Distribution and use of electricity throughout the home. Electrical standards vary greatly worldwide, so providing your location in your question or your profile helps ensure you get answers that are relevant to you.
3
votes
2answers
103 views
How do I extend outlets after installing a backsplash?
I have installed a back splash in my kitchen, if I use the plastic spacers how many should I use or is there a limit? I understand that this can cause to much air space around the receptacle or light ...
1
vote
2answers
67 views
How can I seal electric outlets to prevent garage fumes from seeping through?
Two of my bedrooms share a wall with my garage attic. One of the bedrooms started smelling like gasoline after my snow blower started leaking in the garage. After long investigation, I found out the ...
2
votes
1answer
186 views
Can I replace an old closet light with multiple electrical outlets?
I have asked a family member to replace an old light fixture in a large walk in closet with an actual electrical strip. The house is an 101 year old craftsman. There aren't any electrical outlets in ...
0
votes
1answer
131 views
How do you wire a light fixture with only black and white wires?
How do you wire a light fixture if from a light fixture that was already there and I have a white wire with smaller wires inside to use to install. The 2 wires are black, and one white wire. Why isn't ...
2
votes
3answers
243 views
How can I install a pendant light fixture on a cathedral ceiling with no attic space?
My house has an integrated ceiling/roof with exposed rafters... the ceiling/roof is sloped and surfaced with V-edged 2" redwood boards over 4x6 rafters 4' on center. I want to hang a pendant light ...
0
votes
2answers
74 views
Why won't my ceiling light turn off with the wall switch disconnected?
I want to install a ceiling light where previously only a box cover existed, no fixture. I connected the black wire to the black fixture wire, white to white, ground to ground. No other wires are ...
6
votes
7answers
3k views
Why does my smoke detector chirp when my bathroom lights are turned on?
We have an wired smoke detector that is right outside a bathroom. Often, when we turn on the lights in the bathroom, the smoke alarm will chirp. The bathroom used to have a fixture with 4 40-watt ...
3
votes
2answers
88 views
How do I install a receptacle in the soffit?
I'd like to add a receptacle (for x-mas decorations etc) in the soffit of my house. I'd prefer flush-mounted so it's the least visible possible. It will be wired to a switch (timer) inside the house; ...
3
votes
2answers
101 views
How do I wire a GFCI receptacle using two black wires and two white wires?
I recently purchased an older home and wanted to install GFCI outlets in the kitchen. When I opened up the outlet, there were four wires (two black and two white) in addition to the ground. I ...
0
votes
3answers
92 views
What causes a breaker to trip?
In a normal, properly-wired home, what are the possible causes of a tripped breaker? At 110-120V is there a maximum wattage throughput on a single breaker?
I'd like to understand the system to be ...
2
votes
0answers
38 views
Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
Every time I switch on one specific circuit breaker, the residual-current device (RCD) switches off. I've disconnected every device that's on the group, and even took out all light bulbs, but the ...
0
votes
1answer
76 views
Wiring a house to prevent light flickers and overloaded breakers
Most of the places I've lived in have had the following issue. My computer is running on the same physical breaker as a refrigerator and the overhead lights in a room. The refrigerator kicks on, ...
2
votes
1answer
338 views
Why is my air conditioner tripping the circuit breaker?
Our air conditioner recently stopped blowing out cold air. When I went to check on it, I noticed that the outside unit wasn't coming on. We had had problems with ants in the contacter in the past, ...
-2
votes
0answers
26 views
doorbell chime and transformer
Is there such a thing as a doorbell chime with a built in transformer? I have been told there is, but cannot locate one. I would like to avoid the problem of convenient location for the transformer, ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Can I install lights on a 20 amp circuit that has receptacles already wired?
I have never been able to ask the following question and get a simple straight answer and would like to know why there is a controversy, and what the answer really is.
The question: Can a 20 amp 12 ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
How do I troubleshoot a ceiling fan that suddenly stopped working?
I've got a ceiling fan in my kitchen that all of a sudden stopped working one day. No lights, no fan. Power is still up in the rest of the kitchen, and no breakers tripped.
Is it common for a ...
0
votes
2answers
104 views
What would a circuit labeled “Heat Trace” be used for?
