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.
5
votes
1answer
514 views
Parallel Fluorescent Wiring
I've got a few ceiling lighting 'boxes' that have one capacitor, two ballast, two starters, and two fluorescent lamps in each. Everything seems to be nicely wired up internally and I just need to ...
5
votes
1answer
5k views
Is it ok to wire light switches and lights with 12/2 cable?
It sounds like light switches and lights are usually wired with 14/2 cable. Is it okay to use 12/2 cable instead? Would I need special switches?
4
votes
5answers
866 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
395 views
Do I need to attach a wire fished through a ceiling?
I have a finished basement and am mounting a flat-screen TV on the wall and I want to put an electrical box behind the TV. The two existing outlets are both two joists over and each separated with a ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
What is involved in installing a free-standing electric oven range?
My current oven just plugs into a big outlet in the wall. It's a giant three-pronged outlet. But all I need to do to get the oven to work (when it works) is to plug it into the outlet. I am now ...
4
votes
4answers
418 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
2k views
Would there be a problem installing 20A switches on a 15A circuit?
I've installed 20A switches on 15A circuits before, namely on the circuit supplying my kitchen lights. It was primarily to take advantage of the side-clamp wiring available on these beefier switches ...
4
votes
1answer
257 views
How should I wire up a yurt?
This yurt 30 ft. diameter; area is 700 sq. ft. ; circumference is 90 ft.
The walls are lath lattice covered with canvas. There's no interior wall space to run Romex like a regular house. You can't ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Should I bond a water softener's in/out pipes?
Our house was built in 1997. The pipes are copper (including the city water supply pipe). Some time after the house was built, the previous owners installed a water softener. The softener parts are ...
4
votes
4answers
902 views
Are receptacle surge protectors a practical solution?
After mounting my television on the wall, I would like to put a receptacle behind it so the power cord will be hidden. While planning this I was trying to figure how to get a surge protector to be ...
3
votes
1answer
859 views
How to tell if a ceiling junction box is braced to hold the weight of a ceiling fan?
My new home is almost done being built, and one of the extras I asked for was for two of the rooms to have junction boxes in the ceiling suitable for hanging a ceiling fan in the future.
The light ...
3
votes
1answer
247 views
Can I replace a 3A plug on a light fixture (that comes with 3A cable) with a 5A plug?
Can I replace a 3A plug on a light fixture (that comes with 3A cable) with a 5A plug?
The 1st problem I encountered is that the cable has 2 power lines rather than 3 which connect to the 5A plug.
...
3
votes
4answers
3k views
What could cause ceiling fan lights to flicker on with power and then go out immediately?
I have ceiling light fan. The fan works fine. The light used to work fine. All of a sudden one day the light started acting up. When I turn on the switch, the light flickers on for about a second ...
3
votes
2answers
17k views
How to connect multiple light fixtures to one switch?
I am remodeling my basement, currently I have 5 light fixtures and each one has its own switch. I would like to make it so when I turn on the switch at the bottom of the stairs all the lights turn ...
3
votes
2answers
6k views
Can two circuits share a neutral?
I'm finally implementing the advice given in this question, I've managed to run the wiring up to the junction box, but I'm a bit confused by the contents of that box.
There are three circuits ...
3
votes
2answers
444 views
Why does my ceiling lights require some other outlet in the room to be turned on and off again before it works?
Picture the scene: I walk into a room and flick the light switch. Nothing happens. I grobble around in the dark to where a baby bottle warmer is plugged into a normal outlet and turn the warmer on. ...
3
votes
2answers
404 views
Term to describe two circuits run through one /3 cable
For example, I have a 12/3 cable in which the red and black wires are controlled via separate breakers. The 12/3 drops into a single-gang outlet, out of which runs a 12/2 to another room. Is there a ...
2
votes
1answer
266 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
246 views
Should I be able to run some 1.5" PVC chase conduits from attic to basement next to a cold air return?
I have a new home I just moved in to and rather than having them put this stuff in ahead of time (silly me) I'm now trying to do it now.
