Questions tagged [electrical]
Distribution and use of electricity throughout the home. Electrical standards vary greatly worldwide, so you need to provide your location in your question or profile to ensure you get answers that are relevant to you. Posting photographs of wiring junctions or drawing a wiring diagram and posting it is also highly recommended.
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When to use holes instead of side terminals to wire an outlet
This question comes from Shirlock's comment on this GFCI wiring question.
When and why should you use the holes on the back of an outlet rather than the side terminals? I always assumed the holes on ...
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Proper wiring for GFCI given switched circuit
So I've added the 3-prong plug to my garbage disposal, and now I'm on to the GFCI outlet installation. The breaker was not GFCI protected, nor is there a GFCI outlet on the loop. I've gotten to the ...
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What's the best way to label a double gang box with two circuits
I'm installing some lights in my basement, and will be replacing the single gang box in the hall (currently only for hall light) with a double gang box. The idea is to accommodate the hall light ...
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How can I improve the wiring under the sink for a garbage disposal?
My vegetable sprayer line broke yesterday, which led me underneath my sink. It wasn't until I was kneeling in a large puddle of water with the line draining on me and the floor that I realized how bad ...
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Why does using a dimmer with this ceiling fan and lights cause energy saving bulbs to flicker?
At a hotel I manage we purchased 34 ceiling fans with two integrated light sockets that operate on a dimmer all controlled by a remote control. Obviously using a dimmer with fluorescent bulbs won't ...
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How do I install a wireless remote for a ceiling light without a fan?
I have a fan with lights in my ceiling. There is no wall switch, only a wireless remote. I'd like to avoid installing a wall switch if possible. I purchased a chandelier assuming that I could just ...
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Wiring needs for electrical devices
Device 1 (electrical fan) is 32W and 0,19AMP. Device 2 (lighting system) is 400W and 1,7AMP. Both run at 240Volts (Europe).
When wiring these up, what kind of cables do I need?
Can I use any ...
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How to determine what 3-way switch system was used?
How can I tell if an old Knob & Tube 3-way switch is still legal by the modern NEC? Specifically I am trying to tell if my switch is a "California 3-way" (or "Coast 3-way", "Hollywood 3-way", etc....
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Is it within code to branch an exterior outlet off an interior outlet in the middle of a circuit?
My city adheres to the 2008 NEC. I've got a run of outlets around a basement room on one circuit. On an exterior wall I've got a weatherproof outlet that's on a different circuit and somewhere in ...
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Extension cord and power strip safety
I've heard that there are some safety and building code issues involved with using extension cords or power strips (surge protectors) for anything other than temporary use. What are the issues, and ...
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How should I connect electrical wires to a cooktop (platetop)?
I'm having some problems understanding how to connect some electric wires for a platetop.
The wire colors normally mean, blue=N, brown=L, and yellow/green=PE.
My problem is, the platetop has L1 &...
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How do I get to the wall cavity above a double floor joist from below?
I am running some new romex for a couple of electrical outlets. One of the outlets is on one side of a wall in one bedroom and the other outlet is on the other side of the wall in another bedroom. ...
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Is there enough here to get a ceiling fan?
I want need a ceiling fan in my living room. I looked at a few wiki-how type articles on installing them, and it looks like they need more than 2 wires, but when I opened up the light fixture on my ...
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How to disconnect a weird looking wire
I'm renovating my Kitchen, and my stove is connected in such a way
that I'm not sure how to unplug, I added pictures that might explain it better.
I would like to either disconnect it, or make it ...
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How to make lights turn on one at a time?
So we've all seen this scene dozens of times in movies: a character flips a switch and lights turn on, one at time, down a long tunnel, or throughout a giant garage, or something like that.
I'd like ...
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