| Subject | Date Asked |
|
| switch tripped | 11/13/2009 |
Q: is it ok to reset the entire electrical box if one switch is tripped and won't go back online?
A: Craig, You can but its not going to help you much with the one breaker your having a problem with. ...
|
| Outlet connect | 11/10/2009 |
Q: I need to add an outlet to plug in an aquarium and the closest connection is a single pole switch ...
A: George, First you need to find out if the neutral (white wire) is available in the switch box. If ...
|
| house wiring | 11/9/2009 |
Q: what is best to use in a house 12-2 or 14-2 wiring wanting to upgrade our house and make sense of ...
A: Thomas, Follow this simple rule: Use 12-2 for receptacle's and 14-2 for lighting and never mix the ...
|
| Electric to detached shed. | 11/8/2009 |
Q: .. I am running electric out to my detached shed, and have a couple of questions. Here are the ...
A: Steve, 1. 30 amp 2 pole. 2. You could use a 12 circuit 100 amp sub panel which sould be plenty and ...
|
| Tracing wire | 11/7/2009 |
Q: Here's the situation. I built my own house - had a guy running the wires. Asked him to label ...
A: Mike, The tracer you mention is for "live" circuits only and yours are not live. What you could use ...
|
| Grounding | 11/6/2009 |
Q: A few years ago we upgraded the service to our house. We put an eight foot copper rod into the ...
A: Paul, What the inspector said is correct. You do need to run a separate wire from the water meter ...
|
| Buzzing from service panel | 10/31/2009 |
Q: Well I finally opened up the service panel to see if the wire to the AC breaker was loose. I had ...
A: KC, Sticking a shop vac in there isn't a bad idea, just make sure its plastic. The breaker may ...
|
| AFIC tripping once a week | 10/31/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased a home with aluminum wiring and am replacing it with copper. For the second ...
A: Rich, When you installed the sub panel do you have a separate ground bar (terminal) for the bare ...
|
| Buzzing from service panel | 10/30/2009 |
Q: Well I finally opened up the service panel to see if the wire to the AC breaker was loose. I had ...
A: KC, It looks like you've had some critters in there. The buzzing could also be coming from the main ...
|
| THHN wire | 10/29/2009 |
Q: I want to ask, what is the maximum distance which wires a)THHN 14 b)THHN 12 c)THHN 10 can still work ...
A: Gilbert, It depends upon the size of the load on each respective size wire you have listed. In ...
|
| Hardwire Christmas lights into an overhead light fixture? | 10/28/2009 |
Q: My wife wants to run Christmas lights around a ceiling light fixture. Her idea is to cut off the ...
A: If you have "medium base" lamps in the fixture you could temporarily take one lamp out and screw a ...
|
| electric baseboard heating | 10/27/2009 |
Q: For some reason the heat in the back of my house isn't working properly. I have to shut off the ...
A: Chad, If you have a "line voltage" thermostat that controls the heaters directly which you most ...
|
| ceiling fan install | 10/26/2009 |
Q: i installed a ceiling fan and i have 2 white wires from ceiling . i tied the 2 white wires witht he ...
A: Mike, Check the connections in the ceiling box anyway just to be sure the connections are solid and ...
|
| recessed lighting | 10/25/2009 |
Q: I am trying to install 3 recessed lights above a peninsula in my kitchen. It is a 15 amp circuit ...
A: Ryan, Based on the information you provided because thats all I have to go on, a shorted black wire ...
|
| recessed lighting | 10/25/2009 |
Q: I am trying to install 3 recessed lights above a peninsula in my kitchen. It is a 15 amp circuit ...
A: If you have exposed wire (black) anywhere or if you pinched any wire (black) when you pushed the ...
|
| recessed lighting | 10/25/2009 |
Q: I am trying to install 3 recessed lights above a peninsula in my kitchen. It is a 15 amp circuit ...
A: Ryan, Your connections from the last recessed light to the first one where you bring in the power ...
|
| lights per circuit | 10/24/2009 |
Q: How many 8ft shop lights can you run on a 20amp circuit? the lights are 110 watt HO.
A: Jim, First, you can load a 20 amp circuit up to 80% of its capacity. .80% X 20 = 16 amps so this is ...
|
| baseboad heaters | 10/23/2009 |
Q: How many baseboard heaters can I run off 1 fuse/breaker and what size fuse. 2 are 4ft heaters and 1 ...
A: Kevin, It depends upon 2 factors: The operating voltage of the heaters (120 or 240) with 240 being ...
|
| 3 cables/2 baseboards w/TStat | 10/21/2009 |
Q: My apologies, Bob. Apparently I used up my followups. From what I recall, the 3 cables were fed into ...
A: Ok I didn't mention this because you had an existing situation but for 240 volt BB htrs like you ...
|
| 3 cables/2 baseboards w/TStat | 10/20/2009 |
Q: My apologies, Bob. Apparently I used up my followups. From what I recall, the 3 cables were fed into ...
A: Ok we have the relay figured out not that it was a big deal. The red and black wire's coming off the ...
|
| 3 electrical connections/2 baseboard heaters | 10/19/2009 |
Q: Bob, I'm a do-it-yourselfer. We purchase a house that needs work this past Februrary. The house has ...
A: Tim, The relay has 2 screw terminals on it just for the "coil", which when energized is what pulls ...
|
| Basement lighting | 10/18/2009 |
Q: Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to placing recessed lights, how many per sq foot? 1watt per ...
A: Jason, Your most basic rule of thumb when it comes to laying out your lights is this: The higher ...
|
| service enterance | 10/14/2009 |
Q: I want to put my 200 amp breaker box to basement wall an mount meter can on board an 2x4 above ...
A: Charles, Before you mount the panel to the board, tack up a small tarp to the board first, then ...
|
| Photocell switch | 10/13/2009 |
Q: My building has 8 outside lights on it that one indoor switch controls and turns them all on. I ...
A: Andrew, Yes it will work but you have to find the first fixture the power comes into from the ...
|
| Subpanel Safety | 10/9/2009 |
Q: Recently I had a licensed electrician replace a breaker sub-panel in my kitchen. He removed the old ...
A: Hal, Yes the metal armor of the BX cable serves as the "grounding" means as opposed to a separate ...
|
| baseboard heater 110 volts reading | 10/8/2009 |
Q: 1250 and 1500 watts i used double pole 20 amps breaker and # 12/2 wire ,My thermostat has 2 red ...
A: Enrico, Lets start here. Check the voltage right at the breaker in the panel. You should get 240 ...
|
| Recessed light & cold weather | 10/6/2009 |
Q: Everytime the weather cools down at night (40's) the recessed light (reflector flood)in our bathroom ...
A: Jenny, I suspect it is the small "thermal protector" that is inside the fixture where it would be ...
|
| electrical can lights | 10/5/2009 |
Q: I had two can lights that are on the same switch, flash like a bulb was burning out and then both ...
A: Doug, If power is making it through the dimmer as you say the light that didn't blow should work. ...
|
| fuse box | 10/4/2009 |
Q: I have a old fuse box and want to change it to a new breaker style i was wondering if i can take the ...
A: I can't answer that accurately with out seeing a picture but if your fuse panel is only rated for 60 ...
|
| fuse box | 10/4/2009 |
Q: I have a old fuse box and want to change it to a new breaker style i was wondering if i can take the ...
A: Thats OK, let me put it another way. The range fuse holders will not except a fuse higher than 60 ...
|
| fuse box | 10/4/2009 |
Q: I have a old fuse box and want to change it to a new breaker style i was wondering if i can take the ...
A: Brandon, You could do that but those range fuses only go up to 60 amps so your new breaker panel ...
|
| wiring a switch | 10/3/2009 |
Q: While adding a light to an existing circuit in my basement, I discovered that they had used the ...
A: Roger, Yes there is a danger to it and there is a reason the "hot" is switched and not the neutral ...
|
| 3-way dimmer switch | 10/2/2009 |
Q: I tried to install a 3-way dimmer switch in a exsisting box. The box,with a 3-way toggle switch, had ...
A: Harvey, The key to replacing an existing 3 way switch or in your case installing a 3 way dimmer, ...
|
| ballast? problems. | 10/1/2009 |
Q: I've replaced the ballast (twice) in my kitchen ceiling fixture, changed bulbs, and am making no ...
A: Steve, Electronic ballasts are not wired the same as magnetic ones. It sounds like you didn't ...
|
| electrical baseboard heater problem | 9/30/2009 |
Q: In one room, I have 4 electrical base board heaters controlled by 1 thermostat. 2 of the heaters ...
A: Jack, You need to find out if your thermostat is "line voltage" or "low voltage" first. In other ...
|
| light strip | 9/29/2009 |
Q: I bought a halogen 'strip' light at the flea market - the outside wire was cut but it looked new. ...
A: Sharon, Ok, connect the 2 reds coming from the pucks to the other 2 reds. Connect the 2 black wires ...
|
| Between 220v and 110v | 9/28/2009 |
Q: I live in USA and I went back to Egypt and I want to build a two story home in Cairo, and I need ...
A: Maha, I think you have to look at the cost of shipping those items over there and then the cost of ...
|
| Wiring light sensor | 9/27/2009 |
Q: I have an exterior pole light with a light sensor on it that some kids tore up, now I'm trying to ...
A: Tony, The red from the panel should be connected to the black on the sensor, the red from the ...
|
| wrong voltage | 9/25/2009 |
Q: Several of my electrical outlets and lights are working improperly. Many of my 120v outlets meter ...
A: Ron, You have a common but potentially dangerous and serious condition called an "open neutral" ...
|
| GFI Tripping | 9/24/2009 |
Q: I have recently added a GFI outlet mid-circuit. I needed to add a circuit and since its in a ...
A: David, GFI's can trip for strange quirky reasons. Sometimes nothings really wrong but there is ...
|
| hot to touch service panel | 9/23/2009 |
Q: recently bought a 2 story col'l. Breaker box is hot to touch. It's 100amp service & max'd out. Owner ...
A: Deryl, You need to address this NOW. The box should not be hot to the touch. You probably have a ...
|
| who to hire? | 9/22/2009 |
Q: I would like to know what is the difference between an electrical contractor and a certified ...
A: Elsa, You want to hire a licensed electrical contractor. In other words some one who is in buisness ...
|
| acceptable service for a 1BR apt | 9/21/2009 |
Q: my wife and i have recently purchased an 800sqft unit in a coop in brooklyn. we currently have an ...
A: David, Lets assume the one electrician is right and you could upgrade the line to 50 amps which is ...
|
| MH fixture question | 9/20/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased at auction, 2 cooper lighting shop light fixtures that hang from the ceiling. ...
A: Thomas, The picture is blurred and I can't read it. I know they make MH lamps that will work in a ...
|
| Light loses power when bulb is plugged in | 9/19/2009 |
Q: I am installing a new light into an existing ceiling box. The box is controlled by a dimmer switch ...
A: Jim, Its possible it could be the dimmer. Take it out and just wire nut the two wires together and ...
|
| Light loses power when bulb is plugged in | 9/19/2009 |
Q: I am installing a new light into an existing ceiling box. The box is controlled by a dimmer switch ...
A: Jim, You just made the wrong connections in the ceiling box. You have the new fixture wired in ...
|
| double 30 am breaker | 9/17/2009 |
Q: I have a double 20 amp Circuit breaker and I want to change to 2= 15 am Circuit breaker. how do ...
A: Ken, We have to clarify the terminology so I know exactly what you mean. There is such a thing as a ...
|
| Single Pole Switch and GFCI Outlet Combination | 9/16/2009 |
Q: I recently purchased a cooper Single Pole Switch and GFCI Outlet Combination Item #: 205614 ...
A: Jerry, Your not wrong as long as you have the necessary wires in the box to attach to the switch on ...
|
| Replace fan/light switch to single switch | 9/13/2009 |
Q: I have a ceiling fan with light fixture which can be seprately controlled by a verically sliding ...
A: Narendra, You can still easily and cheaply maintain separate control of the fan and light at the ...
|
| remote control ceiling fan | 9/12/2009 |
Q: When I went to install my new ceiling fan I found that it is designed/ sold/ packaged to be ...
A: Joe, I understand, Ok what you could do maybe is ask the manufacturer if they will send you the ...
|
| Low Voltage Lighting | 9/9/2009 |
Q: As part of my Eagle Scout project I am installing some low voltage lighting at my church. I am ...
A: Will, HADCO (maker of low voltage lighting) makes a special connecter (LVC3) that is used to ...
|
| Wiriring basement breaker box to detached garage breaker box | 9/5/2009 |
Q: I have the main power coming into the basement of my house and into a 200 amp breaker box.I then ...
A: Joe, Yes you can add another 100 amp main though you don't want a 60 amp main in the garage you ...
|
| electrical odor? | 9/3/2009 |
Q: We have a finished basement where my teenage sons daily use (and keep plugged in) Xbox, TV, an old ...
A: Barb, I would check the wall receptacle's that are in the general area you notice the smell. You ...
|
| outlets that don't work | 9/2/2009 |
Q: We have just purchased a 4 year old house in Tampa area, since we have moved in we have found that ...
A: Sharon, The half of the outlet that does not work is controlled by a wall switch for that ...
|
| Boat to house power supply | 9/1/2009 |
Q: I have a boat that can plug into a 30A power station at marinas. The boat is current at home and I ...
A: Dave, Technically speaking it is not correct and I can't say its Ok to do it this way. However ...
|
| company no longer around | 8/31/2009 |
Q: What can I do if a company is no longer around? I don't think Wadsworth is still makeing panels or ...
A: KC, The hot side of the receptacle at some point came in contact with the side of the box and ...
|
| Water heater timer | 8/30/2009 |
Q: I have a double pole single throw timer, the problem is that the wire coming form the box is single ...
A: Cris, Yes, the only minor problem your going to have is the clock motor for the timer runs on 240 ...
|
| company no longer around | 8/29/2009 |
Q: What can I do if a company is no longer around? I don't think Wadsworth is still makeing panels or ...
A: KC, I always look at a customers wants or needs on a needs basis and what they can spend to try and ...
|
| Add a new electrical outlet | 8/28/2009 |
Q: I have a wardrobe room and it does not have any electrical outlet. Can I tap into the electrical ...
A: J, Ok you can do it. Now if its the common wall between the two rooms that has the existing outlet ...
|
| minimum service size for 201.1 amps | 8/28/2009 |
Q: I am currently enrolled in a pre-apprentice electrician course.My final project is to draw a 2400 ...
A: Bonnie, Your coming up with too high a number because your not figuring in your "demand factors". ...
|
| tripped breaker | 8/27/2009 |
Q: I have 2 light post fixture in my yard that have been there for approximate. 10 + years. Recently, ...
A: Rob, That is the right thing to do because it will at least tell you if there is something wrong ...
|
| upgrade 150A service to 200 A | 8/26/2009 |
Q: I presently have a 150 amp service to my home, I have a detached garage that I would like to supply ...
A: Ron, The fact that you have not tripped your 150 amp breaker with the loads you have is a good sign ...
|
| upgrade 150A service to 200 A | 8/25/2009 |
Q: I presently have a 150 amp service to my home, I have a detached garage that I would like to supply ...
A: Ron, You don't necessarily have to upgrade to 200 amps because you want to add a 60 amp line to the ...
|
| Splicing wiring | 8/24/2009 |
Q: I recently started a bathroom remodel project and after pulling out a whirlpool bathtub found some ...
A: Darrin, If it were me I would notch the cabinet VS splicing the wires. Besides being a lot more ...
|
| 30 Amp wiring for a Washer -Dryer | 8/24/2009 |
Q: I just bought an electric washer dryer (off craigslist) and realized that there is no 3 prong outlet ...
A: Kiran, Changing the existing line you have is not an option unfortunately. You SHOULD be able to ...
|
| Splicing wiring | 8/23/2009 |
Q: I recently started a bathroom remodel project and after pulling out a whirlpool bathtub found some ...
A: Darrin, Ok with a little more demo like you say it looks to me look your going to make it. I think ...
|
| detached garage subpanel | 8/22/2009 |
Q: Bob. I've a bit of a puzzle regarding my friend's detached garage. Originally it had only an old ...
A: Craig, If you mean its not the same brand breaker as the panel but it does fit and work, let me put ...
|
| Ceiling light fixture | 8/20/2009 |
Q: I have installed a ceiling light fixture and it is not part of a ceiling fan. The outlet box has 4 ...
A: Russell, All you need to do is disconnect the black wire in the box to the black wire on the ...
|
| Ceiling fan hook-up | 8/19/2009 |
Q: Just bought a new house and a new ceiling fan. My question is I have four wires coming out of the ...
A: JD, Its the coil shaped florescent bulbs. These particular lamps can not be dimmed with your ...
|
| too many kilowatts | 8/18/2009 |
Q: I recently got my electric bill and it stated we used 1400 kilowatts in one month... this is more ...
A: Teresa, Your dryer shouldn't be pulling that kind of amperage so something isn't right there. ...
|
| 2 Bulb Outdoor Flood | 8/17/2009 |
Q: Checked wiring black to black and white to white. Lamps bulbs ok. Socket...center contact - how do ...
A: Ira, I must ask this question and I don't mean to insult your intelligence but the bulb that is not ...
|
| Outside Outlets | 8/17/2009 |
Q: My two outside outlets no longer work. I have checked every GFCI in the house and everything is ...
A: David, Besides resetting them, if you haven't done it already, pull them out and check the "Load" ...
|
| Outside Outlets | 8/17/2009 |
Q: My two outside outlets no longer work. I have checked every GFCI in the house and everything is ...
A: David, Is it possible you may have overlooked a GFI receptacle some where or a receptacle it ...
|
| Ceiling fan hook-up | 8/17/2009 |
Q: Just bought a new house and a new ceiling fan. My question is I have four wires coming out of the ...
A: JD, Congratulations on your new home, probably the most exciting purchase any one ever makes. Ok ...
|
| 2 Bulb Outdoor Flood | 8/16/2009 |
Q: Checked wiring black to black and white to white. Lamps bulbs ok. Socket...center contact - how do ...
A: Ira, With a voltage tester put one prod of the tester to the center contact and the other prod ...
|
| Electrical panel making intermittent buzzing | 8/15/2009 |
Q: Lately, my electrical panel has been making sporatic buzzing noises, very short in duration (maybe 1 ...
