A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.
31
votes
4answers
7k views
How can I fix electrical outlets that don't “hold” plugs that are plugged in to them?
In short, most of the outlets in my house have one working receptacle and one that any cord plugged in will immediately slip out of. Some of my outlets don't have any working receptacles (I hope I'm ...
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 ...
12
votes
2answers
7k 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 ...
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
6k 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?
10
votes
1answer
751 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?
9
votes
3answers
565 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 ...
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. ...
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?
...
8
votes
2answers
617 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
953 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
376 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
836 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
750 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
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?
7
votes
8answers
3k 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 ...
7
votes
6answers
2k views
How is it that two breaker switches control the same things?
Forewarning: I don't know that much about electrical terms, so please excuse any mistakes I've possibly made.
I recently moved the TV in my living room and ran a new line for the electricity to the ...
7
votes
1answer
853 views
What's the difference between a childproof outlet and a normal one?
I was reading the latest entry on this blog and I saw that she'd mentioned that they'd installed some child-proof outlets. But they don't look any different from normal outlets to me!
What's the ...
7
votes
3answers
486 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 ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
How can I test network and coax jacks?
We bought new house and I need to test network (RJ45) and coax jacks to see which ones are working. How can I do that without actually connecting computers/cable boxes?
6
votes
4answers
5k views
How do I install an outdoor receptacle box on vinyl siding?
Any tips for adding an outdoor receptacle box onto a house with vinyl siding? Shouldn't the box be attached to a stud? How do I seal around it? J Channel? How can I accomplish this without tearing off ...
6
votes
2answers
359 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I install a new exterior GFI outlet?
I have an interior outlet. I would like to place an exterior (GFI) outlet in approximately the same position on the outside wall. How should I do that?
approx. loc. of desired outlet-|
...
6
votes
2answers
418 views
How to use grounded European plug of coffee maker correctly in middle east countries?
I have bought a coffee maker with a European plug which doesn't have a grounding pin like our plugs here in Israel have. Here is a picture of the splitter I use and the European power plug:
As seen ...
6
votes
3answers
680 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
690 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 ...
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
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
6answers
329 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
567 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 ...
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 ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
What is the minimum required distance from a shower to an electrical outlet?
In Fairfax County Virginia, what is the minimum distance that an outlet must be from a shower in the bathroom? Does the minimum distance change if it is GFI outlet?
5
votes
1answer
138 views
Should I install tamper resistant receptacles
When changing out receptacles should I be installing tamper resistant receptacles?
It seems that the 2008 NEC requires these devices to be installed for any new install, should I be installing them ...
4
votes
2answers
910 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
464 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 ...
4
votes
4answers
895 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
258 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Why does my GFCI outlet trip as soon as the breaker is turned on?
I have an outlet feeding other outlets about 50 feet away. All the outlets are outdoor enclosed in a protective weather cover. Today I wanted to replace one of the receptacles with a GFCI so all the ...
4
votes
2answers
386 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
640 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
3answers
169 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
3answers
571 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 ...
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 ...
3
votes
2answers
5k views
My wall outlet is making a hissing noise, should I be concerned?
My wife leaves her laptop charger plugged into a wall outlet. As soon as she connects the other end to the laptop (meaning AC is actively flowing through the plug to the laptop), it makes a strange ...
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
1answer
231 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 ...
