Questions tagged [receptacle]
A contact device installed at the outlet for the connection of an attachment plug.
1,335
questions
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1answer
78 views
Why are there 2 wires taped together? 2 white and 2 black
I'm switching out all my outlets and found that every white and black wire has an additional one taped to it. What is the reason for this and should I redo the connections with caps?
2
votes
2answers
337 views
Trying to place an outlet plate flat to the wall
My wife bought a wall switch/outlet plate, and I immediately realized that normal plates are convex, a bit of gap for the screws holding the outlets to the electrical box.
I am thinking I can leave ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
External GFCI Won't Reset
Last night we had a good rain storm and an exterior GFCI outlet tripped. That outlet is controlled by a switch in my foyer and is used to turn walkway lights on or off. The test button of the outlet ...
0
votes
1answer
34 views
Indoor switch for outside outlet
According to the NEC, if I have an outside power outlet, like on my deck, that is part of a bigger circuit with other outlets, do I have to have an indoor switch that controls that outlet so that I ...
0
votes
2answers
61 views
electrial with freezer outlet
I have a default outlet that a small freezer is connected to. Everytime there is an electrial outage, my freezer defrosts. Is it possible to change to a regular outlet?
1
vote
1answer
49 views
Why doesn't the top half of my outlet work?
Outlet top not working. Has black wire on each brass screw / white wire on each silver screw. Tabs are not broken. No fixtures attach to this. Is this ok?
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3answers
72 views
Can I run a ground wire from a cheater plug to another 3-prong outlet to ground it?
I live in an old house with my parents (who are the homeowners), and have a problem where some of the electrical outlets in the oldest parts of the house have not been upgraded from two-prong to three-...
1
vote
2answers
112 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
123 views
Outlet has blown twice after circuit worked fine for months
Original scenario (see edit below)
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 ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Replacing receptacle wallplate with nightlight, but terminals are not exposed
I went to change the existing wall plate with a wall plate that has a built-in night light when I went to do this I noticed the wiring on the outlet itself is covered by what looks to be a plastic box ...
0
votes
2answers
86 views
Proper way to ground a 240v metal outlet box?
I am replacing the circuit to our stove and am doing the rough in currently. We may one day want a stove requiring more amperage than our current 40 amps and so I am replacing with 6-3 w/ground. I ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
Replacing middle of circuit outlet with doorbell transformer
I am replacing an outlet in the middle of a run with doorbell transformer. The outlet is not required for code and the transformer is one that is rated to be installed in a 2 gang box. Yes, I will be ...
8
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I fix the mounting of these outlets in this box that is taller than the outlet?
I have 4 outlets in my garage mounted in an exposed box where they do not seem to be centered. (This seems to be a 4-11/16" box.)
Removing the cover plate reveals that each pair of outlets is ...
0
votes
1answer
65 views
Pull power from hard-wired smoke detector?
I'd like to put a power outlet in a closet to power some tech. I have access to the attic above the closet so I'm looking for possible sources to tap into. I first thought about ceiling-mounted lights,...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Removing Ceiling Fan with two switches - with a light fixture. Can I make one switch an outlet?
Technically I don’t need any switches since I’m using smart bulbs, but is there a way I can make one of the switches an outlet? The ceiling fan wires are Ground, Red, White and Black.
I’ll have to ...
0
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2answers
49 views
Rigidity (and height) of drywall around outlet hole
We are dealing with a subpar contractor who has tried multiple times now to repair a small section of subway tile that they previously cracked. I suspect that their current strategy is going to lead ...
3
votes
4answers
640 views
Can I plug an IEC rated for 10A into the wall?
What I'm trying to do is have this embedded into a hollow table, then I can use it to feed into a couple outlets elsewhere in the table to power a few things, like a low power computer and a printer.
18
votes
5answers
4k views
Is there a benefit to having a switch control an outlet?
In my house there is a switch in every room that controls an outlet. I’ve asked my electrician to remove that so that the outlet is always on.