Here is my situation...
I live in a 2 story home with a ...
2
votes
2answers
7k views
How should I connect the ground wire for my light fixture?
I am replacing a light fixture in my bathroom and have the following setup:
The electrical box is plastic
The wire coming from supply has black (hot), white (neutral) and copper (ground).
The light ...
2
votes
2answers
236 views
Why does my dusk to dawn light go off when the furnace kicks in?
My dusk to dawn light goes off whenever my furnace kicks in throughout the night. It obviously comes back on right away, but it takes a minute or so to be fully restored.
What is the reason behind ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I drill extra holes in entrance panel
I am replacing my entrance panel combo with a larger 200 amp service. The panel I am installing is a surface mount, the existing panel is a flush mount. I am using surface mount because I can't drill ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
251 views
several outlets dont work on same circuit
I tested my outlet and only had 85 volts on the black side and 24 volts on the white side why? There are several outlets on the same circuit that don't work with the same readings.I checked power in ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
Potterton EP3000 -> Horstmann C27 boiler programmer wiring
I'm in the UK, using an ancient tempermental Potterton EP3000 boiler programmer, but I have a brand new Horstmann C27 which I'd like to replace it with.
Apart from the mains supply, there are three ...
2
votes
1answer
407 views
How do I test circuit breakers?
Suppose I need new circuit breakers and buy some at a local shop. How do I test them to be sure they haven't been damaged on their way from factory and will do their job when time comes?
2
votes
5answers
744 views
Why are there multiple receptacles by amperage?
I could imagine the various receptacle shapes being a tool to protect you from making a mistake about what you plug in.
Consider a 15A breaker with 14ga wiring to NEMA 5-15R receptacles. The circuit ...
2
votes
1answer
310 views
Adding new lights to a switch
I have a single light controlled by a switch in my garage. It's really pathetic, so I decided to add some shop lights to the same switch.
Upon opening up the light wiring box, I found not 1 but 4 ...
2
votes
3answers
5k views
Is there such thing as a 4-way dimmer?
I have a 4-way switch I want to replace with a dimmer. I understand I can put the dimmer at one of the other 3-way switches, but they're more out of the way. Does such a device exist? If not, what ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the proper wiring for a NEMA 14-30 240v receptacle?
We moved into a resale home, the previous owners had a Gas Dryer, we have an Electric.
The laundry room has a NEMA 14-30 receptacle installed. I hooked up our brand new dryer and it didn't get power.
...
2
votes
1answer
90 views
What are the building regulations in the UK for fitting a light in a bathroom?
What designs of lights are allowed?
When do I need to get a building regulation inspection?
1
vote
1answer
285 views
What are the codes for electrical wiring in attics?
What is the typical code for wiring in attics? I understand these vary but what's best practice?
Can you just have electrical wires exposed with all the junctions, in junction boxes, provided all the ...
1
vote
1answer
128 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
251 views
How easy is it to fit a garage door opener?
My wife is desperate to have a garage door opener, and she's found this kit at B&Q. Can anyone advise on how easy/straightforward these things are to install? It'll be me (and most likely my Dad) ...
1
vote
1answer
563 views
Proper wiring for GFCI given switched circuit
So I've added the 3-prong plug to my garbage disposal, and now I'm on to the GFCI outlet installation. The breaker was not GFCI protected, nor is there a GFCI outlet on the loop. I've gotten to the ...
1
vote
2answers
993 views
Why GFCI clicks, even when turned off?
I have a GFCI receptacle that is clicking. Every 5-10 minutes it clicks repeatedly for 1-2 seconds. The GFCI is turned off (the RESET button is sticking out) but it still clicks! What does this mean?
...
0
votes
2answers
141 views
trying to save a cheap electric driller
I wanted to use an old electric driller that it's battery has worn down and i couldn't find a new battery. on the battery it says 7.2V.
So i took a AC-> 7.5V DC 1A Transformer and used it in place of ...
