sand comes from. Do not use beach sand to mix your material with. Salt in your mortar or concrete mix is not good.
Points worth emphasizing:
- All AC units on separate breakers at the panel. Not at the AC unit itself. Breakers are designed to protect the wire. Little use to put at the end.
- All heavy kitchen appliances on separate breakers. This includes refrigerator, toaster ovens, water heaters , and microwaves.
- It is good practice to alternate circuits in kitchen receptacles. Example counter plug 1 circuit ( A) , counter plug 2 circuit ( b) , counter plug 3 circuit ( A) and counter plug 4 circuit ( b) etc.
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