A: Charrie, Breakers do sometimes make the buzzing sound you describe usually for short duration while ...
|
| Street light | 8/15/2009 |
Q: I live in an manufactured home.I want to set up a street light in my back yard. What is the best way ...
A: Chad, Digging is the best way or you could run a cable over head from your home to the pole which ...
|
| Main House Panel | 8/14/2009 |
Q: According to new 2009 NEC rules, can you install the main house load center panel facing a enclose ...
A: Wayne, When you say "enclosed", how enclosed is it and where is the panel in relation to what ever ...
|
| Adding 220 | 8/14/2009 |
Q: After doing quite a bit of small electrical jobs around the house, I am finally starting to get ...
A: KC, Take stock of what you have in the panel to get an idea of your loads. Make a list of all the ...
|
| electrical | 8/14/2009 |
Q: I am preaty good at wiring(expert by no means)but i know people who have rather high bills. It ...
A: John, OK 240 volt loads (2 pole breakers) are already perfectly balanced so there is no point in ...
|
| grounding home wiring | 8/13/2009 |
Q: Panel is 200amp. New circuits are 12/2 w/ground. Existing wiring #12 is w/o ground. Can a ground ...
A: Ron, Your very welcome, Yes you could. Also I don't know if you have the computers plugged into ...
|
| grounding home wiring | 8/13/2009 |
Q: Panel is 200amp. New circuits are 12/2 w/ground. Existing wiring #12 is w/o ground. Can a ground ...
A: Ron, If your existing wiring cable w/o ground has a metal outer covering your receptacles are ...
|
| electrical | 8/13/2009 |
Q: I am preaty good at wiring(expert by no means)but i know people who have rather high bills. It ...
A: John, The utility will not take kindly to any one trying to make any sort of adjustment to their ...
|
| disconnect one 3-way switch and use for another circuit | 8/12/2009 |
Q: I have the outside lights connected to two switches (3-way) one in living room Sw#1 and another in ...
A: Dev, Ok now thats a horse of a different color. Ideally you need a steady feed of 120 volts in this ...
|
| disconnect one 3-way switch and use for another circuit | 8/12/2009 |
Q: I have the outside lights connected to two switches (3-way) one in living room Sw#1 and another in ...
A: Dev, It would be far easier to leave the 3 way system alone and just install a new swiitch from ...
|
| adding a switch to existing circuit | 8/11/2009 |
Q: . I asked my husband this.. but he was talking before I got finished.. so I thought you might help ...
A: A wall switch could still be added with out effecting anything else on that circuit but not nearly ...
|
| Sub-panel | 8/10/2009 |
Q: I am planning to pull a 100-amp subpanel to a detached building. I have plenty of "play" in the ...
A: Keith, Given the length of your run and the ability to terminate a (1/0 copper THHN) wire under a ...
|
| electrical short? | 8/10/2009 |
Q: As new homeowners my husband removed an old ceiling fan and installed the new one in our livingroom. ...
A: Jackie, The best thing to do here is open the canopy completely exposing all the wires and take a ...
|
| Basic 240v for compressor | 8/9/2009 |
Q: I've been given an air compressor that requires a 240v receptacle but unfortunately don't have one ...
A: Jason, Your on the right track with the material and you would need a 250 volt 20 amp receptacle ...
|
| Problem with electrical socket | 8/9/2009 |
Q: I just turned a light in my bedroom off then on again and the nearest electrical socket started to ...
A: Marianne, You don't need to rewire the place because of this particular incident but definitely ...
|
| GFCIs needed in older home... | 8/8/2009 |
Q: Bob, I have just had a safety inspection done on a house I recently purchased and the results state ...
A: Jacob, You don't have to nor want to put your lights on a GFI circuit because if it trips it could ...
|
| breakers tripping | 8/6/2009 |
Q: I've had several circuits trip, some repeatedly, over the last couple of days. Heat pump, microwave, ...
A: Chris, I'm suspecting it may be the voltage coming into your house. When it gets hot like that and ...
|
| GFI | 8/5/2009 |
Q: Our house was built in 1974 in NJ. House is sold but buyer wants us to pay for GFI installation. ...
A: Debbie, I had customers just last week in Woodcliff Lake who are selling thier home and the buyer ...
|
| Panel Breaker | 8/4/2009 |
Q: I'm in a bit of a silly bind, really hope you can help me! I'm pretty much a novice so bear with me. ...
A: Sure I think we can do something for you and your Great Uncle, and its great your helping him out ...
|
| Open Ground | 8/2/2009 |
Q: I purchased a home that has a detached garage. The previous owners told me that the power never ...
A: Ok, it sounds like you have BX cable which explains why there is no bare ground wire. The outer ...
|
| cord from appliance getting warm | 8/2/2009 |
Q: we have a window air conditioner. After running it for several hours the plug and the wall around ...
A: Robin, Your very welcome, the "feed back" like yours when you get it makes it rewarding. You ...
|
| cord from appliance getting warm | 8/2/2009 |
Q: we have a window air conditioner. After running it for several hours the plug and the wall around ...
A: Robin, You did the right thing but check the plug on the AC unit. It may have sustained damage from ...
|
| wiring heat pump | 8/2/2009 |
Q: I am having a Lennox air handler [cbx27uh] and a Lennox heat pump [14hpx] 2 ton. What size wire from ...
A: Lawrence, The information you need is on the heat pump. It will say what the minimum circuit ...
|
| Open Ground | 8/2/2009 |
Q: I purchased a home that has a detached garage. The previous owners told me that the power never ...
A: Pixanna, Please describe the cables that are in the box. Do they have plastic outer covers on the ...
|
| hard wired hanging light to plug in | 8/1/2009 |
Q: I have a hanging tiffany lamp that i want to just plug in to an outlet as opposed to hardwiring into ...
A: Jill, Yes you could and here's how you can do it. They make what are called "swag kits". I'm almost ...
|
| single power outlets | 8/1/2009 |
Q: I am trying to find information on adding to a new home, in the kitchen, hardwired power plugs. I ...
A: Karen, Please elaborate on your situation. You say you have a new home so its not clear to me why ...
|
| Electrical problems | 8/1/2009 |
Q: My television, lights, and fan dimmed then came back on yesterday. Afterward, the A/C thermostat ...
A: Kate, Yes, you have what is called an "open neutral" condition which destablizes the voltage coming ...
|
| ceiling fan/lights get very very hot !! | 7/31/2009 |
Q: My ceiling fan in my dining room gets very -very hot after I turn on the lights that come with the ...
A: Sue, Some thing has definitely gone wrong with that fan. Don't use it or the lights till you ...
|
| Dishwasher Electrical Install | 7/31/2009 |
Q: How do I connect my dishwasher to my circuit breaker panel. Pretend that I am starting from scratch ...
A: Ok Rick lets play pretend. You are going to run 12-2 romex from the dishwasher to the panel. You ...
|
| ceiling fan/lights get very very hot !! | 7/31/2009 |
Q: My ceiling fan in my dining room gets very -very hot after I turn on the lights that come with the ...
A: Sue, Give me a little insight to your situation. Did it just start doing this. Is this a new fan. ...
|
| meter base | 7/30/2009 |
Q: but I'm not sure if I was completely clear. Let me try again. Can I use the meter base that is ...
A: Steve, Yes you probably can. What I wanted you to do was check the size of the existing meter base. ...
|
| Splicing into current wiring | 7/29/2009 |
Q: 1. I want to install a new ceiling fan where there is not a fixture. 2. I have easy access to the ...
A: Grady, It will be far more difficult for you to cut the existing cable and splice into it. You have ...
|
| Adding a 240V branch for a/c | 7/29/2009 |
Q: I am an avid DIYer, who has considerable electronic experience and knowledge. I also have quite a ...
A: Phil, What size cable you will run depends upon the specification label on the outside unit but ...
|
| Reversible Whole House Fan | 7/28/2009 |
Q: I'm moving into a tri-level house on the hillside that does not have an attic. Because hot air ...
A: John, I don't know how big your house is but this particular fan a 36 incher is designed to move ...
|
| replacing a wall plug | 7/27/2009 |
Q: I have a home thats around 30 yrs old. I can replace simple switches and plugs. My one problem is i ...
A: Rose, You can absolutely do that, its not a problem at all and it solves your problem quickly and ...
|
| detached garage subpanel | 7/27/2009 |
Q: Bob. I've a bit of a puzzle regarding my friend's detached garage. Originally it had only an old ...
A: Craig, Ok its pretty simple and straight forward. What he can do is remove the two breakers for the ...
|
| Fuse keeps blowing | 7/27/2009 |
Q: Bob ~ My mom tells me she has to keep changing one of the fuses in her home fusebox every two days ...
A: Is it possible there are other kitchen counter receptacles on that same circuit that are being used ...
|
| voltage dip | 7/26/2009 |
Q: My inlaws home in California is 40+ years old. We have lights dimming all through the house whenever ...
A: TJ, Changing all the switches and receptacles has nothing to do with solving this problem where ...
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| entrance service mobile home | 7/26/2009 |
Q: a week ago i lost half of the main its 100amp service no breakers were tripped the meter has ...
A: Eric, I don't blame you, I think Mother Nature is having hot flashes or something, anyway if you ...
|
| Turning 2 3-way switches into 2 way switches | 7/25/2009 |
Q: I currently have a setup where I have two 3-way switches wired up to control 2 separate lights (I ...
A: Andrew, There is no easy way to do this unfortunately. A 3 way system can be wire'd many different ...
|
| use of existing meter base | 7/25/2009 |
Q: I am upgrading my Federal Pacific 150 amp panel to a different make 200 amp panel. The meter was ...
A: Steve, Great idea. As long as you have a 200 amp meter base and 200 amp service entrance wiring ...
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| does main breakers go bad? | 7/25/2009 |
Q: "Is the breaker is bad? No changes in the home for 6 years. breaker is getting hot and sometimes ...
A: Jeff, Yes they can and DO go bad. The breaker getting HOT to the touch and begining to trip is a ...
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| replacing 100 amp main breakers | 7/24/2009 |
Q: Can I replace 100 amp pushmatic main breakers with a different type that is more available?
A: Robert, Unfortunately you can't, the pushmatic breaker is a unique design that will not except any ...
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| 100 AMP Service - Adequate? | 7/24/2009 |
Q: Bob, I'm a homeowner in Philadelphia, PA, and would like to do a load calculation to determine if I ...
A: Steve, Suffice it to say Daniels not an electrician and I'll just leave it right there. What I ...
|
| shockinsink | 7/24/2009 |
Q: I installed a small sink crock in a basement to pump up to the drain. THe receptacle I tapped off in ...
A: Bob, If your saying your pump has a grounded plug (3 prong) and your running it with out it being ...
|
| Moving a 220v line. | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I am moving my washer/dryer. Rather than run a new line from the breaker box, can I run a new line ...
A: Tom, If this is a separate 20 amp circuit with nothing else on it but the washer and dryer you can ...
|
| flickering lights and voltage spikes | 7/23/2009 |
Q: I have an extensive home theater set up. The Monster Power control center controls all plugs. It ...
A: Aaron, The symptons you describe may indicate an "open neutral" or partially "open neutral" which ...
|
| license to run conduit | 7/23/2009 |
Q: Would you happen to know if it is the law in Connecticut to have a license to run conduit? ANSWER: ...
A: Fran, Ok if this is for YOUR home thats a different story. I believe Connecticut like NJ and MA ...
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| license to run conduit | 7/22/2009 |
Q: Would you happen to know if it is the law in Connecticut to have a license to run conduit?
A: Fran, It depends what your installing it for. You could be using it for "low voltage" landscape ...
|
| breaker box placement | 7/21/2009 |
Q: I live in Texas and have an older home (circa 1920's). I'm upgrading all the wiring including the ...
A: Ann, The National Electrical Code does not permit a panel to be located in a closet but that ...
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| Brief flicker - new pendant light installation | 7/20/2009 |
Q: I recently installed a new pendant light (2 "A" type 75W incandescent bulbs) to replace an older one ...
A: Rob, I would try 2 new A lamps in the event there is something going on with the filament in either ...
|
| wondering if wires shorted | 7/19/2009 |
Q: I took out an outlet and noticed the hot wire either shorted or had the insulation cut back very ...
A: KC, The black wire that is skinned back isn't that way from shorting out and why it was done is a ...
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| breakers | 7/18/2009 |
Q: one side of my panel is dead. i have traced back and am getting 120 through one side and only 54 ...
A: Robert, Its most likely a connection problem on your Utilitys end though it could be a problem in ...
|
| Wire a floor standing lamp with a switch. | 7/18/2009 |
Q: I took apart and old floor standing lamp to move from one location to another. I did not label the ...
A: Gary, Ok the first thing you need to do is take a look at the wires in the lamp. If you take your ...
|
| sub panel ground | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I have a 50amp sub panel fed by 3 #6 (2 hot and 1 neutral). The sub panel is 10" away from main ...
A: John, Your going to have a tight fit getting those wires in 3/4" so use plenty of pulling compound ...
|
| GFI half-hot outlet | 7/17/2009 |
Q: I need some help. I am redoing my kitchen and underneath the sink I would like a half hot (switched ...
A: Kevin, You don't have to put either of those items on GFI protection unless you want to for some ...
|
| Sub panel upgrade | 7/16/2009 |
Q: I own a 3 flat building. The main electrical distribution panel is 400 amps fused. The 3 subs are 1 ...
A: Chris, I need to know what you have running from the meter to the sub panel you want to change.Its ...
|
| Sub panel upgrade | 7/16/2009 |
Q: I own a 3 flat building. The main electrical distribution panel is 400 amps fused. The 3 subs are 1 ...
A: Chris, If you have 3/0 copper you can up grade to 200 amps if you wanted to, so no problem going ...
|
| high electric bill | 7/15/2009 |
Q: the electric bill for my niece is around 500 to600 a month they have 10acres avg. house no air cond. ...
A: David, I can only suggest that your niece closely monitor what she's using and how long she's using ...
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| Open Hot | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I own a 5 year old home in Bossier City LA. It was new construction and is in the $300k range, so ...
A: Thomas, First I would advise you to go back and reuse the line that was installed for the dish ...
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| Diming Lights | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I installed a 2.5 ton lennox condenser and air handler. The data plate on the condenser reads 1PH, ...
A: Ok Pete, you have plenty of beef there, again even with a 200 amp service you can still notice a ...
|
| Diming Lights | 7/15/2009 |
Q: I installed a 2.5 ton lennox condenser and air handler. The data plate on the condenser reads 1PH, ...
A: Pete, The size of the cable's you ran are fine. Technically the 12-2 should have a 20 amp breaker ...
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| Dryer Wiring | 7/14/2009 |
Q: I recently replaced a section of dryer (220) wire in an older home that runs to a three-prong dryer ...
A: John, No that would not be the problem. You could further test the dryer by putting a volt ohm ...
|
| self contained switches | 7/14/2009 |
Q: I have a park model mobile home.I want to install a dimmer The existing switch is self ...
A: Mitch, I have not seen this type of set up but the way you can handle it is by using a surface ...
|
| GFIC | 7/14/2009 |
Q: Does a Gfic have some warmth to the outlet, the receptacle appears warmer than air temp?
A: Melinda, There could be a connection issue going on inside of it which could cause some heat build ...
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| high electric bill | 7/13/2009 |
Q: the electric bill for my niece is around 500 to600 a month they have 10acres avg. house no air cond. ...
A: David, How long has she lived there ? is this something new that just started ? how many square ...
|
| Jacuzzi GFI Wiring | 7/13/2009 |
Q: I think I know the answer to this question, but here it goes anyway. I am wiring in my Jacuzzi and ...
A: Patrick, Your connections at the panel are correct. Check your disconnect by the jacuzzi. If the ...
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| outdoor lighting/sensor control | 7/12/2009 |
Q: I have two light fixtures on either side of my garage. Can I have one light with a motion sensor ...
A: Bob, The built in motion sensor fixture's that I have seen and hooked up have not had an extra wire ...
|
| bedroom lights and receptacles | 7/12/2009 |
Q: All my bedroom lights and receptacles are blown. No breakers or reset buttons are found. please tell ...
A: Kevin, The first thing to check again are the breakers. They can appear to be OK but unless you ...
|
| Moving single pole switch | 7/11/2009 |
Q: I am moving a single pole switch from one wall to another--going up the wall, across the cavity in ...
A: Mark, The way the switch is currently wired is not acceptable code wise. I think your saying that ...
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| Electrical wiring | 7/11/2009 |
Q: I have a generator that has an NEMA L14-30 female receptacle. The paper work on the generator states ...
A: Chris, The right thing to do here with out jury rigging something is to install the correct ...
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| Light fixture connection | 7/11/2009 |
Q: I am changing a bathroom light fixture. The switch for the fixture has 2 white wires 1 black wire ...
A: Joe, Based on what you've told me here's what you need to do: Connect the 2 black wires from the ...
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| Moving single pole switch | 7/10/2009 |
Q: I am moving a single pole switch from one wall to another--going up the wall, across the cavity in ...
A: Mark, If I'm reading you correctly you have power in the ceiling box and a two wire cable coming ...
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| Dryer Wiring | 7/10/2009 |
Q: I recently replaced a section of dryer (220) wire in an older home that runs to a three-prong dryer ...
A: John, Take your voltage tester and measure from each "hot" slot on the dryer receptacle to the ...
|
| eletrical short | 7/10/2009 |
Q: Master bed room and 1st bed room power goes out at the same time. i have check the breaker and it is ...
A: Nick, OK it sounds like you have an "open neutral"(wite wire) which means you still have power on ...
|
| remote panel | 7/9/2009 |
Q: We are finishing our basement and need to install a remote panel in the basement because the service ...
A: Jerry, I recomend a 100 amp 20 circuit main lug panel which is a full size panel. There are ...
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| changing a 220 volt outlet to a 110volt outlet | 7/8/2009 |
Q: I need to change a 220volt outlet to a 110volt outlet at the wall plug for an air conditioner I am a ...
A: David, You will remove the 2 pole breaker which SHOULD have a black and white wire connected to it. ...
|
| Motion Detecter Broken | 7/7/2009 |
Q: I have a motion detector that is not on a switch. It was working fine, just great, in fact too ...
A: Ian, Since you covered the motion sensor to effectively stop it from operating the light, I'm ...
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| home wiring, fan to light | 7/7/2009 |
Q: Removed ceiling fan, want to replace with pendant light. There are red, white, black and ground ...
