All Questions
72,055
questions
0
votes
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answers
8
views
Will this vintage style LED shock me
I have broken a vintage style LED light bulbs globe off of it and the LEDs are still illuminated. If I touch the illuminated LEDs will they electrocute me?
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
7
views
Installing smart switch, instructions say to add capacitor in parallel for optimal performance
In a room with a door at either end, there is a only a light switch at one end. If you want to turn on the light from the other end you need to use a torch to make your way safely across.
Therefore I ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
9
views
Do you pay to power 220/240v devices and/or appliances?
You say no return neutral needed since the return is in the opposite leg which would reverse the amps sent to the device from the meter therefore making the net current used equal to zero. So, using ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
8
views
Is there a smart thermostat that can be set to turn on at a temperature, and heat to a moderately higher/lower temperature?
In the winter I'd like to only run the heat occasionally. Ideally I'd like to keep the temp somewhere between 68 degrees and 74 degrees (F). Ideally when the temperature drops to 67 the thermostat ...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
3
views
I have an old boiler with no "C" terminal for wifi thermostat
I have a nest thermostat that need a C cable. I have a Vaillant boiler serial number GA92-120 SP that doesn't have a C connector.
The boiler has only two cables connected from the thermostat to the ...
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
30
views
Under what circumstances is a common trip breaker required?
In California residential, when is a common trip breaker required as opposed to a handle tied breaker?
The code appears to permit handle-tied breakers for MWBC and also line-to-line circuits.... This ...
- 8,739
0
votes
2
answers
25
views
Replacing main breaker in Eaton All in one Service panel
I recently had a MBE 1224 100BTF Service panel (Meter/breakers) installed. This is has a 100A factory installed main breaker. The electrician was supposed to install a 125 Amp service to match the ...
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
36
views
What is a good way to reclaim counter space from an inbuilt draining board? [closed]
My sink has an inbuilt draining board like this.
The draining board is useless to me because I also have a dishwasher, which drains the dishes after they are washed. Small jobs get washed and dried ...
- 113
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
conduit above drop ceiling
I'm going to run wires above my drop ceiling and want to know if they need to be in conduit to meet code.
this is for a 5 unit apartment building but just one unit.
0
votes
1
answer
26
views
14/3 to add neutral in light switch, is it possible?
I was wondering, is it possible to use 14/3 Romex from the light fixture to the light switch and use the red and black wire to switch a light on and off, and leave the neutral so it fits NEC ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Cutting plaster walls
I have to rewire a old home that currently has knob and tube wiring. Would I be able to cut a small thin line all the way up the plaster wall in the middle of two studs, then use that small (1/4”) ...
- 51
0
votes
0
answers
17
views
Should I add sand or more crushed limestone crush to raise paver gravel base 1/4"?
I am building a 14' by 20' concrete paver patio. I have used a 17" retaining wall to raise the left side to be level with the right side. I have mechanically compacted approx. 8" of 3/4&...
- 101
0
votes
0
answers
9
views
Runtal Baseboard Pipe Hole Spacing From Wall
The spec for Runtal baseboards shows that the pipe center when coming straight up from floor should be 1" from the wall the baseboard is mounted on. I feel like this is very close. Can I shim the ...
- 123
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Would a box lined with rock wool help to soundproof noisy plumbing?
Context: Old rowhouse with joists running across the structure. Bathroom is on 2nd floor over the kitchen/dining room. Bathroom floor is 4" of concrete + tile.
Over the summer, we discovered a ...
1
vote
1
answer
44
views
Safety Switch for utility disconnect placement
I am trying to fulfill my one line drawing for AEP Texas for their interconnection agreement so I can install solar with battery backup on our home.
AEP says:
Please note that the AC Disconnect ...
-4
votes
0
answers
49
views
Should Apple Pest Control cause over $2000 in damage to my home? [closed]
Apple Pest Control treated my home for localized termites. The tech damaged my plumbing costing me over $2000. Had to take APC to court and still waiting for payment in full.
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votes
0
answers
29
views
Is there a tool to clean/vacuum the walls after hardwood was removed and installed?
My walls are pure white and I am now seeing dust left after the hardwood was installed
What vacuum attachment do the pros use to clean walls like these ?
- 2,981
0
votes
2
answers
76
views
Is my wiring to subpanel adequate?
