29
votes
Accepted
How can I open these "holes" on the bottom/side of an outdoor GFCI enclosure?
Typically a utility knife, a pair of pliers, or both. Cut, then twist, if using both.
The plastic is made thin at the edges to be broken out, but thick enough that the port remains intact until ...
- 191k
12
votes
Accepted
Can I connect 14/2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire in this case?
If you change out the breaker for a 15 amp breaker, then 14/2 wire to that receptacle is fine. Otherwise you're out of compliance with the NEC.
The safety concern with 14/2 wire on a 20 amp circuit ...
- 448
10
votes
How can I open these "holes" on the bottom/side of an outdoor GFCI enclosure?
If you want this to stay waterproof-ish and the cabling is thin enough, I'd suggest to drill a hole big enough to accommodate a cable gland big enough for the cable and just use cable glands (the ...
- 201
10
votes
Accepted
Is my replacement light switch wiring correct?
You really can't mess this up. Either the correct wire is switched or it isn't. If you had it wrong one or both lights wouldn't work.
You do have some terminology confused, though. "Line" ...
- 126k
9
votes
Accepted
Push-in splice - What is this model?
That appears to be an early version of the product Ideal® currently calls In-Sure Push In (in English, anyway) and the current 88/87 model numbers suggest that 85 is a plausible model number. Or ...
- 191k
8
votes
How can an outlet work when the neutral and hot are not connected to the screws opposite each other on the same side?
Hot appears to be connected to the brass colored screw, as it should be, so you were evidently just unaware that the (removable when needed) links connecting the two halves of the outlet make the ...
- 191k
6
votes
Can I connect 14/2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire in this case?
The likelihood of your 50W router suddenly pulling between 16A and 20A is pretty much zero. If it ever fails in an overcurrent situation, it will likely fail catastrophically (short circuit) and trip ...
6
votes
How can circuits be prioritized depending on real time demand?
There are EV systems that will reduce the available current the car is allowed to pull based on the load on the rest of the house.
They way they do that is by monitoring current probes on the feeders ...
- 10.9k
5
votes
Using 15 amp smart switch requiring 14awg wires for lighting/fans on 20 amp circuit
You can totally use 15A rated switches on a 20A circuit, provided they have a fixed load of 15A or less on them. What you can't do is hook up 14 gauge wire in a 20A circuit, even if it's on the other ...
- 7,528
5
votes
Can I connect 14/2 gauge wire to 12 gauge wire in this case?
I have 12 gauge wires on a 20 amp breaker, and there are 3 power outlets in this circuit.
All wires on this circuit should be 12 gauge or thicker
Can I create an extended outlet (just for a WIFI ...
- 16.1k
5
votes
Converting 3 prong plug to turnlock plug
However, its plug is the regular 3 prong plug
Well, it's a regular NEMA 6-15 plug, which is a bit of an oddity. Here's the whole lineup.
Notice that the 6-20 has a T-shape so it is downward ...
4
votes
How can I open these "holes" on the bottom/side of an outdoor GFCI enclosure?
In my version of such a box, the cable exit tabs can be yanked out with a pair of pliers, and re-inserted. For things plugged in for days or weeks I like to carve a notch in the bottom one just big ...
- 31.9k
4
votes
Accepted
Do I need to use 60 degree C ampacity rating for feeders to 60 amp subpanel?
First, there's no such thing as a 60 amp subpanel. The subpanel sizes on offer are 30A, 70A, 100A and up. There is also no such thing as 60A wire - take a gander at Table 310.15(B)(16) and see if ...
4
votes
Accepted
Add Junction Box for Double Oven
Your cable should be 8-8-8-10. If it's stranded, then it's definitely #8 because it would be solid otherwise. Solid is cheaper but forbidden above #10.
On your ground screw. It looks like somebody ...
3
votes
How can circuits be prioritized depending on real time demand?
Part 1: EVs
The idea being that the system will keep me from overloading the 125a service by switching off power to the EV circuit if the backyard appliances are on.
