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.
8
votes
2answers
928 views
What are my options for installing 220v receptacles in an attached garage?
My workshop (attached garage) is currently wired with 110V receptacles fed from the main panel in the house by #10/3 with ground (1 black, 1 red, 1 white, 1 ground) attached to a double-pole 30A ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Why do my bulbs glow brighter when the microwave is running?
When I run the microwave oven in my rented apartment, the incandescent lights nearby glow much brighter.
What sort of mis-wiring could cause this?
EDIT: Suspecting a bad neutral connection, I ...
8
votes
1answer
839 views
Is there an average number of outlets that are wired off of one circuit breaker?
I recently demolished my basement to start a reconstruction/improvement project. My first horror was the electrical layout. I've got hidden junctions, mismatched wire sizes, improper junctions and ...
8
votes
2answers
757 views
Is there a minimum, NEC-compliant distance that an electrical outlet can be off the floor in my home?
If I am able to lower an electrical box by a few inches, I will have enough wire to avoid having to use a junction box to splice a nick I made in the insulation of the neutral wire. It's only a ...
8
votes
1answer
328 views
Can I have multiple GFCIs on one circuit?
I have a 70s kitchen with a very long countertop. I understand that I only need one GFCI to protect the downstream outlets (for example near the sink). However, I decided instead to install 3 separate ...
8
votes
2answers
3k views
What's the standard height for an outlet?
I am installing outlets in my patio room. What is the standard height recommended above the ground for these to be installed?
8
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3answers
605 views
Is an ungrounded GFCI outlet safer than a plumbing-grounded non-GFCI outlet?
I'm in the United States. I have a handful of three-prong outlets that have been grounded to the underground water main just as it enters the crawlspace. All of the ground wires are home runs to the ...
8
votes
5answers
8k views
Can I connect ground to neutral in a 3 wire outlet?
I have a 3 wire outlet with the entrances for hot, neutral and ground. But I know that the ground entrance is not really grounded, so in effect useless. Now, since the neutral is grounded, could I ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Is “don't mix data and power cables” and “don't loop power cables” still valid nowadays?
There are two sayings I keep hearing when talking about wiring e.g. home cinema or computer hardware;
Don't wrap data/network cables and power cables up in the same loop because the power cables ...
8
votes
1answer
711 views
How can I trace cable through floors and walls?
How can I work out where an electrical cable runs through walls/floors?
I am building a circuit map of a 1941 house with unfinished basement. I shut off all circuits at the main service panel, switch ...
8
votes
1answer
850 views
How to replace a standard 2-gang light switch with an electric dimmer switch
I'm looking for a some assistance in fitting a new electric dimmer light switch. I'm in the UK if that makes a difference.
I am trying to replace my existing two-gang light switch with a LightWaveRF ...
8
votes
2answers
416 views
Large voltage swing on incoming main hot line- definitely outside?
So for much of last fall, I had an issue of flickering lights in my house (half of the house seemed to flicker in unison). Back in December, I called the electric company, who came out, and claimed ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
How can I stop bulbs from buzzing when dimmed?
I've got some hanging lights with "Fat Albert" bulbs that are plugged into a dimmer switch. When they're dimmed to certain levels, the bulbs make a soft buzzing sound. The buzz is amplified and ...
7
votes
8answers
4k views
When wiring outlets should I use pigtails or both sets of outlet screws?
I'm replacing the outlets in our house and pulled out one that had two black and two white cables. My first thought was that it was two circuits, one of them being switched, but then realized the tab ...
7
votes
2answers
199 views
Is it a good idea to chisel out the edge of rafters for wires?
I am wondering if it is a good idea to chisel out the edge of rafters for wires? We want to floor our garage attic, and there are wires criss-crossing on top of the rafters.
Update: These are regular ...
7
votes
1answer
796 views
Why would a single electric receptacle stop working?
A single receptacle suddenly stopped providing electricity in my living room. It is not a GFCI. The other outlets work fine and the circuit breaker didn't trip. Any ideas?
7
votes
4answers
7k views
Is using 15 amp components on a 20 amp breaker against code?
I have noticed in a few different houses in Oklahoma that 20 amp breakers are used, but all of the outlets and switches only seem to be rated for 15 amps. This goes against everything I know to be ...
7
votes
1answer
5k views
How can I make an outlet switched?
I thought all I had to do to make an outlet switched was to break off the tab between the hot wires. Needless to say when I did that, the fan previously controlled by the switch quit working all ...
7
votes
4answers
599 views
Is a timed electrical switch causing vent fan to run slower / with less power?
I bought this timed electrical switch and used it to replace a standard switch that turned on my bathroom vent fan (I'm always forgetting to turn it off and it often will run all day.) after the ...
7
votes
4answers
575 views
What should I do with a double gang box if I no longer need two separate switches?
We're relocating our TV to a side of our living room that has a power outlet controlled by a wall switch. The switch is part of a double gang box (1 switch controls the porch light, the other ...
7
votes
5answers
3k views
How can I get a shock from a circuit when the breaker is off?
While I was replacing an old outlet, I received a shock from something in the box. I think it was the metal box itself.
Before I started, I performed the following to ensure the power was out:
...
7
votes
3answers
1k views
Why would a CFL bulb dim by itself after 60 seconds?
I have some GE Energy Smart CFL bulbs which are advertised as "Bright from the Start". This is true, except within 60 seconds after I turn the bulbs on, they will dramatically and immeidately become ...
7
votes
3answers
881 views
Is an LED light strip safe to use under a bed?
I see a lot of RGB LED light strips being sold on sites like Amazon etc. The lights appear to be of decent quality, run off of 12V but do need up to 5-6 Amps to power. This is a lot of current, so ...