Here’s where I am at. I have a metal shop building about 160 feet from my main panel. I have a 400 amp service. I ran 2 inch pvc conduit about 36” deep. My wire is 3 wire 2awg use 2 aluminum with ...
- 9
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
Why there is a hole in the middle of HVAC damper plate?
I am about to replace damper plate. My original was without any holes in the middle, what I found has hole. Does anybody know what is the purpose of this hole? Do I really need it?
damper plate
- 183
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
9-Year-Old Kenmore Auto Dry Not Working
Kenmore Model 61402 electric clothes dryer is not turning off automatically. When the knob is set to "Normal" auto dry, it runs indefinitely even when the clothes are hot and dry. This just ...
- 2,067
0
votes
0
answers
31
views
Should new UPVC windows let water into the lower frame from just heavy rain
(click to enlarge)
We just got new UPVC windows and found water in the frame after heavy rain the three back windows you can open up. So this is the norm and it should drain away or dry out. If I push ...
0
votes
0
answers
24
views
Schedule 40 PVC into threaded conduit hub on top of panel?
I'm surface mounting this NEMA 3R rated Eaton BR Loadcenter outside. I will be feeding it using 1 1/4" Schedule 40 PVC conduit from above.
Can I use a 1 1/4" PVC Male Terminal Adapter and ...
- 301
0
votes
1
answer
53
views
Converting a Maytag 4 prong dryer cord to 3 prong
(click to enlarge)
I have a Maytag dryer with a 4 prong set up and need to convert to a 3 prong outlet. I haven’t been able to find this exact set up and need to know if the metal strap serves as a ...
1
vote
1
answer
51
views
Current on ground conductor with main breaker off
This is a follow-up to my previous question about a bad neutral. The dimming lights/fluctuating voltage problem mostly went away after the PoCo tightened the neutral connection on my side of the meter ...
- 35
1
vote
0
answers
80
views
Mystery green plastic underground pipe [closed]
I was digging a trench for a downspout drain when I ran into this. It's about 3/4" OD, smooth plastic and hollow (I can squeeze it with pliers).
This particular hole is about 25' feet from the ...
- 338
1
vote
2
answers
36
views
How to route #8 THHN wires into an existing panel
I have a main panel in my garage, with an existing sub-panel mounted right next to it. I want to add a new sub-panel at the opposite side of my house and need to run three #8 THHN and a #10 THHN into ...
- 301
1
vote
1
answer
183
views
Are brush pass-throughs safe on junction boxes with 120V power?
I'd like to know if it's safe to put a brush pass-through on a junction box that has 120V power. Seems to me that someone could push some fingers through and touch the 120V connection inside by ...
0
votes
1
answer
53
views
Is this fuse box necessary?
My garage was cut in half by the previous owners who converted one half into a bathroom. Pictured below is the fuse box in the garage. The incoming power to this comes from the main downstairs socket ...
- 715
0
votes
1
answer
30
views
What primer type for this situation?
I'm painting some walls in an old home that needs a fresh coat of primer/paint. The house has been sitting a while so it has some general odors that I'm thinking a simple coat of paint will help cover ...
- 85
0
votes
0
answers
14
views
Different models of ERV [closed]
I need to choose a brand of ERV (energy recovery ventilator), I'm wondering which models are best? And what control features there are?
I have breathing problems due to some heart issues. As my ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
Do I need to run romex wires if it's in conduit?
I'm wondering if I will be able to just pull single wires since I'm going to be putting the wires in conduit. I'm going to need 120 V. I was also wondering if my box is metal, would I just be able to ...
- 51
0
votes
0
answers
9
views
using PIR over joists in loft space
I have 100mm glass fibre between the joists in the loft - which I want to keep as a cold loft, ie insulation on the floor of the loft space. Is it possible to lay a good thickness of PIR (Kingspan) ...
4
votes
2
answers
480
views
Can I have a 200 amp rated box but only run 100 amp service
Will I get red flag by this if I get an inspection? I know that I won't be drawing 200 A but if I ever want to do a service upgrade and go with the 200 A incoming Service I'll have that possibility ...
- 51
0
votes
0
answers
32
views
Improving efficiency of central heating system [closed]
We have a furnace, originally designed for burning coal or wood, rated for 35kW of heating power. The previous owner of the house retrofitted an industrial gas burner on this, rated for 55-110kW. The ...
