18
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
It's madness to add electrical circuits to a garage without thinking about EV charging. Because that is a real thing that IS coming. I realize there were EV attempts in the 90s and 00s that went ...
9
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
For a 100' run, the voltage drop will be negligible no matter the wire size - I'd have done it with one piece, but that would be just my preference. 10/2 would let you go up to 30A of current, but ...
- 5,254
5
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
The #10 wire will give you nothing. On the first fifty feet at full 20A load you'll see a 1.8% voltage drop instead of 2.8% with #12. Plus whatever you lose on the rest of the run ... it's nothing....
- 43.4k
5
votes
I want to have 8 light bulbs and 8 switches in the circuit. Any switch should be able to put all light bulbs on or off
One way and not necessarily the best. Install a 3-way switch at your power source for the first switch. Run three wires or 3 conductor NB cable, two travelers and the neutral, to 6 4-way switches and ...
- 83.6k
3
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
While in true voltage drop situations (> 200 feet), using larger wire for most of the run and smaller wire for the ends can help a lot, with a short run voltage drop just isn't a real concern. If ...
3
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
Starting the circuit run from the panel with the 10 AWG wire could be misconstrued in the future as being a circuit capable of handling the current capacity of 10 AWG. It would be very important to ...
- 65.7k
3
votes
Can I use a voltage tester on knob-and-tube wiring?
There shouldn't be any problem with either type of tester. I would use a multimeter to check the voltage - should be ~ 120V (or a little lower - but same as everywhere else in your house except 240V ...
3
votes
Can I run one or more cables through conduit?
When you start talking about pulling NM-B cables in to conduit you are knocking the door of ratings and calculations hell.
You can run NM-B in conduit, but NEC Chapter 9 Table 8 Note 9 says for multi-...
- 19.1k
2
votes
Is it helpful to use a thicker gauge wire for only part of a long circuit run that could have higher loads?
You haven't said where you are (US or Canada), so I'll answer you both ways.
Under the National Electrical Code (NEC) in the USA (NFPA 70) and the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC) in Canada (CSA C22.1), ...
- 21
2
votes
Driveway electric run using existing service poles
Who owns the pole? If a pole down, who comes out and fixes it for free? That's who you need permission from to hang your overhead line on the pole. It's not going to happen unless you own the ...
2
votes
Adding 100A Subpanel to Vintage Cutler Hammer Main Panel (CH30JM200)
My understanding is that connecting the appropriate wire size to a breaker larger than 50 amps will cause that wire to rub/rest on top of the neutral bus which could damage the insulation. You've got ...
- 83.6k
2
votes
Accepted
Installing solar panels by the Pool
Good news: solar is basically always outside, which means all the wiring is installed in a wet or damp location. So all the code rules you have to follow for your PV installation will already cover ...
- 12.4k
2
votes
How do I fix the wiring for smart switches?
You have a lot of info here. First thing is to learn some basics of home electric and wiring.
common switches that are not "smart" switches or timers simply open and close the power (Hot) ...
- 37.6k
1
vote
Wiring Leviton Combo 3 way switch (Part number 5645–W) on a 3 way lighting circuit
I don't think this is going to work, at least not easily.
The way 3-way switches work is that one switch has common (hot) + two travelers (alternating switched hot). The other switch has two travelers ...
1
vote
Accepted
3 sets of wires, now what?
You've found the "feed" pair.
Turn the breaker off and see if any of the (other) pairs of wires electrically connect together when you turn the switch on.
If so that is a switch loop and the ...
- 23.2k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible