Tagged Questions
1
vote
2answers
79 views
How can I convert switched receptacles to half switched receptacles?
In my new house, I have two outlets which are both fully switch, and can be controlled by two different switches (three way of course). I would like to convert the outlets both to half switched, but ...
3
votes
2answers
68 views
Can I add an occupancy sensor to a 3-way circuit?
If I replace one switch in a 3-way circuit with an occupancy switch, would this cause the occupancy switch to work in reverse (or not at all) if the regular switch was toggled?
If so, would the best ...
2
votes
1answer
197 views
How do I wire a 3 gang switch in my new bath?
I am putting a basement bath in and I need help. I will be adding a new 20 amp circuit for the single pole outlet. Also, a 20 amp line for a 3 switch box. Switch #1 is for the vanity light, #2 is for ...
0
votes
1answer
187 views
Why am I getting 50V at a light when the switch is off?
I am trying to put in a switch and a light it controls in a storage building and this is how I wired it.
Click for larger view
When I checked the wiring it registered 120V when the switch was on, ...
4
votes
2answers
167 views
Is this switch properly grounded?
I replaced a standard single pole switch with an Intermatic ST01 timer switch, into a metal electrical box with three other switches. The switch I was replacing had no ground connection, but some of ...
2
votes
1answer
268 views
What are switches activated by a closet door called?
My father-in-law set up all of his closet lights to turn on and off when the door opens. He used a switch that was apparently designed for that purpose, with a largish contact switch that turned on ...
6
votes
4answers
627 views
Should I put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan?
I have a ceiling fan on our bedroom's vaulted ceiling. Since we don't want 7' pull-cords, the speed is stuck at full-tilt, which is no good. The fan has separate switches on the wall for lights and ...
3
votes
2answers
109 views
How do I rewire this circuit controlling several lights and receptacles?
The wiring is suspended on the ceiling inside a metal tube that connects to each light socket and set of outlets at independent metal junction boxes. The first light in the chain finally stopped ...
2
votes
1answer
231 views
Can I replace a single light switch with a 3-way switch that can individually control 2 lights in a fixture?
I have a ceiling light fixture with 2 bulb sockets. Right now it's controlled by a single 2-way switch (on/off).
My idea was to install a 3-way (or possible 4 but not necessary) switch that can ...
2
votes
1answer
121 views
How can I install this programmable switch where a neutral is not present?
I'm trying install this programmable switch but the instructions do not match reality. The instructions refer to the existence of a black (load) cable and a white (neutral) cable supposedly coming out ...
0
votes
0answers
69 views
How can I install this automatic transfer switch?
I currently have a Gentran 3028 subpanel connected to a 12,000 watt generator over a 30 AMP branch and the utility/main panel over a 60 AMP branch. I want to replace the Gentran with a APC UTS10BI. ...
1
vote
1answer
129 views
How can I install this programmable switch?
I just had our house re-wired (by a professional, not myself). I'm looking into replacing a light switch with a fancy programmable version (Honeywell Econoswitch RPLS740B).
The location for the ...
0
votes
2answers
377 views
Does a single-gang double timer switch exist?
I have a single gang outlet that current has a double/split switch installed controlling an inside light and an outside light. Ideally I'd like to have the outside light on a timer.
Does a single ...
7
votes
3answers
263 views
How should I rewire this situation?
In my dinning room, I have this:
There is a wire run going up through the floor from the basement. It then goes outside the wall, around a stud (or studs, I'm can't tell there is more than one), back ...
1
vote
1answer
2k views
How do I wire two lights with a switch?
How do you wire two ceiling lights on one switch? I have installed the switch, and the two lights, but only one light is working. It is the light that the power source enters. My setup is like ...
7
votes
2answers
232 views
Should switches in a kitchen area have GFCI protection?
Do the switches on the wall and over the counter areas have to be on a GFCI protected circuit? As there is live power at the switch all the time, I would think this to be true, but I'm not sure.
0
votes
0answers
30 views
wiring a single bathroom fan servicing 2 rooms in the master bathroom suite with 2 separate switches on the same circuit as well as lighting [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I wire an exhaust fan to turn on from multiple locations?
