Questions tagged [wiring]

The installation of wire and/or electrical devices, to allow the transmission of electricity from one point to another.

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445 views

How do I find the switch plates behind the plasterboard walls?

We were having a house built and the builders have gone bankrupt so we have been left to finish everything off ourselves. The plasterboard walls have been put in and the wires are behind the walls for ...
6 votes
1 answer
2k views

Hangman's Noose vs Uni Knot

Is there any practical difference between the Hangman's Noose and the Uni Knot (a.k.a. Duncan loop)? The difference I see between the two is that the coils are wound inside the loop in the uni knot ...
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0 votes
1 answer
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Will chained GFCIs malfunction?

What I'm asking is if a GFCI wired onto the load of another GFCI will function? Will it cause the upstream one to malfunction. Will it cause the downstream one to malfunction? It is against code? ...
3 votes
2 answers
18k views

Do I need conduit for an indoor sub-panel feeder line?

I'm adding a 100A sub-panel to feed a stove and water heater. The sub panel is indoors and in the same building as the mains panel. Do I need to run the supply feeder in conduit? I'm in Michigan and ...
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2 votes
1 answer
76 views

Can I go from a 3-prong outlet and connect to a 2-prong outlet and switch?

I have rewired the first 2 outlet in a circuit with 14-2 wire. However, I do NOT want to rewire the rest of the circuit because it is inside non-accessible walls. The rest of the circuit is a front ...
5 votes
1 answer
7k views

Can I run NM-B inside EMT conduit for protection? [duplicate]

If I'm adding some new receptacles to a garage, and the wiring will be run surface-mounted to walls and ceilings, I think protecting the wiring with EMT conduit is probably a wise way to go. I'm ...
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5 votes
3 answers
7k views

How are equipment grounding conductors counted for determining conduit or junction box fill?

Suppose one is doing junction box fill calculations for a typical NM-B installation such as the one shown below for a switch box with one normal and one three-way switch. Which of the wires count ...
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4 votes
2 answers
8k views

Why was the ground for this fluorescent fixture not connected to the ballast?

I just purchased a set of fluorescent fixtures that are fitted with a plug to connect to a standard 3-prong receptacle. My intention is to replace the plug with Romex cable, and wire the fixture ...
0 votes
3 answers
12k views

How do I replace this switch with a timer?

I was trying to wire in a timer switch for a vent fan. When I went to replace the switch (which I knew was a 3 pole) I was baffled by the way it was wire. 4 wires run into the box, two of the hot ...
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6 votes
2 answers
20k views

Is a splice permitted in a PVC conduit body?

I'm talking about something like this Type LB Conduit Body
9 votes
4 answers
59k views

How can I find the first receptacle in a circuit?

I know how to wire a GFCI receptacle and all the things to go with it in doing so. But what I do not know is the following. I understand the GFCI receptacle should be first in line to protect the ...
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6 votes
1 answer
7k views

What's the purpose of the paper in NM-B cabling?

I mean isn't it a (slight) fire hazard?
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

Wiring Bathroom Fan Switch

I'm trying to wire a new single pole dimmer (two black wires, one ground) and single pole switch (no wires, just screws) for the fan in my bathroom. What I see coming into the box is three separate ...
1 vote
6 answers
43k views

Since neutral is connected to ground how is current kept off of ground?

If neutral is connected to ground and current desires ground then I would think it would go to ground. But my understanding is that it is kept off of ground until it's "upstream" of the breaker box, ...
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2 votes
1 answer
88k views

How do I wire a 3-way motion sensor?

I am trying to install a motion sensor switch on a 3-way switch in my laundry room. both 3-way switches function normally if I use them now. One 3 way switch, we will call it #1, is by itself. It has ...
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1 vote
1 answer
695 views

Wiring requirements for garage and bedroom addition

I've just added a new garage and bedroom and am about to wire them. I've done a lot of wiring in my house, know all the basic requirements for how wiring is run, etc, never had a problem with ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

What should I do about an exposed wire for landscape lighting?

Found an exposed wire from an old landscape light in the yard that is tripping a breaker. Can I just cap it?
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2 votes
4 answers
3k views

How is the alternating current in your home a complete circuit?