I find it interesting that you'...
3
votes
Accepted
Can a grounded metal electrical box be mounted to a metal plate?
Your pic didn't exactly show the metal plate. If you are referring to a splicing or mending plate for the bottom cord of a truss, you are ok, as it is just metal on wood.
Your box must be accessible, ...
- 22k
3
votes
How to tell if it's a main panel or sub panel
Panels have 4 parts (not counting the wires going into them):
cover, which you have removed
"box" which is the box-shaped thing colored Sandalwood
accessory ground bars if installed ...
3
votes
Accepted
CAFCI+GFCI protection for 30/40A double pole required?
AFCI is only a thing for 15/20A circuits
AFCIs are only made for 15A and 20A branch circuits as they represent the bulk of the risk that AFCIs are meant to counter (damaged cords, faulty receptacles, ...
- 80.8k
3
votes
Accepted
Confused about this light switch wiring - two wires on the same screw
This is a fairly normal practice. You have a hot going to the switch on the left and then looping to feed the switch on the right. As long as it's the same wire,it's OK. What you can't do is hoop two ...
- 76.9k
3
votes
Extending a dryer cord: which method is safest?
Per the owner's manual for the LG DLE3500W dryer
Do not use an extension cord or adapter with this appliance.
If the extension cord starts a fire, your insurance company will very likely not pay ...
- 4,792
3
votes
Are dryer extension cords legal and safe?
Legal? Probably. Safe? Not in the long-term.
There are a few issues with extension cords in general:
Tripping hazard - presumably not an issue here
Heat, if used improperly - e.g., while wrapped up ...
3
votes
Trying to understand the power requirements for home electrical backup
Gotta a feeling I'm way off.
You're way off. It might be a problem with units - kW and kWH are quite different things and people confuse them constantly, at least until they get energy basics under ...
2
votes
NEC 220.82c Panel Load Calcs and Multi-zone HVAC
You're adding in parallel-series when you should be adding in series-parallel lol.
Put it this way, do you often run the heat upstairs while running the A/C downstairs? I would think not.
So you ...
2
votes
How to tell if it's a main panel or sub panel
I think you're confusing the two neutral bars for something else. From the photo, it looks like there are 2 neutral bars near the breakers and 2 totally separate ground bars near the sides. I looked ...
- 3,380
2
votes
What size wire for a 100 amp sub panel 20 feet away
The basic answer is to go to an ampacity chart. There are typically three relevant numbers:
60 C for copper NM cable (indoors only) or UF cable: not even an option according to the linked chart
75 C ...
2
votes
Difference between a battery shunt and a watt meter?
In the generic sense of the term, a battery shunt is a device inserted into a current path. The shunt has a known precise resistance with measuring leads at each end of the shunt. Those leads provide ...
- 10.5k
2
votes
Accepted
How to trench building front facing elevation to run electric line for my new elevation/facade lights
From your comment that the new lights will be on the front of the building, I suggest drilling holes through the front of the building to the interior and wiring the new lights from the interior of ...
- 4,792
2
votes
I want to use garage EV outlet for an electric heater as well, looking for advice on my plan
Pick two: cheap, safe, or easy.
The cheap/easy path to go down is to find a 10kW electric heater that can go on a 50A circuit. Either buy one that already has a 14-50 cord and is meant for portable ...
- 7,528
2
votes
I want to use garage EV outlet for an electric heater as well, looking for advice on my plan
Another option, also considering the comment on the question by NoSparksPlease about the heater being too much for the derate required for the 50 amp circuit:
Install a sub-panel instead of the 14-50 ...
- 4,792
2
votes
i had my electrical panel replaced and i noticed afterwards they put in a 150-amp rated panel. but i have 200 amps service
Based on pictures and comments, you've got a 200A Square D QO panel. The invoice said 150A Cutler Hammer or QO. I think the invoice is, for better or worse, a generic "heavy up whatever" ...
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