A: Bob, Connect the black wire in the ceiling box to the black on the fixture and connect the white ...
|
| hello | 7/3/2009 |
Q: Greets sir Why does a car battery loose its power if the engine is not turned on for too long? How ...
A: The type of battery that is in a car is desigined for short bursts of high amps to start the car and ...
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| new 200 amp service box | 7/2/2009 |
Q: I Have under ground wire to the house with 2 ot wire, I bought a 200 amp load center and new 4 0t ...
A: Then you have a problem upgrading to 200 amps unless those wires are removed and replaced with ...
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| new 200 amp service box | 7/2/2009 |
Q: I Have under ground wire to the house with 2 ot wire, I bought a 200 amp load center and new 4 0t ...
A: Mark, I don't know if you have copper or aluminum wires. If you have copper its no problem, you can ...
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| mobilehome/aluminum wire nightmares | 7/1/2009 |
Q: i purchased a mobilehome a couple years ago.i had never heard of aluminum wiring or that it was ...
A: Deanna, You certainly did the right thing for the machines in your make shift shop because those ...
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| wiring issue | 6/30/2009 |
Q: I have been rehabing a barn on my property and decided the next step was to change out the poor ...
A: Jesse, It does sound like you have a break underground but just to be certain of that, free the ...
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| Subpanel for Dock and Boat Lift | 6/29/2009 |
Q: I am self-installing a subpanel for a boat dock and lift. I am comfortable with basic sub-panel ...
A: Dave, Your not missing anything. What you have there is a very common situation well within ...
|
| Changing switches in mobile home | 6/29/2009 |
Q: I own a mobile home and just recently the back porch. light stopped working. The last time one ...
A: Edgar, Your giving me conflicting and confusing information. When you say a "double switch" do you ...
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| Electrical code question: does the code require neutrals in wall switch boxes? | 6/29/2009 |
Q: I tried reading NFPA-70, 2005 edition to answer this, but I found it difficult to understand. My ...
A: Paul, The NEC does not require a neutral to be installed to a switch outlet. However if this is ...
|
| light timer | 6/28/2009 |
Q: My outside lights are currently switched on by means of a 'day-night' switch. ie when the sun goes ...
A: Billy, Yes this can be done and how you actually wire it depends upon the device you currently have ...
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| light switch plug combo | 6/27/2009 |
Q: I am trying to install a light switch plug combo. The only wires are a black one and a white one. ...
A: Bill, I'm assuming you had just a switch before and now you want to add the combo ...
|
| 2 speed fan wiring | 6/27/2009 |
Q: I have a 2 speed evaporative swamp cooler. When I plug the pump in, the circuit breaker trips. I ...
A: Kevin, It may not be the pump but the circuit your trying to run it on. I don't know how large ...
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| lights and wall sockets | 6/26/2009 |
Q: How can lights,wall sockets and the dishwasher not work without the breakers not switching off? The ...
A: Diane, It sounds like you may have lost one of the main power legs coming into your home which can ...
|
| Dimmer noise | 6/26/2009 |
Q: I am a electrician by trade @ a public school, I do some work for staff off hours. I recently wired ...
A: James, Yes this is a common problem with electronic dimmers causing the filaments to vibrate and ...
|
| Generator idle control switch | 6/25/2009 |
Q: I have goggled and researched and compared but no luck so here i am. I have a Black Max powered by ...
A: Andy, I would address this problem with the manufacturer of the generator. They should be able to ...
|
| 2 AWG wire in 150 amp main | 6/25/2009 |
Q: We are looking to purchase a home in Indiana, and our inspection report turned up these comments: ...
A: Charlie, First of all the Home inspector is correct in what he is saying regarding the size of the ...
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| lighting | 6/24/2009 |
Q: i just redid my room, and i have tube lighting in there, it worked just fine before, but not the ...
A: OK lets back up a little, what were the circumstances leading up to the switch not working and I'm ...
|
| Loud 'snap' or 'crack heard. | 6/24/2009 |
Q: Every so often I hear a loud crack (or snap), which happens even at midnight. About every three ...
A: I think you'll be fine but now that you mention this, my girlfriend had the exact same problem with ...
|
| Installing a double switch | 6/24/2009 |
Q: I am installing a ceiling fan in a room in my house. The house is new construction (bought Nov. ...
A: Patrick, Using a combination switch over switch will only let you turn the light on and off and ...
|
| Outlet Receptacle | 6/23/2009 |
Q: Have a receptacle wall plug in the kitchen used by a 12.7 amp microwave and a 15 amp tea kettle. ...
A: Larry, Your very welcome, OK you can run the two 12-2's and there are advantages to doing it that ...
|
| New Shop | 6/23/2009 |
Q: My new shop is approx. 110 ft. from my house, but perhaps more importantly, about 150 ft. from my ...
A: Mike, If your going to dig a trench I would install 2" PVC from the service to the shop which ...
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| Outlet Receptacle | 6/23/2009 |
Q: Have a receptacle wall plug in the kitchen used by a 12.7 amp microwave and a 15 amp tea kettle. ...
A: Larry, They do not and you can't use a 20 amp receptacle. Its not about risk its about whats legal ...
|
| Electrical problem | 6/22/2009 |
Q: My name is Jason Taylor,I live in Knoxville,Tn.I have been an Hvac service technician for 10 ...
A: Jason, First check that all the white wires in the main panel are tight, then check again for ...
|
| 6 Wire Outlet Replacement | 6/22/2009 |
Q: I am trying to replace a 'normal' outlet (2 plugs) with a new outlet that only has one plug. The ...
A: Sidney, Very simple, you will connect all 3 blacks together then add a 4th black wire to this group ...
|
| wiring a wall sconse from a light switch | 6/21/2009 |
Q: we have a very old house complete with old wiring. we are putting a wall sconce above a light ...
A: Kathy, The new wall sconce is in "series" with the overhead light which is why they are both dim. ...
|
| electrical outlet | 6/21/2009 |
Q: I have an electrical outlet that has stopped working. It still has 120 on the hot side when tested ...
A: Peter, The neutral (white wire) has developed a bad connection at some point. If it is the only ...
|
| replacing my exisiting timer | 6/20/2009 |
Q: I have a pair of Intermatic timers, which control the front light and the rear pool lights. The pool ...
A: I think we can get you back on track. First determine which of the two cables is your "feed" with a ...
|
| grounding existing slab | 6/20/2009 |
Q: We have a 20X20 outdoor covered pavillion, we want to run electric from the house to the pavillion ...
A: Edward, Do you know there is rebar in the existing slab ? Obviously if there is none you don't ...
|
| Electrical wiring and arcing. | 6/20/2009 |
Q: Kitchen light - single switch. When light was turned on the wiring arc'd at the light. CB did not ...
A: Harry, Remove the single black wire you have connected to all the white wires. Thats your problem. ...
|
| 240V Heater Tape | 6/19/2009 |
Q: I have a submersible well pump that is wired with 2 wire- 240V. I would like to add a heater tape ...
A: Ron, No problem, Ok you will "tap" the line side of the pressure switch in the pump house since ...
|
| Service to new shop. | 6/19/2009 |
Q: I just completed a new workshop 21'x38'x14H. I have a 200A service at the house with 100A breaker ...
A: Lex, That bar has an important function because it ties the two neutral terminal bars on the left ...
|
| Telephone Jack Lock | 6/19/2009 |
Q: I need a lock for a telephone jack, so that others will not have access to my phone line. I searched ...
A: Reuven, The easiest way would be to "hard wire" your connection, in other words run the wire from ...
|
| 380 volts applied to a 240 volt main | 6/19/2009 |
Q: I'm working as an electrician in Afghanistan, and the contractor I work for insists that we install ...
A: James, As a matter of fact its a flagrant violation and an extremely dangerous one. You have very ...
|
| 5th wheel | 6/19/2009 |
Q: Our 5th wheel is in a back yard and we want to run the air conditioner...it is a heavy three prong ...
A: Shannon, We need to make sure the AC unit in the back is definitely 240 volt not 120 volt. It is ...
|
| Loud 'snap' or 'crack heard. | 6/18/2009 |
Q: Every so often I hear a loud crack (or snap), which happens even at midnight. About every three ...
A: That sounds like a good idea to me and as a matter of fact now that I'm thinking about this what you ...
|
| 240V appliances don't work and rest of house has voltage problems | 6/18/2009 |
Q: We are having some problems with the stability of our electricity. It started out as slight ...
A: Angel, What your describing is a problem that is either in your main breaker or its on the utilitys ...
|
| Loud 'snap' or 'crack heard. | 6/18/2009 |
Q: Every so often I hear a loud crack (or snap), which happens even at midnight. About every three ...
A: I don't think its the circuit breaker because a sound that loud coming from a circuit breaker would ...
|
| Loud 'snap' or 'crack heard. | 6/18/2009 |
Q: Every so often I hear a loud crack (or snap), which happens even at midnight. About every three ...
A: Corinne, When you hear it can you associate it with any thing in your house or apartment and can ...
|
| 240V Heater Tape | 6/18/2009 |
Q: I have a submersible well pump that is wired with 2 wire- 240V. I would like to add a heater tape ...
A: Ron, They do make 240 volt heat tape for pipes so no neutral would be needed. I'm assuming since ...
|
| 5th wheel | 6/18/2009 |
Q: Our 5th wheel is in a back yard and we want to run the air conditioner...it is a heavy three prong ...
A: Shannon, If you look closely at the plug there is a number on it like 5-30P, let me know exactly ...
|
| HVAC | 6/17/2009 |
Q: I replaced my fuel oil furnace with a wood furnace and i need some info on how to hook up the ...
A: OK if you have a "line voltage" limit switch that turns the blower on when the plenum chamber gets ...
|
| HVAC | 6/17/2009 |
Q: I replaced my fuel oil furnace with a wood furnace and i need some info on how to hook up the ...
A: Branden, we have some missing pieces to your puzzle. Were there separate thermostats for the AC and ...
|
| 30 amp rv plug | 6/17/2009 |
Q: What is the correct hookup (hot leg) on a 30 amp rv plug. Please specify plug of receptital and the ...
A: Ok, your saying the male plug but the number your giving is for the female plug so I'm going to give ...
|
| sub-panel to sub-panel? | 6/16/2009 |
Q: I have an in-ground pool. The pad has a sub-panel with a 100 amp main breaker. There are 3 wires ...
A: Ok Tom, Lets put it this way, if you have a 100 amp main breaker for the panel by the pool and you ...
|
| sub-panel to sub-panel? | 6/16/2009 |
Q: I have an in-ground pool. The pad has a sub-panel with a 100 amp main breaker. There are 3 wires ...
A: Tom, 4. Do you have enough information to answer my questions? What type of conduit (HW, EMT or ...
|
| non-working outlets | 6/15/2009 |
Q: i plugged an electric air pump in, like many times before. the outlet sparked, and blew 3 fuses. ...
A: Tera, Start by checking the receptacle you plug the compressor into. It may be shot from repeated ...
|
| ceiling fan | 6/14/2009 |
Q: I am trying to install a ceiling fan, but the fan has three wires, but the ceiling has four: one ...
A: Hal, The bare wire is your ground. You will connect white of the fan to white in the box, black of ...
|
| Power is out but the breaker is not triggered and I do not have the GFCI? | 6/14/2009 |
Q: I have house built in 1953. We have been having power surges for about a week and last night the ...
A: Nicole, I know you said you checked the breakers but check them again. Sometimes a breaker can be ...
|
| 3-10 wiring cable for hot tub insulation place to get lowest pricing | 6/14/2009 |
Q: where to purchase in columbus, ohio
A: Revenda, I think your refering to 10-3 Romex cable. The first number refers to the "gauge" of the ...
|
| Wierd Wiring | 6/13/2009 |
Q: I am remodeling contractor and pretty savy on most wiring but my sister in law just bought house ...
A: Robert, What your describing doesn't sound right. Its possible this could be some sort of home made ...
|
| forgot the picture | 6/12/2009 |
Q: Am in the process of trying to put a ceiling light in what was a previously closed-off box in the ...
A: Ok Chris those appear to be alarm wires to me , as a matter of fact they are probably for a smoke ...
|
| Installing Indoor Wall Timer | 6/11/2009 |
Q: Ok, I'm installing an Intermatic EJ500 wall switch timer for a single switch. When I removed the ...
A: Mike, Take the timer out and disconnect it completely so yourt starting from scratch. The two black ...
|
| electric switch for submersible pump | 6/10/2009 |
Q: Recently the water pressure in my parents 46 year old house stopped sending working and no water was ...
A: Vickie, It sounds like the well pump motor might be defective for whatever reason. You said you ...
|
| 200 amp service | 6/8/2009 |
Q: I will try to make this as simple as possible. I am building a house new construction and will be ...
A: Bryan, I need to know if you have a copper water pipe coming into your house or if its plastic and ...
|
| gfci recpticle | 6/7/2009 |
Q: I have 2 gfci's 1 in each bathroom the main gfci works good but the one in the other bathroom only ...
A: Ok your neutral (white wire) connection is compromised some where, probably at the previous up ...
|
| Conduit Wiring | 6/6/2009 |
Q: I'm in the process of wiring a shop that I intend to expand in the future. The current structure is ...
A: Your very welcome Tom, 1) yes you can run 1 ground wire for every 2-110V circuits in a single phase ...
|
| gfci recpticle | 6/6/2009 |
Q: I have 2 gfci's 1 in each bathroom the main gfci works good but the one in the other bathroom only ...
A: Charlie, Pull out the GFI your only getting 100 volts on and put the tester directly on the ...
|
| Ceiling light installation | 6/5/2009 |
Q: I have a shed I would like to add a ceiling light. I have run a line from an outlet to the light ...
A: Jay, If you used a plastic box and a pullchain fixture there is no place or need to connect the ...
|
| greenhouse heater requires 220/240 volt outlet | 6/4/2009 |
Q: I am researching heater models to use in a medium-sized greenhouse in Wyoming where winter temps dip ...
A: I think a 4000 watt heater would keep your plants nice and toasty in a small green house the size ...
|
| Conduit Wiring | 6/4/2009 |
Q: I'm in the process of wiring a shop that I intend to expand in the future. The current structure is ...
A: Tom, 1) one ground wire for each of the 3 - 220V circuits and if this is single phase wiring we're ...
|
| house voltage | 6/2/2009 |
Q: ..I am rather confused about the power in a house we are purchasing. The house is about 2900 SF and ...
A: Kimberly, If this house was built in 1974 it should have at least a 100 amp service with 120 / 240 ...
|
| possible short in light fixture? | 6/1/2009 |
Q: There is a 3-switch control that sparked when I turned on the light fixture over my bathroom mirror ...
A: Ok Jane from what you've described it sounds like its the switch itself and changing it will solve ...
|
| lighnting grounding rod for a well pump? | 5/31/2009 |
Q: My mother-in-law is trying to buy a house and has had an inspection done, the inspector wrote in the ...
A: Ron, In all my 38 years I've never heard of it either but here's what you can do. Call the building ...
|
| wiring a compressor | 5/30/2009 |
Q: i have an igersoll rand 242 5n compressor im changing the motor from 3 phase to 5hp 230v 1 ...
A: Daniel, You must have a pressure switch other wise the compressor could keep pumping till it blows ...
|
| Electrice fireplace above tub | 5/29/2009 |
Q: I've asked this question before but no one could answer it. Is it compliant to most residential ...
A: Fleet, Probably not. Unless this fireplace is at least 5 feet away from the tub and GFI protected. ...
|
| converting 200 amp main breaker to 100 amp main breaker | 5/28/2009 |
Q: When I purchased this house there was a 200 amp 4 wire feed (4/0) to a main panel. There was ...
A: Erin, 1) Yes and you can either leave the breaker there and turn it off or remove it and blank the ...
|
| starting up on my own/ | 5/27/2009 |
Q: i am a journeyman electrician and i have been for 8 our 9 years now working for another company..My ...
A: Eric, You would have to check with your states licensing board on that point but I don't beleive ...
|
| Installing new wiring in old 1931 bungalow | 5/26/2009 |
Q: I live in an old 1931 brick bungalow. I'm replacing the old knob and tube wiring. I am putting in ...
A: Barbara, I'm going to give you a closely guarded trade secret of mine as to how I drill up safely ...
|
| Subpanel for Dock and Boat Lift | 5/24/2009 |
Q: I am self-installing a subpanel for a boat dock and lift. I am comfortable with basic sub-panel ...
A: Dave, 1) You don't need the 50 amp GFI since you have the other GFI breakers down stream in the sub ...
|
| aluminum to copper butt splices | 5/23/2009 |
Q: Bob, I saw your response to another question in 2004 regarding the use of a 12 or 14 awg butt ...
A: Al, 1. Stranded wire is very flexible and much easier to put away in the box than solid wire so I ...
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| aluminum to copper butt splices | 5/23/2009 |
Q: Bob, I saw your response to another question in 2004 regarding the use of a 12 or 14 awg butt ...
A: Al, Even though you have aluminum wiring you can still make it safe using the method you describe. ...
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| dimmer switch | 3/5/2009 |
Q: I just installed a light fixture. It's an old fixture and the fixture wire was just a plain two ...
A: Peter, The dimmer could be damaged for what ever reason, try a new one and go from there. There is ...
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| Breaker Box with no main breaker | 3/4/2009 |
Q: Some friends and I have a hunting property that has a "camp" area with power. We keep our RV's ...
A: Jason, As long as there are no more than 6 circuit breakers in the panel it is not only safe but ...
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| 208v 175 watt mercury outdoor security lights | 12/4/2008 |
Q: I have three mercury lights installed over the enbtrance of a carwash. All on the same breaker, ...
A: Brian, I would replace the bulb first and see what happens, if it still flickers then its not the ...
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| weird wiring | 12/2/2008 |
Q: This outlet is in my bathroom. I have a nightlight plugged into this out let just to let me know ...
A: Lindsey, you most likely have a loose connection in another receptacle that is close to the one in ...
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| GFI outlet | 11/25/2008 |
Q: I have an old house and currently I have an outlet and a switch in the bathroom. I tried to replace ...
A: Debbie, It sounds like you have it right but check to make sure that the black and white wires from ...
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| Fixture Tripping Circuit Breaker | 8/4/2008 |
Q: The wife is tired of no lights, so I need your help! We recently moved into a 2-year-old home, and ...
A: Cody, Keeping the wife happy as you already know is extremely important so lets see what we can ...
