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Questions tagged [electrical]

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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.

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38 views

How to fix 2 wires into this plug?

I purchased an axial fan for a refrigerator but it just has 2 wires sticking out. It came with a wall socket plug and cable but on the end of that cable is just 2 small holes. How do I fix the wires ...
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2answers
260 views

Junction Box size/type requirement

Can a standard blue junction box be used for indoor wiring purpose? Lets say I have one single gang box of 24 cu. in. which is placed as junction box to connect three 14/2 cables inside it. I know its ...
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12 views

Lights and outlets keep tripping

The lights and outlets in out bathroom and livingroom keep tripping?? I did some research and everyone was saying it was the GFCI outlet, so there is only one on that circuit so I replaced it and we ...
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0answers
18 views

Will stacking 2 junction boxes make inspector Happy?

I had to relocate a 2 switch box to a new wall ( new location). I didn't notice that insulation of two existing cables are damaged. Damn! so I put a electric tape around the cable in damaged area. But ...
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33 views

Low-voltage LED light strip through wall to outlet - Allowed?

I am installing some cabinets in my basement media room. I'd like to use a Philips Hue Lightstrip for accent lighting. The other side of the wall on which the cabinets are mounted is unfinished - it's ...
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73 views

Are my calculations for stepping down from 240v to 208v correct?

I just bought a used UPS and didn't realize I bought 208v and not the 240v version. So I'm looking for a buck-boost transformer. Both input and output are at 30amps. I think I've done the math right. ...
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4answers
3k views

How to install an outdoor outlet in new stucco (not retrofit) — with details done right

Previous questions pertain to adding an outdoor electrical box to old stucco (How do I install electrical through existing stucco (e.g. "old work") ). What are the ways it's done on a wall ...
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2answers
90 views

Old 3 prong oven plug has 2 hot and 1 stripped aluminum wire. How do I convert this to a 4 pronged oven plug?

The original 3-prong oven plug has the normal 2-hot wires. However, I don’t know if it was a neutral or ground wire that was the third wire, as it’s aluminum and completely stripped. I’ve looked up ...
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2answers
12k views

Can disconnected knob-and-tube wiring be left in place?

The house I recently bought (over 100 years old) has had almost all of its wiring replaced with a new elctrical board. However, in two cases the new wiring has been connected to existing knob-and-tube ...
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1answer
48 views

4 Way switch, multiple light circuit

I have found diagrams that are almost what I’m looking for but not quite. Maybe because it isn’t logical/feasible? I’m wiring three switches to control multiple LED panel lights in the ceiling. I have ...
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1answer
4k views

LiftMaster garage opener will not erase memory

Moved into a new home a couple months ago. Car was broken into on my driveway a week ago, and one of my garage door openers was stolen (along with some other things). The problem is that the opener ...
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2answers
60 views

What size wire for a 100A sub-panel at 275 feet?

I need to run power from my house out to my 35X70 workshop out back. What I have; a dedicated panel with 150 amp breaker on the side of my house that is currently only powering my well. My workshop is ...
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2answers
89 views

RV body frame producing a 33-40V~

I have a problem with any given breaker leaking a current to the frame of the body. I have tested the pedestal of that the RV is connected to and there seems to be no problems there, with all ...
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1answer
88 views

Can I connect multiple outputs into a single output?

For example, connecting 4 outlets into a single outlet. |}-----------|}-- | | ^ | | ^--||--| | ^---- || ----^ 4 electrical outputs connecting into 1.
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2answers
59 views

2 way switch operates opposite to my preference

I have two sets of 2 way switches in my new home but I prefer the lights to be off when both ends are in the "off" (as compared to regular switches) position. Conveniently there is one ...
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2answers
45 views

Exhaust Fan Code Requirements for Bathroom

I have a small Full bathroom ( toilet, Tub and vanity) of size 6'X 7'.8". This is in a basement. We are hardly going to use tub/shower there. Question: Does a 50 CFM of Exhaust fan enough or ...
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1answer
52 views

why does my main service electrical panel not have a ground? or is it bonded already?

