The installation of wire and/or electrical devices, to allow the transmission of electricity from one point to another.
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 ...
18
votes
6answers
15k views
How do I wire an old house with Cat6?
I have a older home (build in the 50's) with 1/2" dry wall and then plaster on top.
I would like to run Cat6 cable through most of the house (living room, kitchen, entertainment room,etc).
So, I'm ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
What is the right way to strip power wires?
I've been working with electrical circuits as a DIYer for years, including electronics and powerline work. But one thing I always feel like I do a terrible job at is stripping wires: both the outside ...
12
votes
4answers
676 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
...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Ethernet cable instead of Thermostat wire?
I need to pull new wire from my furnace to my thermostat and was wondering if there would be any problems in using an Ethernet cable instead of standard thermostat wiring.
The reason being is I have ...
11
votes
3answers
6k views
How do I run ethernet, speaker wire, and coax through a wall into a crawlspace?
I would like to run three low-voltage cables from my entertainment center through an old plaster wall, down (1-3 feet) through the sill plate, and into the crawlspace.
The cables are Ethernet, ...
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 ...
10
votes
3answers
3k views
Is running ethernet cable through an air return allowed under US code?
I'm looking to wire up the second floor of my house and the cold air return provides a convenient, straight run from the office to the utility room. Is it safe and within code to run ethernet cable in ...
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?
10
votes
5answers
928 views
How should I go about installing a 12 volt DC residential circuit?
I have a couple deep cycle batteries that trickle charge from a solar panel, for emergency use. Right now the only way I get useful power from them is to use a 12VDC -> 120VAC inverter, e.g. the type ...
9
votes
5answers
1k views
What are some pros, cons and recommendations for multicables?
Currently saving to build a new home and I'm going over wiring options in my mind. My current home has too few sockets, cable connections and LAN ports (yes I still like wired LAN, wireless is good ...
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 ...
8
votes
2answers
293 views
Is it within code to complete 12g wiring circuit with 10g wire?
In installing a dishwasher on a dedicated 20amp circuit on 12g wiring, I've come short about 5 feet to run a line. I have some surplus, heavier, 10g wire. Would it be safe to install a junction box ...
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:
...
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
11k views
How should I run wiring for my above-fireplace mounted TV?
I'm going to mount my 47" LCD above my fireplace. I'm not looking for arguments against this decision. I'm looking for wiring solutions. The diagram below should help explain the situation.
...
8
votes
1answer
7k views
How can I override a motion detector light?
I am going to be installing one or two motion detector lights to cover my backyard. I would like the ability to "override" the motion detector. What I mean by this is that I would like to be able to ...
8
votes
3answers
293 views
What is a minimally intrusive way to move a wire that is in a wall 3.5" to the left?
I need to move a speaker that's mounted on a wall about 3.5" to the left.
Here's what the actual mounted speaker looks like:
The wire comes out inside the bracket that attaches to the wall, and ...
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, ...
8
votes
2answers
926 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 ...
8
votes
1answer
193 views
How should I install a signal cable duct from new home office to a wiring closet?
I'm constructing a new home office and rather than having fixed cables from the (existing) wiring closet, I want to have the flexibility to add/remove/change cables in future, so I've been looking at ...
8
votes
3answers
998 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 ...
8
votes
2answers
577 views
Is there a standard wiring scheme for AC/heater thermostats?
I have a project idea where I would really like to be able to make my own thermostat to control my home's AC and heater. I have just two questions
Is there any standard wiring/color code?
Are any ...
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 ...
7
votes
5answers
3k views
How can I get a shock from a circuit when the breaker is off?
While I was replacing an old outlet, I received a shock from something in the box. I think it was the metal box itself.
Before I started, I performed the following to ensure the power was out:
...
7
votes
3answers
315 views
Can I use two wire nuts instead of one to connect 6 wires inside a 3-gang box?
Is it considered acceptable practice to use two wirenuts in a situation where it is possible to use only one but may be easier to use two?
I have a three-gang box with six cables coming into it. The ...
7
votes
1answer
106 views
How do I wire this motor with 240V?
I have 240 plug with a switch dedicated for Air compressor. I have compressor that supposedly can be wired for 240V
2 pictures show sticker and current wiring. How do I update wiring to make it 240V? ...
7
votes
2answers
245 views
Will security system wiring cause interference in data cables?
Is it acceptable to run 22/4 security wire along side Cat6 and Coax cables, or is there any possibility for interference?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I run a wire underground to an outdoor post lamp?
I live in Geauga county Ohio. My question is three part. First what type of wire do I need to run from the house underground to a post lamp 100 feet away? Second,does it need to be in conduit and ...
7
votes
1answer
331 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? ...
7
votes
3answers
489 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
3answers
263 views
How should I rewire this situation?
In my dinning room, I have this:
There is a wire run going up through the floor from the basement. It then goes outside the wall, around a stud (or studs, I'm can't tell there is more than one), back ...
7
votes
3answers
654 views
What happens if I shave a little sliver off electrical wire with a utility knife?
I needed to replace an electrical wire with a longer one so I could move an electrical outlet. When I went to cut away the outer rubber cover of one of the wires with a utility knife (yes, dumb, I ...
7
votes
1answer
174 views
What are these clips on the wires in my junction box?
Are these clips just for protection? or are they connectors for something?
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?
7
votes
2answers
230 views
Do I need junction boxes where conduit containing data cables terminates?
I'm going to be running 1" blue PVC conduit from all my low voltage boxes to a structured wiring panel. My wiring panel will chase to the attic where necessary and I was wondering what the best ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
3k views
What gauge speaker wire do I need?
I am looking to run some speaker cable through my unfinished basement.
I will need 35 ft long cables for a couple of Technics SB-A10 speakers. What gauge of cable will I need? How is the gauge ...
6
votes
5answers
1k views
Should I have multiple cable runs for a room, or just one?
My girlfriend is finishing up her basement and has set up a good layout for electrical outlets throughout the rooms (family room, bedroom, and office), but she's only accounted for a single coaxial ...
6
votes
5answers
5k views
What is the easiest method to fish cable through the ceiling?
I need to fish some speaker wire through my ceiling downstairs to the lower part of the adjacent exterior wall. To compound the problem, the ceiling joists run perpendicular to the direction I need to ...
6
votes
2answers
272 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 ...
6
votes
3answers
343 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?
6
votes
3answers
400 views
Is it OK to have ground wire connected to breaker box wall instead of neutral bus?
After having issues with lights flickering, I noticed the main 100A breaker was warm and arcing slightly. Instead of just replacing the breaker, I decided to call in a electrician to install a larger ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Buying a programmable thermostat to replace a manual one: any considerations?
I'm about to look for a programmable thermostat to replace a manual one. There are already a couple of good questions on thermostat replacement that make the task seem pretty straightforward for ...
6
votes
2answers
300 views
How can I safely extend a wire in my electrical panel?
I need to move some breakers (and attached wires) from the upper part of my electrical panel to the lower part but the wires I need to move aren't long enough to reach their new location.
Is it safe ...
6
votes
2answers
261 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How do I wire these dimmer switches? The current wiring is crazy
I've installed light switches in other parts of our house, but there is one pair of dimmers that mystifies me. One is a normal dimmer and one is supposed to be a three way dimmer, but the latter is ...
6
votes
3answers
683 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
569 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 ...
6
votes
2answers
693 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 ...