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| FOR NEW RECEPTACLE | 8/3/2008 |
Q: I WANT TO ADD A NEW RECEPTACLE TO THE LIVING ROOM. IM NOT SURE IF ITS SAFE TO BORROW POWER FROM A ...
A: Will, You can not take it from a switch where you only have one cable and the white and black wire ...
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| wrong fuse? | 8/2/2008 |
Q: My home built in 1950 still has fused panel with 60 amp service. My problem: I think one fuse ( ...
A: Gary, You should have no 30 amp fuse's on any circuit in your home thats for lighting or ...
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| dryer receptacle | 7/1/2008 |
Q: For some reason, an electrician installed a 50-amp receptacle in our laundry room. Mywhat is the ...
A: Ok you seem to be saying instead of a 30 amp dryer receptacle being installed on the 30 amp line for ...
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| ceiling fan hum | 5/30/2008 |
Q: I have a similar situation with 4 identical hampton Bay accubreeze 52" fans l mounted in four ...
A: Kathy, Basically the cheaper fans do hum louder and a flush mounted fan because of the close ...
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| How do I install a subpanel in detached garage | 5/29/2008 |
Q: I would like to install a 100 amp rated subpanel in my detached garage being fed by a 40 amp double ...
A: Jack, You can use the black 8/3 Romex and sleeve it with the PVC. You don't have to install a ...
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| need to upgrade/need ground faults | 5/28/2008 |
Q: I am purchasing an older home, (1951), and with the inspection found the service panel needs to ...
A: Rebecca, I think I can safely say that it would be less expensive by you but the only way to find ...
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| Wiring for a new garbage disposal | 5/27/2008 |
Q: I am trying to install a new garbage disposal and there's no existing wiring. I have a couple of ...
A: Ben, I don't know what else is on the circuit you want to tap so I can't predict wether or not ...
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| wall outlet | 5/26/2008 |
Q: my wall outlet is about 36" from the floor and i want to move them to the baseboard.do i have to run ...
A: Kathy, Cutting a receptacle into the baseboard is more difficult than cutting it into the sheet ...
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| white, red and orange wires in ceiling wiring | 5/26/2008 |
Q: I am trying to replace a ceiling fan that does not work in my new apartment. Upon entering the ...
A: Michael, If your fan has a light connect the black wire from the fan to the two red wires then ...
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| Replacing porch light on older two-wire home | 5/21/2008 |
Q: My home is in South Texas, built around 1960. When I replaced the porch light, I noticed that the ...
A: Rudy, Its not unusual for those voltage sensors to do that but to be certain the fixture is ...
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| Dim Lights | 5/20/2008 |
Q: Bob i am the guy who came home and half the house had no lights . Well i checked some more and fond ...
A: Jerry, If you have breakers that are only putting out 88 volts then you have a connection problem ...
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| In-ground wiring | 5/19/2008 |
Q: I'm running an in-ground cable from my garage across the gravel driveway to a pond aerator pump; is ...
A: John, I highly recommend you use 3/4" PVC instead of burying the UF cable directly in the ground. ...
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| ceiling fixture install blew circuit | 5/18/2008 |
Q: I was attempting to re-install a ceiling fixture; the white wire touched the black wire and circuit ...
A: Mary, The circuit breaker should be fine, as long as the white wire is no longer touching the black ...
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| recessed lighting | 5/18/2008 |
Q: I want to install recessed lighting in my living room. I am thinking i can disonnect my light ...
A: Mike, Take stock of whats on that circuit. Shut the circuit off and go around and see what is not ...
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| Wiring Diagram | 5/16/2008 |
Q: Good morning Bob, I am trying to wire an outdoor light pole so I'm thinking that I can tap off ...
A: Jim, Tapping into the existing outlet may prove challenging especially if there are already two ...
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| Question on running wires in a chase | 5/15/2008 |
Q: I have split level house in Rochester NY. I am currently renovating an area and have an opportunity ...
A: Tom, If you use PVC run 2". If its possible to leave a "drag" (rope , string) in lieu of the pipe ...
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| electric kiln | 5/15/2008 |
Q: I have a chance to buy a 208 3 phase pottery kiln at a good price but all I have at home is 120/240 ...
A: Rick, It may be possible to reconnect the kiln for single phase operation without too much trouble. ...
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| Replacement cord | 5/13/2008 |
Q: I have been asked to replace a power cord on an old (60's) window fan. The exhisting cord looks to ...
A: James, If this is a 60's vintage fan I'm suspecting its probably made of metal and not plastic, if ...
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| bathroom wiring | 5/12/2008 |
Q: Hooking up a few receptacles and switches. I have power from my panel to a receptacle,then from that ...
A: Mike, "Ok if I run power to my first receptacle then I just carry down the line to the next ...
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| replacing 3 gang switch. | 5/11/2008 |
Q: My in laws have a modular home and they have a set of 3 switches in the bathroom. The switches are ...
A: Chris, I don't know how big the opening is that you have there but you mentioned 3 switches which ...
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| bathroom wiring | 5/11/2008 |
Q: Hooking up a few receptacles and switches. I have power from my panel to a receptacle,then from that ...
A: Mike, You can run the power to the switch box and then run from the switch box directly to the ...
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| Antique Clock Lamps | 5/8/2008 |
Q: I have an antique clock (apprx. 40 yo). It uses 2 15 watt bulbs to light it up . The bulb on the ...
A: Stephen, Sockets are the usual culprits when bulbs begin to burn out quickly but you say you've ...
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| switch to outlet conversion | 5/7/2008 |
Q: Can we convert a light switch to a straight power outlet? Our dining room looks like it once had a ...
A: Mark, Maybe. The circle probably is the old box covered over and the wires are probably still live. ...
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| Bathroom Light and Fan | 5/6/2008 |
Q: I have purchased a Broan QTR100L bathroom fan with a light and night light. The wiring diagram only ...
A: David, All you have to do is bring the power cable into the fans junction box and bring a new cable ...
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| Electric Circuits | 5/5/2008 |
Q: How many duplex receptacles or light fixtures does the code allow on a 15 amp & 20 amp circuit ...
A: Richard, 9 duplex receptacles for 15 amps and 12 for 20 amps. OK light fixtures, first of all you ...
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| Chandelier/Dimmer | 5/4/2008 |
Q: My husband installed a new chandelier today and when the power went on we heard a "pop" in the ...
A: Wendy, When Hubby installed the new fixture a wire must be getting pinched under the new ceiling ...
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| Splicing Romex Copper to Aluminum in wall | 5/3/2008 |
Q: I'm putting in some new lighting and do not have enough of the original romex (aluminum) to make a ...
A: Jim, You can not bury a splice inside the wall with no access and I agree it won't look very ...
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| Lights that flicker when I start appliances | 5/2/2008 |
Q: We have a new house and if we turn on anything the like the vacuum the lights flicker and dim. You ...
A: Kevin, You have a loose connection some where and most likely on your utilitys end. The problem ...
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| ceiling fixture | 4/30/2008 |
Q: We recently tore down our old plaster and lathe ceiling and had a new sheetrock ceiling installed. ...
A: Ray, You mentioned a dimmer, a florescent light will not work properly on a dimmer so try a regular ...
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| 100amp breaker box | 4/30/2008 |
Q: i am adding 2 additional breakers into a 100amp box. there are several open spaces for additional ...
A: Mark, Yes I agree it is a little curious as to why its OK for the bare ones and not the white ones ...
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| pool subpanel in shed | 4/29/2008 |
Q: Bob - question - I built a shed and had installed all new pool equipment near our pool. I've got 2 ...
A: Dave, 1.) The panels are OK in the shed. 2.) Romex is fine. 3.) No ground rod required but it ...
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| How to bury service | 4/28/2008 |
Q: I Live in Interlaken, NJ and currently have 100A service overhead from a pole in the back yard. I ...
A: Donald, The National Electrical Code has standards that must be followed. Such as: Minimum height ...
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| Hum from Electric Box in Basement | 4/27/2008 |
Q: Bob - the other day in the laundry room I noticed one of my electric boxes was emitting a very low ...
A: Henry, If the transformer for your door bell is attached to this box it could be the source of the ...
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| caps | 4/26/2008 |
Q: Regarding those plastic twisty caps for holding wire connections; Do the wires need to be twisted ...
A: Larry, It can be done either way. Pros usually twist them before putting the cap on because trying ...
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| bathroom nightlight | 4/26/2008 |
Q: Just read your advice to Fran & George re: adding a nightlight in a bathroom that currently has ...
A: Becky, Much easier to add the receptacle and just as effective. You may even be able to do it right ...
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| Wiring a ceiling vent fan and a light | 4/24/2008 |
Q: Bob - I would like to rewire a vent fan and light in the bathroom from being on the same switch to a ...
A: Brian, Your first challenge is to get another 2 wire cable from the switch box to the fan light. In ...
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| range outlet | 4/23/2008 |
Q: Replacing a direct wired cooktop with a free standing range. house was built in the late 70's. the ...
A: Helen, Generally speaking full size free standing elec range's use a 50 amp line which allows full ...
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| Ceiling outlet for projector | 4/18/2008 |
Q: I am wanting to figure out the best plan for adding a outlet in my ceiling in our family room. The ...
A: Bryan, In the 90 degree corner where the ceiling meets the top of the wall you have to cut a small ...
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| New chandelier won't work with dimmer switch | 4/15/2008 |
Q: yesterday I bought a new chandelier to replace my old one that worked perfectly, using an existing ...
A: Alan, Ok this will be fairly easy, you will need a voltage tester to determine which of the 2 old ...
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| New chandelier won't work with dimmer switch | 4/15/2008 |
Q: yesterday I bought a new chandelier to replace my old one that worked perfectly, using an existing ...
A: Alan, Tell me exactly what is in the box as far as wires go, in other words how many individual ...
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| wiring under a slab | 4/13/2008 |
Q: Bob, Couple of questions... #1 - I'm putting a log home on a slab, so I need to run electrical ...
A: Brian, I don't recommend running UF under the slab, it has no protection and if it gets damaged ...
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| power cutting out in doublewide | 4/9/2008 |
Q: I have a 1986 doublewide that I recently put on my property. The problem is without any warning the ...
A: Michelle, The problem is most likely on your utilities end but it is possible it could be in your ...
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| recessed under cabinet lighting (pucks) | 4/7/2008 |
Q: Bob, You helped me out about 5yrs ago with a 3-way switch and that turned out fine. This time I'm ...
A: Mark, I understand why you don't want the plugs to show but code wise you can't run the zip cord ...
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| 220v hot tub | 4/6/2008 |
Q: a friend recently purchased a hot tub from China, I am going to look at it in a couple of days but ...
A: Andy, What I know of European voltage is that every thing operates on 220 including lighting. If ...
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| 3-way with 2 lights | 4/5/2008 |
Q: I would like to know how to wire a 3-way with 2 lights so both switches turn both ligts off & on. ...
A: William, There are many ways to wire a 3 way system but this is how I do it and its very simple. ...
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| Dryer | 4/4/2008 |
Q: When I convert a three wire dryer pigtail to a 4 wire pigtail, is it okay to put the green wire and ...
A: Jesse, No, the white wire will go to the middle terminal by itself and if there is a "jumnper" ...
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| AFCI TRIPING | 4/4/2008 |
Q: THIS IS NEW CONSTRUCTION.I HAVE A 15 AMP AFCI BREAKER INSTALLED IN A BEDROOM. THE LIGHTS AND FEED ...
A: Tony, Check the neutral connection (white) wire for this circuit, it should be connected to the ...
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| electrical wiring for steamshower | 4/3/2008 |
Q: My electrician ran 8-2 wire (actually 8-3 but the red wire is capped at both ends) with a 40 Amp ...
A: Susan, No problem you can use the existing cable and just size down the 40 amp breaker in the main ...
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| Replacing plug-in ceiling light | 4/2/2008 |
Q: Bob. I live in a 55-yr old house outside Philly. I was hoping to replace the old ceiling light in ...
A: Joon, Try removing the receptacle. The screws that are holding it to the box you should be able to ...
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| What type of Thermostat | 3/31/2008 |
Q: Good Morning Sir, I am trying to figure out what kind of wall mounted thermostat (single pole or ...
A: Good morning Chris, If your BB heaters are 240 volts and they probably are, you want to get double ...
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| kitchen lighting | 3/30/2008 |
Q: we have green, red and black wires coming out of our fixture. And we have red, black and white ...
A: Natalie, If your ceiling box is made of metal the green wire will connect to it, if the box is ...
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| neutrals | 3/28/2008 |
Q: I have just built a home in ct and the electrician did something that I am not comfortable with, and ...
A: Richard, The neutral wires from two different circuits, from two different panels should NOT be ...
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| Question about wiring problem for 100 amp service panel | 3/27/2008 |
Q: We are replacing an older outside service panel, which this identical panel is no longer available, ...
A: Robert, Yes you can splice them in the new panel. An easy solution is to use mechanical "butt ...
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| Sub-panel / Panel Brand | 3/27/2008 |
Q: Quick question... I am putting in a sub-panel in my house. I wanted to know first whether a main ...
A: Mark, Square D breakers "react" in short circuit conditions quicker than other breakers so there ...
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| Sub-panel / Panel Brand | 3/26/2008 |
Q: Quick question... I am putting in a sub-panel in my house. I wanted to know first whether a main ...
A: Mark, Unless you need the main breaker you could just get a main lug panel but I'm assuming you ...
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| re-wiring electric cooktop | 3/25/2008 |
Q: I purchased a used electric glass cooktop to install over my built-in oven in my kitchen cabinet. ...
A: Bob, I seriously doubt the wire is aluminum, its probably copper wire that has been what they call ...
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| switches | 3/25/2008 |
Q: Bob, I have a single pole to single pole(light and bath fan). I want to make sure I am wiring them ...
A: Peggy, Are you replacing an existing switch or is this a new installation ? Let me know how many ...
|
| dryer | 3/24/2008 |
Q: dryer has 3 prong cord wall has 4 got a new cord were dose the red green blk white wire go on my ...
A: Carla, Open the back of the dryer. You should see black wires that go to a terminal, red wires that ...
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| Tapping into the main lugs in a panel | 3/24/2008 |
Q: Is it okay to install double lugs into a circuit breaker panel where the feeder comes into then tap ...
A: Anthony, First of all you need to know that the line your tapping will carry the new panel and what ...
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| Light Fixture | 3/23/2008 |
Q: I purchased a light fixture that is a hard wire. The room that I wish to put it into has ceiling ...
A: Mary Ann, You could "swag" the fixture using chandelier chain, zip cord, decorative hooks and ...
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| Amperage Question | 3/22/2008 |
Q: I was wondering if you could assist. I originall asked Rick Meill a question about roughing in the ...
A: BC, If your baseboard heat is 240 volts thats your problem. The fan light heat combination is 120 ...
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| outlets | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I have an outlet in my living room. If you push the wall(the paneling around the outlet) it will ...
A: Brandon, This is the # 1 problem I get here and its receptacles like yours that have been "back ...
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| wiring problem | 3/20/2008 |
Q: I installed a recessed light but the bulb won't light. I tested the circuit and have power at the ...
A: Alicia, Just to be sure the two other bulbs you tried were good ? Bad bulbs have caused more ...
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| Temporary Service Relocation | 3/19/2008 |
Q: Background: Project includes a 12x22 addition extending from west end of dwelling. Existing service ...
A: Rob, The way this is usually done unless there are circumstances in your case I'm not aware of but ...
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| 220 panel wiring | 3/19/2008 |
Q: Can I use 1 pole each from 2 different 2 pole breakers to make a 220 circuit? This would mean that ...
A: Joe, No can do. Yes a 2 pole breaker not only has the bar across but the breakers are tied together ...
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| door bell | 3/18/2008 |
Q: I have a door bell that is plays an electronic chime. When the button is pressed and released, the ...
A: Michael, The contacts on the door bell button may be making poor contact due to corrosion on them ...
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| LCD Wall mount electrical problem | 3/17/2008 |
Q: I installed a LCD on my wall and when I went to plug it in my circuit breaker in my room popped. I ...
A: Corey, It is unlikely but possible you could have hit just the hot wire in a cable with the ...
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| Dryer Plug/ Recepticle | 3/14/2008 |
Q: I just moved into a home I am renting and the dryer outlet is a 3 pole/ 3 wire 10-30R type. My ...
A: Rob, Its not the outlet you want to change its the 4 wire plug and cord on your dryer you want to ...
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| changing a light switch | 3/14/2008 |
Q: Here is my situation: I am attempting to change the outlets and switches in my bathroom from almond ...
A: Lisa, That 3rd black wire you spliced to the other "HOT" black wires is the wire that goes to your ...
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| GFI circut | 3/13/2008 |
Q: Good day Bob, I have noticed a few answers on GFI's and have one more. I have 30amp circuit with a ...
A: Randy, Redundant GFI protection obviously isn't necessary when one will do but I've never had a ...
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| 3 way switch | 3/13/2008 |
Q: I was in the process of swapping out our old switches with new rocker switches today, when one of ...
A: Kristi, Try using the screws on the side of the old switch for the red and white wires instead of ...
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| Wiring multiple lights on one switch | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I'm putting lights in my attic. I have 4 lights and want to put them on one switch. I've wired ...
A: Ric, You've got the lights wired in series which is why they aren't very bright. Here's what you ...
|
| Pendant lighting Question | 3/12/2008 |
Q: I currently have a light fixture in my dinning room that is contrlled by a light switch and hangs ...
A: Veronica, No problem, all you need to do is go to Home Depot or Lowes and get a "canopy kit" in the ...
|
| Particial Power | 3/11/2008 |
Q: my house was built in 1990 and this past weekend we lost power due to a storm. When the power ...
A: Monica, If you have confirmed that you have full power coming in then the first place I would have ...
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| Can I pigtail power off of a 3 way switch. | 3/10/2008 |
Q: 3 way track lighting switch. White is "hot" Want to pigtail power from this 3 way to an additional ...
A: Gayle, If you only have the 3 wire cable in the box its not possible. 3 way systems can be wired ...
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| breaker problems? | 3/9/2008 |
Q: all three bathrooms lost all lighting/electricity. i'm pretty sure they are not on the same circuit ...
A: Rich, It sounds like a connection problem to me. Pull the switch(s) out in the bedroom and you may ...
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| Replacing Ceiling Fan | 3/9/2008 |
Q: We are replacing a ceiling fan that is on a 3-way switch, and replacing it with just a light. The ...
