Tagged Questions
2
votes
2answers
85 views
Why is difficult to unplug things from this electrical receptacle?
The electrical receptacle in my bathroom is difficult to use. It seems hard to unplug hair dryers etc. Do I need to replace it or can I fix it?
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Do 240V receptacle use the same connectors as 120V receptacles for the same amperage?
I feel like I'm missing something obvious. I know different plug styles are used based on a circuit's amperage (in the US) but is the same style of plug used for both 110V and 220V outlets of the same ...
0
votes
1answer
101 views
How can I add two bathroom receptacles behind and above a vanity?
Background
I'm in the middle of a bathroom remodel, and had to take off some drywall to get the tub in, then thought I may as well take all the drywall on that side off to give me an easier taping ...
0
votes
1answer
421 views
How do I wire this GFCI receptacle/switch combination device?
I am trying to replace a switch/receptacle combo in our bath room with a GFCI switch/receptacle combo. I am no electrician but understand wiring for the most part however this one has got me stumped.
...
2
votes
3answers
165 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 ...
-1
votes
2answers
118 views
Any way to monitor load on a power outlet and receive notifications of usage? [closed]
My sump pump float sometimes sticks. This is an issue because the pump can easily run dry and burn out, especially if we are away for an extended period of time.
Ideally I'm looking for something ...
5
votes
2answers
205 views
Why is there an arc when I pull a plug out of an outlet?
I notice that, on some of my (self-installed) power outlets, when I pull an appliance plug out of it, there is a small arc. This most frequently happens with an iron, which has no switch of its own ...
4
votes
3answers
170 views
Why is it OK to use a 50 A receptacle on a 40 A circuit?
NEC's Table 210.24 " Summary of Branch-Circuit Requirements" shows required condudcor and outlet requirements for different circuit ratings:
Why is it permitted to put a 50 A receptacle on a 40 A ...
4
votes
2answers
263 views
How can I remove a receptacle and abandon the electrical outlet?
We are trying to remove an electrical outlet. We turned the power off and disconnected the wires from the outlet. Then we twisted the + wires and tapped them and did the same with the - wires. Then we ...
6
votes
2answers
246 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
161 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. ...
8
votes
1answer
379 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
576 views
Is it OK to have a 20 Amp receptacle on a circuit with 12 AWG wiring and a 15 Amp breaker?
I have a hypothetical question:
If you have a 15 Amp breaker connected to a 20 Amp T type outlet with (20 Amp) 12 AWG wire, is it within code, below code, or above code, where code means the National ...
3
votes
3answers
189 views
Do I need to plug my snow thrower to GFCI outlet?
I bought a snow thrower with 13.5A power. One area of my house is close to a GFCI outlet but the other side of the house is not. It's just a regular outlet. So I am not sure it can be safe to use with ...
3
votes
4answers
195 views
Lights lowering in the kitchen when turning on microwave oven: symptom of an unstable electric environment?
Is it normal for my kitchen lights to lower their intensity for a second when I'm starting my microwave oven? Is it a symptom of a bad/particularly unstable power environment?
The reason I am asking ...
8
votes
2answers
621 views
What kind of electrical outlet is this, and how do I replace it?
I have an electrical outlet which hasn't been reliable (the bottom one doesn't always have power unless you jiggle the plug), so I want to change it. I've changed a few plain outlets, but I found ...
2
votes
2answers
255 views
Did I make a mistake with this fluorescent light installation?
I bought a fluorescent light fixture with 2 light bulbs. I wanted to test if the light bulbs where good before mounting the fixture to the ceiling. So I simply plugged the cable to a 120V outlet. I ...
2
votes
2answers
567 views
Can a receptacle be added to a lamppost?
I'm adding a post and a post-mounted light fixture in the backyard. Some posts have an outlet at the bottom, but they appear to always have a "decorative ladder rest" (with plastic golden balls!) that ...
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?
9
votes
1answer
1k views
How many wires is too many for an outlet?
I keep finding outlets in my house that are wired in ways I've never seen.
Today's find is an outlet in a bedroom with 4 hots and 4 neutrals. All connected to one outlet using the push-in connectors. ...
4
votes
2answers
916 views
Does one wall socket share power between both ac plugs?
In a standard wall outlet (two three-prong sockets) do both sockets share power? Say I plugged a surge protector into one and a surge protector into the other and have 5 devices connected to each ...
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?
3
votes
1answer
233 views
How do I attach a receptacle box to brick instead of a stud?
I need to install some new outlet boxes in an old lathe and plaster wall. I have the baseboards pulled out so I can see where the studs are, which is just great. However, behind the lathe is a brick ...
3
votes
2answers
757 views
How can high and low voltage be mixed in a junction box?
