The installation of wire and/or electrical devices, to allow the transmission of electricity from one point to another.
3
votes
1answer
83 views
How can I repair a damaged UF cable
I'm in the US, and have a run of UF cable serving floodlights along my driveway. It leaves the garage in a conduit, and reappears at each of 3 locations where a junction box about 12" above ground ...
0
votes
2answers
3k views
How do I wire 3 way switches where the power comes in at the light?
Have a 3 way switch question about a garage I'm helping a local homeless shelter fix up. They have already installed some 3 way switches, wiring and places for 2 lights, but they aren't sure how to ...
0
votes
1answer
318 views
How do I wire 3 way switches?
For cosmetic reasons, I've been replacing the switches and outlets in my house (from beige to white). It's been going well until I ran into two 3-way switches in a hallway that turn off and on one ...
4
votes
2answers
6k views
What should I use to wire a 220v electric baseboard heater and thermostat? 12/2 or 12/3
When I bought my baseboard heaters, thermostats and 220v breakers I was advised to get 12/3 wire. When I attempted to install the heaters I found that the thermostats, heaters, and even breakers have ...
0
votes
3answers
783 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
10k views
How to properly wire a ceiling light fixture?
I rent an apartment and a tenant installed ceiling fan that was not well secured to the ceiling. I removed the fan and attempted to re-install the original light fixture after he moved out.
I am ...
7
votes
1answer
213 views
What type of connector is this and how do I remove it?
I was trying to install a ceiling fan in my apartment and came across these connectors when removing the light. What is this and how do I take it off?
4
votes
2answers
632 views
How can I replace a ceiling fan light pull chain?
I have removed the light assembly from beneath the fan. In doing so, the lights (three with pull chain ) fell and I failed to catch it before it pulled out some wires.
The wires coming from the ...
5
votes
1answer
167 views
Is it reasonable to create a 30amp branch circuit for the purpose of feeding the panel from a generator?
I recently purchased an 8kW generator (Briggs and Stratton). It has a 4-wire twist lock outlet that can handle 30 amps.
Suppose I were to:
Run a 10/3 NM cable from the panel in the basement out to ...
2
votes
1answer
420 views
How can I replace a 4-way mechanical switch with occupancy sensor(s)?
There is a stairwell in our house, which is currently lit by a fixture controlled by three switches: a 4-way and two 3-ways. The wiring was done very recently and, I'm certain, in accordance to modern ...
-4
votes
1answer
110 views
Help with high electrical consumption [closed]
I am an American, staying in the Philippines temporarily. I am renting this home and my electrical consumption is ridiculous! What's more is that people here in the Philippines are not skilled at ...
2
votes
2answers
256 views
How do I connect a timer to circuit box which controls our outside lights?
Currently our outdoor lights are being controlled by the circuit breaker in the box. We want to connect a timer to the circuit-breaker. There is a junction box with Black, White and a bare ground ...
4
votes
1answer
453 views
How can I install a ceiling fan where there is no ceiling box or wiring?
I want to install a ceiling fan with a light in a spare bedroom with no ceiling wiring. What size wire do I need to use to install with cord management channels and plug into an outlet controlled by a ...
2
votes
2answers
162 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. ...
2
votes
3answers
272 views
Can I install data wiring in a clothes closet?
I want to add network drops to several rooms in my house, and have them connect to one point, preferably inside an existing closet. I would like to put a cable modem and a WiFi router in this closet, ...
2
votes
5answers
1k views
How can I run a coaxial cable into an existing single gang electrical outlet?
The cable outlet in my girlfriend's living room is in a strange place. She wants to move her TV to a different wall but the landlord doesn't want any new holes in the wall or floor. If the wall was ...
3
votes
5answers
3k views
How should I wire for a security system during construction?
I would like to run wires in anticipation of a future hard-wired security system. However, I have yet to find any information that pulls everything together regarding what is required.
From what I ...
1
vote
1answer
469 views
How do I wire a new ceiling light with power to the ceiling and 3-way switches?
I'm trying to install a new light fixture in the front hall. Currently, the light is activated by 2 switches (on each end of hall). The NEW fixture has 1 black wire and 1 white wire. The ceiling wires ...
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
610 views
How can I add a common wire to the existing furnace wiring?
My current furnace has Rh and W1 to the thermostat. I'd like to add a C for my new networked thermostat, but I'm not sure where to connect it.
From my research it sounds like I should be able to just ...
2
votes
2answers
393 views
What to do with these tiny exposed wires?
We discovered a non-functional smoke detector that's hard-wired into the electrical system of the house we recently bought. I removed the smoke detector and am replacing it with a battery operated ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Why is my 3-prong dryer outlet showing 240V between hot and neutral/ground 'L' prong?
I'm trying to tell what might be wired wrong with our dryer outlet. Using a Fluke 75 set to AC, I read 238V between the hot leads, 118V from one lead to ground, and 238V between the other lead to ...
0
votes
2answers
148 views
What kind of timer socket is this and how can I get it working?
This is on an outdoor power receptacle that looks like it should be some kind of timer for switching power on/off. I'd love to use this for Christmas lights, but I can't seem to get it's little ...
4
votes
2answers
167 views
Can I use the tabs to chain 15A outlets on a 20A circuit?
When wiring 15A-rated outlet receptacles on a 20A circuit, is it acceptable to use the tabs & screws to chain the circuit from one outlet to the next?
My instinct to overengineer says to use ...
3
votes
1answer
231 views
How to wire modern telephone extension?
A telephone extension cable has been pulled from its socket. How do you rewire such a socket?
3
votes
1answer
228 views
Can I use a transfer panel with something other than a generator?