A: Jeremy, Try this: You will need a voltage tester. Disconnect the fixture completely, leave the 2 ...
|
| Sub-panel feeder gage | 3/8/2008 |
Q: I'm building a 30 x 50' shop building. I just buried 2" conduit the 120' run from the house with 1 ...
A: Jim, Copper VS Aluminum : AL is cheaper and if terminated properly will work fine for your ...
|
| Possible overload and circuit breaker trouble | 3/8/2008 |
Q: I tried to do some work on an older house. There is one breaker in particular, that has half the ...
A: Nick, One of the two main power legs is out. Now its just a question of where the problem is. The ...
|
| home receptacles | 3/7/2008 |
Q: I am replacing the old receptacles in my home in Ocean County. My friend, who is a retired union ...
A: Rich, There is no code requirement to the ground being up or down in your situation. The most ...
|
| Installing new pendant lights | 3/6/2008 |
Q: I want to install two pendant lights over kitchen peninsula. There are no ceiling boxes over the ...
A: Jerry, This is one of the most difficult situations to deal with in a home with out making holes ...
|
| Recessed Lighting in Suspended Ceiling | 3/6/2008 |
Q: I am looking to finish out my basement ceiling with recessed cans lights in a suspended ceiling. I ...
A: Pat, My pleasure, you do want to leave some slack by each fixture for flexibility, I usually leave ...
|
| Recessed Lighting....No Light | 3/5/2008 |
Q: My question is this...I have two scenarios in my basement, on one light switch i have a total of 6 ...
A: Stefano, The sockets are probably burned out, in other words they are not making effective enough ...
|
| Recessed Lighting in Suspended Ceiling | 3/5/2008 |
Q: I am looking to finish out my basement ceiling with recessed cans lights in a suspended ceiling. I ...
A: Pat, Todays recessed lighting "cans" are a lot different. Gone are the separate "wips" and "J" ...
|
| Garage renovation | 3/4/2008 |
Q: I am renovating my attached garage and adding 2 20 amp circuits for outlets. One of the walls of ...
A: Gary, Your correct in that there is nothing to stop a nail or a screw from going through the wall ...
|
| Bathroom light/fan/nightlight | 3/4/2008 |
Q: Bob, we installed a Nutone bathroom exhaust fan,light and nightlight fixture. The bathroom had a ...
A: Not at all, OK the fluorescent lamp may be defective or the electronic ballast for the lamp could be ...
|
| Bathroom light/fan/nightlight | 3/2/2008 |
Q: Bob, we installed a Nutone bathroom exhaust fan,light and nightlight fixture. The bathroom had a ...
A: Fran and George, The extra switch for the night light feature is whats causing all the trouble. ...
|
| Sub-panel feeder gage | 2/29/2008 |
Q: I'm building a 30 x 50' shop building. I just buried 2" conduit the 120' run from the house with 1 ...
A: Jim, Lets look at it this way. Assuming you have 200 amp service and a 200 amp panel, the biggest ...
|
| Wiring new kitchen island/ renovation | 2/29/2008 |
Q: We're renovating our kitchen & having a new island installed. I would like to run electrical in the ...
A: Doug, Using a grinder and a concrete cutting saw , cut a channel wide enough and deep enough to ...
|
| Replacing ceiling fan with regular light fixture | 2/28/2008 |
Q: I'm replacing a ceiling fan with a regular light fixture and wondered if you could help me. I took ...
A: Tim, The connections you gave don't make sense and I'm not saying thats not how they are but they ...
|
| Replacing ceiling fan with regular light fixture | 2/27/2008 |
Q: I'm replacing a ceiling fan with a regular light fixture and wondered if you could help me. I took ...
A: Tim, Describe for me in detail how the two 3 wire cables are connected to each other in the ceiling ...
|
| Replacing ceiling fan with regular light fixture | 2/26/2008 |
Q: I'm replacing a ceiling fan with a regular light fixture and wondered if you could help me. I took ...
A: Tim, Your going to have to so some home work. Pull out each switch. Each one has two brass colored ...
|
| Dimmer Switch to Non Dimmer Switch | 2/25/2008 |
Q: I have two rows of recessed lights in my basement and I wanted to take them off dimmer switches ...
A: Charles, One of the 3 black wires is the "HOT" and the other two go to the lights. You will need a ...
|
| light | 2/25/2008 |
Q: we have a flourescent light in the kitchen with 4 lights. Two have gone out, and my husband tried ...
A: Stephanie, The ballast inside the fixture is most likely the problem. There should be two of them, ...
|
| connecting an overhead light | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I'm replacing an overhead light. This light is on a dimmer switch. At the box in the ceiling, ...
A: Dan, The way you have it hooked up, if you were to turn the switch on you would blow the breaker or ...
|
| wiring cieling fan | 2/24/2008 |
Q: I have a remote control ceiling fan I am installing where I had a regular light with a black and ...
A: Anselmo, The remote module that goes in the ceiling by the fan should have a black and white wire ...
|
| sub panel for tankless heater | 2/22/2008 |
Q: Have a 200 amp service and I am installing a new tankless water heater.I understand the reasoning ...
A: Bill, It is a lot of amps because you have to make a large quantity of water hot instantly. You may ...
|
| Can Euro 220V be used with US 220V? | 2/21/2008 |
Q: Mossman, I am moving back to the States in a few months from Germany. I have a steam cleaner that ...
A: Greg, You would need the right voltage converter to use it here (US 120 volt to Euro 220 volt) and ...
|
| New Cooktop Wiring 40 amp Cooktop | 2/20/2008 |
Q: From my service panel I have a dedicated line 8/3 with grd..my old cooktop (30amp)..I put an 50amp ...
A: Russ, I understand why you want to do it this way but its not the right thing do , besides you you ...
|
| Adding a switch for basement lights | 2/20/2008 |
Q: I have two lights in the basement that I want to put on a switch. They are the pull string type now. ...
A: Cale, The best way to do this is from scratch. Believe it or not it will be easier and more ...
|
| Bare Wire As Neutral | 2/19/2008 |
Q: Our house was built in 2003 and it came with a GE 24" microwave oven that uses 120 volts/20 Amp. ...
A: Quang, I have good news, if your new micro just says its 240 volts and not 120/240 volts then all ...
|
| GFCI in Kitchen Remodel | 2/18/2008 |
Q: We are updating the kitchen of our condo which was built in 1985. I have a couple of questions about ...
A: Tim, The disposal should not be on with the counter outlets so double check that to make sure but ...
|
| Bedroom lights - Accent cable kit | 2/18/2008 |
Q: My wife wants to install an accent cable kit light with 5 halogen bulbs (20 watt MR16)in our ...
A: Ted, They are referring to the wire's in your ceiling box and the kind of insulation on them. If ...
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| main panel | 2/17/2008 |
Q: I am replaceing a 100 amp panel in an old house there is two hot wires and a ground coming in from ...
A: Kevin, What may appear to be the ground coming from the meter is actually the neutral. You see the ...
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| Outdoor Lighting | 2/16/2008 |
Q: I need to replace an existing photoelectric sensor. Rather than a light fixture there is an AC ...
A: Jorge, If your aim is to control the AC outlet then wire it as follows: You will disconnect the ...
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| Compact Fluorescents & Timers | 2/15/2008 |
Q: I purchased 3 Intermatic flush-mount programmable timers to operate 3 different sets of outside ...
A: Lyn, Its very possible you have a defective CFL and thats why its flickering so try a new one and ...
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| wiring for a garage light | 2/15/2008 |
Q: I have an outside light above garage door, that I have put a switch in and works, now I would like ...
A: Leviton make's a programable electronic digital timer that I've had good luck with over the last 7 ...
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| electrical box | 2/13/2008 |
Q: I entered my home through the garage yesterday I used the code to open garage I then closed it from ...
A: Angela, make sure the timer for the lights is in the "off" position and try the breaker again. Also ...
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| bath light/exhaust wiring | 2/13/2008 |
Q: Sir, I currently have a 40 amp circuit which used to feed a barn,(currently unused),this 40 amp ...
A: Jim, If this is just a 2 wire cable with an additional bare ground then I would say forget it and ...
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| 2 prong to 3 prong outlet wiring | 2/12/2008 |
Q: I have a house that was built in 1952 and the electric panel has been updated to breakers and 100 ...
A: Ok, you have the old style cloth covered cable that looks like Romex, its not very common around ...
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| 2 prong to 3 prong outlet wiring | 2/12/2008 |
Q: I have a house that was built in 1952 and the electric panel has been updated to breakers and 100 ...
A: Victor, If your house was built in 1952 its probably wired with BX cable which has the typical ...
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| switch/outlet problem | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I recently replaced an old outlet/light switch. I am having problems getting it wired correctly. ...
A: Trevor, On one side of the device you'll see two dark colored screws that are close together, put ...
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| Current in the ceiling joist and bathroom drain piping | 2/11/2008 |
Q: I am experiencing a current in both the bathroom drain piping and the wood (which is wet)joist in ...
A: Marc, Yes you definitely have a problem there. Something in your drop ceiling like a light fixture ...
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| 240 or 120 on Hot Tub? | 2/10/2008 |
Q: We inherited a hot tub w/ our new home. There is a square D 50 Amp 2 pole Breaker that powers the ...
A: Mike, It is a 240 volt hook up given the 50 amp 2 pole breaker. Converting this line to 120 volt ...
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| voltage high/low | 2/10/2008 |
Q: I have a kill a watt meter hooked up to my computers and I notice that the readings for voltage ...
A: Brian, Your voltage can fluctuate depending upon whats on in your house at the time or your ...
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| can light | 2/9/2008 |
Q: I have a recessed can light in a kitchen soffet that pops on and off. I took out the bulb and I can ...
A: Jim, The problem is most likely the thermal device in the can. Its there to prevent a higher ...
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| please help | 2/9/2008 |
Q: in my kitchen and in my living room the 4 lights that are on the 2 ceiling fans (total 8 bulbs) have ...
A: Natalie, This is typical of a loose connection some where. If this problem only involves the fans ...
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| baseboard heat wiring | 2/7/2008 |
Q: my house was built in 1972, we have total electric baseboard heat. I remodled my bathroom and ...
A: Mark, No problem, now look closely at the body of the thermostat. You should see two wire's coming ...
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| exploded bulb damaging dimmer switch | 2/6/2008 |
Q: My wife screwed a bulb into an old multi-bulb fixture and it exploded. Now the dimmer switch that ...
A: Bryan, The bulb exploding caused a short circuit which is what blew the dimmer. I don't think the ...
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| electical panel | 2/5/2008 |
Q: I hope you can answer this question. I live in NYC in a pre-war building. My studio apartment has ...
A: Wayne, At least you don't have Federal breakers, fuses are by far better as long as they are sized ...
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| Counter Top Stove Hook-up | 2/4/2008 |
Q: Good Day, Just tried to install a counter top stove for my father in law. His old stove had 4 ...
A: Darryl, Its not clear to me what the old stove was hooked up to. Describe the cable that comes from ...
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| dimmers | 2/3/2008 |
Q: I have a new home with a Eight 75W bulbs in "cans". The One dimmer switch gets extremely warm (hot) ...
A: Ken, I don't know who's dimmer your electrician used but if its Lutron and it probably is because ...
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| re-wiring a switch to cieling fan | 2/2/2008 |
Q: I currently have a switch that controls an outlet in my bedroom. I wont to disconnect the switch ...
A: Jason, Yes, your blacks SHOULD be your "Hot" wire's just confirm that with a tester, the whites are ...
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| Thermal cutouts in recessed cans | 2/2/2008 |
Q: Well I have a problem where these brand new recessed lites I installed were turning off then later ...
A: William, It could mean that yes and it does happen. Just to be sure though if you look inside the ...
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| bathroom gfi | 2/1/2008 |
Q: does the code require a 20A dedicated circuit gfi receptacle in bathroom or can it be a 15A ...
A: Tim, The code requires a 20 amp circuit, 15 amps is not permitted. Now if there is only one GFI ...
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| Need help with electrical hookup on remote control ceiling fan | 1/31/2008 |
Q: A number of years ago an electrician installed a Minka-Aire Ceiling Fame with remote control in my ...
A: Charles, If its working the way you want it to then it sounds Ok to me. The white wire turned out ...
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| dryer outlet | 1/30/2008 |
Q: I have about a 50 or so year old house and I was wondering how I or my husband can change a 3 ...
A: Valerie, Most dryers come with out cords and plugs and operate on a 30 amp line. They can be hooked ...
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| Need help with electrical hookup on remote control ceiling fan | 1/30/2008 |
Q: A number of years ago an electrician installed a Minka-Aire Ceiling Fame with remote control in my ...
A: Charles, It seems that you just need to locate the "Hot" wire(s) in the box, connect the black wire ...
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| HVAC Compressor Spike - dimming lights | 1/29/2008 |
Q: Bob - We recently finished the construction of our new home. We took, what we thought were, all the ...
A: Jim, This is a common problem with compressors and motors in general when used in a residence. ...
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| Electrical wiring | 1/28/2008 |
Q: I want to run a 75AMP subpanel for my kitchen. the run from the main is approx. 80'. Is 8ga. enough ...
A: Richard, # 8 copper at the 75C rating is good for 50 amps so thats not even close. Now what you ...
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| putting a plug on a new dishwasher | 1/27/2008 |
Q: we have the installation kit, the wires coming from the dishwasher are marked, black, white and ...
A: Cindy, If you look at the male plug you will notice that one prong is slightly larger than the ...
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| panel codes | 1/26/2008 |
Q: I am finishing the room in the basement where my main panel and sub panel are located, can build a ...
A: Joe, If you are saying that these panels will be in this closet then technically you can't use it ...
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| Wiring Problem with Ceiling Fan Installion | 1/23/2008 |
Q: I’m trying to replace my bedroom light with a ceiling fan with inbuilt light. The fan and light are ...
A: Dan, You only need one additional wire to make this work so you don't really need the white wire in ...
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| T-8 florescent fixture light | 1/22/2008 |
Q: I install a new 2x4 T-8 3 lamp florescent fixture. It worked for about 3 days then quit. I thought ...
A: Chuck, You could easily have a defective ballast and its my guess thats what it is. The new ...
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| Bedroom light switches; 45 yr old house | 1/21/2008 |
Q: Bob: First I will freely admit to electricity (outside of fixture installation) being well outside ...
A: Rob, Ok based on the information you have provided me do this: Get 2 single pole switches (2 ...
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| GFCI Kicking out | 1/21/2008 |
Q: I am trying to run a block heater on a Bobcat or truck. There is around 150' from the house GFCI ...
A: Steve, It doesn't take much to trip a GFI especially when you have multiple extension cords outside ...
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| trouble instralling lighting fixture | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I am installing a lighting fixture in my entryway. The new fixture has three wires: black, white ...
A: It sounds like you have a foreign made fixture there with that yellow wire. A yellow wire in these ...
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| garbage disposal wiring issues | 1/20/2008 |
Q: I have installed a disposal where there was not one prior. I was going to tie into an outlet that ...
A: Rees, If your cable has no separate ground wire you probably have BX cable which utilizes the ...
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| sub panel | 1/19/2008 |
Q: I am wanting to add a subpanel to my workshop (about 75 feet from my main panel) I want the sub to ...
A: No ground rod is needed, the neutral wire (white) will go to the neutral block in the sub panel and ...
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| sub panel | 1/19/2008 |
Q: I am wanting to add a subpanel to my workshop (about 75 feet from my main panel) I want the sub to ...
A: Richie, Even if copper were not as expensive as it is today I would still tell you to use 100 amp ...
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| Installing new circuits in finished basements | 1/18/2008 |
Q: I am refinishing my basement and I am changing out all of the old wiring. First, does the 6/12 rule ...
A: Jim, No problem, OK you can put 12 duplex receptacles on a 20 amp line (12-2) so your more than OK ...
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| Installing new circuits in finished basements | 1/17/2008 |
Q: I am refinishing my basement and I am changing out all of the old wiring. First, does the 6/12 rule ...
A: Jim, The 6/12 rule is the National Electrical Code minimum which applies to all states. By the way ...
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| Cold air coming down from high hats | 1/17/2008 |
Q: I recently moved into a new home in IL which seems like a sieve for the cold air from outside. ...
A: Sharon, If its a new home you may have "IC" rated recessed lights. What that means is you can ...
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| lost power to 1 "grid" of my house | 1/15/2008 |
Q: I came inside tonight & due to wind/storm outside had to slam the door closed. I went to turn on an ...
A: Frank, My pleasure. Check the receptacle where you heard the fizzing and popping and where the ...
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| pendant light installation | 1/15/2008 |
Q: Background: I want to replace an existing chandelier in the dining room with three mini pendant ...
A: Robert, The box for the chandelier could be attached directly to a stud but most likely it is ...
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| Running wire above drywall and below joist in an old house | 1/14/2008 |
Q: I live in an 130 year old house that was renovate in the 60's. As a result there are several layers ...
A: Bob, Its not bad form as much as that is what you sometimes have to resort to in order to get ...
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| replacing bathroom light with fan/light combo | 1/12/2008 |
Q: I am trying to replace an existing bathroom light with a fan/light combo. Their is one wall switch ...
A: Greg, Yes use the same two wires that were used for the light, and connect them to the two white ...
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| wiring a broan light,heat,exhaust fan combo | 1/12/2008 |
Q: Bob, I am wiring up a new construction bathroom in my basement, I have purchased a broan model 665 ...
A: Ted, No its not, you are in fact a wire short so one of the three funtions of the unit would not ...
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| Custom switch plate? | 1/11/2008 |
Q: Bob. I need help finding a custom switch plate. I installed a simple light to a box that was wired ...
A: Steve, The easiest way for you to do this is to get a 3 gang white "Decora" style plate which ...
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| Switch and Lights | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I believe that my need is simple, but I am just not familiar with this. I have had the power cut ...
A: Adam, You'll need a volt/ohm meter to do this and make sure the main breaker, or fuses are off. ...
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| ceiling fan lighting | 1/10/2008 |
Q: I am having some difficulties with my ceiling fan. I took the fan down to paint the fixture and ...
A: Stacey, There should be a blue wire that comes down from the ceiling canopy directly to where the ...
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| Problem installing ceiling light fixture | 1/9/2008 |
Q: I am having a problem when installing a ceiling light fixture. I removed the old fixture and ...
