The installation of wire and/or electrical devices, to allow the transmission of electricity from one point to another.
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
231 views
How do I clean an oxidized steel terminal before attaching a wire to it?
I have to replace wiring in a power meter box in an apartment building. There're four really beefy wires running vertically through the whole building and each wire has a short stripped segment inside ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
How to wire two light bulb sockets inside a ceiling fixture?
I purchased a flush-mount ceiling light with 2 light bulbs. The wiring is a simple 1 black, 1 white, and 1 ground to the ceiling box, but there were also wires connecting one bulb to the other. ...
8
votes
2answers
934 views
What are my options for installing 220v receptacles in an attached garage?
My workshop (attached garage) is currently wired with 110V receptacles fed from the main panel in the house by #10/3 with ground (1 black, 1 red, 1 white, 1 ground) attached to a double-pole 30A ...
4
votes
1answer
647 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
347 views
Can an external light fixture and an external receptacle share a circuit?
I have to get power to provide an outlet for an awning at high level.
The nearest power source is an external light fixture. Can I wire into this? If so is there anything special I should know?
2
votes
3answers
4k views
How can I pass cables vertically through walls that contain fire blocking?
How can one pass (speaker) cables through walls from the floor to the ceiling.
I am assuming that drilling a small hole at the top, dropping the cable I want to pass through and catching it at the ...
3
votes
1answer
409 views
Is it safe to remove a plug, and wire a light fitting into the wall?
I've moved into a house, and am fitting a series of 5 halogen downlights beneath a shelving unit. The wall on which I am fitting it previously had an uplighter. I removed this so now have exposed ...
6
votes
5answers
4k views
Is there an NEC-compliant method of repairing minor damage to electrical wire insulation without a junction box?
While trying to pry loose a stubborn cable staple that fastens a 14-gauge electrical cable to a stud, I accidentally tore a very small hole through both the outer jacket and the insulation around the ...
4
votes
1answer
342 views
How do I choose a recessed alarm contact switch?
With so many window and door recessed contact switches, how does one decide the best one for the application?
I was leaning towards Ademco 3/8" Diameter Miniature Press Fit Magnetic Contact, for ...
0
votes
0answers
59 views
Is it possible to get wiring for charging USB devices? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Do USB sockets draw power when not in use?
We're about to re-wire our house (in the UK). It occurred to me that having the ability to plug USB devices directly into ...
4
votes
1answer
3k views
How should I run speaker, HDMI and electrical wiring for my ceiling mounted projector theater room?
BACKGROUND:
New house built 5 years ago. I have a basement theater room with 12 foot drywall ceilings that have HVAC conduit and recessed lighting (in other words there is some space behind/above ...
5
votes
6answers
4k views
How can I add/alter wiring inside single-brick walls?
Our house is full-brick. Double-brick on the exterior walls and single-brick for every internal wall. It was built in 1979 (I guess they liked to do things properly then).
We've only ever had the ...
4
votes
3answers
823 views
How Do I Plan for an Intrusion Detection System?
I would like to plan for an intrusion detection system in a home that is currently under construction. The home has a walkout basement that is sloping, shown in the rear elevation picture shown ...
4
votes
2answers
930 views
Do open-back low voltage boxes have advantages over standard outlet boxes?
I will be running LV wiring in new construction. I've seen the open backed Carlon boxes, but have read that they are difficult to insulate, and therefore should not be used on exterior walls. I ...
1
vote
2answers
2k views
In Canada (Ontario, specifically), is 'CL2' rated cable acceptable for in-wall installation?
I've got a bunch of cable to install in the wall for my basement reno and have an excellent source for various cable types (speaker, video, cat6, etc), but the cable 'only' has the US CL2 rating, and ...
12
votes
4answers
678 views
What is this 110/24V 60Hz transformer in the breaker room for?
My friend sent me a photograph of this transformer, which is installed above the main breaker panel, with leads running from the panel into the transformer. The stamped labels read
PRI. Volts: 110
...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Is it safe to run a USB cable inside a wall?
I need to extend a USB device from a corner of my room to the above the fireplace. Since I'm already going to be installing some HDMI and audio cables through the wall, I'd like to have my USB device ...
7
votes
1answer
336 views
How can I remove a switch and terminate a circuit in its place?
I have a switch that used to control outdoor lighting. It no longer does any more and I'd like to just leave it off permanently. Is there an easy way I can terminate it from within the gang box? ...
4
votes
1answer
498 views
How to open NM box knockouts?
I've found the knockouts in NM boxes hard to fully open. I've had trouble with both Carlon boxes and Madison Smart Boxes. The plastic molded to make the knockout is very resistant to actually being ...
8
votes
2answers
1k views
Is this fluorescent light fixture a major electrical problem / fire hazard?
(I am a new homeowner.)
I went to replace a some fluorescent tubes that looked like they burned out, but after disassembling it a little to get the tubes out, I saw something a little alarming:
...
5
votes
1answer
2k views
How can I replace multiple 3 way switches with motion sensors?
My tenants never turn the lights off in the stairwells of my 3 family house, so I'd like to replace all of the light switches with motion sensors. Here is a crude diagram of how this is set up now.
...
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?
5
votes
1answer
679 views
Can I connect two load lines to a GFCI receptacle?
I just bought a leviton GFCI and the instructions say if there are two load lines in the box, do not connect the GFCI in that box.
I can't understand why this is a problem, especially since the ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I add four 20Amp circuits in a subpanel with a 10-3 feeder?
My garage has two 20 Amp circuits and an unused 10-3 w/ground connected to two 30 amp breakers.
I want to use those unused wires for a subpanel but i'm not sure how big of a panel could I install? I ...
