All Questions
Tagged with power or electrical
18,409 questions
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Installing single-pole motion sensor switch in a 3-way switch setup
I have two switches controlling a hallway light. I want to install single-pole Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor (MS-OPS2-WH). I will not need the other switch which could be dead or non-functional after ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
17
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No power on two left switches on 4 gang box after a short-circuit
I'm replacing four switches with new smart switches, and while the power was on, the hot wire on the third switch accidentally touched the ground on the first one.
This caused a loud pop and the power ...
- 147
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0
answers
29
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Possibility of a fan with two switches being wired to one switch
I moved into a new house last year, built in the 1970s (I think it was 76?) Long story short, in the living room I have a bank of three switches. One controls some recessed lighting, one controls the ...
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6
votes
1
answer
316
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Does an NEC load calculation overage mandate a service upgrade?
I am doing my own load calculation for a new house that I want to add a few premium features into (floor heater, jet tub, induction cooktop, etc.).
Running the NEC 220 calculator, I'm coming out to ...
- 227
3
votes
3
answers
901
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How should I connect a light fixture with UK wire colors to US wiring?
I'm installing a chandelier light in the US; it's just on-off, not a 3-way. The light comes with an LED bulb, and the wires are 16 gauge. But what has me puzzled is that the two wires (the ground is ...
- 181
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3
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67
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How to remove a bar-mounted junction box from the ceiling?
I’m guessing the metal rod going through the box is screwed into the joists. Is there good way to remove this while doing the least amount of damage to the ceiling? I would like to remove the box, ...
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0
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54
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Circuit lights dimming ~5% suddenly and repeatedly
I have been doing some electrical work but the kitchen/dining room lights are one of many circuits have not touched at all except for putting a few Lutron smart dimmers in the place of knob dimmers.
I ...
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2
votes
1
answer
273
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Do I have the option of running cable for an electric dryer through either the attic or crawl space?
My dryer has its own 30 amp 240v circuit in the panel box, wired using a 10/2 Romex and 3-prong receptacle. I plan to replace the 10/2 Romex and 3-prong receptacle with 10/3 Romex and a 4-prong ...
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votes
5
answers
2k
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What's the safest way to improve upon an existing network cable running next to AC power in underground PVC conduit?
Yes, I know! You shouldn't do that...
Here's the thing: it's already done. This is an existing underground PVC conduit that provides both AC power (two phase 120V) and network (via unshielded (!) cat ...
- 181
4
votes
2
answers
562
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Best way to manage an ungrounded circuit
Newish home owner here. Our house is from 1959 and some of the electrical is not super inspiring. One of the older circuits is ungrounded with cloth sheath but rubber/plastic insulated (I believe its ...
- 141
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2
answers
79
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No dedicated bus bar for neutral
If my bus bars are connected in some way in my subpanel can I still connect my neutral? I’m not sure if I can connect it like this.
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1
answer
52
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How can I tell if my home has an electrode grounding system?
I have a 1960s home located in Georgia with brick exterior where the outside electrical meter is located. My breaker panel is located close to the middle interior of the house on 2nd floor.
I have ...
- 21
0
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1
answer
46
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Can I replace a 3-way light switch with single-pole switch with motion sensor? [closed]
I have three 3-way light switches controlling a hallway light. I want to install one motion sensor switch to the hallway. I believe this will be sufficient and I will not need the other two 3-way ...
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0
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40
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Why won't my LED lights on a motion switch turn off completely?
My new motion control switch is acting oddly. I originally had an incandescent dimmer switch running two Incandescent candelabra lights over a mirror in a bathroom. One of these lights burned out, and ...
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0
answers
42
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How to connect light fixture
So I was distracted while installing my new light fixture, and can't remeber how it was setup. I connected white to white, and I I'm not sure what to do next. Thnaks for you help
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40
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Chandelier hanging dilema
Replacing Chandelier Issues
Hello. I'm trying to replace my foyer chandelier with a new one that weighs 110lbs. First issue is that the chandelier is 20ft up on a sloped ceiling and over a staircase. ...
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2
answers
70
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How can I prevent a ground fault on one outlet from tripping a GFCI protecting a series of outlets?
I have four outlets, two outside and two in the garage. The first one in the garage is the main GFCI outlet, and the other three are protected outlets.
Due to rain and Christmas decorations, the ...
2
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0
answers
82
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Switching my main breaker, how flush to Meter Box can I get by code?
I am replacing my main lug type load center to a main breaker. I am confident on the electrical side, but not on the mechanical requirements to stay within code. I will probably get some of the ...
- 221
1
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0
answers
25
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Ecobee Aux Heat running only in the early morning hours between 1:30-5:30am [closed]
We have only had our ecobee for about 9 months and it was still chilly in March of 2024 so we had ran our heat then as well but this didn’t happen. It only does it in the middle of the night. It has ...
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3
votes
1
answer
119
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Where should I connect ground in my new service panel?
UPDATE (Progress to Question, with pictures).
Thank you all for your feedback. Here is an update to what I have done since getting feedback both online and offline.
I am going with the 4wire SER Cable ...
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0
answers
55
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Bury J-box with splices inside plaster wall if documented? [duplicate]
Can you extend a single circuit by splicing on a new length of wire in a junction box and then burying that box inside of a plaster wall, as long as you document that the splice is buried there?
I saw ...
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1
answer
68
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Why isn't my new smart switch powering the lights?
The switch was previously just on/off to 4 can lights. I am trying to add smart dimmer to that one. The switch on the left controls 2 outdoor security camera w/flood lights.
Kasa smart wi-fi light ...
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1
answer
52
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Three hots in a switch box that do nothing [closed]
My problem was a LED light that would not turn off completely. I pulled out the switch only to find three black wires that were always hot no switch in the house control them and the light fixture had ...
- 1
0
votes
3
answers
82
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GFCI in box with two hots?
Remodeling my kitchen and electrician said i needed to update an outlet to GFCI. They did install it.
There are two branches off the GFCI. LoadRight and LoadLeft, each with their own wiring and 1 ...
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votes
1
answer
27
views
Ceiling Fan use of Lock Nuts
Is it recommended that a lock nut be used with the screws used to mount a ceiling fan to the electrical box?
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
Sub Panel to a Shop [closed]
I am attempting to get power out to my new shop via a sub panel. The shop is approximately 200 feet from the entry point in my house. I have 2 breaker spaces available in my main panel. What do I need ...
1
vote
1
answer
53
views
Replace 14-30R with 6-30R
I have a NEMA 14-30R outlet in my garage and would like to plug in a garage heater that has a NEMA 6-30 plug (without using a separate adaptor, as the heater instructions advise against this). Since ...
- 11
0
votes
0
answers
36
views
Outside GFI not working
So, I bought a house and checked all power outlets and they work, except the GFI outside on the eve. There is a switch inside by the front door that controls the eve outlet. I went to reset the GFI ...
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
17
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Light switch voltage tester confusion
I have been puzzled by a light switch issue in my house- 1920s home with non grounded electrical throughout most of it. A few weeks ago I had an AFCI breaker start tripping seemingly without reason, ...
2
votes
1
answer
35
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Install 240v Mysa thermostat, but gangbox has 6 wires all colored the same
I'm trying to install a Mysa thermostat, which has 3 wires. A load wire, L1 (L) and L2 (N). It looks like this:
My box has a total of 6 wires. I believe the 120 volt wires are twisted together (2 ...
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0
votes
1
answer
47
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In-wall 120V AC to low-voltage AC or DC power supply
I bought a house where there is a 'smart' doorbell installed, and it is powered from a DC wallwart that is plugged into the mains on the floor above. The mains receptacle for this power supply is in a ...
0
votes
1
answer
29
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What order/arrangement for these lights and switch?
I live in western New York. My basement is usable space; it is by no means considered livable by real estate rules.
In my basement the main circuit breaker box is on the north wall. The only light ...
- 139
2
votes
1
answer
37
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Light fixture changed and now hallway lights not working
I have changed my light fixture in the hallway and all the lights were working fine. Now I have changed the light fixture in my room which has 4 red wires (one is actually live) and 4 black wires (one ...
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0
votes
1
answer
34
views
How do I troubleshoot flickering power in certain outlets
My light and power are flickering on and off. I already checked the breaker box and everything looks fine. I flipped the switches and it continues to happen.
