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.
2
votes
2answers
169 views
Should I use 3 wire or 4 wire for a range?
I am trying to do a little work and have an electrician check it. I have a range that is a 3 prong 50amp 125/250 (looks like the 10-50R).
List of materials purchased:
50 amp Siemens Circuit ...
3
votes
2answers
108 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
129 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
224 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 ...
0
votes
1answer
202 views
What could cause a ceiling fan to lose rotation speed?
I have two identical ceiling fans in my house that were installed around 4 years ago. One no longer rotates as fast as it used to at top speed. At a guess I would say it has lost 30 or 40% of its ...
-1
votes
1answer
119 views
What are the most common electrical distribution systems around the world? [closed]
Various countries throughout the world have various connection to electricity distribution network provided for homes. They differ in voltage, frequency and number of phases.
What electrical ...
3
votes
1answer
148 views
What are possibilities of balancing 3-phase consumption?
A lot of homes have a 3-phase electric connection. Each of the phases has some appliances connected to it. That implies power consumption in any moment on each phase is different, we have an ...
2
votes
1answer
170 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
119 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
401 views
Is it OK to have ground wire connected to breaker box wall instead of neutral bus?
After having issues with lights flickering, I noticed the main 100A breaker was warm and arcing slightly. Instead of just replacing the breaker, I decided to call in a electrician to install a larger ...
0
votes
0answers
112 views
How can I replace a ceiling fan with a regular light fixture?
I live in Canada, and I have taken down a ceiling fan light fixture and then hooked up a regular light fixture.
I found the light remains on and does not work with the switch. I have never had this ...
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
127 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
2answers
333 views
How can I install 3 way switches that cut power to several 2 way switches?
I'm rewiring my unfinished basement. It has two entrances - a cellar door to the outside and the normal staircase in the house. Even though it is unfinished, the basement is kind of divided into ...
2
votes
3answers
214 views
How can I shut off circuits when I have a generator with an automatic transfer switch?
We had professionals install a generator with an automatic transfer switch. I showed them our circuit-breaker box and told them which circuit numbers should be on generator power. Okay, everything's ...
5
votes
1answer
236 views
What is a split bus panel, and how do I recognize it in the field?
I'm having trouble identifying a split bus panel. I design and install Solar systems, and lately (after Mr Wiley gave a few seminars to local inspectors) the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) ...
1
vote
1answer
268 views
Why is my electric circuit breaker tripping?
For the past 4 days our circuit breaker has tripped several times a day. On the box each fuse thing is labeled i.e. "Upstairs lights", "upstairs sockets" etc. Now normally if we have had a blown fuse ...
3
votes
1answer
523 views
How can I split my rg6 cable runs without losing my signal?
So I've been working on this for months as I finish my basement. We don't have cable tv or satellite. We just get broadcast tv using a digital roofmount antenna and then in the house a digital ...
-3
votes
1answer
173 views
How can I install a new bathroom GFCI receptacle? [closed]
How can I install a bathroom GFCI, by connecting it to another outlet?
4
votes
1answer
317 views
How does 4-quadrant metering of 3-phase electricity work?
I have a 3-phase 4-quadrant electricity meter installed because I have a photovoltaic plant on the roof of house. A 4-quadrant electricity meter means it can measure both consumption and generation of ...
2
votes
2answers
242 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 ...
1
vote
0answers
121 views
What could cause neutral wires in my service panel to read 120V?
I have a 200 A service panel with 12 breakers. Seven of the breakers work fine. There are 5 other lines that come in. When I hook up the black wires to the breakers and turn them on I get a charged ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
How to verify if the protective earth/ground is separated from the neutral wire in an electrical AC installation? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How to verify if the protective earth/ground is separated from the neutral wire in an electrical AC installation?
It's easy to verify which wire is the phase without ...
3
votes
4answers
368 views
How can I verify that the protective earth/ground is separate from the neutral wire in an electrical AC installation?
It's easy to verify which wire is the phase without relying on wire colors. But I'm not sure if I'm able to determine which wire is the ground and which is the neutral.
I have heard that using a ...
2
votes
1answer
102 views
How do I run a dock circuit and what size breaker will be needed?
I am running 10 gauge wire to my dock which will be about 100 ft from the disconnect box on the house to the dock. I will be providing electricity to a 1/2 hp hoist, which runs on 110, that will only ...
1
vote
1answer
191 views
How can I replace my old dimmer switch?
Replacing dimmer. Old dimmer has two black wires attached to two white wires in box. There are two black wires in box not attached to dimmer but wire-nutted together. Is it ok to wire the new dimmer ...
0
votes
1answer
126 views
What are these electrical boxes in the closet that have no breakers in a house with buttons for the light switches?
My mother's home has these metal panels in the closet on the second floor, directly under them on the 1st floor is the breaker box. The house has push buttons for the lights instead of switches. There ...
10
votes
5answers
943 views
How should I go about installing a 12 volt DC residential circuit?