I am having trouble trying to wire a single in-line bathroom fan servicing a master bathroom suite. ...
1
vote
0answers
208 views
Is there something wrong with this 3-way lamp switch?
We have a floor lamp with a three-way combined switch and socket. I noticed arcing sounds when rotating the switch, so I disconnected it. Later I found that the "low" and "high" settings worked fine, ...
5
votes
1answer
215 views
How do I mount this non-standard wall plate to a completed drywall wall?
I have this
But it only has what you see in that pic. I was told I needed the box thing to go behind it to mount it to in the wall. There is no hole in the wall right now, so how do I get this to ...
1
vote
4answers
439 views
Would my Lighting diagram work?
Hi, i was just wanting some people to take a loot at this diagram i threw together to see if this system would work? and if so do i need to put each area that i tie the main 12/2 together in a box ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
How can I adjust my dimmers to work the way I want?
I have SmartLabs dimmers #2476d in my house and some will turn on all the way on a single tap while other turn half way and then when tap second time they go all the way.
Any idea how I can ...
2
votes
3answers
365 views
Do I need to cut into my drywall to install a switch?
I'm looking to put a light in outside my house. The light is going to be positioned directly behind the outlet I have pictured below where the wires are sticking out. I want the switch to control ...
2
votes
2answers
382 views
How did I mess up this wiring?
I had to take down a ceiling light to remove an old wire while renovating.
I eventually managed to wire everything up correctly, but I'm still puzzled by how I miswired it the first few times. I ...
4
votes
5answers
869 views
How do I raise light switches so my kids can't keep toggling the light?
My flat at the moment has all the switches at about 1 meter off the floor. Naturally my growing kids are starting to toggle the lighting now that they are tall enough. Is it possible to raise the ...
0
votes
1answer
446 views
Why isn't the switch working to turn off my ceiling lamp after I replaced a fan w/light?
I have properly connected the new ceiling lamp. Once I turn the breaker on again, the lamp turns on immediately. There is a double switch on the wall. One used to turn on a standing lamp on the corner ...
6
votes
2answers
581 views
Light flashes on then turns off. What do I look for?
I just moved into my first home and the light fixture in the water closet broke. I replaced the fixture with a new one, but the light only flashes on, then turns off. I checked for loose ...
3
votes
2answers
743 views
Why don't my 3-way switches work like 3-way switches? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should I rewire a miswired 3-way switch?
I just moved into a house and am trying to figure out all the switches. I have now determined there are two switches at ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I replace this dimmer switch to a conventional switch?
I want to replace the dimmer switch in my kitchen with a conventional light switch. However I could use a little guidance.
I understand the two black wires are the hot wires, and the green is ...
3
votes
2answers
146 views
How do I trade the lights that these two light switches control with each other?
I have two light switches in my bathroom. I'd like to swap the lights that they operate with each other.
I have no experience with this kind of thing, but I'm hoping the proximity of the two ...
3
votes
1answer
408 views
Is it safe to remove a plug, and wire a light fitting into the wall?
I've moved into a house, and am fitting a series of 5 halogen downlights beneath a shelving unit. The wall on which I am fitting it previously had an uplighter. I removed this so now have exposed ...
7
votes
1answer
335 views
How can I remove a switch and terminate a circuit in its place?
I have a switch that used to control outdoor lighting. It no longer does any more and I'd like to just leave it off permanently. Is there an easy way I can terminate it from within the gang box? ...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I replace multiple 3 way switches with motion sensors?
My tenants never turn the lights off in the stairwells of my 3 family house, so I'd like to replace all of the light switches with motion sensors. Here is a crude diagram of how this is set up now.
...
1
vote
1answer
197 views
Why am I measuring low voltage when I connect this fluorescent fixture to an existing circuit?
My bathroom has two switches: one [was] connected to two overhead can lights (with CFLs), and one [was] connected to a fluorescent wall sconce (one of those ugly circular plastic things that I can't ...