He says it’s safer to have a “control switch” but I can’...
1
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1answer
42 views
Fix drywall around electrical box
I decided to replace my kitchen backsplash only to damage the drywall behind it.
How do I fix the drywall around electric box so that it is not flimsy and it is safe?
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votes
0answers
45 views
No power to part of my townhouse
I live in a Townhouse. I have no power except on one level upstairs.
Power Box is all good. I am a nurse not an electrician.
Thoughts please.
4
votes
1answer
147 views
How can I wire this switched GFCI combo outlet with two neutrals and two hot wires?
I’d like to wire a switched GFCI combo such that the switch controls the GFCI plug. I found this diagram for doing so:
This looks easy enough. However, after unscrewing the current outlet, I’m seeing ...
5
votes
1answer
141 views
Outlet for built-in Microwave has 120v/20A (USA) breaker… what amperage receptacle is required?
Currently I'm not able to pull the built-in microwave out to examine the outlet, so am leaning on the expertise here. It is a duplex outlet and the connected breaker is 20A, constructed around 2005. I'...
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0answers
45 views
Adding Outlet to Switch
I'm trying to add an outlet to this switch box, I live in the UK and tried to diagram this the best I can of what I can see.
How do I connect a T+E cable (attached to an outlet) to this system?
0
votes
1answer
50 views
Outlet not working
Yesterday, I was replacing an old outlet didn't notice it was a metal box, and when I was pulling out the outlet, I hit the side, and it sparked; Oops. Anyways I noticed another outlet in the room was ...
1
vote
1answer
81 views
Torque for receptacles and light switches
When connecting wires to the screw terminals on receptacles or light switches, what torque should they be tightened to if no torque is indicated either on the device itself or in its installation ...
0
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1answer
42 views
Split switched receptacles all stay hot regardless of switch position
I have removed and verified the wiring and tab removal on all receptacles with no problems found.
Somewhere the red hot (switched) conductor and the black hot (un-switched) conductor must be bonded.
...
0
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0answers
34 views
Help wiring a GFCI outlet with multiple wires in the box
I was replacing/upgrading some electrical outlets in my house to GFCI. I did two of them, the third one is in the garage. The box has an outlet and a poll switch, I went to replace it but the outlet ...
0
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0answers
26 views
Wiring issue need help
Ok...so I have an electrical issue that I am having some difficulty figuring out. I have 3 lights in the perimeter of my property with 2 being on the problem feed. The 1 light on the other side of ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Only one side of 220V Outlet has power. Dryer shuts off after 5 minutes
Two weeks ago I fried the dryer outlet and plug and replaced both. I made a short 90 second video explaining the problem https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55AfK_y1RGo Here's the background: We ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Why are some of my circuits not working?
It started with the oven not getting power and than if you turn on the front element on high everything would come on but not heat to full capacity and if you turned off the element or turned it off ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Techniques to wrap the innards of electrical switches and outlets with electrical tape?
In the comments section of this question, MacGuyver's distant cousin MacGuffin recommended wrapping the innards of electrical switches and outlets with electrical tape to avoid any accidental shorts.
...
asked Mar 17 at 19:30
RockPaperLz- Mask it or Casket
1,2693 gold badges16 silver badges40 bronze badges
0
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0answers
55 views
I replaced a light fixture, now one specific outlet doesn’t work and the light fixture goes dim when something is plugged in
Here’s the layout: there is a light fixture at the top of the stairs. There is one switch for this fixture at the bottom of the stairs and one at the top. On an adjacent wall up stairs, there is an ...
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0answers
54 views
Why is my receptacle tester not showing a complete lack of ground?
I've been using a receptacle tester which shows me that my outlets are perfect as far as it can tell. Yet I know for a fact that ground is completely missing from many of the receptacles I've tested. ...