I have just purchased a brand new (just built) upmarket apartment and having been looking through the circuit board and have come across a circuit labeled 'Heat Trace'
I do not understand what 'Heat ...
1
vote
1answer
521 views
3-way switch for light with fan controlled by switch built into fan. Odd wiring layout. Wiring assistance required
My electrician and I have parted ways. This has resulted in my having to finish off various projects. I have managed to get 2/3 lights operating the way they were intended. However, I am having ...
4
votes
2answers
96 views
Should I convert a single light switch to a receptacle/switch combo?
First I want to say I've done a little research on my question. I'm familiar (I think) with the wiring, but I'm uncertain if my solution is a good one because of what I plan on using the outlets for ...
1
vote
2answers
75 views
Are there any reasons not to upgrade to 200A service?
A sub-panel is already installed on a second floor. It draws power from a 100 amp main panel downstairs. The sub-panel is feed by a 60 amp double pole breaker. The panel was installed for or by AC ...
2
votes
2answers
43 views
How can I install an exterior electrical box flush in stucco?
I want to install an exterior light. I have stucco. I read the article How to Install an Exterior Outlet Box in Stucco, but I am concerned with water getting inside ... Is caulking enough?
1
vote
4answers
581 views
How do I wire a GFCI combination light switch when power enters at the light?
I have a Leviton 7299-NW GFCI/switch combo
The diagrams in a response to the question "How do I wire a GFCI/switch combo?" is helpful. But I want to see a diagram for a situation where the power ...
0
votes
0answers
67 views
Should I run cable through an always damp crawl space or a dry soffit in the living area?
You guys are one of the best electrical help web-communities, so thanks for your
time and efforts!
I am advising some homeowners who need to rewire their first floor on Long Beach Island, NJ after ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
Can I install junction boxes in a closet, and if so, what kind of box?
We are designing circuit runs for a ground floor of a house flooded by a hurricane and it is best to use a few junction boxes to run the circuit branches. One reason for the junction boxes is to keep ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Why isn't my thermostat clicking on/off automatically?
My thermostat is not clicking on/off automatically, I have called my landlord and they replaced a very old one with a brand new one and it is still not clicking on off automatically, but will ...
2
votes
3answers
680 views
Can a receptacle be added to a lamppost?
I'm adding a post and a post-mounted light fixture in the backyard. Some posts have an outlet at the bottom, but they appear to always have a "decorative ladder rest" (with plastic golden balls!) that ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
What features should I look for in a full-house surge protector?
How does one select a surge protector for a typical home?
We get surges and slight drops in line voltage. We are the last pole on a small town electric provider, three miles from town. Surge ...
1
vote
2answers
146 views
Why is an AFCI tripping when a particular light on a different circuit is turned on?
I have 4 GE AFCIs in a GE subpanel in my basement. Occasionally, when I turn on a bank of dimmable CFL lights via a CFL-rated dimmer switch, I get a trip in a particular AFCI breaker that's on the ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
What are the pros and cons of different types of smart switches (that are on the US market) ?
When putting in a new switch for a light it is often less work to put in a smart switch than run the mains cables.
However, how do you choose the type of smart switch to use?
See also "What are ...
2
votes
1answer
263 views
Is a water pressure booster pump with an induction motor suitable for kitchen tap use?
The water pressure in my kitchen is too low to achieve a reasonable flow rate through the kitchen tap. For many years I have fitted a series of booster pumps which are activated when water is flowing ...
1
vote
3answers
78 views
How can I remotely monitor a GFCI receptacle?
How can a sump pump in a crawl space only accessible by crawling down a hole in a closet have its GFCI protected outlet monitored from the living room?
I am imagining the best way to run the pump is ...
2
votes
2answers
240 views
Can I extend the ground/bus bar in a main service to accomodate subpanel equipment ground?
I am about to replace the main service breaker panel in my house. The old panel (a 200amp Siemens 40-circuit) had bus bars that extended the entire vertical length of the box. The new panel I would ...
6
votes
2answers
185 views
Is a high electric bill for a pump house caused by a well pump running constantly?
