Questions tagged [low-voltage]
Electrical systems with voltages significantly lower than mains wiring. Examples include ethernet, telephone, cable tv, and alarm systems.
225
questions
0
votes
1
answer
83
views
How should I separate high and low voltage in a junction box?
In California I am installing a SPDT relay to activate a circulation pump from my thermostats.
The relay takes a 24v trigger and connects the 120VAC for the pump. The relay is designed to go into ...
- 9,927
0
votes
2
answers
86
views
Why are my wired smoke detector backup alkaline batteries (i.e. 9.0 Vdc) measuring over 10.0 Vdc after being installed for a year?
I have six (6) wired smoke detectors i4618AC (w/9v battery backup), and also on one (1) wired smoke/CO detector KN-COSM-IBA (w/AA battery backup). The detectors are all approximately 5 years old and I'...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
61
views
Low Voltage In Walls with 22ga Wire - Charging
I've tried to figure this out on my own, but it exceeds my ability.
I'm trying to replace my old DSC Security Screens with Android Tablets. My house was originally wired with 22ga solid core copper ...
- 51
1
vote
1
answer
103
views
Are 1x2 walls ok for framing the bottom kneewalls in my basement?
I'm in Minnesota. We have a unfinished/partially finished basement with daylight windows that we plan to work on. I'm trying to understand if it's OK on the kneewall where the Polyisocyanurate foam is ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
529
views
Google Nest Outdoor Camera - Re-Wiring (Wire Type)
Last year, I had an ADT system installed, along with some Google outdoor cameras. I have an extra camera that I acquired recently and would like to follow a similar setup as the other cameras.
From ...
- 105
4
votes
4
answers
943
views
Any possible exceptions/ways to (code compliant) put communication wire in same EMT as line voltage?
I know generally it’s not allowed to put low voltage signals into the same conduit (EMT) as line power runs. But I am wondering if there are any exceptions or ways to achieve it (code compliant). For ...
- 1,575
0
votes
1
answer
62
views
Why does my porch photo cell light cause bulb to only light half brightness?
I have a porch light that has a time/photoeye switch or it can be just on or off. It is on a 3 way switch and the are 2 other lights on the circuit that are not effected in this way.
When the sun goes ...
1
vote
1
answer
79
views
24VDC along side 120VAC Romex?
[context: NEC 2023, state of Colorado]
I want to have this 3 gang box turn on overhead lights, pendants, and under cabinet LED lights. There is a combo dimmer/transformer/driver to run LED under ...
- 243
0
votes
1
answer
115
views
Can you increase volt-ampere (VA) rating of a doorbell chime without issue?
I'm looking to replace a 16VAC/10VA doorbell transformer with a 16VAC/30VA one—to accommodate a new video doorbell. I'd like to keep the existing mechanical chime, which is rated 16VAC/10VA.
Will ...
- 103
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What is this low power connector on my intercom wires?
For context, this is in France, in a building where this part of the cabling is probably around 25+ years old.
My apartment has an intercom to answer and open the building door. It is quite simple: ...
- 395
3
votes
1
answer
270
views
Undercabinet lighting wiring
I have a new build project where my kitchen was wired for undercabinet lighting. I would like to attach 2 sections of LED strip lights to the upper cabinets, but am unsure of how to wire the part ...
- 31
4
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can low voltage bracket be installed next to existing receptacle to accommodate a two-gang faceplate?
Can a low voltage bracket like this be installed next to an existing single-gang box such that it supports a single, standard 2gang faceplate? Is there anything specific to take care or any product ...
- 1,575
0
votes
1
answer
72
views
Smoke alarm relay (high voltage and low voltage) in junction box?
I have First Alert hardwired smoke alarms, and I'd like to add monitoring output to my home automation using their RM4 relay, a simple dry-contact relay that activates from the smoke alarm's data ...
- 1,482
2
votes
1
answer
447
views
What causes low voltage on only certain circuits?
I am trying to understand and solve an electrical issue in our house, which is 75 years old. The issue is variably low voltage on some circuits, between 103v-111v (tested with a Klein outlet tester ...
- 123
0
votes
1
answer
203
views
Why don't my low-voltage LED lights work without an incandescent? [duplicate]
I have three T3 puck lights on each side of my kitchen under my cabinets. The 3 for each side are powered by a 12V supply (2 supplies) from the basement and each individually have a low voltage wire ...
- 21
1
vote
1
answer
317
views
When installing multiple lengths of LED lighting, can I just run them in "parallel?"
. Hey, all!
Wondering, if I am running three sections of LED lighting from a single transformer, would the following be an appropriate solution? I would run a single NM-B line from the dimmer to the ...