-1
votes
1answer
51 views
Electrical outlet behind TV — surge protection — Voltage Protection Rating 330? Does it exist? [closed]
I am looking to wire an outlet behind the TV that we just mounted to our wall. I've been looking at outlets with surge protection to keep what is behind the TV mount as minimalist as possible. But I'...
0
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0answers
37 views
2 GFCI's in master bathroom. Neither works
In our master bedroom we have 2 separate vanities and each has it's own GFCI. That's how the house was when we bought it. At some point neither worked. So I replaced both and they still don't work and ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
When do I need a neutral on a 240V branch circuit?
I'm installing a 240V outlet in my shop to run a welder and I'm trying to understand when a neutral is needed and when it's not. The welder has a NEMA 6-50P plug, so I don't need to run a neutral ...
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0answers
45 views
bathrooms outlets have no power
This is the scenario. Two floor house. The bathrooms' outlets in the second floor have no power. I checked the outlet and there is not a loose wire. I checked the breakers and reset them and ...
1
vote
2answers
125 views
Is it okay to pigtail 12AWG and 14AWG on a 15AMP circuit?
While working in my attic I lightly bumped a stud that had an outlet box as well as a switch that controls my attic light attached to it and when I did sparks shot out of the outlet and the circuit ...
0
votes
0answers
80 views
Electrical Problem, or is there?
Tonight I had a breaker that kept tripping. Recently I had a wiring issue on a different circuit and got that fixed, but now this circuit is tripping my breaker. I disconnected absolutely everything ...
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Outlet box between shallow and standard?
Is there an outlet box that's shallower than a standard, but not as shallow as a "shallow"?
I need a box that's smaller than a standard, but don't need one that's SO shallow. Hoping there's ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Can I make a switched outlet constant hot
I have one switch that controls an outlet and my ceiling fan.
The fan has a light as well
In the switch box there are 2 feeds.
One is regular hot, neutral, ground. (Assuming my hot from panel)
Then ...
3
votes
4answers
223 views
Fridge tripping GFCI Outlet
I just got a new fridge and put the old one in the garage. It's connected to a GFCI outlet which it's tripping intermittently. It's not the breaker that's tripping, it's the outlet itself. The fridge ...
3
votes
3answers
613 views
What wire should I run to my garage for tools and a welder?
I will be running 240v to my garage to wire up an outlet. From the Panel in our basement to the plug location it is about 30M(~100ft) away.
I am hoping to have an outlet in my garage that can service ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Receptacle outlet between garage doors?
I want to install an outlet in between two garage doors. I am wondering if there is something in NEC which either explicitly prohibits, or forces to treat, an outlet in this location as an ...
1
vote
1answer
30 views
Half Hot Outlet Tripping when Light is connected
I am hoping someone might be able to share some insight as to what I can next do to troubleshoot this problem.
In my room I have 3 outlets, the last one in the in circuit is a half-hot outlet ...
0
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1answer
47 views
Troubleshoot my outlet
My fridge in the garage stopped working. The outlet had no power, I replaced the outlet but still no power.
Here are some observations I made:
The lights sharing the same breaker switch turns on and ...
0
votes
2answers
75 views
Can I extend 20 amp garage outlet? Or can I only move it?
In attached garage there is a receptacle with a single 20 amp outlet (marked as "Freezer" in a breaker panel). It is in inconvenient location. The idea is to extend this circuit to an area ...
1
vote
2answers
48 views
Changing a switched outlet to half-hot and found pigtails
I’m trying to change a switched outlet to a half-hot outlet. The receptacle itself had one black wire and two white wires (plus ground), and then I saw a pigtail with two black and one white wire.
I ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Is there a way to determine the order of items on a circuit?
Just purchased a new house and have been doing some electrical work, and I've been surprised at how many things have been crammed into single circuits.
For example, one circuit seems to serve four ...
3
votes
1answer
930 views
Broken ground wire in receptacle box
I’m pretty new to home DIY and had to replace a few outlets this weekend. On the last one the ground wire snapped as soon as I unscrewed the old outlet. It looks like the wire was clamped to the other ...
