Questions tagged [electrical]

Distribution and use of electricity throughout the home. Electrical standards vary greatly worldwide, so you need to provide your location in your question or profile to 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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Confused about this light switch wiring - two wires on the same screw

1950s house. I've been updating the light switches around the place and everything has been straight forward for the most part but going to swap these switches out I encountered this wiring that I don'...
pocketprotector's user avatar
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How to transition from underground schedule 40 PVC conduit to EMT inside building through concrete slab?

I'm running feeder wires in 1-1/4" schedule 40 PVC underground to detached structure. I plan on using a 2" sleeve for the slab pour and a long 3' radius sweep elbow conduit fitting to bring ...
cjc's user avatar
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Difference between a battery shunt and a watt meter?

What's the difference between a battery shunt and a watt meter. Shunt like a Victron 500A - I understands displays the V/A and SoC. and something like https://www.amazon.com/LoveDeal-Precision-...
dashman's user avatar
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How to split a 30 amp 120v circuit to allow a sub panel containing two 20 amp 120vbreakers

I have an existing 30A 120v circuit breaker in my main panel which has been used to power a computer server rack and backup battery. A 30 foot long 10 gage 3 wire (black, white and green) extension ...
Kent's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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Push-in splice - What is this model?

This model was likely common 25 years ago, in Europe (France). I don't know the brand and cannot find any reference based on pictures. The plastic case is fully transparent, no levers, only a slat. ...
mins's user avatar
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Bathroom ceiling fan without light [closed]

I am installing a new bathroom ceiling fan without light and there is a red wire from the new fan, do I wire nut it or connect to black wire. On a single switch..
paul's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
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Extending a dryer cord: which method is safest? [duplicate]

I recently stacked my clothes dryer on top of my washer and the cable of my dryer is now too short to reach its outlet. I'd like to extend the cable so that it can. Swapping the cord for a longer one ...
dB''s user avatar
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Can I use 10/3 cable to feed two 15 amp circuits? [duplicate]

At my request a few years ago an electrician pulled a 30amp 2 pole breaker out of the panel and replaced it with two single pole 15 amp breakers and connected them to the existing 10/3 cable. 10/3 ...
Eddie57's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
246 views

Are dryer extension cords legal and safe?

I recently stacked my dryer on top of my washer only discover that, from the dryer's new position, its cord was just a few inches too short to reach its outlet. What to do? One option is to move the ...
dB''s user avatar
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Why would someone connect a ground wire to neutral wires? [duplicate]

Previously posted this question, but adding more clarity here. There are two switches in my bathroom: one for a light, and one for a ceiling exhaust fan. The exhaust fan is powered by the romex in the ...
eclipsis's user avatar
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3 answers
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I want to use garage EV outlet for an electric heater as well, looking for advice on my plan

About 2 years ago my electrician installed an EV charging outlet in my garage. He installed a SquareD D QO 50-amp breaker and ran about 25 feet of 6-gauge cable which terminated in a 14-50 outlet. ...
Jimmy's user avatar
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Why would someone connect a ground wire to neutral? [closed]

Removed a light switch and saw that the ground for the switch was tied into the neutral line. Why would someone do this? Shouldn't the ground be tapped into the metal electrical box? EDIT: Added 1 ...
eclipsis's user avatar
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Is there any way to secure FMC or liquid tight to electrical panel post wiring?

So was trying to help out a buddy that is moving and noticed a couple runs 2 liquid tight and it looks like 1 using FMC to the electrical panel. The conduit doesn’t terminate properly as I found out ...
MZawg's user avatar
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Is my replacement light switch wiring correct?

I have a single pole Decora light switch in my upstairs hallway that controls our attic light. I replaced the old switch (a single pole toggle, we are new owners of the home), and want some ...
The Amateur Homeowner 's user avatar
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Updating kitchen electric with GFI

I need to install two GFI outlets for outlets above countertop but third outlet is for microwave and does not need to be GFI protected. How should this be wired?
Carl's user avatar
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i had my electrical panel replaced and i noticed afterwards they put in a 150-amp rated panel. but i have 200 amps service

Why would the electrician put in a 150-amp rated panel if i have 200-amp service. And is that legal. Is this a common practice? And is this up to code? I live in Florida.
Ronald Pekarski SR's user avatar
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Which outlet is switched?

