Questions tagged [electrical]
Distribution and use of electricity throughout the home. Electrical standards vary greatly worldwide, so providing your location in your question or your profile helps ensure you get answers that are relevant to you. Posting photographs of wiring junctions or drawing a wiring diagram and posting it is also highly recommended.
9,447
questions
0
votes
0answers
8 views
Option for some light between broken fluorescent lights and new LED recessed lights
I'm working to fix our our basement - nothing top of the line / dream basement - just some nice enough upgrades relative to our 1970's wood paneled basement, to enjoy a few years before we sell the ...
0
votes
2answers
21 views
Eliminating an outlet with 2 white 1 green and no black wires
I would like to eliminate an electrical outlet. When I removed it I was expecting to find blackk, white and green wires. However, I found there were 2 white wires and a green but no black.
My ...
1
vote
1answer
65 views
Recessed lights quit working
All 4 of my kitchen recessed lights quit working yesterday. I tried installing a switch but I have a black and white active nutted together.
I have two black wires one active one not and an active ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
Doorbell constantly rings even after replacing switch
This is a newer home in the US (fewer than 10 years old). The doorbell started ringing all the time. Disconnected button and it stopped. Replaced the button with a new button, and it stayed on all ...
0
votes
1answer
55 views
Changing light fixture
So I’m doing my first household electrical repair and am having a time doing it. So I had a flush mount light fixture stop working (2 socket). So I replaced the bulb sockets because they were all ...
0
votes
1answer
117 views
EU single back box screws and spacing
I'm designing something that has to screw mount into a standard European round single gang electrical back box, so I need to know what the distance between the screw holes as well as the screw ...
3
votes
2answers
360 views
Safe to use 220V electric clothes dryer when building has been bridged down to 110V?
We live in a building with 220V service with primarily 110V outlets but a few specialty ones at 220V.
Earlier this week electrical service in half the building across all three apartments went out. ...
1
vote
3answers
6k views
Make a wide power connector fit in a narrow slot
This seems like a bad idea but I wanted to know for sure. I am trying to extend the reach of my Christmas lights this year into a garden that is about 6 feet from my fence. I don't want to have lights ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
Electric Wire Size for Grain Bin Motors
I am having a grain bin erected and need to power it.
I have a 100 amp service at the pole. The grain bin in 250' away from the pole.
I will have a second grain in built next year right next to it. ...
0
votes
1answer
69 views
Light bulb suddenly only turns on for a moment, tried multiple bulbs
So when it happened, I tried to turn on the light (that worked fine before) and it lit up only to go off shortly after. subsequent tries were met with failure. So I changed the bulb for a new one.
No ...
0
votes
3answers
49 views
Three Circuits In One Box
First question here. Hope I get the terminology correct.
We have a three switch panel in our living room. Position 1 is a 3-way switch that toggles lights on the underside of a covered patio. ...
1
vote
1answer
26 views
Wiring Bathroom Fan
Need help on wiring my new bathroom fan. Should have been more attentive when removing the old one. The new fan has three wires: white, black and green. In the ceiling are two sets of wires. The ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
Zero power after new Gfci installed
While using hairdryer power went out. Nothing was tripped in the breaker panel. The gfci switch would not reset. Bought new gfci switch and replaced it for old one. Still no power in master bathroom, ...
3
votes
2answers
111 views
Electric apartment sockets catching on fire
I live in an apartment building, within the past year 4 of my sockets sparked and then caught on fire for a few seconds. The apartment manager claims there’s nothing wrong with the sockets because the ...
1
vote
1answer
112 views
Counting Smoke Detector Wires In Junction Box
I want to connect a wire to get power for for a ceiling fan to an existing junction box in the attic that is used right now only for a smoke detector. Box currently has a 12-3 wire coming in, and the ...
0
votes
2answers
58 views
18 gauge wire on 18 branches
I have 12 gauge wire to a 20amp circuit going around a bedroom. Then I have a fixture with 18 G9 LED bulbs on a chandelier. Do I just wire all hot leads to the hot 12 gauge and wire all the whites ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
Installed new LED transformer with spring terminal, light won't turn on
Transformer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AcPLA2Pc8bgubRKxyaK6iwiYcjKNx6BZ/view?usp=drivesdk
LED light:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1A_YCzH6FLdCCPRd5q3_LZW30tqzxeZZ5/view?usp=drivesdk
Things ...