A: Tim, Check your connections. You should have 2 white wires and 2 black wires in the fixture. Both ...
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| adding light to garage | 1/9/2008 |
Q: I'd like to tap into that receptacle to add a security spot light on the garage. Anything special I ...
A: Patrick, What ever size the existing wires are thats what you want to stick with for the new ...
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| spa | 1/8/2008 |
Q: I have a Coleman Spa that requires a 50 amp GFCI protected circuit. I've tryed to install a G.E. ...
A: Gary, You don't need to run any new wires or move the GFI breaker, here's what to look for. Check ...
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| bonding | 1/7/2008 |
Q: I bought a new square d main service panel(attachment). Came with green box bonding screw says "to ...
A: Mike, The green bonding screw is not used in a sub panel how ever it is "required" in the main ...
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| tanning bed | 1/6/2008 |
Q: hello i seen the other question about hooking the tanning bed to the stove im gad i read it but my ...
A: Dallas, I didn't see the other question but as long as the tanning bed has the same voltage and amp ...
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| Flickering lights when new water heater in use | 1/5/2008 |
Q: Our house is total electric. We are doing renovations and part of this project was to go to an on ...
A: Kay, Its a great concept but your turning on a minimum of 40 amps just to wash your hands, then if ...
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| Flickering lights when new water heater in use | 1/5/2008 |
Q: Our house is total electric. We are doing renovations and part of this project was to go to an on ...
A: Kay, This type of heater by its very nature draws so much current instantly that its dropping the ...
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| Suitable wire for Steam Generator | 1/4/2008 |
Q: I am looking for some assistance. I am finishing my lower level bathroom and putting in a Kohler ...
A: Greg, How about this. Use 3/4 " PVC as a sleeve and run your 8-2 Romex through it instead of the ...
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| GFCI application | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I would like to have two separate 120 volt receptacles in the basement for an air hockey table and ...
A: Don, No problem at all. When you open the box and replace the existing receptacle that will take ...
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| Ikea light fixture | 1/3/2008 |
Q: I am replacing a fixture that works off of one switch with an IKEA light fixture. The IKEA fixture ...
A: Dwight, I'm assuming you lost track of what wires went where in the ceiling box so with the power ...
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| waterproof electric light switch | 1/2/2008 |
Q: Do they make a light switch that is waterproof and where can I get one. The switch is just outside ...
A: Mary, Yes , Lowes or HD will have that. Get one thats made of plastic so there's no rust problem ...
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| light bulbs | 1/1/2008 |
Q: why do my light bulbs burn out so quickly in my old house.
A: Travis, If your light fixtures are old like your house then the sockets in those fixtures are worn ...
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| Voltage change - main panel rails | 1/1/2008 |
Q: Bob, 200amp,1ph.30 breaker res. panel. Had one circuit of outlets go out w/out tripping breaker and ...
A: Dave, You most likely have an "open neutral" on your utiltys end outside some where. When the ...
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| Continuity with cuircuit breaker open? | 12/31/2007 |
Q: I recently installed a fan motor with a rheostat speed controller. My house is only 6 years old and ...
A: Roger, its not unusual at all because the white wires are connected to ground in your panel so no ...
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| Circuit Breaker Trips | 12/30/2007 |
Q: One portion of our basement did not have light. On inspecting the circuit breaker panel, I found ...
A: Ravi, If the breaker will not reset and its sparking and making a noise when you try to reset it ...
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| How to hard wire a 220v Air Compressor | 12/29/2007 |
Q: I have a 100 Amp box in my detached garage. I need to hard wire a 220v Air Compressor using 110v ...
A: Dave, I need to know what the current draw is on the compressor at 240 volts and if the motor is ...
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| Taking out a Knockout | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I can't seem to punch out a knockout on an existing outlet box. I've used a hammer and large ...
A: Dick, Most Ko's you hit towards the inside of the box so I'm sure thats your situation and yes its ...
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| Taking out a Knockout | 12/28/2007 |
Q: I can't seem to punch out a knockout on an existing outlet box. I've used a hammer and large ...
A: Dick, There are some KO's that don't get punched right when they are made and I have literally ...
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| bathroom ceiling fan won't turn off | 12/27/2007 |
Q: our bathroom fan all of the sudden, could not be turned off at the switch. I figured it was a switch ...
A: Eric, If the fan is staying on with those two wires separated then the fan is getting power from ...
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| rain&GFI | 12/27/2007 |
Q: I have multiple distribution of holiday lights and animal figures on the yard bushes and trees this ...
A: David, It takes only a minute amount of water to trip a GFI so you need to check all your points of ...
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| Buzzing breaker | 12/26/2007 |
Q: Recently I've noticed that I sometimes hear a buzzing/crackling noise coming from my 200 amp Square ...
A: Joseph, Yes find out which breaker is doing this because it indicates a bad connection that either ...
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| Lighting problem | 12/25/2007 |
Q: I have a problem with lightning in the upstairs of my home. The upstairs has 6 lights 4-bedrooms, 1 ...
A: Paul, You have a loose connection some where along that circuit. Open the switch boxes of the ...
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| Repeated GFI failures | 12/24/2007 |
Q: An outside receptacle installed on the front of my house a few years ago has recently started to ...
A: Larry, Yes if water is getting in there it can ruin a GFI pretty quickly. Take good care to seal ...
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| Faulty out let? | 12/23/2007 |
Q: Have an electrical outlet on my covered front porch that I have most of my Christmas lights attached ...
A: Brian, First of all double check those breakers again and make sure none are tripped. OK unless its ...
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| HI-Rise condo | 12/23/2007 |
Q: I moved into a new hi-rise condo in NYC with concrete ceilings. Every electrician that has ...
A: Susan, Unfortunately digging into the ceiling just isn't an option as it would compromise the ...
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| GFCI | 12/22/2007 |
Q: We have a coffee pot and a soup warmer which keep tripping our GFCI receptacle in the kitchen. We ...
A: Roger, Anything can trip a GFI but the cause is key. There could be something wrong with either or ...
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| Outlets have no power | 12/20/2007 |
Q: 4 Outlets in one room and the main light/fan are not working in my 10 yr old house in Texas. I am ...
A: Sunny, Check those breakers again to be sure each one is putting out power since that panel is ...
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| Light fixtures have no power... | 12/19/2007 |
Q: I recently purchased a condo which was built in 1969. The first day that we walked into the house ...
A: Dan, Take a closer look at the circuit breakers, a breaker thats tripped can easily look like its ...
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| Wiring for Central AC | 12/18/2007 |
Q: My husband and I are planning to have a company install central ac. But we are trying to do the ...
A: Joan, You need to consult your HVAC contractor as to the proper wire size for the compressor. The ...
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| electrical | 12/18/2007 |
Q: i have an older house , in the dinning there is a double switch , one goes to the fan and the other ...
A: Rich, It does matter and I'm assuming your asking because your changing this switch or your doing ...
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| ELECTRIC BROILER | 12/17/2007 |
Q: Bob, I recently had a new electric stove to replace an old electric stove. I noticed that the ...
A: Paul, If you live in a single family home or even a two family the incoming voltage should be 120 ...
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| Faulty Outlet | 12/15/2007 |
Q: We have two strings of outdoor Christmas lights and a flood light plugged into two outdoor ...
A: Scott, Being this is an outside outlet and should be GFI protected, look at all your GFI ...
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| breaker tripped? | 12/15/2007 |
Q: I hope you can help me with this one,I just resently replaced my 100amp fuse panel with a 100amp ...
A: Jim, Unless there are other things on that circuit your not aware of the breaker should be holding. ...
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| cooktop stove & wall oven | 12/14/2007 |
Q: I am running new wire to cooktop stove & Wall oven. Both units are tied into individual juncture ...
A: Michael, White to white, black to black, red to red, and your 4th wire the bare one will be ...
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| 220 to 110 | 12/14/2007 |
Q: I have a 2 hot 1 bare wire ground 220 feed for my electric furnace. I want to pull a 110 receptacle ...
A: Robert, You can't do that but what you might be able to do is change the connections on the motor ...
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| update to power outage... | 12/13/2007 |
Q: I went to look at the electric box(200amp) and as I got to within 3 feet I smelled a burning type ...
A: Mike, You've located the problem, apparntly when the electrician terminated the wires he didn't ...
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| Bad Circuit Breaker? | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I had some guys come in and clean our rugs and floor. I was not home at the time, my wife ...
A: Edward, If the breaker did trip it may not be resetting, to properly reset a CB you must first turn ...
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| Electric baseboard heater stuck on | 12/12/2007 |
Q: I have electric baseboard heat in my home. The baseboard heater in the master bedroom seems to be ...
A: Jon, It all depends on how comfortable and confident you are inside a panel with exposed live parts ...
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| adding a ceiling light | 12/11/2007 |
Q: Currently in my bedroom I have no ceiling light but I do have a switch that controls the plug ...
A: Dan, The problem is you only have half of what you need in the switch box so here's what you need ...
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| Battery Preservation | 12/10/2007 |
Q: Since one usually has to buy batteries at a store in packs, how can I store the batteries I don't ...
A: Mike, A lot of people do that , I don't know how effective it is but there is a shelf life of ...
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| Overload protectors in recessed lighting | 12/9/2007 |
Q: I have several can type recessed lights in my home. They are the type where the junction box is ...
A: Michael, You do need those thermal cut outs and they are required to protect against higher wattage ...
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| Wall Timer Switch | 12/9/2007 |
Q: I purchased an Intermatic EJ500 wall timer switch to replace a single switch that controls 3 outside ...
A: William, It depends upon what kind of lights you have, this timer may not control flourescent or ...
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| garbage disposal wiring | 12/7/2007 |
Q: is it code acceptable to install a garbage disposal under a kitchen sink, in an enclosed cabinet ...
A: Gary, Yes, however the GFI is not necessary in that situation and a single receptacle could be used ...
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| Connecting a chandelier | 12/6/2007 |
Q: There are 2 black wire and 2 white wires. The 2 black were connected together the 2 white were not. ...
A: Wayne, Use the two free white wires and you should be fine, you see who ever made the connections ...
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| Wiring a chandelier off existing switch | 12/6/2007 |
Q: I presently have a switch controlled outlet in my room. The switch is a single pole with only one ...
A: Yes but you will lose control of the outlet by the switch which shouldn't be a problem since you ...
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| Electrical Buzz | 12/5/2007 |
Q: Some info before I get to my question. Residential home built in 1978. Probably original fixtures. ...
A: Albert, A light bulb wouldn't cause something like this though when controlled by a dimmer they can ...
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| 6 wire outlet | 12/3/2007 |
Q: I was replacing an old outlet in a bathroom. when i removed the old one, i found it had 6 wires ...
A: Jim, Yes if its in the bathroom it should be a GFI, now try wire nutting all the white wires ...
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| Using the wiring from a three prong outlet lamp to connect as a chandelier | 12/2/2007 |
Q: My wife bought a hanging lamp that plugs into the wall with a three-prong plug. We want to hang the ...
A: Sean, Yes and you may need a canopy kit which is available from HD or Lowes which besides the ...
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| Studying Faulty Wiring | 11/28/2007 |
Q: my name is Ryan. I am a student living in Hong Kong. Currently as part of a DT project, I am ...
A: Ryan, Basically wiring can overheat due to a poor connection where a wire is terminated. You can ...
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| Wiring to aa Sub Panel | 11/27/2007 |
Q: I am wiring a 220 volt 20 amp plug for a table saw in my garage off of my sub panel. I used a 12/2 ...
A: John, The ground wire goes to the ground bar which should be physically attached to the metal of ...
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| Problem replacing old entry way light | 11/26/2007 |
Q: I took down the old pendant light in the entry way (late 1920's home) to find that the electrical ...
A: Jenny, It sounds like you have an old flat pancake box that has almost no room in it for the wire's ...
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| 2-wire ceiling box & new 4-wire ceiling light fixture | 11/26/2007 |
Q: I just bought a new 2-bulb ceiling light fixture to replace the 2-bulb ceiling fixture in my ...
A: Laurie, The reason you see no ground in the box is because you either have BX cable which has the ...
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| power surges | 11/26/2007 |
Q: I have a question about some weird power surges, declines, in my house. The power in my house ...
A: Ray, Do your lights get unusually bright then dull when certain items are used like your dish ...
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| Secondary Electric Panel for Garage | 11/25/2007 |
Q: We are running electric service from the house main panel (200A) to the garage. The distance from ...
A: Tony, 4/3 copper would be adequate and I highly recomend that you use 2" PVC for a nice easy pull ...
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| Wiring double poll baseboard tsat w/feed to next room | 11/24/2007 |
Q: I recently replaced a single pole 220 tstat with a new double pole LUX and the junction box has 3 ...
A: Joe, Start from scratch and separate all the wires. Identify the incoming pair that is the feed ...
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| Main breaker location? | 11/23/2007 |
Q: I am trying to replace a breaker within the electrical panel in the basement of my townhome. ...
A: Bhishma, That main breaker is probably where the meter is located. Ask the superintendant and I'm ...
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| Outlet question | 11/22/2007 |
Q: In my master bedroom is an outlet that has the test button type outlet. It controls the lights in ...
A: Deb, Don't worry you won't burn the house down its just an inconvenience that you can continue to ...
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| Can Lighting | 11/21/2007 |
Q: I installed five can lights in a kitchen remodeling project five years ago. Recently, one of the ...
A: Jay, When bulbs start burning out quickly its usually an older fixture and the socket is shot from ...
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| Low power to switch | 11/19/2007 |
Q: We want to install a new chandelier in our dining room. We haven't had one in that room for years, ...
A: Diane, The cable going down instead of up just means that when the wiring was originally installed ...
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| Adding ceiling fan in bedrooms | 11/12/2007 |
Q: Just bought a house built in 1981 and there are no ceiling light fixtures in the 3 bedrooms. I want ...
A: Lance, Your best bet is to run a new the line from the panel. You could simplify this installation ...
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| When To Rewire A Home | 11/10/2007 |
Q: I am about to purchase a 51 year old home. It is a tri--level,basement. It is in pretty good shape. ...
A: Tim, There is usually no need to do that, as long as the insulation on the wires is not falling off ...
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| Electric Baseboard Heater Stopped Working | 11/9/2007 |
Q: I just moved into this house a little over a month ago and the previous owners replaced some if not ...
A: Kristen, If the home owners replaced them it could be a number of things but I would check the ...
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| bad vibrations | 11/9/2007 |
Q: There is a buzzing sound (vibration noise, not steady but cycle like.) coming in my bedroom wall (it ...
A: Lily, The winds could be making something vibrate like a loose piece of siding or something but ...
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| 60 amp to 100 amp? | 11/7/2007 |
Q: I have a 60 amp service coming into the house. Is it possible to take out the 60 amp fuse main panel ...
A: Keith, Unfortunately you can't squeeze 100 amps out of 60 so the answer is no you can't but if ...
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| eletrical plugs | 11/6/2007 |
Q: the problem started with the inlaws in town they noticed one of the light switches in the up stairs ...
A: lh, Check the easy stuff first if you haven't done so already, which is the panel for a blown fuse ...
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| warm light switch | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I installed a light switch with a dimmer on the side. When the dimmer is all the way up and lights ...
A: Jane, Warm is OK, hot is not, if you have a 600 watt dimmer which is typical, just count up the ...
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| Ceiling Fan Wiring | 11/5/2007 |
Q: I bought a ceiling fan to replace the old one installed in one of the bedrooms. I removed the old ...
A: Aaron, The group of black wires with the single white wire SHOULD be the "hot" ones, the single ...
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| converting 220v halogen lamps w/ dimmer to 110v | 11/4/2007 |
Q: Good evening. I have a few 220v halogen lamps, some with dimmer switch, that were purchased from ...
A: yhc, Check out "travel converters" , these are plug in adapters where you could plug a 110 to 220 ...
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| wiring | 11/3/2007 |
Q: I put a drill bit through wall into a live wire. (NO harm done to self, thank god for circit ...
A: Don, The easiest and best thing is to to try to get some slack in both directions if thats ...
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| 2 WIRE PLUG | 11/2/2007 |
Q: I BOUGHT A LANDSCAPING ROCK TYPE 20V SPOT LIGHT FOR MY BACKYARD. WHEN I OPENED THE BOX I FOUND OUT ...
A: Brian, It sounds like you may have mistakenly bought a 12 volt landscape light and are trying to ...
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| Outdoor flood light will not turn off | 11/2/2007 |
Q: Our outdoor flood light will not turn off. It is controlled by a switch inside the house and/or one ...
A: Thelma, What your describing is a 3 way switch setup to control this light fixture. It sounds like ...
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| wiring a switch | 11/1/2007 |
Q: OK, so this should have been very easy, however...I have opened up my switch and removed a defective ...
A: Liz, From what you have described here's what I think you should do. First make sure the power to ...
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| Wiring a bathroom exhaust fan from a Single Pole switch | 11/1/2007 |
Q: I have recently installed two bathroom exhaust fans in two seperate bathrooms. I have ran wiring to ...
A: Steve, It depends upon the wiring you have in those existing switch boxes. You may or may not have ...
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| tripped breaker | 10/30/2007 |
Q: have a breaker thats keeps tripping even after i disconnected every outlet and switch along that ...
A: Robert, Yes, you could have pulled every single splice in that circuit out and not found the ...
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| GFCI breaker trips when high-drain devices on other branch circuits activate | 10/29/2007 |
Q: The circuit breaker in my house has me rather confused. There's only one 15-amp GFCI breaker in the ...
A: Scott, This is not unusual, for instance in my own home when I run my water pik it inexplicably ...
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| Circut Breaker | 10/29/2007 |
Q: I have a 15 amp circuit breaker that will not stay on. The circut is in a loft area with minimal ...
A: Your on the right track Jim, you have a "dead" short some where which means where ever the short is ...
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| Power flickering | 10/28/2007 |
Q: My power on one branch of my service flickers and goes out quite ofter. was wondering if problems ...
A: Robert, Bad connections outside on the utiltys end are quite common and most likely what you are ...
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| stove wiring | 10/27/2007 |
Q: I live in country Western Ausrtalia where electricians are quite rare and VERY expensive. I bought a ...
A: Rob, Since I'm not there to see I can only speculate as to whats going on. This is my take. It ...
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| Turn switch on, breaker tripped | 10/26/2007 |
Q: When I turned on the switch in my master bath, it trips the breaker. I moved in to this house 4 ...