Here's what I'm asking: if the electricity flows from the hot wire to device X, then to the neutral wire which ultimately carries the signal to ground/earth at the panel then how does electricity "get ...
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3 votes
1 answer
3k views

Where do I attach the fixture grounding wire when no supply grounding wire is provided?

I am replacing an undercounter light and I have a black, white and red supply wire but no green or bare copper supply wire. Where do I attach the green ground wire attached to the fixture?
0 votes
1 answer
4k views

How do I wire a double stack switch?

I have double stack switch with intention of 2 independent light areas ( undermount cabinet lighting and overhead pot light. When I connect black hot wire to black screw ( both feeds simultaneously ...
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Can I use a switch loop to power a ceiling fan?

Need your help, please. I have a single pole switch that controls the wall’s receptacles. It has one 14/2 cable, white/black/ground, where the white is hot. I would like to install a ceiling fan. I ...
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5 votes
3 answers
475 views

Provisioning for a hypothetical electric car

I'm doing a remodel on my house which involves building a new garage. I have no plans to get a new car soon but presumably will in 1-5 years. How should I wire for an undetermined electric vehicle (...
1 vote
3 answers
7k views

Is using the light switch screw OK to ground a wire?

My house was built in 1950 and several light switches do not have ground wires. I believe there is no ground wire since I cannot find a wire that's bare - they are all coated. I want to install a ...
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7 votes
2 answers
46k views

Can I wire a refrigerator and dishwasher on the same circuit?

Can I wire a refrigerator and dishwasher on the same 20 amp circuit?
3 votes
3 answers
15k views

How do I ground my replacement outside porch light?

I am attempting to replace an outside porch light. After removing the old light, I found the metal electrial box had the ground supply attached to a screw. The new light has a green ground wire and I ...
2 votes
1 answer
4k views

How do I replace this switch with a dimmer?

I'm trying to install a dimmer switch (single pole) in a 4 gang box. In the current set up, I have two black wires attached to the SAME screw (one of those wires is from the back of the box, while ...
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2 votes
2 answers
18k views

Can I mix 12 gauge and 14 gauge wire in the same 15 amp circuit?

I have 12/3 wire from a switch to 3 light fixtures; can I feed the switch with 14/2 wire from a 15 amp breaker?
0 votes
2 answers
15k views

Can I use a receptacle and switch for a dishwasher and garbage disposal?

I would like to install a receptacle under the sink to control the dishwasher and garbage disposal, with a single pole single throw switch mounted in the wall above the counter top to control the ...
1 vote
1 answer
2k views

what are the little dots on wiring diagrams?

There are little dots along the lines in many wiring diagrams, like in response to the question "How do I know if a ceiling fan with light and the switch are wired correctly?". Some of these seem to ...
4 votes
4 answers
13k views

How can I run wiring around an inside corner?

I am working in a garage and need to run electrical wire through a corner. I cannot go over the corner through the ceiling (a long story), and going through the studs at a right angle will be a ...
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2 votes
4 answers
17k views

What's going on with this lightswitch (two wires to bottom connect, not connected on top)

My parents inherited a house and I'm just kind of cleaning it up. It's old -- Edison fuses and other things that I have to puzzle over. Replacing a damaged beige four-outlet thing in a bathroom, one ...
0 votes
1 answer
6k views

Is this electric water heater wiring correct?

I recently re-wired my water heater from 120v to 240v. I'm not sure why it was wired with 120v to begin with, but it was not providing enough volume of hot water. I looked up basic thermostat wiring ...
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2 votes
1 answer
108k views

3-Way Light Switch, two blacks and a red?

Usual story of remodeling etc. Replaced all the other 4 ways and 3 ways near it just fine, then I run into this guy. It's a 3-way, and I could have sworn I put all the wires exactly where they were on ...
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3 votes
1 answer
767 views

How can I provide GFCI protection to my kitchen receptacles?

I Live in Round Lake, Il., in a 1940's built home. In my kitchen I have four counter top receptacles surrounding my sink area. Two of the receptacles are close to the sink, and I want to replace them ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Why is there an exposed wire coming out of my wall near my fluorescent light fixture?