1
vote
1answer
73 views
Install new wall outlet few feet to the left of existing outlet
If I wanted to install a wall outlet 3 feet to the left of a current outlet, would I have to take down the whole wall? It is possible and how much would it generally cost range?
The wall is already ...
1
vote
2answers
71 views
Can I run a second cable to add another hot conductor for a range? [duplicate]
I have a range that needs 10/3 wiring w/ ground, and the wire in place is a 10/2 w/ground. My question is can I just run an additional 10/2 wire and use the black in that 2nd run for the "red" wire, ...
0
votes
1answer
58 views
how to rewire from a light fixture to a switch outlet
I have an outlet that power comes into from breaker and the outlet wires to other outlets and goes to a switch that i would like to run a light fixture from the switch, i already ran cable to the ...
1
vote
4answers
24k views
How can I find the circuit breaker that my outdoor outlet is on?
I have one outdoor outlet where there is no power coming in and I am unable to determine which circuit breaker it is on so I can restore the power.
1
vote
1answer
38 views
How can I fit a face plate to two devices in separate single-gang boxes?
I ran into an issue when changing an outlet and switch in what I thought was a double gang box. After opening it up I found it was 2 single gang boxes next to each other. The previous switch and ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
1 switch controls lights and fan, the other controls nothing. How can I make one control lights and one control the fan?
It seems like this was the way it worked originally, but someone had it changed. There is another area in my apartment that is in the same situation. I measured 114VAC from the right switch (I'm ...
2
votes
5answers
29k views
Loss of power to several circuits at the same time without tripping the breaker
I have been experiencing flickering lights from time to time in the last few months. Now I am losing power to 4 circuits at once without the breakers being tripped. This is happening intermittently ...
0
votes
2answers
2k views
Why does my Goodman a/c blower motor randomly not work?
My blower motor stops working almost every night! I have no issues during the day. If the motor kicks on it works fine but when the thermostat reaches temperature and shuts the unit off it’s a 50/50 ...
0
votes
2answers
75 views
Switch(es?) blowing AFCI breaker
So I need some help (again) with an electrical issue.
I wired the basement and due to some new building code all the breakers are AFCI (which I am suspecting is a part of the problem). In the ...
0
votes
2answers
1k views
how operate ceiling fan with no reverse switch, without remote
Trying to install a Minka ceiling fan/light (in buddy's condo). The ceiling box has three-wire circuit (white, black, red) and there are two wall switches connected. But the fan has no reverse ...
8
votes
2answers
4k views
Is it safe to put a microwave in a walk-in closet?
My spouse and I like to sleep with rice bags in the winter, which we microwave to heat up. To avoid having to go back down to the kitchen, we’re considering adding an outlet in our closet and plugging ...
1
vote
0answers
48 views
electric coffee pot On/Off switch not working
I have a rather cheap and simple electric coffee pot, which afaik consist of a heater element and a switch. But the switch doesn't turn it off, I have to pull the cord to stop it.
I have checked the ...
7
votes
4answers
3k views
Wired to Wireless Doorbell
I am looking at replacing my doorbell (original to the house, circa 1978) with something more modern looking. Now, the problem I have is that most of the modern doorbells are wireless. Mine is wired......
0
votes
1answer
53 views
Grounding a sub panel panel properly
I have 3 panels
1) Main Breaker
2) Sub Panel
3) Sub Panel serviced/fed from (2)
Can I ground Panel (3) to Panel (1)?
The reason why I want to is I can use one size smaller conduit between (2) and (3)...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
Wire splitting to switches
I am running 14-2 wire from a 15 amp circuit. I want to use 3 dimmer switches for 4 lights on each. Can I split or connect 3 wires in a junction box to each dimmer switch from the main wire? I am ...
4
votes
2answers
364 views
Why is one mounting screw left behind each electrical panel's cover?