I have a room with 4 outlets. Two of them were switched, with the tabs broken off. We had an electrician come in, and wire up a new ceiling fixture to that switch. Everything worked fine until I ...
user43859's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
64 views

How to trench building front facing elevation to run electric line for my new elevation/facade lights

My building has an beautiful elevation but at night but the lights fixed at the elevation is not enough and so I'm planning to install few elevation lights but I'd like the conduit to the lights ...
King's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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What are the code requirements for outdoor plumbing and electrical surface-level conduits?

I'm planning to re-design my yard, and I'm looking to decouple the dependencies between contractors. I am planning to add some outdoor appliances (e.g. hot tub, sauna) which would require adding new ...
fernandomrtnz's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
124 views

Trying to understand the power requirements for home electrical backup

I'm considering partial electrical backup incase of power failure. Considering a solar solution. My power company tells me my usage per month is 60.0 kWh So I assume me daily usage is on average about ...
dashman's user avatar
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I'm having a problem with the second light in a series of two blinking rather than staying constantly lit

Over a year ago, I installed a number of recessed ceiling lights replacing existing lights. All of a sudden, the second light in a series of two started flashing rather than staying constantly on. ...
Barry's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Can install a GFCI outlet with only two wires in an old house?

I am working on trying to install an GFCI outlet/switch combo. I have 2 wires coming from the wall. A red and white. Can I make this work? All I see answers for is a 3 wire system
Controldad's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
703 views

Troubleshooting an Electrical Circuit - Is This an Expected Voltage Drop?

I am troubleshooting an electrical problem and am having trouble understanding the readings I am seeing on my digital multimeter. I am a DIYer with just the basics of electrical engineering knowledge, ...
lp1756's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
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Is it safe to run a device with large current leakage from an ungrounded outlet on a GFCI breaker?

I have a Bambu Carbon X1 3D Printer in my shop. My shop was built before grounding was required; so it has a GFCI Breaker installed to protect new 3-prong electrical outlets with their applicable &...
G.S.'s user avatar
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A wire came off the light switch - where to put it back safely?

I've turned off the fuses in the entire house. I've opened the light switch hoping that maybe I'll be able to fix one annoying issue. In the process of opening, one wire slid out and I'm unsure where ...
Mars Robertson's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
57 views

Switching between an AC unit and a water heater off a single power source

I have an AC unit and water heater installed but there is only one power source. I have an MCB installed so to change between the ac unit and water heater I turn off the MCB(Miniature Circuit Breaker) ...
Jasmeet's user avatar
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1 answer
90 views

Is a switched neutral light fixture up to code in canada?

In Canada, is it legal to have a single pole switch turn off a light by switching the neutral wire only? I'm pretty sure it's not to code, but my brother in law is adamant his way is okay. I'd like to ...
Jeffrey's user avatar
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How can I fix an LED light running along my stairs?

First time buying a house and noticed one of my stairs light is not turning on (but all 6 other lights do turn on). I opened up the cover plate and I noticed that there are 3 wire nuts; 2 of which had ...
Kevin's user avatar
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1 answer
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Entire (Mostly) Home's Lights Flicker when Resistive Loads are Energized

Thanks for taking a look at my question. I am troubled by a strange issue that I think I may have an idea about, but I am not 100%. So I would appreciate anyone else's feedback to hopefully set me ...
B-Dawg's user avatar
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14/3 to Power Two Switches

This is the problem, I have 14/2 (source power)into one three way switch (living room), 14/3 from that switch to a light box in the ceiling (a light is supposed to go there - different switch). 14/3 ...
David W Reece's user avatar
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2 answers
68 views

200amp (Main) Meter Panel to 200amp (sub) Panel (Siemens)

Long story short: Bought an old house and LADWP asked me to put in a new meter panel at the back of the house and convert the existing old (front) and very small panel to a sub. Both panels will be ...
Thomas Cheng's user avatar
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3 answers
92 views

Can I splice an existing wire in a wall where I want to put an outlet?