7
votes
6answers
3k views
How is it that two breaker switches control the same things?
Forewarning: I don't know that much about electrical terms, so please excuse any mistakes I've possibly made.
I recently moved the TV in my living room and ran a new line for the electricity to the ...
7
votes
2answers
630 views
Are there any “easy” ways to trace a home electrical system?
We bought a home a few months ago, and the electrical panel (and subpanel) are completely unlabelled. We have no way, short of flipping breakers, to know what breaker powers which fixtures. Is there a ...
7
votes
3answers
318 views
Can I use two wire nuts instead of one to connect 6 wires inside a 3-gang box?
Is it considered acceptable practice to use two wirenuts in a situation where it is possible to use only one but may be easier to use two?
I have a three-gang box with six cables coming into it. The ...
7
votes
1answer
2k views
What's wrong with my wiring?
I purchased a Hampton Bay remote for our bedroom fan this weekend. I have it installed and mostly working correctly, but there is one nuisance that still remains.
We have two switches on the wall, ...
7
votes
2answers
306 views
What does the inspector mean by “Hot and Neutral are not separated”?
In an inspection report on my house, the inspector said "hot and neutral" are not separated. I think he meant "neutral and ground" are not separated. I've attached the picture, is that the case?
7
votes
2answers
326 views
What could be causing this electrical issue?
The problem occurs within one particular unit of an apartment complex. All other units are fine. The problem has gradually gotten worse. All electricity within the house will flicker on and off. It is ...
7
votes
3answers
2k views
How can I improve the wiring under the sink for a garbage disposal?
My vegetable sprayer line broke yesterday, which led me underneath my sink. It wasn't until I was kneeling in a large puddle of water with the line draining on me and the floor that I realized how bad ...
7
votes
2answers
188 views
What is an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter?
What is an Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) and where should they be used?
7
votes
1answer
118 views
How do I wire this motor with 240V?
I have 240 plug with a switch dedicated for Air compressor. I have compressor that supposedly can be wired for 240V
2 pictures show sticker and current wiring. How do I update wiring to make it 240V? ...
7
votes
2answers
855 views
AC/DC adapters making strange buzzing crackling noise in all house, what causes it?
Yesterday all of my AC/DC power supplies began making strange buzzing, crackling noise (quickly and intermittently repeated pops). First I thought that my computer's power supply is dying. So I ...
7
votes
2answers
247 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?
7
votes
2answers
423 views
Why would turning on one breaker trip another?
Before rearranging the main living room, I replaced two 15A outlets that were previously hidden. (The new outlets are the kind that are hard for kids to jam things into.) After doing this I ...
7
votes
2answers
757 views
Is it ever safe to have 14 gauge wire anywhere on a circuit proected by a 30 amp breaker?
I was doing some work in an old house I recently moved into, and found that my dishwasher and garbage disposal (and some outlets near them) are on a 30 amp breaker. However, some of the electrical ...
7
votes
1answer
859 views
What's the difference between a childproof outlet and a normal one?
I was reading the latest entry on this blog and I saw that she'd mentioned that they'd installed some child-proof outlets. But they don't look any different from normal outlets to me!
What's the ...
7
votes
1answer
910 views
Should I install my own electrical service panel or hire an electrician?
I'm getting electrical service to bare land. This is not temporary service but permanent remote service to a pressure treated 6" x 6" post instead of a building.
I already have covered the work to ...
7
votes
7answers
8k views
How do I uninstall a receptacle when the wires are stuck?
I just installed a receptacle in my basement and I realized I need to reinstall it someplace else. The leads are inserted into the holes behind the receptacle and I can't get them out!
The ...
7
votes
3answers
657 views
Is this a “shared neutral” situation?
In 2001, some electricians added two circuits to my house in California. I took a close look at their wiring and had some questions.
At the Service Panel, there are two 20-amp circuit breakers on the ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I run a wire underground to an outdoor post lamp?
I live in Geauga county Ohio. My question is three part. First what type of wire do I need to run from the house underground to a post lamp 100 feet away? Second,does it need to be in conduit and ...
7
votes
2answers
303 views
What is a 'grounded neutral' and how bad is it?
I bought an electrical device a few months ago. A few weeks ago, it failed, complete with the release of magic smoke. I contacted the company, and they've had me mail it to them and have been ...
7
votes
2answers
227 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.
7
votes
1answer
332 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? ...
7
votes
4answers
489 views
Is it safe to touch the ground contact?
When plugging in a device in the dark, or behind furniture, it's hard to get the contacts aligned. It's tempting to put a finger on the end of a contact, use that finger to find the slot in the recep, ...
7
votes
3answers
494 views
How should I go about fixing a faulty 220 V Electrical Outlet
This afternoon, my wife and I noticed a peculiar smell coming from the garage. We localized it to a faulty 3-wire 220 V outlet. Something got really hot resulting in part of the rubber melting on ...
7
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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 ...
7
votes
1answer
337 views
What is the difference between an electronic and a magnetic ballast?
The ballast in my bathroom burned out (brand new bulb won't light up). Looking online, it seems that there are two different types of ballasts: electronic and magnetic.
I recently replaced my ...
7
votes
2answers
315 views
What should I consider with new electrical lines in an old house?
When I had our breaker box rewired, I had the electrician run a few extra lines (disconnected in the panel into the attic). I now need to run one of them downstairs through a wall.
Two questions:
1) ...
7
votes
3answers
658 views
What happens if I shave a little sliver off electrical wire with a utility knife?
I needed to replace an electrical wire with a longer one so I could move an electrical outlet. When I went to cut away the outer rubber cover of one of the wires with a utility knife (yes, dumb, I ...