I have three electrical panels in the house and with each one, one of the face screws is under the cover as seen in the picture. So it's clearly intentional. What's the purpose of it?
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Old electric baseboard heater thermostat wiring
I have a question about an old federal pacific baseboard heater thermostat's wiring.
I disconnected this thermostat 2 weeks ago, thinking that we were going to remove the heater. Now we've decided to ...
2
votes
1answer
65 views
Two ovens on one breaker: NEC says OK, but installation manual wants dedicated circuit
I have a situation very similar to using two oven in one outlet. I'd like to install a 30 amp GE Advantium 220v oven and a 20 amp GE thermal oven on an existing circuit with a 50 amp breaker. However, ...
3
votes
2answers
2k views
what steps to take after removing a cable from a breaker box?
While building some shelves in my basement, I noticed an electrical cable than ran along a joist and dead-ended. I tested it and discovered it didn't have power. As the dead-end is not particularly ...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
How to connect existing wall switch to a new remote controlled fan?
Just replaced an old fan with a new remote controlled fan but would still like to use the preexisting wall switch to either power the fan off or at least control the light. Is it possible to do this?
...
2
votes
2answers
43 views
Conduit fill - number of circuits .vs. number of branches
I think I get this one, but just to verify or clarify... (USA NEC)
When running multiple circuits (different breakers) in a single conduit, you have to derate after (is it 4?) sharing the one conduit....
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Light going out when furnace or refrigerator kick off
I have recently added a new circuit in my basement that includes a couple of wall switches connected to can lights in the ceiling and a 4 plug outlet. One of the can lights has a habit of going out, ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
Should neutral and ground wires tied together in junction box?
Lights in garage and garage door stopped working. Breaker didn't blow. Other items on the breaker are working. Opened up ceiling light socket and in the junction box saw this:
So on this circuit are ...
0
votes
3answers
69 views
Lights will not come on after taking out wall outlet
OK.. I noticed smoke coming from my bedroom wall outlet.... I went outside turned off what I thought was the breaker to that room.... Come to find out that breaker had already switched itself off... ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
How do I add a receptacle outside off the porch light
I put in a gazebo in the back of the house and I want to install a receptacle from the only electrical source which is a porch light. I could just run some wire thru the base of the light and run it ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
3-way switch issue
I'm having an issue with a 3-way switch that I have not gotten around to fixing in many years. When I use switch A to turn on the light and then use switch B to try to turn it off, it flickers off and ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Temperature monitoring for storage hot water system (RP-2 connection)
My HWS has a secondary outlet connection I don't use, and I'd like to use it to install a thermal probe I can monitor.
HWS RP ¾ / 20 temp probe?
Does anyone know of a practical way to install a ...
2
votes
1answer
41 views
Which electrical box to use for old-work outdoor light fixture and vinyl siding mounting block?
I have a garage which already has vinyl siding on it but the inside is unfinished and accessible. I would like to add an exterior wall lantern.
The vinyl mounting block I purchased looks like this ...
1
vote
1answer
46 views
How do I connect two switches with two lights?
How do I wire two switches and two lights such that the second light can only be turned on if the first light is on? The second switch has no effect on the first light.
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Is it okay to have exposed 12/2 romex?
I am outfitting a shed with an electrical system. The inside walls are currently unsheathed, and I do not plan to sheath them. I was not sure if I can install Romex directly stapled to the studs ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Wiring a ceiling pendant UK wiring
I've done this before, but maybe because I'm replacing a ceiling fan with a pendant light the wiring is different.
I have 3 brown wires, with one live
1 Earth (No neutral wire.)
This is the end of ...
2
votes
3answers
145 views
Is it a concern that 120v cables hang down from the ceiling in my crawl space?
Recently went in my crawlspace to fix some plumbing issues and noticed that all the electrical seems to be just hanging, with some on the ground. I'm fairly certain that this is nowhere close to code, ...
0
votes
3answers
110 views
Is it ok to add an outlet from an Exit sign?
I'm trying to install WiFi expanders in our mostly brick building. The barrier is a lack of outlets where we need them. There are literally no outlets in locations were the WiFi expanders could also ...