So im in the middle of installing a mini split in my home and i was about to start the wiring but when i opened up my main panel i realized that i dont have any grounds anywhere.So i started doing my ...
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1answer
70 views

3-Way switch on single pole--convert to combination?

I have a 3-way switch (top and bottom of stairs) to control an overhead light. The whole landing area at the top doesn't have an outlet available anywhere, so my ex-father-in-law (a DIY type who has ...
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1answer
212 views

wiring hrv in a confusing house

some beautiful pictures first time posting apologies if my placement is off Buying HRV. I am debating between two units, venmar evo5-700 which doesn’t support furnace interlock or lifebreath rnc205, ...
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2answers
154 views

Adding a 50a breaker in main panel to feed 30a rv breaker and plug

I recently purchased a prewired 30a rv subpanel to plug in a travel trailer while sitting at home. The subpanel is complete with a 30a breaker and receptacle. Is it acceptable to run the romex (10-2) ...
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4answers
3k views

Can I use a single 20A circuit for two bathrooms?

Can I put two bathrooms on one 20amp breaker for the respective outlets or do I need a separate 20amp circuit for each bathroom? I am running out of panel space in my subpanel otherwise I would just ...
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1answer
78 views

How do I wire this ceiling light?

I know I can connect the loose cable from light switch to light fixture, but what do I do with that extra cable coming down to the outlet? Previously this was a fan/light combo with remote that had ...
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0answers
81 views

Master override light switch complicates smart light switch installation?

I moved into a home built in 1975 last week and there is a most interesting switch behind the door in the master bedroom. It appears to override the light switches in the entry way, upstairs landing, ...
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1answer
42 views

No clue what happening with this dimmer connection

Do you know what is happening in this electric box? A red, white, and blue wire come in, and a red and white go to the receptacle. The red and white complete a circuit and the blue and white complete ...
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0answers
27 views

Upgrade kitchen gfci outlets - wiring question

We are redoing our old kitchen and I have the chance to upgrade the two light switches to a switch and gfci outlet. The two lights have the incoming power so the switches are at the end. However ...
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1answer
46 views

Do I need a sub-panel near my hot tub?

I am getting a hot tub soon and need to pre wire it myself. This is my first house so I’m still learning all the electrical stuff. When I was in the process of building, I requested the builder to put ...
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2answers
2k views

How to run cable from attic to breaker panel in a finished room

I want to install a new circuit breaker and run 10/3 NM cable from attic and into the breaker panel. The panel is in a finished bedroom. How would I fish the cable to the panel considering potential ...
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1answer
50 views

I have a single switch that turns on two recessed lights over my shower but it doesn't always flip on both lights

I have a single pole switch that switches on two CFL lights over my shower and bath tub. When I flip it on sometimes both flip on, sometimes the other one does and the other is off vice versa, ...
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1answer
63 views

What are my manual override options for Intelectron 861K motion detector?

I'd like to have a "manual override" option for the Intelectron 861K motion detector I'm installing, but I don't have the instructions. It seems like there's no manual override switch ...
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2answers
106 views

How to frame an outlet between studs

I’m remodeling an old kitchen. Drywall is removed. I’d like to add a receptacle in a spot between studs. I suppose I could add a stud but it is a 10’ ceiling and would hate to waste a 2x4 just for the ...
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1answer
136 views

Vent hood throwing bedroom breaker

Let me start by saying that electrical is not my strongest area. With that being said, I'm experiencing an issue where the breaker for two of my bedrooms is thrown approximately a minute or two after ...
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1answer
50 views

Triple switch wiring, only two wires

I have an older triple switch (fan, light, power), that has only two black wires, both hot. I am trying to wire it to a new triple switch, that has a hot post on one side and three posts on the other ...
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2answers
2k views

Room lights flickering when I connect my desktop computer when running on Inverter

I have all LED lights (tubelights and bulbs) in my house and has been backed up by an inverter (Luminous Eco Volt +1550 with Inverlast 150Ah Tall Tubular Battery). The issue is when I connect my ...
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1answer
45 views

Branch out a 120VAC From a 240VAC

I have a 4-wire 240VAC 50amp outlet in my garage. I want to create an 50+' extension cord to my welding cart that has a 220-240vac Welder, 220-240vac plasma, and I'd also like to have a 120VAC service ...
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1answer
46 views

Installing fixture with no junction box and off-center stud

I asked a question earlier today here because I took down an old wall-mounted light fixture in my bathroom above the vanity, and was going to replace it with a new fixture. Unfortunately there's no ...
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1answer
2k views

What type of connector is this, and how do I remove it?