So I'm aware of the standard rule of thumb, keep high and low voltage away from each other, preferably on opposite sides of a stud. However, while looking at some properties, I'm seeing telephone 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
468 views
How can I extend a wall outlet?
I have a interior brick wall, with wall outlet in it, I am covering the wall with 1/2" sheet rock. But I am ancoring 1x2's on the brick so I can hang the sheetrock. How would I extend the wall outlet ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I make outlet wall plates mount flush after removing wood paneling?
I recently removed some old wood panelling in my basement that was up against drywall. I refinished the walls and painted but now the outlet covers don't mount flush against the wall anymore because ...
4
votes
3answers
582 views
Can I plug an air conditioner and a chest freezer into the same outlet?
I have a Gibson/Frigidaire through the wall AC unit plugged into a dedicated 3-prong outlet in my a room of my apartment. I'd like to put a chest freezer in my office for homebrewed beer. Is it safe ...
6
votes
2answers
695 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
121 views
What is the best way to wire a Cooper E-Z Wire recptacle?
I'm looking at replacing a few outlets that are old and loosely hold in plugs now. They are 15a 125v as is the wiring and breakers. I bought several Cooper E-Z Wire outlets and I am now trying to ...
1
vote
1answer
387 views
Does this 3 prong 250V outlet in the Philippines have two hots and a neutral or hot/neutral/ground?
The plug claims to be 12A 250V, so I think its a NEMA 6-15R or 6-30R which handle 15 or 30 volts respectively.
Here is a picture of the outlet:
2
votes
1answer
250 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
6k views
How should I wire a GFCI outlet and a switch to isolate the switch but provide GFCI protection further in the series?
I am replacing the outlets for my garbage disposal/dishwasher circuit in my kitchen. Currently on that breaker there is one non-GFCI outlet with a pigtailed switch controlling the garbage disposal and ...
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 ...
5
votes
6answers
330 views
WR outlets; is it trying to tell you which way is up?
I know about this question (I posted an answer to it), but this one's a little more specific.
Consider a weather-resistant outlet, like the ones below:
Notice the first picture has the plug in ...
3
votes
2answers
260 views
Common kitchen/bathroom countertop devices that use 120V20A
I currently have a 110V20A GFCI outlet in my guest bathroom. It's the older type, with red and black buttons, and I'm planning to replace it with a new TR/WR GFCI receptacle as part of a general ...
10
votes
1answer
761 views
What is the correct way to wire a 4 prong oven receptacle?
I think I wired this the right way but I can't find an online reference that I trust enough to flip the breaker back on.
This is how I wired it.
Is this correct?
5
votes
2answers
4k views
How do I troubleshoot power receptacles?
I just bought a recently renovated house and the house inspector said that all the plugs in the basement worked.
Well... I plugged in several devices into the plugs and they don't power on. If I use ...
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 ...
0
votes
2answers
239 views
How do I change an AC outlet into a switched outlet using wireless technology?
I have an outlet that's live, and I want to make it switched without having to get an electrician. Suggestions?
5
votes
2answers
392 views
What are some tips for working with inaccessible power receptacles?
When a power receptacle is blocked by large or unwieldy furniture, but there is a small amount of clearance available, what are some good techniques for plugging in? I'm looking for ways to solve ...
7
votes
3answers
492 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
454 views
Can I replace my ungrounded / two prong outlets, or should I have a professional do this type of a thing?
They're all two prong except a select few in the kitchen. Is this a project I could take on with NO electrical experience other than minor soldering, or is this something I should not attempt?
...
0
votes
3answers
658 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 ...
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
3answers
967 views
How can I detect reverse polarity on an ungrounded receptacle?
Recently moved into a 1950s-built house and am swapping out some of the older receptacles.
On one particular ungrounded circuit there are four receptacles. The first two are as expected - the two ...
2
votes
1answer
877 views
How to add GFCI to a box with one outlet controlled by a switch?
I'm pretty inexperienced when it comes to electrical work, though I do know my way around a circuit diagram, thanks to some EE courses in college. I think this is one I can do myself, I just would ...
17
votes
3answers
5k views
Would you ever wire white and ground together?
I was replacing some outlets in my house with tamper-resistant ones, and came across one where the white and ground were wired together, as seen in this picture. Why? Is that okay or appropriate ...
6
votes
2answers
361 views
How can I ground old 2-prong receptacles? (120V)
I have several old receptacles that are 2-prong. There is armored cable running from the breaker panel to each receptacle. What do I need to do in order to install and properly ground new 3-prong ...
5
votes
2answers
2k views
How do I extend electrical boxes 3 inches or more?
I am hanging a new wall using Genie Clips. After the clips, hat track, and two layers of drywall, we're talking about an added distance from the electrical boxes of over 3 inches. Quick research has ...