3
votes
3answers
916 views
Do you know any switches which turns on/off based on day light?
I am looking for having some sensor based switches which will turn on/off the lights based on the light conditions during the day (i.e. turn on when there is less light and turn off when there is more ...
4
votes
3answers
388 views
What's a good way to customize or recess a lightswitch?
I saw this etsy project:
Working Arcade Light Switch
And while it's pretty cool, I'm not huge into arcade or fighting games, so I was going to make my own, and change the buttons.
How would be a ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
How should I wire a GFCI outlet and a switch to isolate the switch but provide GFCI protection further in the series?
I am replacing the outlets for my garbage disposal/dishwasher circuit in my kitchen. Currently on that breaker there is one non-GFCI outlet with a pigtailed switch controlling the garbage disposal and ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
is it possible to do a 3 way switch if power source is in the second switch?
In my research on how to install a 3 way switch, i've seen different ways on how to install the wires but i haven't found the schema that would help me in my situation.
Here's a screenshot of my ...
4
votes
3answers
482 views
How can I utilize a light switch for a specific outlet?
I just moved into a new apartment and in one of the bedrooms, there is a light switch that switches one of the outlets on and off. Unfortunately, this outlet is placed in the opposite side of the room ...
4
votes
4answers
2k views
How can I remote control a switch for a pool pump?
I want to be able to start and stop two pool pumps by remote control, independently.
Each one works at 220V, 1 kW (i.e. around 5A, expect a current spike when starting.)
Do you know an off the shelf ...
3
votes
1answer
229 views
Can I use a transfer panel with something other than a generator?
What I am trying to do is use a transfer panel to power some 15-amp sockets with ether a dimmer pack, or from the main. (trying to set up a theater space so when there's not a show going on you can ...
2
votes
3answers
1k views
How can I replace a two way switch with a ZW4001 Z Wave enabled light switch?
I am trying to replace a single switch connected to a single light bulb with a Z Wave enabled switch, model ZW4001Z; a link to the manual for the switch is at the bottom. There is a wiring diagram on ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I replace a 3-way light switch with a motion sensor?
I'm trying to replace one of the three-way light switches in my garage with a motion sensor. But I'm confused by the wires on the existing switch. I thought the hot wire goes to the black screw ...
1
vote
1answer
836 views
When I turn on my light switch, there is a delay before the light comes on
We have a ceiling fan light. One swith controls the fan, the other the light. When I turn on the light switch, there is a noticable delay (like a full second) before the light comes on. Is it a ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
What about a light switch in the closet?
Okay you guys I have next question. And like all good questions this one begins with a story.
I was reading the post about a nick in a wire and read a couple of you mention that light switch in a ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I install a one-way switch w/ pilot light?
I am trying to replace a very old one-way switch with a pilot light (light comes on when the switch is on). The original switch was extremely old, and used quick-install terminals ONLY. Even worse, ...
28
votes
7answers
7k views
When I turn down the dimmer switch on my lights, do I actually use less electricity?
My wife and I have several lights on dimmer switches throughout our home. We generally prefer the ambient lighting provided by dimmed lights. I am curious, though, if we are saving any electricity by ...
2
votes
1answer
890 views
How to add GFCI to a box with one outlet controlled by a switch?
I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to electrical work, though I do know my way around a circuit diagram, thanks to some EE courses in college. I think this is one I can do myself, I just would ...
9
votes
2answers
277 views
Where can I get a switch for a 30A circuit?
I would like to add a switch to a 30A plug, but I am having trouble finding one (they are all rated at 15a/20a). Is there a reason you can't buy 30A switches or is it called something different?
To ...
4
votes
1answer
225 views
What should I do with a 3-way light switch that is no longer needed?
How do I get rid of a 3-way switch? I am rewiring some lights in an older home and found that one of the switches is a 3-way. However, the light it was originally for was removed years ago. So we ...
0
votes
1answer
407 views
How can I add a light switch to an existing lighting circuit?
I have a Light switch that runs four lights, I would like to add a switch to the last light. Is this possible and how could this be wired?
