14
votes
How can I connect my thick wires into an ikea wire connector
You can instead replace the IKEA connector with another one that will accept the thick stranded wire on one end and the wire inside the box.
- 12.4k
14
votes
Why are there two cables connected to this GFCI outlet?
GFCI outlets have two sets of connectors: Line and Load.
The Line terminals receive power from the breaker/fuse box. The Load terminals carry power onto other outlet(s). These “downstream” outlets are ...
- 13.1k
11
votes
Why can THHN/THWN go in Schedule 40 PVC but NM cable (Romex) requires Schedule 80?
Anything can go in anything. The differences come down to why something is going into something.
Individual wires (THHN/THWN) always have to go inside conduit. PVC Schedule 40 is sufficient above 8' ...
7
votes
How can I connect my thick wires into an ikea wire connector
Do not do this. The contacts are designed, tested and CE rated for one whole cable to go into one hole, using them differently to this will invalidate your insurance. For high current applications, ...
- 265
7
votes
Accepted
Melted GFCI receptacle
Most likely a poor connection - connection not properly torqued (to a measured value, with a calibrated tool, neither too loose nor too tight - some folks think "properly torqued" means as ...
- 222k
6
votes
Why can THHN/THWN go in Schedule 40 PVC but NM cable (Romex) requires Schedule 80?
That's a misconception.
What's actually true is
wires in certain locations require protection from physical damage. What kind of wires they are is irrelevant.
Schedule 40 PVC is inadequate to provide ...
5
votes
How can I connect my thick wires into an ikea wire connector
You can use Wago 221, works with stranded and solid core, available in two sizes (normal for 0.14-4mm² and large for 0.5-6mm²), and in two different shapes:
- 10.2k
5
votes
Accepted
How should I run cable across a steel beam?
Since running through existing joist holes, or even boring new ones, seems the best way to run cable parallel to the beam, it seems OP's question could be reduced to how to achieve perpendicular runs ...
- 969
5
votes
Outage in half of house
If in North America, one of your main hots is gone. Call your power company now to check the outside wires.
Your system uses two hots and a neutral from the pole outside to the meter.
Each hot/live ...
- 26.6k
5
votes
How should I run cable across a steel beam?
For a 14awg wiring you may consider running the connections that cross the beam using metal jacketed cabling that extends fully between junction boxes on each end. This type cable is often referred to ...
- 65.4k
4
votes
Why are there two cables connected to this GFCI outlet?
You might look at cars and presume all cars are gasoline powered. No, "gasoline power" does not define cars and there are other options. Similarly, you might look at GFCIs and presume all ...
4
votes
Amp Breaker is Tripping. Would the Amount Of Appliances Going do That? And is 30 Amps reasonable?
Yes, you could be exceeding the 30A limit for the apartment's master breaker. ACs generally draw the most power when starting up, so your average load may be acceptable but peak load may not be. Look ...
- 31k
4
votes
How can I charge two EVs from a 16A fuse box?
Power Sharing
Yes, there is technology for this, but you'll need to evolve past the flimsy charge cords.
Tesla used to call it "Power Sharing" and now calls it "Group Power Management&...
3
votes
Accepted
Did old knob and tube wiring tend to run hot and neutral wires separately?
K&T did route neutrals separately. If you have new NM cable being used the way you describe it is possible that someone made a repair to K&T using Romex cable, in a situation where the K&...
- 41.8k
3
votes
How do I trace back a dead outlet?
There are professional versions of the circuit tracer that power the transmitter with a battery and do not require that the outlet be live. They appear on eBay fairly frequently. Not cheap, but when ...
- 31k
2
votes
A 220v Circuit breaker that controls either AC or an inlet switch box
This idea will be unsafe. You are trying to connect a double-throw switch between your AC and circuit panel so you can add a generator inlet. If you throw this switch to the inlet while the house has ...
- 8,543
2
votes
What is equivalent in copper to 350mcm aluminum?
You don't need to enlarge the entire run for voltage drop.
That is to say, sections of the run are severable for voltage drop calculation purposes.
Avoid blunders in doing voltage drop calcs.
The ...
2
votes
What is equivalent in copper to 350mcm aluminum?
250 MCM copper (it's actually rated 5A higher, but is the smallest size of at least equivalent current rating.)
215A/60°C 255A/75°C
.vs.
210A/60°C 250A/75°C for 350 MCM aluminum.
- 222k
2
votes
Did old knob and tube wiring tend to run hot and neutral wires separately?
The preferred option with old knob and tube wiring is to rip it all out and redo it according to modern standards. Those modern standard include keeping the return path of the current (the neutral to ...
- 12.4k
2
votes
How should I run cable across a steel beam?
While not related to your electrical wiring question some comments are worth sharing.
Picture snipped from question.
You may want to consider replacing your joist hangers with a better product for ...
- 65.4k
2
votes
How do I trace back a dead outlet?
Important:
The non contact testers only work if you have power.
Turn off the breaker, disconnect the wiring at the plug, otherwise you get false reading.
Then use one of these tracers.
They have ...
- 18.2k
2
votes
How can I connect my thick wires into an ikea wire connector
Replace the thick wire with one that has conductors of appropriate size for the connector in IKEA lamp.
- 389
1
vote
Did I troubleshoot this 3-way socket correctly?
Between hot of the plug and the outer contact on the bottom of the socket: regardless of the position of the switch, always infinite.
This image from Wikipedia by user:Icysubdweller, CC BY-SA 3.0, ...
1
vote
Is there a breaker handle lockoff that fits eaton/bryant double pole GFCIs?
A quick search on the Eaton web site didn't turn up anything useful. But rather than a switch - big switches tend to get very expensive - you could use an air conditioner disconnect. Plenty of name-...
1
vote
Would there be a problem installing 20A outlets/receptacles on a 15A circuit?
Additionally, 15 Amp services are wired with 14 GA awg wire, while 20 Amp circuits use 12 GA awg.
Make sure your circuits are appropriately wired to carry the required load. Just changing the outlet ...
- 11
1
vote
Accepted
I'm replacing a dimmer switch with a regular switch, but the only configuration that works involves wires from my another switch. What's going on?
Sounds like your C is your "hot" a.k.a. "line" (or possibly switched hot from a 3-way switch configuration with the one you call "Dimmer"). Dumb switches usually wouldn't ...
- 4,694
1
vote
A 220v Circuit breaker that controls either AC or an inlet switch box
If you want to install an inlet then it must be home run directly to the panel that it is going to power. That is the only way to ensure that you can properly lock out grid power while the inlet is ...
- 12.4k
1
vote
Wiring a 240v GFCI Breaker for NEMA 6-20R
It's not an uncommon thing for a GFCI device to trip when first powered up. By design.
The important question is what happens when you reset it.
As already commented you need to mark the hot white ...
- 222k
1
vote
Amp Breaker is Tripping. Would the Amount Of Appliances Going do That? And is 30 Amps reasonable?
OK, so you have a 30A branch circuit breaker feeding 120V receptacles powering a number of A/C units, some quite hungry.
You've already gone too far
Normal 120V bedroom receptacles are placed on 15 ...
1
vote
Two 30 amp manual transfer switch with 50 amp inlet & 12500 KW generator
Can't do that.
If you have 2 or more transfer switches, all but one must switch neutral.
Those hinky, obsolete 6-8-10 circuit "transfer switches" don't even support neutral, let alone ...
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