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.
17,803
questions
5
votes
2
answers
48k
views
low voltage from circuit - bad breaker?
Background: I'm doing some rewiring work in the kitchen. There were three circuits coming into a junction box that controlled the sink disposal, dishwasher, a few receptacles and a light. So I got ...
- 185
3
votes
2
answers
11k
views
How do I replace a condenser fan motor in a central air unit?
The condenser fan motor on my central air unit has seized up (tried like crazy to turn it it, but no go). I'm not sure how old the motor is but I'm guessing it's original, so about 12 years old. I ...
- 133
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Replacing Halogen with LED bulbs
I've just purchased some 12V LED MR-16 bulbs, intending to use them to replace the existing 12V Halogen MR-16 bulbs in my bathroom. I have found, much to my chagrin, that the LED bulbs seem to have ...
- 43
7
votes
2
answers
23k
views
Replace two-wire thermostat
I'm replacing an old mercury thermostat with a digital one.
The new unit has 7-8 connections (labeled w1,wh,r1,rh,y,c, etc.) and a bunch of instructions about how to connect similarly labeled ...
- 1,615
7
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Why only a few volts between the legs of a 240 V 3-wire dryer outlet?
I installed a new dryer in our house. It runs but won't heat. It has a 240V 3 wire connection. There is a 30 amp double pole breaker installed in the breaker box. (the box is very old) I've read ...
- 71
21
votes
8
answers
369k
views
Can I backfeed a portable generator into my house's electrical system?
Is there a safe way to power my house using a portable generator? The power rating for the generator is 6kW, and I want to run my electric water heater (4.5kW) and my refrigerator (0.5kW) and possibly ...
- 15.8k
-1
votes
1
answer
626
views
What are some good resources books/websites for learning basic home wiring? [closed]
As part of Home maintenance, I need some electrification work. Looking for some basics of home electrification like phase, neutral things, how to connect a fan regulator ....
- 101
10
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Humming Ceiling Fans
I have two Harbor Breeze 52in. Builders Series Ceiling Fans. Under normal operation these fans are smooth and quiet. However, during power outages like we've had recently, I use a Devilbiss 6000 ...
- 211
2
votes
1
answer
462
views
oven not igniting
(Updated.)
I have a gas stove and oven with no pilot light (so they ignite using electricity). The stove and broiler (at the top of the oven cavity) are lighting fine, but the oven is not (at the ...
- 131
7
votes
7
answers
174k
views
Should I use 12/2 or 12/3 to wire a 220V electric baseboard heater and thermostat?
When I bought my baseboard heaters, thermostats and 220V breakers I was advised to get 12/3 wire. When I attempted to install the heaters I found that the thermostats, heaters, and even breakers have ...
- 71
6
votes
3
answers
84k
views
What should I do with wires that are too large for back-stab terminals on a receptacles?
I am replacing all my electicial outlets and only one has wires that are too big to put into the back of the new outlet. Any suggestions?
- 61
1
vote
4
answers
2k
views
What types of flooring can be used with electric radiant heat?
I am considering converting an old enclosed sleeping porch into a usable room year round (in Ohio). Currently the floor is a big slope to allow for drainage when it was still open, obviously I want ...
- 5,285
4
votes
2
answers
185
views
DIYer to skilled tradesperson
What is the process a DIYer has to go through to become a skilled tradesperson? Are the only options apprenticeships, or are there other paths to follow to learn a trade/become licensed?
What type ...
- 132k
5
votes
1
answer
884
views
Control home's electricity sockets via PC
I'd like to control some of my home's electricity sockets via my PC.
I was thinking about WiFi sockets (couldn't find any product for that), or sockets which are controlled by the electric network (...
- 153
29
votes
4
answers
108k
views
Why are homes wired using solid wire rather than stranded?
If stranded wire can carry more power for a given wire gauge, why are homes typically wired using solid?
If solid wire is less expensive to make, that provides a compelling reason why solid is used, ...
- 2,502