Home DIYer here. What type of connector is this, and how do I remove it?
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2answers
2k views

Do the end caps on this fuse get transferred to the new fuse when/if it blows?

This is one of the time delay fuses in the box outside by my a/c condensor unit: New ones don't come with the copper end caps as far as I can tell: I'm guessing they just get pried off the bad fuse ...
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0answers
35 views

Cooktop warm surface light on dim

I have a new Whirlpool cooktop that has the warm surface light on dim when the cooktop has not been used. It turns on brightly when being used but returns to dim when the surface cools. The service ...
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1answer
32 views

Replacing bathroom light fixture, no junction box

First time homeowner and newbie DIY-er here. I'm replacing the light fixture in our bathroom and there's no junction box behind the wall, but I think I'm seeing insulation in there too. There's a stud ...
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1answer
165 views

Why are some outlets still out after replacing an outlet?

So I had an outlet that was sparking and sometimes cutting out (till I moved it to an angle) so I decided to change it. Turned the breaker off, replaced it, turned it back on and find out my room and ...
6
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2answers
8k views

Can I put acoustical putty *inside* the electrical box rather than around the outside?

For soundproofing applications, they make acoustical putty that you put around the electrical box. However, what if you can't get behind the electrical box? In my case, I have a wall floating on hat ...
0
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1answer
43 views

orange indicator light is on for my outdoor GFI receptacle

why is my GFI showing an orange indicator light..I have tried the reset a few times..I hae tried to unplug and [lig back in..nothing seems to work..it remains orange
3
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3answers
20k views

How do I safely extend electrical wiring without replacing it entirely?

I'm in the process of replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan. I replaced the old mount with a pan ceiling support box. The wiring is old (1920s) and inside armored cable coming through the stud. ...
0
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2answers
59 views

Measuring voltage from home to outbuilding

I want to make sure all the power going from the house to the outbuilding is getting to it. I have installed meters at the point leaving the house and at the point where it is entering the outbuilding....
4
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1answer
307 views

Why does this fluorescent ceiling light go out after a few seconds (every time)?

I have a strange problem with a fluorescent ceiling room light. There are four small fluorescent tubes. One day for no apparent reason they all just suddenly went out. When I turned the light switch ...
2
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2answers
87 views

Outlet has blown twice after circuit worked fine for months

As with many people, I have been working from home since last year. Last fall, I moved my workspace into my basement. The area I'm working in is serviced by a chain of 4 basic outlets, all 15A/125V, ...
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1answer
40 views

New Electric range trips GFCI when plugged in - 4 wire, bonding strap removed

I had an electrician install a 220v 40 amp circuit for a new electric range (Avanti DERP20) in the basement. The circuit is for a 4 wire (grounded) plug. I have wired the 4 wire plug to the range and ...
2
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2answers
160 views

Can anyone identify this device, attached to roof in living room corner?

A friend of mine found this device in the corner of the ceiling in the living room of his recently purchased house. The previous owner has no idea what it was. One of the KDU connectors goes into the ...
2
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2answers
8k views

How to tell if water pipes are grounded?

This answer indicates that the water pipes should bonded to the electrical ground even if a grounding rod is used. How would one normally tell if that is the case? Is that bonding required to be ...
7
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3answers
1k views

Can someone explain this Tandem Breaker Setup to me?

Question I'm scratching my head trying to understand why my Sub Panel was set up using the tandem breaker configuration described (with picture) below. There are 3 tandem breakers, with the top two on ...

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