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2
answers
68
views
Can I replace breakers to connect a generator to my panel?
Here are photos of my box and the receptacle that the breaker is hooked to. Will my electric service panel handle the 50 amp breaker? Also, if it can, does it matter where the breaker goes?
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2
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3
answers
175
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Is it ok to support a 10.1lb ceiling exhaust fan using a 2x4 on top of drywall rather than the provided metal brackets?
I bought a 10.1 lbs bathroom exhaust fan replacement (Panasonic Whisper model FV-0511VFL1). While the electricians were cleaning up, they walked out with the EX install metal bracket included with the ...
- 737
0
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1
answer
64
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How to tell if wires overheated in the between receptacles [closed]
I was wondering if it was possible to identify if a cable/wire was damaged by overheating on a circuit of receptacles without opening the drywall to verify.
For context, my spouse replaced some ...
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-1
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0
answers
54
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How do I switch between shore and generator power without voltage spikes on my mobile laboratory? [closed]
I have a mobile laboratory with an on board generator.
It usually runs of an L14-30A style plug but I can switch between the two systems.
Occasionally when plugging into different locations (not at my ...
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1
vote
1
answer
54
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polaris-style connecters in outdoor/damp location
I need to splice a 4/0 AL feeder and extend it (as 3/0 CU). It lives in a disconnect panel which is rated NEMA 3R, which is mounted outside on a shed.
It's unclear to me whether I can use Polaris-...
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4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I rewire a water heater to require smaller breakers?
I have a tankless electric water heater that has 4 double pole 40 amp breakers. I am purchasing a new water heater that needs two 60 amp breakers. Can I rewire to use the 40 amp breakers?
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1
vote
1
answer
62
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Help identifying Neutral Wire
I am trying to replace the 3 way switch on the right with a Kasa 3 way dimmer.
Usually the neutral is a bundle of white wires. In this case I am not sure.
- 135
0
votes
1
answer
52
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No ground to connect to for light/fan switch
This house was built in '65 with original wiring. There are no ground wires available to connect lights and exhaust fan for my bathroom. I added a yellow 12/2 cable for my vanity light with a ground ...
- 69
0
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1
answer
28
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Need help with Chandelier wiring/install
https://imgur.com/a/shn0g8D
I am trying to replace our existing chandelier with a new one we bought. This is the first time I have attempted anything like this and the instructions are essentially ...
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1
answer
53
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Conduit Termination Required in Crawlspace?
When I installed my basement sub-panel, I installed an empty 1-1/2" conduit down about 4 feet into the crawlspace for future considerations. It just sticks about 1 foot below the floor in the ...
- 245
0
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1
answer
41
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Old mechanical chime buzzing when video doorbell installed
Last week I replaced my doorbell button with the Wyze Video Doorbell Duo, which runs on 10-24V AC. My existing doorbell transformer was 10V so I reckoned it would work fine. However, the 1950s-era ...
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14
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6
answers
3k
views
Are uncovered cord plugs safe to use in the snow?
I was recently given some christmas outdoor decorations that have piggyback plugs (prongs on one end, socket on the other - not sure if this is the right term). They're all two-prong so plugging them ...
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1
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2
answers
141
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Updating Electric Service to a 100yr+ old house
this is a house in SF Bay Area PGE is service provider. House over a hundred years old. Gone through many renovations. I have opportunity to obtain property. There are 3 levels garage Floor1 (...
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1
vote
1
answer
49
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Can I use crimp connectors intended for #14 wire on #18 wire?
The backstory:
I have an old rectangular bathroom light/exhaust fan (Fasco Industries, Model #656). Over the course of 40 years, turning the fan on/off lead to vibrations, causing the wires to rub ...
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1
vote
0
answers
20
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Can’t tell which wire has voltage using non contact voltage tester [duplicate]
I’m testing a light switch. I removed the switch plate. I pulled the switch out of the box a couple of inches.
When I try to test the wires using my non-contact voltage tester, the tester detects ...
- 11
1
vote
0
answers
34
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Attaching Ceiling light [closed]
My ceiling light has white and black wires. My junction box however doesn’t have a black wire. It has white, blue, green, red, yellow. From what i understand white to white. But black from my light ...
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