What I am trying to do is use a transfer panel to power some 15-amp sockets with ether a dimmer pack, or from the main. (trying to set up a theater space so when there's not a show going on you can ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Why is there so much metal-clad wiring in my house?
My house was built in 1893. I was recently doing some electrical work in the attic, adding some light fixtures. While doing that, I noticed that several of the upstairs outlets were wired with old, ...
3
votes
1answer
2k views
Running cat 6 networking cable in the attic: what is up to code?
I plan on adding a Cat 6 network in my single-story detached home. It would consist of home runs from each of the 3 bedrooms + TV room to a central patch panel in the garage, which is close to the ...
2
votes
2answers
7k views
How should I connect the ground wire for my light fixture?
I am replacing a light fixture in my bathroom and have the following setup:
The electrical box is plastic
The wire coming from supply has black (hot), white (neutral) and copper (ground).
The light ...
19
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I get a wire that is outside a wall to be inside a wall
I recently removed an abominable drop ceiling from my dining room and found this close to the ceiling on the one side of the room.
There is definitely a stud between these two holes. On the other ...
-3
votes
3answers
877 views
Correct amps for cooktop and separate oven
I think the wiring to my cook top and oven might be backwards. My oven requires 40A and my cooktop requires 30A. The oven wire coming to the junction box is 12 ga. but the wire from box to breakers ...
4
votes
1answer
320 views
How do I get power into my kitchen cabinet?
I'm trying to run power for some under-cabinet LED strip lighting. I think the easiest way is to tap into the stove hood, so my question is: how do I do this in a way that is legal and meets code ...
1
vote
1answer
199 views
Cool bulbs into a min 90C fixture with 60C wiring
I bought a light fixture that has a min 90°C warning. The wiring leading up to the fixture is NM (60°C wire). I was wondering if an easy workaround to this would be to install a newer, more ...
6
votes
2answers
263 views
What's the right connector for connecting #12 solid copper to #14 stranded?
Still working on installing my exhaust fan. It required a dedicated 20A circuit so I ran #12 copper. The wiring from the unit appears to be #14 stranded. It's also silver colored but I don't know if ...
2
votes
3answers
362 views
Do I need to cut into my drywall to install a switch?
I'm looking to put a light in outside my house. The light is going to be positioned directly behind the outlet I have pictured below where the wires are sticking out. I want the switch to control ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Is “don't mix data and power cables” and “don't loop power cables” still valid nowadays?
There are two sayings I keep hearing when talking about wiring e.g. home cinema or computer hardware;
Don't wrap data/network cables and power cables up in the same loop because the power cables ...
0
votes
0answers
93 views
I want to make a flashlight that I can control [closed]
I want to have a battery powered flashlight that I can control. It can be done in any way. But I need to be able to make it in about two weeks. Does anyone have any Ideas on how to go about this? ...
3
votes
3answers
1k views
How to use network patch panel in new house
I just moved in to a townhouse built in 2007 with a seemingly nice CAT5 and coaxial cabling. In fact, I found a patch panel in the closet! I opened it and found this:
I also noticed some ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How to wire in my replacement fluorescent light fixture?
The electrician installed a new wall switch in the kitchen, so that when I replace the fluorescent light, it can be turned on and off at the wall switch.
I am ready to install the new light.
In the ...
1
vote
0answers
61 views
How to mount a flat screen TV above a fireplace? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How should I run wiring for my above-fireplace mounted TV?
I have a flat screen TV on a wall mount that I'd like to move to the brick above the fireplace (which is only ...
6
votes
2answers
570 views
Light flashes on then turns off. What do I look for?
I just moved into my first home and the light fixture in the water closet broke. I replaced the fixture with a new one, but the light only flashes on, then turns off. I checked for loose ...
3
votes
2answers
900 views
Should my thermostat's blue wire be going to W2?
I've recently moved into my first house and am looking to replace the existing basic thermostat in the home. Here is a picture of how I found it wired:
Researching the wires, I've read that ...
1
vote
1answer
302 views
How do I wire this kitchen fluorescent ceiling fixture?
I bought a new Home Depot kitchen ceiling fixture but am not sure of the proper way to install it. The fixture itself has black, white, and bare copper. The ceiling wiring is red and gray(white?).
...
1
vote
2answers
757 views
Connecting a digital timer with 4 wires in a box with only three wire, white, black, and ground
I installed a digital timer in a box that previously contained a switch to an outside porch light. The box has only a white, black, and ground wire. The white wire in the box is hot, not the black, ...
4
votes
1answer
263 views
Bending wire versus cable
When running NM cable, you're supposed to not make any bends sharper than 5 times the cable radius.*
When dressing wires to go into a box, though, you often curve them any which way or shape them ...
2
votes
2answers
595 views
How do I use this H/L/V Wiring?
I am replacing an OLD h/l/v with a BROAN 100HFL
I DO NOT have a 12/2 and a 12/3 coming from the 3 switches on the wall.
I DO have this, two 12/2 coming from the 3 switches AND another 12/2 that ran ...
1
vote
1answer
1k views
Why do my LED lights flash on cold start?
Whenever I flip on my dimmer switch, all four dimmable LED lamps flash on in unison, blink off, and then come on at the selected dim level. This happens even with the dimmer slider maxed out, so it's ...
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
2answers
1k views
How can I convert Cat5e wired sockets to Ethernet?
I recently moved to a new home and I noticed that the phone jacks (RJ-11) were connected using Cat5e cable. I'm thinking I can replace the RJ-11 plugs with RJ-45 and use Ethernet over the existing ...
4
votes
1answer
339 views
Why is this ceiling light fixture wired this way?
I'm trying to replace the hanging light below and I've gotten a little confused. Shouldn't the brown wire on the left be connected to the live (red) wires rather than the neutral? I understand that ...
