Tagged Questions

2
votes
3answers
180 views

Are non-GFCI outlets that are downstream of a GFCI outlet ground fault protected if they are fed from the GFCI outlet's load side?

Are non-GFCI outlets that are downstream of a GFCI outlet ground fault protected if they are fed from the GFCI outlet's load side? If those non-GFCI downstream outlets were not fed from the GFCI ...
6
votes
2answers
249 views

Is there a name for a duplex outlet that takes eight wires, plus ground?

In my home (built around 1970), I found a bizarre outlet when replacing the dated old ones. The front is your standard duplex, but on the back there are holes for 8 wires (4 hot, 4 neutral) plus the ...
2
votes
2answers
164 views

Is there anything I can do to make it easier to remove plugs from receptacles?

Is there anything I can do to make it easier to pull plug ins out of the wall sockets? All of the wall sockets in the kitchen make it very difficult to pull the plug in out of the wall receptacle. ...
10
votes
1answer
7k views

What is a GFI outlet used for, and where should I install them?

What purpose does a GFI serve? Where should they be used?
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
702 views

What should I do about a receptacle with 2 circuits going through it where white wires are hot?

I have a receptacle that has 3 white wires and 1 black. The black wire is hot and 2 of the white wires are hot but on a separate circuit than the black one (2 bedroom's outlets on separate circuits ...
2
votes
1answer
252 views

Potential wall socket fault

I'm remodeling a room and sorting up a rat's nest of questionable electrical practices... boxes hiding in the wall, wall fixtures being used to branch circuits, etc. At this point, all of the hard ...
1
vote
0answers
52 views

Duplex Outlet's Max Amperage Rated by Socket or by Whole Unit? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Duplex Outlet's Max Amperage Rated by Socket or by Whole Unit? If you have a duplex outlet thats rated for lets say 20 amps, is the whole unit rated for 20 amps, or ...
7
votes
3answers
502 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 ...
0
votes
3answers
663 views

Could a power outlet be ruining hair straighteners?

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this. We've gone through 3 hair straighteners in the past 2 months. 3 different models, 2 different brands. The outlet is a normal outlet (No GFI) and ...
4
votes
2answers
391 views

GFI reset is behind refrigerator, need to remove refrigerator from circuit and relocate GFI

I am looking at purchasing a home in Florida, built in 2005. Our home inspector was not the smartest cookie in the jar, but accidently discovered some strange things. So far, this is what I have ...
4
votes
1answer
648 views

How do I wire a switch/receptacle combination?

Here's my current situation. I've got 14/2 to the ceiling. The hot wire has a runner, which runs down to the switch, and the other wire is a switched hot, back to the light. The other side of the ...
2
votes
2answers
406 views

how can i find electric short from room to fuse box?

When I came home last night the wife was setting in the dark in the bedroom. Why are the two hall lights strobing I ask? She did not know, she took a nap and when she woke no power in the room. ok??? ...
6
votes
3answers
692 views

What to do with an apartment with only 2-pronged outlets

I just rented an apartment (Colorado, for what it's worth RE code) that has 2-pronged outlets throughout the place except for two GFCI's, one in the bathroom and one in the kitchen. I bought the ...
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. ...