I recently had to turn on the electric for a shared well in my name. I got a bill and it's as high as what my house bill is. The well is the only thing connected to the electric in the well house. We ...
4
votes
5answers
841 views
How Do I Power A 220 Water Heater Off Two 110 Breakers
First off I know this is not the best idea.
To start my 200 Amp Main has suffered a partial failure and as it is old (60s) and unusual it will be very hard or impossible to replace it. Since the main ...
5
votes
4answers
247 views
Why would my TV image turn black when electrical appliances turn on?
I have my computer connected to my TV via HDMI. Every time something electrical happens (fridge turns on, stove sparks, etc), the image on the TV goes black for a second and then comes back on. And ...
0
votes
2answers
134 views
What's causing the popping noise from my speakers?
Several weeks ago, I moved into a new home. In office, I have my computer set up with a set of media speakers (older model of Logitech Z-550's). Every now and then the speakers will make a popping ...
17
votes
4answers
6k views
Would you ever wire white and ground together?
I was replacing some outlets in my house with tamper-resistant ones, and came across one where the white and ground were wired together, as seen in this picture. Why? Is that okay or appropriate ...
7
votes
2answers
276 views
Will security system wiring cause interference in data cables?
Is it acceptable to run 22/4 security wire along side Cat6 and Coax cables, or is there any possibility for interference?
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Is it OK to borrow a ground wire from a different circuit?
I've got a circuit in the basement carrying a handful of outlets. This circuit has no ground wire. I want to add a couple of outlets and want them to be grounded. I may even want gfci outlets on ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
How can I wire a GFCI receptacle and a combination switch/receptacle device?
We are trying to install an outside receptacle box. We have one GFCI receptacle and one switch/receptacle combo. We want the combo to be protected by the GFCI. We also want the switch to control the ...
-1
votes
0answers
52 views
Increasing Amps [closed]
I am not sure if this is the place to post this, but both physists and electricians should be able to help here, so I am going to cross post with DIY (sorry if this really annoys people - I know it ...
2
votes
1answer
52 views
Does it mean a broken wire if a doorbell transformer works, but there is little-to-no voltage at the switch?
My family has just moved to an older home, and I've been tasked with repairing the doorbell(s).
We have two doorbells, both connected to the same (for lack of a better word) ding-dong-thing. :) I ...
4
votes
2answers
234 views
How can I locate the doorbell transformer?
my doorbell stopped working and I tested it with a multimeter and found no current to the box. How do I locate the transformer to replace it?
4
votes
1answer
89 views
What should I check when troubleshooting a doorbell?
Our doorbell stopped working a while ago and my wife finally bugged me enough to fix it.
First, I found a diagram on another site when I googled this. It is wired like the right box:
I started by ...
1
vote
1answer
78 views
What can I use as an alternative for an underwriter's knot?
I want to hang a vertical pendant, but what do I do to prevent the wire from pulling through? The vertical cord is a hard nylon that can carry the vertical load of the pendant, and the hole in the ...
3
votes
2answers
540 views
Motion sensing light triggered by fan on the same circuit
I have an inexpensive motion sensing light on the outside of my house, which is on the same circuit as a 120V thermostatically controlled duct fan that pulls warm house air into the space (it's an ...
4
votes
4answers
428 views
Risk from installing a “Nest” thermometer without shutting off home power?
I'm trying to install a new Nest-brand thermometer in my parents' house (unscrewing a thermometer from the wall and screwing on the new one.
The first instruction in the manual is to shut off power ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
How should I connect conduit in the wall to conduit on the ceiling?
In running conduit for a subpanel, I'm not sure how to make the transition from conduit running vertically in the wall cavity to running out from the wall along the ceiling. I could notch the top ...
0
votes
2answers
64 views
How do I wire up a saeco magic deluxe coffee grinder to be a standalone coffee grinder? [closed]
I would like to make a standalone coffee grinder by reusing the grinder in an old broken down Magic Deluxe Espresso machine. My electrical skills are pretty limited but I thought I'd find an ...
0
votes
1answer
120 views
Why is my Australian light fixture wired this way?
I just want to replace it with a new light fitting philips tcg701 but there's way too many wires and I don't know why it was done this way.