We are in the process of replacing the ballast in our fluorescent light fixture (after replacing the bulbs, the lighting was still dim, so we figured it was a fault of the ballast). After we ...
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3 votes
6 answers
199k views

How do I re-wire a ceiling-fan to reverse its direction?

One of the ceiling fans at home was spinning in the opposite direction (clock-wise) and so was sucking up the air rather than blowing it. I live in a hot climate so we always have the fans spinning in ...
0 votes
0 answers
2k views

What might cause the heating to get "stuck" off regardless of room thermostat?

What could cause my heating system to get "stuck" in a state where the boiler will no longer come on in response to the room thermostat, and I can only seem to "fix" it by turning the property power ...
1 vote
4 answers
48k views

How do I wire a humidifier without a 24 VAC IN terminal?

The instructions for the humidifier I'm installing says to connect the humidistat wiring to the two terminals "marked 24 VAC IN". My furnace doesn't have terminals marked that. I have R,C,W,Y.G. Am ...
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2 votes
2 answers
31k views

Honeywell T6360 wiring - follow installation wiring guide positions or numbers?

The following picture shows a Honeywell T6360 Room Thermostat wiring connections. You will note they are numbered in the order 2 3 4 1 5 6. The Installation Instructions that accompany this unit, ...
4 votes
4 answers
55k views

Can I upgrade from a 240V 30A circuit to a 240V 50A circuit?

I have a new range with a NEMA 14-50P plug. I find my 240V receptacle is for a dryer, with the top blade a 90° one. So I need to change the receptacle out. However, I think my range needs 50 Amps, and ...
1 vote
3 answers
17k views

How can I trace an electrical cable?

I'm installing a wall mount over an existing electrical socket - so I want to remove the socket I've read that just capping off the Hot and Neutral wires is not the best approach and that ...
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1 vote
1 answer
73 views

Will different sized bullet crimps fit together?

Will a male crimp bullet fit into a female crimp bullet if the male bullet is 14/16 AWG and the female bullet is 10/12 AWG. In other words, is the bullet portion of the bullet crimps the same ...
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2 votes
1 answer
2k views

How can I route the cables for my TV in a basement with a "half wall"?

I would like to hang my new television on the wall in the basement, and run the cables through the wall to the entertainment center. My issue, is that the wall is a "half wall" because I have a split ...
4 votes
6 answers
43k views

Can I install a Subpanel (in a seperate building) using a 3 wire connection (2 hots and 1 grounded neutral)?

Can I use a 3 wire connection (2 hots and 1 grounded neutral) to install a sub panel in a separate structure if I install a separate ground rod to the grounding bus in sub panel? I have 8/3 w/o ...
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0 votes
6 answers
223k views

What size breaker and wire do I need for central air conditioning?

I am getting ready to hang drywall in my basement but before I do that, I need to run wire from the main panel upstairs to the future location of the central AC furnace through the basement ceiling ...
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1 vote
1 answer
6k views

Why does one light blink after installing new three way switches in my hall?

I installed the new switches with the wires in the same location the new switch this is a lighted one. the hall way light blinks on one of the bulbs in the off position. Do i have a bad switch or ...
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2 votes
2 answers
8k views

How do I design the circuit for baseboard heaters?

I am designing the circuit(s) for my basement apartment (cca. 800 sq ft) baseboard heating solution. I am planning to buy Berko HBB Series heaters and distribute them as shown in the below table. ...
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1 vote
1 answer
2k views

Ground wire behaves weird

I never experienced this and it doesn't really make sense. I installed recessed lights(6) with the switch. I connected them all in parallel. The house uses only two wires for lights, white and black. ...
7 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why am I measuring decreased voltage between my dryer's neutral and hot conductors?

At the outlet: 40V - red to neutral (white) 40V - black to neutral (white) 230V - red to black 110V - red to ground 110V - black to ground At the circuit breaker: 230V - red to ...
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3 votes
1 answer
7k views

New light switch has blue, black, and white wires. Wall has black, white, and ground. Can I make it work?

I bought a new light switch that is supposed to allow me to automate my lights easier. Here is what it looks like: It has blue, black, and white wires. Coming out of my wall, however, I only have a ...
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