A: ......it could be a loose wire in the box or the fixture, it could be a wire thats pinched so that ...
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| Turn switch on, breaker tripped | 10/26/2007 |
Q: When I turned on the switch in my master bath, it trips the breaker. I moved in to this house 4 ...
A: Nesha, The problem is most likely with the light so it looks like a tall ladder is in order to see ...
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| Removing Recessed Lighting | 10/25/2007 |
Q: We just moved into a 1950's home where the previous owner went crazy with the recessed lighting. ...
A: Dionna, Yes the cans and their associated wiring can either be pulled down out of the ceiling where ...
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| Radiant floor heating and GFI issues | 10/24/2007 |
Q: Our Suntouch radiant floor pad has worked great for 6 months. Now the GFI has tripped according to ...
A: Peter, I assume there is some sort of switch or timer that controls the heat in the floor. If you ...
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| New bath fan trips GFC circuit | 10/24/2007 |
Q: I currently have a cheap, low power bath fan installed. I am replacing it with a Panasonic ...
A: Jeff, That is quite possible. If this fan is like many other fans I've installed , there is a plug ...
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| base board heaters | 10/23/2007 |
Q: i am thinking of putting space board heaters in each room of my house. the wiring is 12/2. do i ...
A: Lisa, I don't know what kind of electric service you have coming into the house but you would need ...
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| Power in a Bessa Brick Wall | 10/21/2007 |
Q: Don't know if this is possible, however I won't know if I don't ask. I live in a three story town ...
A: Adrian, Didn't appreciate the 4 my friend , the "duct" or whatever you call it down there is your ...
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| wiring dishwasher with plug rather than hard wired | 10/20/2007 |
Q: My dishwasher has a white & black wire, but since I am connecting to a plug (all grey) I don't which ...
A: Frank, You must use a 3 wire cable and a "grounding" type plug to connect the dishwasher, it sounds ...
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| Leviton 6560M timers | 10/20/2007 |
Q: My house was originally wired w/ 14/2 Romex down to simple mechanical timers for the single fan that ...
A: Tony, I'm assuming the exhaust fan is located in an unfinished area such as an attic or crawl space ...
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| Hardwire converison to Plug | 10/19/2007 |
Q: (Converted from electric heat & water talk about savings) The installers picked up the electric from ...
A: Bob, I would recommend that you use a single pole double throw switch as your means for switching ...
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| dimming lights | 10/19/2007 |
Q: We recently moved into a villa. about five days ago,our lights started to go dim and then bright ...
A: James, You may have an "open neutral" condition which cause's extreme voltage fluctuations or it ...
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| Wiring a garbage disposal | 10/17/2007 |
Q: I feel stupid, but have an existing garbage disposal and am replacing it. When I went to connect ...
A: Matt, There should be a small wiring compartment on the bottom of the disposal that has a small ...
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| Honeywell RTH6300B thermostat | 10/15/2007 |
Q: Ugh. In wall I have O,R,Y,G,C,W. Counted number of wires (per instructions) not including C. Have ...
A: OK thats good, if you look at the back of the existing thermostat where the wires are screwed to the ...
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| 240 volt power | 10/14/2007 |
Q: We have just moved to the US from Australia and we had some appliances shipped over including our ...
A: Sally, You can't safely do that because the power strip will then be fused higher than it should ...
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| intermittent drilling/buzzing sound in wall | 10/13/2007 |
Q: Help! Before we start breaking down the walls we need to get idea what this noise can be! This ...
A: May, It sounds like you've covered all the bases but still have no answer and I must say I'm ...
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| Dead circuit - no power in 2 rooms | 10/12/2007 |
Q: I live in an older house that uses fuses (not breakers). Much of the house has very old wire but I ...
A: Roger, The rats are usually just interested in the insulation and not the wire so I doubt there's a ...
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| Quad receptacle wiring | 10/11/2007 |
Q: I have installed a plastic QUAD electrical box which is in the middle of a run. I therefore have 2 ...
A: Philip, While there is nothing wrong with doing it the Building inspectors way, there is nothing ...
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| hot tub | 10/7/2007 |
Q: My problem is that when I go to test the gfci 50amp breaker out by the hot tub it will not cut the ...
A: Jim, Since I can't assume anything I have to ask you if the breaker has power applied to it when ...
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| dog fence | 10/5/2007 |
Q: i have cut the buried wire of my dog's invisible dog fence with an aerator doing yard work. i don't ...
A: Joel, There is specialized equipment to find a problem like this quickly and you have to know how ...
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| GFCI Wiring | 10/4/2007 |
Q: I am having trouble installing a GFCI recepticle in our bathroom. The load after the GFCI are 2 - 3 ...
A: Tom, Just keep things as they were before installing the GFI and don't use the "load" terminals on ...
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| Light switch | 10/3/2007 |
Q: I have a wall with a light switch currently installed (and working). I would like to place a light ...
A: Jeremy, Measure so that the new switch box will be next to the existing and leave an inch between ...
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| Wiring with two on/off switches | 10/1/2007 |
Q: I have a light at the bottom of the stairs to the basement that is controlled by a switch at the top ...
A: Bill, If I'm reading you right your trying to install an additional light fixture that you want ...
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| New kitchen lights | 9/20/2006 |
Q: I recently removed an early 80s recessed flood light with 3 smaller, lower voltage recessed lights ...
A: Ryan.....this typically can be caused by the refrigerator when it first comes on or an air ...
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| GFI Wiring | 9/19/2006 |
Q: I recenty moved into a 15 year old home in KC that has GFI protection in all bathrooms and outdoor ...
A: John, Yes you can do that but if there is no GFI breaker or GFI receptacles on the counter as you ...
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| light switch not working properly | 9/18/2006 |
Q: Light switch have two wires, one red and one black. When tested with a wire tester, there seems to ...
A: Bob......if you are putting the leads of the tester across the two terminals on the switch when it ...
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| Garage Secondary Panel Mounting | 9/17/2006 |
Q: I am planning to mount a secondary panel in my new-construction garage. I've seen some conflicting ...
A: .... I know of no "new construction" situation where you can not recess the panel into a framed ...
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| wiring garage | 11/6/2005 |
Q: Hey Bob, I'm wiring a garage. No major equipment will be used in the garage. Can I run a no.8 wire ...
A: Matt, Yes you can and you want to run 4 wire cable. I also recomend you get an acessory ground ...
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| switch replacement | 11/5/2005 |
Q: I have a timer switch that controls my front outside light fixtures (three). The switch is ...
A: Roger, Yes you can replace the timer with a regular 1 pole switch (two terminals). Switches have ...
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| flickering lights | 6/2/2005 |
Q: Since I'm originally from the old East Paterson in Bergen County, I'm hopeful you'll bring me luck ...
A: I think we can bring you a little luck ;> By the way I'm originally from Tenafly which has changed ...
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| WIRING CEILING FAN/LIGHT | 5/31/2005 |
Q: I am in the process of replacing a ceiling fan/light in my kitchen. I took the old one down already ...
A: John, Sorry about the lapse in getting back to you but All Experts doesn't always notify me when I ...
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| wiring | 5/23/2005 |
Q: In Baltimore City, Md most homes are 100 years old and I was wondering what can happen to the wiring ...
A: Al, Basically the things that wear out in an electrical system are the devices such as switches, ...
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| Wiring bathroom exhaust fan | 5/16/2005 |
Q: I am from Monroe, Ohio and here is my dilemna. I just installed an exhaust fan in the bathroom of my ...
A: Jennifer, If there is one cable going to the light over the tub then it should work and it may ...
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| junction box | 5/15/2005 |
Q: This is my last question-honest! I spoke to my electrician. apparently i didn't describe the problem ...
A: Josh, No problem.....and I don't put limitations on honest questions . Ok I would go with the ...
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| junction box | 5/13/2005 |
Q: I hope you can help me. I just purchased a house and have since discovered that the wiring is messed ...
A: Josh, If your house is wired with Armored (metal outer covering) cable , there is no tester that ...
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| Exhaust Fan | 5/12/2005 |
Q: Bob, I am running power in my attic from an outlet to the bathroom ehaust fan. Where do the black ...
A: John, Here's the simplest way to approasch this: You can run a two wire cable from the receptacle ...
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| electrical switches | 4/30/2005 |
Q: I have a new combination single pole double switch, that has one black connection and two white ...
A: Mark, If both devices are single pole "double switch's", then yes. You will notice on the new one ...
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| sawdust on recessed lights | 4/22/2005 |
Q: I installed twelve 4" IC Halo lights and needed to cut a piece of non-structural wood in the attic ...
A: Rollie, Until such time as pigs fly or Hell freezes over its not a concern. IC rated cans are ...
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| motion detector light | 4/21/2005 |
Q: Outdoor light -Texas- works periodically. Why would the photocell only work part of the time? 2lamp ...
A: Bill, I don't know how old this unit is but its been my experience with Heath Zenith that it isn't ...
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| Fluorescent lighting | 4/20/2005 |
Q: Mr. Mossman, I have fluorescent lighting in the kitchen. There are 5 receptacles located under the ...
A: Ajay, Florescent lights are a pain in the neck when it come's to trouble shooting them. Basically ...
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| Renovation Questions | 4/19/2005 |
Q: I'm located in Lebanon, Missouri. I own my home and it is in great need of renovation. My home ...
A: Tim, Basically you have to drill your way into them from either the basement or the attic. The ...
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| Radiant Heat | 4/18/2005 |
Q: I am considering an electrical radiant heating system in my bathroom. The product is claiming to be ...
A: Howard, Yes, radiant heat in the floor is more efficent in the sense that it distributes the heat ...
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| Renovation Questions | 4/15/2005 |
Q: I'm located in Lebanon, Missouri. I own my home and it is in great need of renovation. My home ...
A: Tim, Sorry this is getting to you rather late by my standards but every once in a while I'm not ...
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| recessed lighting | 4/14/2005 |
Q: Recessed lighting- 15 can lights with 60 watt flood lamps on a 20 amp circuit. The problem is the ...
A: Tom, Check the "rated" hours these lamps have. In other words how many hours these lamps should ...
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| recessed lighting | 4/12/2005 |
Q: Recessed lighting- 15 can lights with 60 watt flood lamps on a 20 amp circuit. The problem is the ...
A: Tom, If these recessed lights are approx 10 years old or older the sockets are most likely worn out ...
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| French Chandelier | 4/11/2005 |
Q: I am from Orlando Florida. I have recently purchased 3 French Chandeliers from a friend. She bought ...
A: Raul, Its not clear why the chandeliers were tripping the breakers. Maybe they were hooked up ...
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| Business | 4/7/2005 |
Q: I'm starting my own Electrical business what is the best thing for getting started like advertising? ...
A: Wally, Basically 3 things: Eye catching business cards to hand out or post anywhere and everywhere. ...
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| 200amp sub/100amp main | 4/6/2005 |
Q: I would like to take avantage of your experience once more, if you don't mind. I am out of space for ...
A: Jim, No problem. Yes you could do it that way and still be safe. Obviously the new panel can only ...
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| 100amp servive/pool heater | 4/5/2005 |
Q: I have a 100 amp service in my home an am concidering adding a heat pump for the pool ( 40 amps) my ...
A: Jim, Given the numbers you gave me you will be flirting with the total capacity your service can ...
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| Electric wiring 3 way switch in old home | 4/3/2005 |
Q: From Eastern PA near New Hope. I want to replace an old 3 way switch with a new one. 1. The wires ...
A: The key to changing a 3 way switch and not screw it up is by determining which wire on the existing ...
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| fire hazard? | 4/2/2005 |
Q: Don't know if you're up @ this hour, but I sure could use your help! (I'm in Dallas, by the way.) ...
A: No you don't have to worry about a fire plus I'm sure the plumber in addition to turning the water ...
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| Dimming lights | 4/1/2005 |
Q: When the washing machine starts up, all the house lights dim and blink ever so slightly. When the ...
A: James, The main neutral connection has most likely been compromised in the main panel or the meter ...
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| Oven controlling power to circuit | 3/28/2005 |
Q: Strange? Everything was working okay, Wife cooking dinner. Main breaker trips. I go to box and flip ...
A: Kelvin, Half of your main breaker has most likely gone bad which kills half your panel except when ...
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| Outside Electric Wires | 3/23/2005 |
Q: We purchased an older home 5 years ago and have been running unusaly high power bills.We have ...
A: Terry, Every so often I don't get notification from All Experts that I have a question to answer ...
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| Atmospheric Dinnning | 3/22/2005 |
Q: I'm from Montvale, New Jersey...where are you from? It is my understanding that we have a "home ...
A: I'm from a place called Edgewood. I spend a lot of my time there. Maybe you've heard of it. Ok, ...
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| Recessed lighting | 3/21/2005 |
Q: I've got some old ('60's) recessed lights that now have newer smaller and *shorter* bulbs in them ...
A: David, Yes and its called a "socket extender". You might find them at HD or Lowes but if not a good ...
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| 220 Vs 110 | 3/20/2005 |
Q: I am in Milwaukee Wisconsin. (Cold winters). I am going to add some electric baseboard heaters in ...
A: Rick, There will be no appreciable savings. Wattage is wattage no matter how you slice it with ...
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| Wiring Upgrade Follow Up | 3/17/2005 |
Q: Bob, You helped me earlier with a question regarding the upgrade of some old wiring in my ...
A: Phil, If what your saying is you have "metal armored cable" in that box which does not have a ...
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| Ceiling Light | 3/11/2005 |
Q: Bob, I have a pull chain celling light that no longer works in my laundry room. There is no switch ...
A: Lisa, The wiring for your pull chain is either 14 gauge or 12 gauge. Most likely it is 14 gauge. If ...
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| remote controlled ceiling fans | 3/10/2005 |
Q: Most of the ceiling fans with light kits that I like have a remote control included. I do not like ...
A: Bill, All the major manufacturers of paddle fans such as Casa Blanca, Hampton Bay, and Hunter offer ...
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| Florescent light add-on | 3/8/2005 |
Q: I will try that configuration when I get up there this weekend. However, another electrician told me ...
A: Kevin, You can if your tapping into the box in the 3 way system where the "feed" is. You see a 3 ...
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| Florescent light add-on | 3/7/2005 |
Q: Here is the situation: 3-year-old house Basement location 3-way switch controlling 4 incandescent ...
A: Kevin, If you ran a 2 wire cable (black and white wire)to the new switch you may have connected the ...
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| Electrical pool lighting | 3/5/2005 |
Q: Phoenix, AZ Hi Bob, I have a unique question. I am replastering a swimming pool very soon, the pool ...
A: Bob, I don't know how old your pool is but the conduit that runs from the "shell" the light sits ...
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| A dimmer switch | 3/2/2005 |
Q: You must be really good with electrical currents. My question is, "How do I add/apply/install...I'm ...
A: Your quite welcome and its my pleasure. "Install" would be the most correct term here. You would ...
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| switch wall plate is hot. | 3/2/2005 |
Q: I installed 7 cans into my basement ceiling. I have 85 watt bulbs in each. They are hooked into a ...
A: Patrick, You need to do one of two things: Either cut back on the wattage in your lamps to 75 watts ...
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| open netrual wire | 3/2/2005 |
Q: Receptacle in washrrom not working, plued in a tester and it said it had a open netrual wire. What ...
A: John, Open the box and check all the connections there. Make sure they are all tight with no signs ...
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| BAseboard heater wiring | 3/1/2005 |
Q: Would this set up be acceptable to install two 8 foot baseboard heaters (2000 watts each)on the same ...
A: Jerry, Its fine except for the 20 amp breaker. You would use a 30 amp 2 pole breaker for # 10. A 20 ...
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| Basement Wiring | 2/28/2005 |
Q: Bob, I am in the beginning stages of partially finishing my basement. I will be adding one new ...
A: Phil, You can, just make sure your matching the size of the existing circuits with your new lines. ...
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| neutral bar bridge | 2/26/2005 |
Q: when i had the 100amp svc installed the neutral bar bridge was missing from one side of panel to ...
A: Mike, Absolutely. With out getting overly technical with AC theory basically what happens in this ...
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| Adding socket and rerouting kitchen lines | 2/24/2005 |
Q: We just bought our first townhouse, and we can't afford to hire a contractor right now. I'm pretty ...
A: Aja, We know you can get what you need from the panel so I think thats your best bet. You could tie ...
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| sub panel in barn | 2/23/2005 |
Q: I'm in the planning stage of running electric to a barn behind my house. The distance from panel to ...
A: Mark, It all looks good but I have a couple recomendations. Use 2" PVC with at least 24" radius ...
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| Home Telephone Wiring | 2/22/2005 |
Q: I just wanted to ask you a question about home telphone wiring. Last year the man that cut my grass ...
A: Angela, Yes you can do that and you should be fine. Just splice them back color for color. Believe ...
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| electrical service in the garage | 2/18/2005 |
Q: I am living in Houston Texas in a home that is 2.5 years old. We have a three car detached garage ...
A: Paul, I understand that you'd like to add a few receptacles to your garage but beyond that I don't ...
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| Installing a ceiling Fan | 2/16/2005 |
Q: I have a mobile home and I want to replace the old ceiling fan with a new one. I know I need to make ...
A: I'm glad to hear you know enough to turn off the "juice" and be safe. Thats good. What I see being ...
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| Installing a subpanel | 2/15/2005 |
Q: The house I just moved into has a dedicated 30 amp line for a dryer. I don't need it because I have ...
A: Jim, Yes you can do it but you will be short 1 wire (hot)and there fore not be able to operate any ...
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| recessed light | 2/13/2005 |
Q: I have a recessed light over my kitchen sink. I would like to replace it with a hanging fixture. ...
A: Mark, I just saw this thing recently on E-Bay. I've never used one myself but its designed to ...
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| Fuses | 2/12/2005 |
Q: Why do kitchen circuits have double fuse protection and is it really necessary?
A: Joe, I'm assuming your refering to GFI receptacles in the kitchen. Yes they are necessary and ...
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| Home Electrical Problem | 2/11/2005 |
Q: The lights in some of the rooms in my house are flickering. Then my oil burner shut down. I ...
A: George, I just got a notification from All Experts that said there was a question for me over 3 ...
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| ADDING AN OUTLET | 2/8/2005 |
Q: I'LD LIKE TO ADD AN OUTLET.I'M ABOUT 3 FEET FROM A 3WAY SWITCH THAT I'LD LIKE TO TIE INTO.I WANT THE ...
