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.
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 ...
28
votes
8answers
36k views
How do I run wires for a wall-mount flatscreen TV?
Like a lot of you, we have several wall-mounted LCD HDTVs in the house. The TVs have two wires -- power and HDMI -- running down the wall to the power outlet and cable box.
I've historically been too ...
5
votes
1answer
6k views
How do I wire a GFCI/Switch Combo?
I'm replacing an old GFCI/Switch combo. In the old one there are two wires coming into the line side, a hot wire and a neutral. On the load side there is one wire leading up to the lighting fixture. ...
9
votes
4answers
22k views
How do I install a GFCI receptacle with two hot wires and common neutral?
In my kitchen, I want to replace a regular 120V receptacle with a GFCI-protected receptacle. The instructions describe what to do with a regular 2-wire + ground feed, with and without daisy chaining ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
3k views
Do I really have to fasten interior-wall electrical wire to a stud to keep it from moving?
I am fresh out of cable staples and would rather not go all the way to Lowe's just to get a box. What are the implications of not fastening loose electrical wires to a stud? It's not like there's ...
13
votes
4answers
2k views
Is there a way to simply splice in an additional length of 12/2 NM-B cable?
Is there a way without using junction boxes to simply splice in additional length of 12/2 NM-B cable? Can I use twist caps?
I'm putting in a dog door and as it so happens, there is some 12/2 right in ...
4
votes
0answers
222 views
What are the pros and cons of different types of smart switches on the UK market? [closed]
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
1k views
Is this an acceptable way to add a light to a 3-way circuit?
I have three way switches at the top and bottom of my stairs. There is a light at the top of the stairs controlled by the switches and I wish to add a light at the bottom.
A 14/2 runs first to the ...
0
votes
3answers
785 views
How can I wire an exhaust fan to turn on from multiple locations?
I just bought a Panasonic FV-20NLF1 inline bath exhaust fan that I planned to used to exhaust 2 different bathrooms. I want each bathroom light switch to control the fan, so when the lighting turns ...
18
votes
6answers
2k views
How best can I discover what is up with my electrical bill?
This might be subjective, I don't know. However, it's a serious problem for me. My electrical bill is outrageous. It's three times as large as my next-door neighbor, and four or five times the size of ...
15
votes
3answers
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 ...
11
votes
3answers
9k views
How should I rewire a miswired 3-way switch?
I have a 3 way switch that was wired incorrectly when the switches were replaced with a different color switch. Is there a methodical way for me to identify which wires represent which piece of the ...
9
votes
2answers
4k views
How should I address my bathroom's flickering lights and GFCI tripping mysteriously? (Schematic included.)
So I inherited a bit of a nightmare for wiring in my bathroom. I'll be calling in an electrician, but wanted to have an understanding of the problem first, as not to be ripped off, lead astray, etc.. ...
10
votes
4answers
2k views
What should I use to secure/organize data cable runs?
I am running Cat-6 and Coax in new construction. I am looking for advice/best practices on how to organize and secure the cables during the runs.
I will be running 2 Cat-6 and 1 Coax to a ...
6
votes
1answer
293 views
What do I need to replace 4 light switches on the same circuit?
So we have a single light in our living room that can be turned on/off from four different switches at various entrances to the living room.
We're currently replacing all the switches in our house as ...
5
votes
2answers
838 views
How do I wire my wall-mounted HD TV?
This image wall-mount setup should give a good idea of the current TV set up on the wall.
I wanted to use a SmartStrip to power my TV and all the other devices (receiver, BluRay player, Wii, cable ...
11
votes
5answers
1k views
Is there a wall outlet power meter that I can interface with from a computer?
I'm wondering if there is a wall outlet power meter that I can somehow interface with from a computer. I'm aware of all the google power meter products, but those are for an entire house. I'm trying ...
11
votes
3answers
19k views
Is it ok to have mixed grounds and neutrals on bars in a breaker box?
So to continue my line of electrical questioning (and perhaps narrow down my flickering light problem), I took a look through the two panels in this house. There is a 200amp main service in the ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I install an electrical outlet on a live circuit?
In my dorm room closet, there is a junction box with a blank plate (no outlet). Inside there are three wirenuts (hot, neutral, ground).
I know it is generally unsafe to do any work on a live ...
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Does the NEC allow electrical wiring to run next to a ventilation duct?
I am about to install a vent to the outside for the range hood exhaust in the kitchen. In the same bulkhead that will have this vent, there is some electrical wire (some 12/2 NM and some low voltage ...
8
votes
5answers
4k views
Does a homeowner need a permit for electrical work in Massachusetts?
Does a homeowner need to obtain a permit from the town in order to do electrical work on his own house in Massachusetts? The unofficial answers I can find online (e.g., this forum and the websites of ...
20
votes
6answers
4k views
Should old knob and tube wiring be replaced?
I have been doing some electrical work in my house and I noticed it has old knob and tube wiring that is still hot, should this be replaced as found or is it fine to just leave it? It seems really ...
9
votes
2answers
10k views
How do you plan capacity for electrical circuits?
I'm finishing a section of my basement, which currently only has one bulb for bare light. In planning the electrical arrangement of things, how do I estimate the load of light fixtures or electrical ...
