A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.
8
votes
1answer
387 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 ...
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 ...
9
votes
3answers
577 views
Do USB sockets draw power when not in use?
I would like to replace a couple of electrical outlets in my house with ones that have USB sockets. My concern is that they will continually draw power, even when I don't have a phone plugged in to ...
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
2answers
362 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 ...
10
votes
1answer
776 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?
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
2answers
208 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 ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
646 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
904 views
Are receptacle surge protectors a practical solution?
After mounting my television on the wall, I would like to put a receptacle behind it so the power cord will be hidden. While planning this I was trying to figure how to get a surge protector to be ...
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.
...