I have a couple deep cycle batteries that trickle charge from a solar panel, for emergency use. Right now the only way I get useful power from them is to use a 12VDC -> 120VAC inverter, e.g. the type ...
1
vote
1answer
191 views
How can I wire an HD antenna into my attic?
I have a 2 year old house 2 floors and then an attic that you have to use a pulldown to get into. The house has an ethernet cable (90% sure it is an ethernet cable) that is in the attic, I have a HD ...
0
votes
2answers
368 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 ...
1
vote
2answers
94 views
What kinds of dimmers do I need?
I'd like to make myself a lighting control that would schematically look like this:
I don't know a lot about dimmers, but I heard they have some parameters which might prevent them from working. ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
231 views
Can I install a light between two three-way switches?
is it possible to add a light to a three way switch circuit between the two three way switches (ie can i tie into the three wire connecting the two switches in anyway to make them work the new light ...
3
votes
1answer
730 views
How do I wire a receptacle and a light switch?
I saw one of your posts with diagrams and I figured that is exactly what I need. I have a GFCI outlet and light switch in the same box. There are 2 sets of wires coming from the wall(Blk, wht, ...
1
vote
1answer
436 views
How can I wire this replacement bathroom extractor fan?
My old bathroom extractor fan motor burned out, so I got a new one to replace it, I was trying to wire it up earlier and I've hit a bit of a snag... I don't seem to have enough cables.
The old ...
0
votes
2answers
163 views
Why do I only have 30V going to my light fixture
I just replaced a broken light fixture in my closet. (The switch in the light fixture broke when I pulled too hard on the chain.)
When replacing the light fixture I noticed that there is only 30 V ...
-2
votes
1answer
122 views
Does my electric panel need replacing?
How can I tell if my electric panel needs replacing? Got up today and suddenly I lost power to a tandem breaker the breakers weren't tripped. Then realized I also lost my water pump. The water ...
6
votes
2answers
254 views
How do I fix my double tapped outside electric panel?
I recently had a 4 point inspection and the inspector detected an electric hazard.
As shown on the picture the power line goes from the meter to the panel with the main switch and from there into the ...
0
votes
0answers
93 views
Why would my lights take 10-20 seconds to turn on after installing a dimmer?
I have double-checked the connections. I am guessing next step is to replace the switch in case that was the problem. It is only running two wall sconces, each with one low wattage bulb. Anyone ...
2
votes
1answer
122 views
Why is my GFCI/Switch combo working in such an odd way?
I recently moved into a new apartment, built around 1960. There was no outlet in the bathroom or within 10 feet, just a light switch. So I purchased a CFCI/Switch combo at Lowes. There were only ...
2
votes
4answers
548 views
How can I find an open neutral?
My lights and outlets went out in the half bath of my home and also the two recessed lights in my hall just outside the half bath.
I believe there are two feeds, one to the hall lights and one to ...
1
vote
0answers
96 views
How do you plug an unused hole as per the NEC for a liquid tight enclosure?
I have been looking for a way to seal a liquid tight product using Listed blanking plugs / Cap-offs or similar to comply with the NEC (US National Electrical Code). We wanted to use Conduit Entry ...
4
votes
1answer
95 views
Should a GFCI interrupt the entire circuit?
I moved into a new house and never heard of this before, so I thought it was strange.
On 2 circuits I've had a GFCI trip, and when they do, they trip the entire circuit. I thought they were just for ...
3
votes
2answers
140 views
Can I connect a combination heater/fan unit to the existing bathroom wiring?
I have a dedicated 15A circuit for a top-floor bathroom fan with heat lamps which draws much less than capacity. There is nothing else on this circuit.
I know that code for a 15A 14ga circuit at 80% ...
2
votes
1answer
236 views
Why do my pot lights flicker randomly when not at full brightness?
They're connected to a 1000W dimmer and I think (hope) it's that. In total there are 12 pot lights connection (600W total) and at full dim or at certain levels they're fine but between a certain range ...
1
vote
3answers
125 views
What should I look for when diagnosing electrical circuit gremlins where load is much less than capacity?
We have an electrical circuit with these loads (all on different outlets): 15W aquarium pump, 250W LCD television, 35W cable box, 13W GoogleTV box, and a 100W ceiling fan (plus an integrated 50W ...
3
votes
5answers
244 views
Can I split a 3 wire circuit into 2 separate 2 wire circuits?
I currently have a 3 wire running from my panel, red is connected to a 15 amp breaker, black is connected to a separate 15 amp breaker. White is connected to the neutral bus. This is running to a ...
5
votes
1answer
161 views
Why did I receive an electric shock from my microwave?
I was doing the washing up and the microwave is next to the place where I put the dishes and I went to put it down and my hand touched the side of the microwave and I got an electric shock for a bout ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
136 views
Can I use the wiring from a disabled home security system to power wireless cameras?
My home has an old security system which has long been disabled.
I'd like to be able to use the wiring for the sensors to possibly provide DC power to some wireless IP security cameras in various ...