I'm looking to add a new receptacle for a TV. The nearest existing outlet is a new work metallic box nailed to the stud with barely room in the knockouts for a new piece of wire to go to new ...
user118412's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
389 views

How to connect a generator without neutral to work with 5 pin 3-phase outlet

I have an older diesel generator, with an old panel, from an older ship, that i want to connect to use as a backup power supply. Generators specifications: The problem that I have is that there is no ...
demon's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
39 views

Help! Trying to install new ceiling lights

I’m trying to wire 3 LED ceiling lights in my office. I’m a DIY guy but just for basic electrical stuff. In the center of the drawing I made is where the old light used to be. My house is old and I ...
Benny Singh's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
43 views

Switched outlet with 2 black/2 white wires. Switch controls outlet and light fixture

I have a switched outlet that I wanted to see if I could change it so it could be always live or even half hot. A little background on is that it's in the bathroom and a light switch power on the ...
user173948's user avatar
0 votes
2 answers
82 views

Issue with switches after replacing switches and receptacles

Yesterday my wife went through and replaced several receptacles and single pole switches. Most seem to be working fine, but now an entire breaker will not work (just the light fixtures, the outlets ...
Brett's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
67 views

Is my ceiling box sufficiently grounded?

I just installed a new (ceiling fan rated) metal ceiling box (something like this) and a new ceiling fan. After completing everything, I just remembered that I forgot to explicitly ground the ceiling ...
Joe's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
67 views

Can I connect six 150W lights in sequence on #12 wire with a 20A breaker? [duplicate]

I'm looking to use these 150w high bay UFO lights in my barn. Looking to install each one in a JB on the ceiling and daisy chain 6 of them together on a 20a circuit using 12/2. Ideally I will have 2 ...
Chris's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
693 views

What's the proper way to secure stranded wire in screw clamps?

I am replacing a dryer outlet with a NEMA14-30, here is the manual) and the wire is 8ga stranded. I screwed the neutral in and screwed, and screwed ... but it never tightened. I also saw that the ...
divB's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
87 views

Will a female L14-30R connector (4-prong) fit a male NEMA L5-30 plug?

I am trying to connect my battery generator to a Reliance transfer switch. The transfer switch has a male NEMA L5-30 plug (4-prong) Can I plug a female L14-30R connector (4-prong) into it?
dashman's user avatar
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0 answers
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Is there any advantage of running EMT over FMC?

I was planning to extend the existing FMC conduit that runs my Dryer circuit with two additional 20A circuits for bathroom and washing machine (both of which are currently hanging on some random ...
divB's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
87 views

One leg is 90v the other 140v

When under load I’m getting 90v on one leg and 140v on the other Al thought it varies. If I turn everything off I get 120v on each phase to neutral. I think it’s the power company side, but they came ...
Ndevir's user avatar
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0 answers
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Repairing section of black fiber board

I had to remove some siding and black board to make some electrical repairs. What is the proper way to close it up? Can I just screw in a section of OSB between the two studs and put siding up? The ...
Mike T's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
77 views

How to add a kill switch to a 3-way light switch

I'm not good with electrical terms, so please keep it dumbed down for me. The ones I use here are probably the only ones I know. I have an existing 3-way switch setup (2 light switches that both work ...
StreamRunner's user avatar
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0 answers
18 views

Installing 3 way dimmer switch

Replacing 3 way switch with 3 way dimmer switch. The new dimmer switch is marked for 2 red and one black. The wiring is 2 black and one red. I am not sure how to proceed.
Mark Lyon's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
35 views

Having trouble installing separating ceiling fan and light switch

I am a major novice and recently widowed, trying to do something my husband has always done, please be kind! I was trying to install a double switch to separate out the light from the ceiling fan. ...
Emma's user avatar
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0 answers
41 views

Air conditioner outside unit / condenser does not come on when thermostat calls intermittently / usually works after switching break/pulling fuse

A few times over the past two weeks, my central AC unit would stop producing cool air. The inside fan (furnace blower?) would be working, but since the fan on the outside condenser was not running it ...
HelpEric's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
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Dual function circuit tests OK, but breaker trips

I just powered up the (dual function, 20A Siemens) circuit for my new laundry room, which is on a new subpanel. The circuit tests fine with my trusty 3-prong, 3-light tester. But whenever I plug ...
5000fingers's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
91 views

Lights flickering in multiple rooms

This morning the lights in my living room stopped working, along with my bedroom lights flickering however lamps work when plugged into an outlet now connected to a switch, any ideas?
Adam's user avatar
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1 vote
3 answers
81 views

Can I attach an electrical box to the outside of a wooden closet in my unfinished basement?

I'm getting a sump pump installed and I need a new outlet which I'm hoping to install myself. The photo below shows where the panel is as well as the proposed outlet location and the path I'm planning ...
Michael Mior's user avatar