- 139
2
votes
1
answer
507
views
2020 NEC: Proper installation of PVC Conduit for Data Cables
I am installing a media enclosure in an under-stairway closet on my first floor. I plan on running Schedule 40 PVC conduit between the enclosure and the crawlspace directly below, as well as between ...
- 151
0
votes
2
answers
61
views
Thermostat common low voltage [closed]
My thermostat failed and I am replacing it with a Honeywell Lyric T6 pro.
The previous configuration had G,W,R connected with Rc jumpered. The thermostat wire was 5-wire, 22ga I think. I used an ...
- 1,287
0
votes
2
answers
93
views
Rubber knockouts to fit this junction box to allow single low voltage wire to pass?
I am passing a single low voltage wire (actually 18/8 sprinkler) through the interior of the garage to the exterior near the roofline, and then running the wire under the eaves. The exterior is ...
- 101
0
votes
2
answers
87
views
Wiring low voltage around a corner
I tried grokking some of the other questions here, since I'm sure this is a duplicate -- but for the life of me I can't figure any of them out.
I'm looking to hide coaxial/ethernet wiring that either ...
1
vote
3
answers
2k
views
Code requirements for running water, power and sprinkler wire in same trench?
I am having a trench dug that passes through our asphalt driveway (previously a public county road). I am running power to a pump house on the far side and want to run two water lines and sprinkler ...
- 111
9
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Extend ethernet cable
I have a PoE camera and the wiring is about 3 feet too short. The Ethernet that was pre-wired is about 100 feet and it isn't practical to redo the wiring.
How should I extend the cable? The connection ...
- 91
2
votes
3
answers
6k
views
6 amps over 100 feet of 18 gauge wire at 12v
Is it safe to push 6 amps at 12v over 100ft of 18 gauge wire? If not, what’s the max amperage for 100 feet of 18 gauge wire at 12v
- 21
0
votes
1
answer
935
views
Low voltage on 8 outlets
I have 8 outlets on the same line that are all registering less that 0.5 volts each. They used to register 120v and I’m not sure what happened. Just as goofy is that the voltage seems to slowly drop ...
- 473
-1
votes
1
answer
974
views
Is my Low Voltage 300W transformer sufficient for my lighting setup?
I have Hampton Bay low voltage 300W Digital Transformer . I like to know if it is adequate for my landscape lighting with the following details:
Two wire runs of 12-gauge wire: 1st run is 55 feet ...
0
votes
1
answer
154
views
How to tell if light power cord is Low Voltage
I know per code you can't run high voltage power cords behind a wall, but my understanding per this thread Why can't I (or: shouldn't I) run a power cord through a wall? is below 55 watts I am ...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
47
views
110 block vs UR IDC for telephone line connections [closed]
I have a landline telephone line that branches out to 5 telephone outlets. Would it be better to use 110 block or a UR IDC (red scotchlock) connector for the connections/splices? Would water/moisture ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
55
views
At least two circuits disconnect intermittantly. Breaker does not trip. Voltage measures low sometimes
I noticed two that two circuits cut off intermittanly but circuit breaker did not trip. I tested voltage with meter when the the problem was happening and found about five volts on both the incoming ...
1
vote
1
answer
496
views
Bringing low voltage cable through exterior wall
I've got a 1 1/4" rough diameter hole through exterior wall that I am bringing a Starlink low voltage cable through. The exterior wall will have snow up against it at times and even up to and ...
- 107
1
vote
2
answers
155
views
How should I support junction boxes connected to a 24VAC transformer?
I have a 24VAC transformer that I plan to use in a shed for powering landscape lighting, WiFi cameras, sensors, etc. I had been powering these things from my irrigation system transformer, but I'm too ...
- 289
0
votes
2
answers
906
views
Can I run 12/2 low voltage wire for landscape lighting through a crawl space? [closed]
Question re: low voltage landscape lighting wiring. If the 300 watt transformers are mounted in a garage or dry crawl space, can I run the 12/2 direct burial wire through the crawl space/garage to the ...
- 11
0
votes
4
answers
363
views
landscape wire in pex piping for under concrete installation [closed]
I was planning to install some low voltage landscaping lights and I needed to go under a 10 foot wide concrete driveway. Can I use a flexible drill bit to dig a 1/2 wide hole and fish some 1/2 pex ...
- 11
5
votes
1
answer
947
views
What is the correct way to wire a Relay In Box (or similar relay) that has low-voltage signal wires bundled with 120V wires?
It is my understanding that low-voltage wires can share a double-gang box with 120V wires, as long as they are isolated from each other by a permanent divider. I was looking at getting this relay to ...
- 185
0
votes
1
answer
992
views
Can I extend 22 gauge stranded wire with 18?