8
votes
1answer
382 views
Can I add a standard receptacle on a GFCI circuit
So, I want to add a receptacle in the bathroom (I tend to run out of batteries on my phone while crapping at the end of the day). There's a GFCI outlet on the other side of the crapper wall that ...
13
votes
3answers
3k views
Are push in connectors up to code?
Just came across a neat product at the local hardware store, but I wonder if they are up to code and safe to use. They are a wire nut that allows you to simply push the wires in, instead of twisting ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it unsafe if some three prong outlets don't properly test as grounded?
It's me again -- the pest ;-)
On the general inspection report for the house we're looking at buying, there's a note about the house's electrical:
Some three prong outlets did not test properly ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the right way to strip power wires?
I've been working with electrical circuits as a DIYer for years, including electronics and powerline work. But one thing I always feel like I do a terrible job at is stripping wires: both the outside ...
11
votes
2answers
4k views
When to use holes instead of side terminals to wire an outlet
This question comes from Shirlock's comment on this GFCI wiring question.
When and why should you use the holes on the back of an outlet rather than the side terminals? I always assumed the holes on ...
10
votes
1answer
1k views
What is this drill guide/template used when fixing electrical sockets called and where do I buy one?
My dad used to have one, you use it as a drill guide/template when fixing electrical sockets, but I cannot find anywhere that sells them, and as I don't know the name Google is not much help!
...
8
votes
1answer
5k views
How exactly does a 3-way switch work?
I just finished replacing all of the switches and outlets in my apartment, after fighting a long war with a weird 3-way switch. Needless to say, I won, but I'm still trying to grasp the concept of how ...
7
votes
4answers
576 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 ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
What could be causing AFCI breaker and GFCI receptacle nuisance tripping?
I have a very unusual set of electrical issues that have proven difficult to troubleshoot.
I live in a newly constructed house. Each bedroom has AFCI breakers.
In the past 3 years living there, the ...
6
votes
3answers
853 views
Can I run a ground wire of a single circuit to the panel outside the house?
This is a follow-up to this question.
I am adding (outlets) on to a 2-wire 12AWG (no ground) circuit and I want the new outlets grounded. Can I run a ground wire to the panel along the outside of ...
4
votes
3answers
476 views
How can I wire this three-way circuit between two buildings with only 3 conductors?
I am rewiring my entire house after a major malfunction of two antique knob and tube circuits. I'm up against a challenge with some outdoor lights. Here's the situation:
I have a detached garage. It ...
4
votes
2answers
926 views
Do open-back low voltage boxes have advantages over standard outlet boxes?
I will be running LV wiring in new construction. I've seen the open backed Carlon boxes, but have read that they are difficult to insulate, and therefore should not be used on exterior walls. I ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
How does a 2 way light switch work?
A two way light switch allows the light to be controlled from two locations, how does this work?
3
votes
4answers
373 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
340 views
How do I troubleshoot noisy power lines for power-line networking?
I have some power-line ethernet adaptors that worked great in my previous house. At my new house, they can't get more than a few KB per second because there's too much noise in the line according to ...
1
vote
4answers
610 views
Is a duplex outlet's max amperage rating for each socket or the whole unit?
If you have a duplex outlet thats rated for lets say 20 amps, is the whole unit rated for 20 amps, or is each socket rated for 20 amps?
Edit: So if I had a circuit that had a 40A breaker on it, could ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the best option for hiding wires to wall mounted TV?
This is similar to this question, but in my case I'm not looking for the easiest solution but the most professional solution.
I am torn between modular wall plates, and the type that just have a hole ...
4
votes
1answer
430 views
Replacing Halogen with LED bulbs
I've just purchased some 12V LED MR-16 bulbs, intending to use them to replace the existing 12V Halogen MR-16 bulbs in my bathroom. I have found, much to my chagrin, that the LED bulbs seem to have ...
3
votes
3answers
410 views
What are some computer interfacing electric energy meters on the market?
Does computer interfacing electric energy meters exist? With possibilities to get/log current power usage and monthly used kilowatt hours. With ethernet/rs232 etc interface. I am looking for this for ...
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 ...
13
votes
3answers
2k views
Is there a device that will allow a bathroom fan to run for 5 minutes after it is switched off?
There is one switch that controls the lights and fan in the bathroom. Users turn the light/fan on when they enter, and off when they leave.
I'd like for the bathroom fan to run for a time after they ...
12
votes
2answers
8k views
Which Kitchen outlets do NOT need GFCI?
I have the 2 circuits in the kitchen with GFCI outlets, but I'm not quite sure which other ones do NOT need GFCI. Other circuits in the kitchen include Microwave, Fridge, and Dishwasher. It makes ...
11
votes
4answers
9k views
How do I properly wire GFCI outlets in parallel?
I have two countertop outlets in my kitchen that I am in the process of replacing with new, GFCI-protected outlets. These two outlets are on a circuit together, and they are the only loads on that ...
6
votes
7answers
240 views
Projects to Pursue while Studs are Bare?
I'm stripping my small 950 sq. ft. 1950's-era home to the studs -- walls and ceiling -- so that I can install a vapor barrier and insulation in the walls and ceiling. While I have the studs available ...
6
votes
2answers
526 views
How can I determine if my outlets can easily be grounded?
I'm not sure what to do here. I just moved into a building and my outlets are all 2 prong outlets. Here is what I know of for sure:
All the outlets are 2 prong outlets
The bathroom outlet has the ...