- 103
1
vote
1
answer
25
views
Can I paint A Painted concrete wall with concrete residue on it
I just had my basement concrete redone and the guys got a lot of concrete on the painted walls. I want to make sure that my paint sticks well to the concrete wall and I don't know if it's going to do ...
- 51
0
votes
0
answers
12
views
How to balance height adjustment on UPVC T-flag hinge (3 hinges on door)
Door in question has 3 T-flag hinges (they are Mila Pro-Secure T-flag).
I know where the adjustment screws are and how to adjust the hinge vertically and laterally - my question is, if I adjust the ...
- 101
1
vote
2
answers
64
views
Trouble with solvent welding waste pipes
I am trying to install bathroom waste pipes (for shower and sink). I am struggling over getting solvent weld joints in the waste pipe that I am happy with.
The summary of what I have learned from ...
- 173
0
votes
0
answers
23
views
Needing to replace a heater
Hello I have a obsolete gas heater in my bathroom, however I need heat in my living room how can I get the line from bathroom to living room? Hence it is only about a foot or two from where a heater ...
0
votes
1
answer
31
views
56 volts from unconnected red wire when checks with meter to the black hot
I have three exterior outlets controlled by a toggle switch.
The electrician ran 2 wire (black and white) power from the switch box to 2 separate GFCI's. The third regular outlet, protected by one of ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
35
views
How to install chandelier fixture in ceiling hole that is too big?
I am trying to replace my dining room chandelier, and after removing the old fixture one, I realized that the new fixture is too big for the size of the hole. That means, I don't have space to put the ...
- 151
2
votes
1
answer
45
views
Step down into livingroom. Too tall? split in two?
There is a step down from the main level to the livingroom level. It's a bit over 8" I think it's too much - for me anyway. I am considering adding a second step, which would make each riser ...
- 131
0
votes
0
answers
26
views
How to build timber on metal fence? [closed]
I'm planning to build a 1.6m tall fence along the edge of a concrete retaining wall using flanged aluminium posts and steel rails.
The posts are 65 x 65mm and the steel rails are 40 x 40 x 1.6mm.
The ...
- 113
0
votes
1
answer
33
views
Fix Video & Power Wire for Security Camera
Is it possible to fix power & video wires for the security camera shown below? This wire was originally divided into two wires ... one for power (that goes to an adapter) and one for video that ...
- 101
0
votes
3
answers
54
views
USA - Split 240vac to feed two GFCI circuits
So I have a situation where I need to use a direct burial 10/2 with Ground to feed Two 120vac branch circuits by using the ground wire as a shared neutral.
Worse yet, the 10/2 cable has no neutral ...
-1
votes
1
answer
36
views
Luminaire disconnect
I saw this a menards and was wondering if I could use this to splice wires together ? it seems like it accepts a couple wires in at one end and then another at the other and then in order to connect ...
- 47
0
votes
1
answer
20
views
How to troubleshoot a slowly draining toilet with a push button cistern
One of my toilets is slowly leaking. It has (what I have deduced from Google) a dual push button cistern and a float-cup fill valve. Here's a photo.
As you can see, from this animated GIF sped up 60x,...
- 101
0
votes
1
answer
34
views
When flushing a water heater, why is hot water coming out of the faucet when the cold water inlet valve and the T&P relief value are closed?
Why is it that after I closed the cold water inlet to the water heater, I still got hot water from faucets inside the house?
If the cold water inlet is closed and the T&P relief valve is closed, ...
- 372
0
votes
0
answers
18
views
Which metric aluminium extruision profile will fit a rail clamp? [closed]
I am looking to use some aluminium extrusion as a base for my workbench, and I would like to slide my rail clamps in and out. However, from all of the resources I've seen I can't seem to decipher ...
- 364
1
vote
3
answers
34
views
What is the proper way to perform a maintenance flush on a water heater?
Should I completely close the cold water inlet and attach a hose to the drain valve (located near the bottom of the water heater)? or should I leave the cold water inlet to the water heater open and ...
- 372
1
vote
3
answers
56
views
Replacing Commander breakers with something still available
I've got an old Commander panel. I'd like to replace a breaker (old oven was 40 amps, new one specifies a 20 amps breaker). There's some sort of metal caps over the breakers. I found BQL220, online, ...
- 1,667