I am doing some manually splicing of some outdoor wire and I wanted to know if I could:
Extend 22 gauge stranded wire with 18 gauge stranded wire then back to 22 gauge stranded. (22 -> 18 -> 22)
...
- 436
3
votes
1
answer
609
views
Help needed to bypass Carrier EIM module for Ecobee
I have an ecobee thermostat that I want to install, but I discovered we have a carrier EIM module in place between our existing thermostat, and our HVAC unit. Here is a wire diagram of the existing ...
- 133
3
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Can I use 18 AWG thermostat wire for led strip lights
I'm planning to add LED strip lights as under cabinet lighting. The driver and the strip lights I got has 20AWG wires. Can I use the 18 AWG thermostat wire to wire between the driver and the strip ...
- 197
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Protecting out-of-wall wiring to transformer
I'm installing a 24V DC low voltage under-cabinet lighting system in my new kitchen. I had electricians run some 18AWG runs before the drywall went up from under every top kitchen cabinet, all ...
- 1,578
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can a doorbell transformer share the HVAC circuit?
I’m looking to add a video doorbell to my home which was not wired for a doorbell when built. I can run the bell wire to my furnace closet and wondering if I can add a doorbell transformer here.
I’ve ...
- 150
1
vote
1
answer
109
views
Guidance on proper cables to power Cameras from addon power box through attic
I would like some guidance on what cable is needed when running wire from a power supply box in garage, through a predrilled hole above to the attic, and out to the world via holes in corners under ...
- 11
1
vote
1
answer
219
views
Is running Cat 6e, Coaxial, and Romex through the same framing penetration a safety hazard? [duplicate]
We had a house built about a couple of years ago and the electrician ran the cat6e, romex, and coaxial cable in the same hole in the floor joists. The hold is about a 2.5" hole with multiple ...
- 71
1
vote
2
answers
203
views
How to wire 2" recessed LED Downlights with inline AC to DC LED driver [closed]
I recently purchased a four-pack of 2" recessed led accent downlights to install in a gyp board ceiling. The lights arrived and have a 6" cord from them which connects to a LED driver. A ...
1
vote
2
answers
402
views
The legal and best way to permanently wire LED's to shelves?
I would argue that this guy does one of the best jobs on custom floating shelves:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ_CKmejH_s
The TL;DR is that he routes channels in the shelves and puts USB-powered ...
- 111
2
votes
1
answer
912
views
low voltage transformer won't turn off completely?
I recently purchased a used Hadco Lighting 12v 300W transformer (model TC354_15) at a thrift store.
This model has 2 common lines that are controlled by 2 corresponding switches in the box. I tested ...
- 105
0
votes
3
answers
172
views
Supplement battery charging (solar) with 15v landscape lighting input?
I have a 150w low voltage (DC) landscape lighting system (15v) but I'm only using maybe 50w of it. I also have a 400w solar array connected to a 40a MPPT controller that keeps a 50ah LiFePO4 battery ...
- 109
0
votes
1
answer
979
views
What causes sometimes low voltage & sometimes high voltage on different circuits in my house? And I have to run 2 space heaters for either to work [duplicate]
I’ve had issues with flickering lights for a while & over the summer we added a window unit to my sons room & you could barely tell it was running. I used my meter to check several outlets ...
0
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Random brief voltage drops throughout the day impacting half the house
For the past three months we've been experiencing lights flickering and certain electronics resetting due to voltage dips down to as low as 70 volts. This happens completely randomly regardless of new ...
- 51
0
votes
1
answer
372
views
Can I use low voltage twisted doorbell wire in wall?
I am running new bell wire and the low voltage 20/2 bell wire I got is twisted with no sheathing (https://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-100-ft-20-2-Twisted-CU-Bell-Wire-56750023/205717549)
I can't ...
- 436
0
votes
2
answers
521
views
Safe to run LED strip extension wire under an oven?
I'm installing LED strip lights around the base of our kitchen cabinets, but there's an oven right in the middle of it. Is it safe to run extension wire (like this) under the oven?
If it matters, the ...
- 131
0
votes
1
answer
78
views
How do you connect to one of the 5 wires of a low voltage cable in the middle of the run (the cable goes farther than the connection point)
In the below picture, A is a irrigation controller. BCD are inline valves with D being the main valve installed on the water tap and B and C being the manifold valves.
I have a 5 wire cable that runs ...
- 3,454
0
votes
2
answers
151
views
Does Power-Over-Ethernet help the DIYer?
Power-Over-Ethernet (POE) has come up in several answers recently as potential solutions to problems involving wiring and getting power to strange places.
How does POE help the DIY person in achieving ...
- 11.3k