3
votes
3answers
917 views
Do you know any switches which turns on/off based on day light?
I am looking for having some sensor based switches which will turn on/off the lights based on the light conditions during the day (i.e. turn on when there is less light and turn off when there is more ...
4
votes
2answers
269 views
Can I add a second circut using an existing ground and neutral?
I would like to add a second circuit to my BBQ area. There is conduit running from the panel to the BBQ with three wires, hot, neutral and ground.
Can I just add a second breaker and run a second hot ...
1
vote
1answer
197 views
Why am I measuring low voltage when I connect this fluorescent fixture to an existing circuit?
My bathroom has two switches: one [was] connected to two overhead can lights (with CFLs), and one [was] connected to a fluorescent wall sconce (one of those ugly circular plastic things that I can't ...
4
votes
4answers
745 views
How can I upgrade a 3 wire appliance receptacle to a 4 wire receptacle?
I have a cabin, wired for 220 and even has a sub-breaker near the outlet. There are 3 wires to the connector (two hots and the neutral). The range-top that I want to hook up is a 4-wire model (2 ...
3
votes
1answer
219 views
What is this orange clip my ground wire is connected to?
I am trying to replace a dome light with a nice small ceiling fan. When disassembling the old light, I notice an odd orange/clear clip connecting the lights ground to the house. What is this called, ...
2
votes
2answers
3k views
How can I separate a light switch to power two different devices?
My house had an addition after it was built - a covered porch which includes a lit ceiling fan. I very recently screened in said porch and love it out there. When the initial addition was put on, ...
3
votes
1answer
181 views
What is the labeling scheme on these outlets?
This is in a hotel, where there are obviously many, many circuits to manage. Can we tell what information is encoded in these labels?
4
votes
3answers
544 views
What voltage/amperage garage circuits should I install for welding tools and an air compressor?
As a part of renovating my garage this fall, much of the wiring is being re-done. Since doing the work before putting up walls will be much easier now than adding circuits in the future, I'd like to ...
2
votes
1answer
327 views
How do I appropriately/safely connect multiple power tools to a 20-amp outlet?
I've got a collection of power tools in my garage, most of which are connected to a 15-amp circuit, that is also shared with all the exterior power outlets. So, if I'm using the mitre saw, tablesaw, ...
5
votes
1answer
454 views
Why are some submersible well pumps wired with solid and others stranded?
Was helping friend to change his deep water well pump,220 volts,3/4 H.P,most of these i have seen are wired with a yellow three wire from the pump to the pump switch on the water tank and are ...
4
votes
3answers
2k views
How do I replace a GFCI receptacle in my bathroom?
we're remodeling our bathroom and were simply looking to switch out 20 year old light almond outlets and light switches for white. While I thought this would be easy I've run into a problem with the ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
Why would there be a 50 amp plug on a 30 amp appliance?
I have an old conveyor dryer, which my office purchased used some time ago, just sitting in storage. The dryer is for silk screen t-shirts and has a large heating element and a variable speed conveyor ...
2
votes
1answer
335 views
Which color wire do I connect the switch to on a power cord?
I am trying to add an on/off switch to a power cord.
i opened up the cord and there is a black and white wires in there. I know that the switch will work on either one, but is there a better wire to ...
6
votes
2answers
701 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
2answers
1k views
How can I attach modern fixture to knob & tube wiring?
I have a modern external light fixture that needs to be attached to an existing exterior electrical 'box'. The older parts of the house have knob & tube wiring and there is evidence of gas ...
8
votes
3answers
17k views
How do you know when and where it is safe to drill into a wall?
Lots of home projects involve cutting or drilling through walls (everything from nails, screws, or hooks to mount things to cutting through drywall and drilling through studs to run wire).
In ...
3
votes
1answer
330 views
Why was the speaker wire installed this way for a media room?
I recently moved into a relatively new home. The home was never occupied and has a media room.
The media room has the following (see picture for locations, speaker wire is in blue, speaker wire has ...
0
votes
1answer
2k views
Network Garage Door opener/ how does the switch work
I'm trying to connect a relay/switch to a Garage door(Lift Master). I know that there are two wires to trigger the garage door. I'm not sure how it works exactly. I'm trying to control the garage ...
1
vote
3answers
721 views
How much can you do as a homeowner in Texas without requiring a permit/inspections? [closed]
Backstory: we recently added some furniture to a previously-unused room to make it a quickie guest bedroom for some upcoming family visits. On a whim, I got my electrical tester and plugged it in to a ...
6
votes
2answers
274 views
Is a negative reading from a non-contact voltage detector sufficient?
I'm a beginner at doing electrical work, and I want to make sure I'm not taking unnecessary risks.
Let's say that I'm preparing to work on some wiring. I have a non-contact voltage detector that ...
0
votes
2answers
894 views
It is dangerous to have a power outlet run from a light circuit?
Re this answer regarding wiring a garage door power point from a light is this legal I thought it wasn't but just checking.
Edit: Legality will depend on location as mentioned in answers, I worded ...
2
votes
1answer
639 views
Do I have to use armored (MC) cable to connect to a pot (recessed) light fixture?
Most of the recessed lighting fixtures I see in stores have a metal junction box separate from the can. There is an armored cable running from the junction box to the can already. You connect your ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Replacing chandelier, how many lights can it support?
I want to replace a chandelier that currently has 2 bulbs, and I want to replace it with one that has at least 5 bulbs if possible. We live in an older building (built in 1912), and a friend warned me ...
1
vote
3answers
437 views
Cannot figure out wiring of most basic Honeywell thermostat (heater only)
I live in an apartment with central heat. It's controlled by a round Honeywell thermostat. The heater ticks really loudly and annoyingly when it heats up and cools down (probably a topic for a ...