A: Randy , It is possible but the "feed" must be in this particular box to do what you want. Depending ...
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| Fish tank heater | 2/7/2005 |
Q: AR area. At our previous house we had a fish tank set up and the heater (in the tank) worked fine. ...
A: It doesn't sound like its the heaters to me. Try plugging them into another receptacle that you know ...
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| backfeed on neutral? | 2/5/2005 |
Q: Got my self a head scratcher here Bob ,Maybe you can help. I have a c-10 but the reason I have any ...
A: Kevin, If what you are doing is opening the neutrals while still having your hot wires connected, ...
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| lights dim when laser heat circuit comes on | 2/4/2005 |
Q: my son has two bedrooms and a bathroom on one 15 amp breaker. One bedroom is an office and has two ...
A: Jeff, It doesn't surprise me that the lights are dimming. You've got a lot on that circuit and its ...
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| Lights Flickering | 2/3/2005 |
Q: This just started happening this week. Has never done this before. Our household lights flicker ...
A: Tina, When you say strongly I'm assuming you mean that the lights alternately get very bright then ...
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| Recessed Light Keeps Burning Out | 2/2/2005 |
Q: I have a switch that is connected to a wall socket, I had a handyman tie into that wiring and ...
A: Carol, The majority of the time when lamps start burning out prematurly its due to an aging fixture ...
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| Quick Question | 2/1/2005 |
Q: I'm starting to take HVAC in school and we're working with ele. schematics, and i'm to embarrased to ...
A: Skyler, Don't be embarrased to ask your teacher a legitimate question. Your in school to learn and ...
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| electrical specs | 1/31/2005 |
Q: how many electrical outlets and lights can u run off of one breaker and what size?
A: Kirk, Here's how I do it. As a rule (my rule) I don't mix receptacles with lighting. The Code says ...
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| 220 garage outlet | 1/30/2005 |
Q: I have just moved into a rental property that has a detached garage. The garage has about 6 lights ...
A: Richard, If there is no sub panel in the garage I doubt it but you may have a shot. It also depends ...
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| make an extention cord | 1/29/2005 |
Q: First of all I am from Ivor Virginia. My question is how can I make an extention cord for my lincoln ...
A: Mike, If I understand you correctly your welder has a 3 wire male plug on the end of the cord ...
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| Flickering lights | 1/28/2005 |
Q: I have and 85 year old home in florida that was rewired two years ago. The two new boxes do not ...
A: Dan, When you say "very rapidly" would it be more accurate to say the lights get alternately ...
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| toe kick heater | 1/26/2005 |
Q: I would like to know what would be the best way to hook up the electric to this unit they offer,a ...
A: Charlie, If you want the most heat ( highest wattage out put = most heat) you have to hook it up ...
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| Main Service Panel | 1/24/2005 |
Q: Bob, Thank you for your quick and informative answers to my questions. I tried to write back ...
A: .......No problem Marie, if you need to do another follow up write me @ my personal address ...
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| Dimming Fluorescent light bank | 1/23/2005 |
Q: I am thinking about installing some cove fluorescent lighting on each side of my new house addition. ...
A: Brian, Like incandescent lighting there are different size dimmers given the number of lights to be ...
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| Outdoor Security Lighting | 1/23/2005 |
Q: I'm from Warren, In. My wife and I own a home in the country and we would like to install an ...
A: Barry, Any one of the 3 will be cost effective when it comes to efficiency. The one best suited to ...
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| Main Service Panel | 1/22/2005 |
Q: We are building a single floor house in the state of Delaware. We are going to purchase a main ...
A: The general consensus of opinion among electricians I know is that Square D makes the best breaker. ...
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| Ceiling Fan | 1/21/2005 |
Q: I have a ceiling fan that won't turn off by pulling the chain or the wall switch, I have to shut it ...
A: Sean, Most likely the pull switch is bad that controls the speed of the fan and turns it on and ...
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| Wiring of 2-pole Lutron Grafik Eye | 1/20/2005 |
Q: I want to run dedicated service for a multizone dimmer that I recently purchased and I'm a little ...
A: John, No its not, its the same animal. 12-3 is what you want to use if thats what your existing ...
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| Home Rewiring | 1/19/2005 |
Q: Bob - I am 78 yr old female and have lived in my 50 yr. old group home for 40 yrs. I have ...
A: I'm sure you don't need to rewire the house don't worry. The wires may be a bit frayed up there but ...
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| Wiring new addition to the house | 1/18/2005 |
Q: Hope you had a happy holiday season. I am constructing an addition to the back of the house which ...
A: The holidays were great as always with family and good friends. Hope they were the same for you. ...
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| Panel | 1/17/2005 |
Q: I am adding a 220 line for a hot tub I've done this type of wiring before with no problem. The ...
A: First let me know what size service you have now, 60 , 100, 150 or 200 amps ? and how many circuits. ...
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| Chandelier install problems | 1/15/2005 |
Q: I'm from Seattle, WA. My husband and I installed a replacement chandelier and found when we removed ...
A: Nothing like those Senior moments.......anyway connect white to white and red to the black wire ...
|
| Confusing light fixture | 1/11/2005 |
Q: Installing track lightning with 3 black and 3 white wires(1 for each bulb).The existing box in the ...
A: Jo, What your describing as being track light heads is apparrantly something else. Track light ...
|
| Confusing light fixture | 1/10/2005 |
Q: Installing track lightning with 3 black and 3 white wires(1 for each bulb).The existing box in the ...
A: Jo, You need to clarify a couple things for me. Please explain in detail what you mean when you ...
|
| Dead Outlets | 1/8/2005 |
Q: I have several outlets in my house that are dead. I have checked all the breakers in the panel. I ...
A: Ralph, Unfortunately there is no easy way to tell where the wires go. What I'd like you to do is ...
|
| How to reset the outlet power connection? | 1/6/2005 |
Q: Two days ago, the outlets of one portion of my home(in kichen) cut off the power supply. One of the ...
A: Vijay, Try pushing in the button that says reset and you SHOULD get your receptacles working again. ...
|
| 220 Breaker | 1/2/2005 |
Q: I have a Cutler-Hammer CH8125SP panel in my garage and I believe it is 100 amps. Currently it has 2 ...
A: Mark, At 240 volts you can run a total of 4 thousand watts or less on a 12-2 (20 amps) circuit. As ...
|
| Wall switch not controlling lights on ceiling fan | 1/1/2005 |
Q: Greetings from Bremerton, WA! I recently inherited my childhood house and have been performing some ...
A: Wolf man, Greetings to you from New Jersey. Make sure the lamps are good in the fixture and also ...
|
| Wiring in a home power generator | 12/31/2004 |
Q: I live in Santa Cruz mountains of California. My 24 year old Generator died last week. We have lots ...
A: Ron, The reason the new plug has 4 prongs VS 3 on your old setup is the neutral and ground wire ...
|
| dryer recepticle | 12/29/2004 |
Q: I live in an apartment and the dryer receptacle is right in the middle of the kitchen, to increase ...
A: Cheryl, You can certainly do what you want. Dryer circuits almost always utilize 10 AWG wire or to ...
|
| 110V lamps in 220V country | 12/28/2004 |
Q: We just moved to India and I brought my lamps with me. I know I need to adapt the plug to fit here ...
A: Cheryl, If you do what you did while living in Europe the lamps will indeed work but what you have ...
|
| Add fluorescent light to existing wall outlet | 12/27/2004 |
Q: I want to add a 24" undercabinet GE fluorescent light in my kitchen, and I want to run the wire to ...
A: Joe, You can do one of two things legally and safely: Run the wire as it is on the surface and ...
|
| wiring for a spa/hot tub | 12/26/2004 |
Q: I am from central Florida. For Christmas, we have purchased a portable spa/hot tub to be placed in ...
A: Rick, You also need to find out how many amps this unit takes at 240 volts which I assume is the ...
|
| main panel | 12/23/2004 |
Q: How can I tell how many amps my main panel is ? it has 12 spaces in total and one really big main ...
A: Paul, Your panel and main breaker are actually two separate items with their own ratings. When they ...
|
| Wiring with Steel Studs | 12/22/2004 |
Q: From Ontario Canada - I am wiring my basement and have used steel studs to frame. I am looking for ...
A: Richard, I don't know if Home Depot has found its way into Canada or not but you will find them in ...
|
| Bathroom fan and lighting | 12/21/2004 |
Q: Bob -- I purchased an exhaust fan and a light fixture to go into a bathroom over where a medicine ...
A: Frank, The reason the fan worked was because it was picking up the neutral through the light ...
|
| Killing Appliances | 12/20/2004 |
Q: I just moved into a house that was built in 1964. It has the original fuse box. So far in three ...
A: Derek, It sounds like you may have an "open neutral" condition where the voltage at your outlets ...
|
| Cook top with 3 wires instead of 4 | 12/18/2004 |
Q: I am in Vancouver, BC. We just a new cooktop to replace the old ones. When we opened the cooktop ...
A: Liu, Apparantly this cook top only requires 240 volts to operate thus only the red, black, and ...
|
| Fan / Light bathroom circuit | 12/16/2004 |
Q: Good day Mr. Mossman! Hi, I will first say I have zero experience in home wiring, but should be able ...
A: Good day to you Ben, I'm not doubting your willingness to dive into this but getting the new cable ...
|
| power usage | 12/15/2004 |
Q: I live in port angeles wa. I have a tennant living in my older two bdrm. rental he is complaining ...
A: Mike, Your theories are most likely whats going on. Even name brand bulbs today burn out quickly ...
|
| house with no grounding wire | 12/14/2004 |
Q: I live in Pleasanton CA. My house was built in 1972. I am replacing a ceiling light and have found ...
A: Yes your correct the metal tube is the "grounding" means and you can prove it by using a tester and ...
|
| 3-way switches with ceiling fans. | 12/11/2004 |
Q: I am working on some new construction in my home and my ceiling fans have me baffled. I have two ...
A: Kevin, No problem your going to put this together like a champ. For now you need to get either ...
|
| Recessed light can-stud interference | 12/10/2004 |
Q: I would like to install a recessed light fixture right where a ceiling stud is. Unlucky! What do you ...
A: Marshall, Reframing the ceiling to accomadate a recessed light is insanity to me but if you have ...
|
| 230V wiring | 12/9/2004 |
Q: Mossman, I bought an air compressor that works with 230 volts. I already have a 230v outlet for my ...
A: Alfredo, Saving money when you can is always a good thing. Tell me what the "name plate" ...
|
| Replacement Outlet with Aluminum Wiring | 12/8/2004 |
Q: My house was built about 35 years ago and has all aluminum wiring (!). I need to replace a duplex ...
A: Larry, Yea I'd be a little excited knowing I had aluminum wiring in my house but you can make it ...
|
| Tripping Circuit Breaker | 12/7/2004 |
Q: First, the breaker has now gone 1 1/2 weeks without tripping. Second, I've isolated everything on ...
A: Jim, At this point I would say this circuit has a lot on it either known or unknown and its more ...
|
| christmas lights | 12/6/2004 |
Q: A string of my mini christmas lights are not working. I have a bulb tester and every bulb seems to ...
A: Jeffery, Assuming there is nothing wrong with the bulbs the only thing left is a connection problem ...
|
| Electrical circuit problem | 12/5/2004 |
Q: Noticed smoke coming from the stereo receiver. Quickly unplugged. Lights on the same circuit as ...
A: Peter, You have a potentially dangerous "open neutral" which is most likely on your utilitys end. ...
|
| 3 speed fan installation | 12/4/2004 |
Q: G'day Bob, I'm having trouble wiring up the controller switch for my 3 speed fan/light. To help ...
A: Bob, Greetings and G'day to you "down under". I must say you get high marks for presentation of ...
|
| pvc conduit in long island new york | 12/3/2004 |
Q: Im an electrician in nyc doing work on my buddys house in nassau county which is covered by the nec. ...
A: Mike, Sched 40 is fine though PVC especially 1/2" and 3/4" will probably not stay very straight on ...
|
| Tripping Circuit Breaker | 12/2/2004 |
Q: I live in Southeastern Michigan, and have been having a problem in my home with a 15AMP circuit ...
A: Jim, I tried answering this last night but for some reason it wouldn't go through. Anyway since ...
|
| Installing a used electric range | 12/1/2004 |
Q: I'm in San Diego and seem to have the reverse problem/question from anyone else with a similar ...
A: Aaron, If you switched to a 4 wire plug on the stove you would have needed it but since your ...
|
| outdoor lighting problem | 11/30/2004 |
Q: I had a double outlet box run out to my back yard with an electric eye or light sensor on it. I ...
A: Sandy, If the photo cell is controlling both duplex receptacles in the "double box" the power to ...
|
| old outlets | 11/29/2004 |
Q: My son is thinking about buying a house built in 1965. The panel is fuses. All the outlets in the ...
A: Gene, You should be fine just check to make sure these boxes are grounded. To do that Pull out any ...
|
| Outdoor receptacle problem | 11/26/2004 |
Q: I have an outdoor receptacle on a circuit with 2 basement lights. With a multitester I am getting ...
A: John, The neutral connection (white wire) has been lost or compromised some where along the ...
|
| Electric Heating | 11/25/2004 |
Q: I live in Palmyra, PA. I have overhead electric heating and no ceiling lights. I would like to ...
A: Melvin, There is an instument that detects voltage without making physical contact. Its a voltage ...
|
| amps/wattage | 11/24/2004 |
Q: Bob, what was the website for the 12 v heat pads? Larry B
A: Larry. Please excuse my alzheimers, I meant to include the below address. If you "paste" it into ...
|
| amps/wattage | 11/23/2004 |
Q: I have been considering using a 12 v DC voltage converter on my lawn tractor, to operate an AC ...
A: Mr. Burns, Keeping your ass warm while plowing in the middle of a snow storm sounds like a great ...
|
| Bob:
Our bathroom light... | 11/21/2004 |
Q: Bob: Our bathroom light flickered then came on over a period of about a week and a half. Then, ...
A: Mike, Just make doubly sure you don't have a tripped breaker. Sometimes a breaker can be tripped ...
|
| running 220 volt for baseboard heat | 11/20/2004 |
Q: i,m from yonkers n.y.I am running a romex 12/2 w/ground wire for baseboard heat,my question is: The ...
A: Mike, If you only have one panel and the main breaker is in that panel and there is no main breaker ...
|
| wiring amps and changes | 11/17/2004 |
Q: I recently bought a house in Montana. I've discovered that most the circuits are 20 amp and 12/2 ...
A: Kurt, The 15 amp switches and receptacle's are fine and legal. There is no danger what so ever. As ...
|
| New Light | 11/15/2004 |
Q: I have a dark hallway that I would like to light up. There is a smoke detedtor in the ceiling(it is ...
A: John, I don't recomend messing with the smoke detector if you don't have to. You have to cut a ...
|
| changed switch-power didn't return | 11/14/2004 |
Q: I replaced a single-pole double switch (upgraded to Decora rocker-panel) that controls 2 separate ...
A: DB Always good to help out a fellow Garden Stater. OK we have to start from scratch here. Take all ...
|
| ceiling lights go off and on | 11/11/2004 |
Q: College Station, Texas Our recessed ceiling lights sometimes go off and on a few times before ...
A: Rita, It SHOULD only be a coincidence with those two lights burning out. I'm assuming that you've ...
|
| electrcal circuit problems | 11/8/2004 |
Q: A friend is having trouble which just seemed to erupt. He can't point to any incident which caused ...
A: Dick, Your friend has an "open neutral" condition which is quite common and not safe either. What ...
|
| 220 volt extension cord | 11/7/2004 |
Q: I have a 220 volt welder and would like to run a 15 foot extension cord from my three prong dryer ...
A: Gary, You have to get a duplicate male plug like the one on the welder and also its female ...
|
| I have an 80 year old house... | 11/5/2004 |
Q: I have an 80 year old house with the old type wiring that is held to the posts in the walls with ...
A: Mike, Given the age of the insulation on the wires I wouldn't tape them together. Running them both ...
|
| romex support | 11/4/2004 |
Q: I am from Roxbury Connecticut. Recently I built a barn. What started out to be a workshop with ...
A: Nate, You can't bundle those Romex "home runs" together, you have to staple them individually to ...
|
| Wiring Panasonic-Vent,light,heat,nightlight | 11/3/2004 |
Q: I have a wiring scenario that isn't working properly. I've installed a Panasonic Bathroom ...
A: Ernie, This is a particularly hairy situation wiring one of these things for a home owner, ...
|
| wiring 2 way switch | 10/31/2004 |
Q: St Charles, MO. I'm trying to install a switch to turn lights off and on from different locations. ...
A: Ken, Let me explain something. I've been answering questions here at All Experts for almost 2 and a ...
|
| Combination Receptacle | 10/27/2004 |
Q: I am a maintenance engineer in Charleston, SC and I was wondering if it would be possible to replace ...
A: Whats up Charlie, Its definitely possible but you need to be able to access the neutral (white ...
|
| Electrical Conversion | 10/25/2004 |
Q: I live in NJ My home uses a fuse box What would be the cost to convert to a circuit breaker and ...
A: Glenn, You can upgrade to 150 amps 30 circuit capacity or 200 amp 40 circuit capacity. If your ...
|
| Sconce Lighting | 10/21/2004 |
Q: Bob, I am building a home theater in my basement and I wanted to put sconces on the walls. What is ...
A: Mike, The 6'-6" mark is based on an 8'+ ceiling height, so even at 7'-9" your only 3 inches off ...
|
| residential wiring/remodeling | 10/19/2004 |
Q: My son (inMaryland) is having some extensive remodelingwork done. The contractor keeps doing things ...
A: Alan, Section 210.5(B) requires two or MORE 20 ampere circuits for all receptacle outlets for the ...
|
| electrical | 10/16/2004 |
Q: We recently bought rental property and have done some remodeling. The property had a stove that came ...
A: Dan, By any chance did someone turn the stove on while it was unplugged. If so when you plugged it ...
|
| Phase tripping in 3 phase circuit | 10/15/2004 |
Q: Sir, I've now understood about rotary Phase changer.What we have is a static one,having three ...
A: Ashok, Without actually seeing what you have its very difficult for me to say whats really going ...
|
| Phase tripping in 3 phase circuit | 10/14/2004 |
Q: Sir, Thanks for your reply.I didn't understand what do you mean by 'static' or 'Rotary'type in ...
A: Ashok, A rotary phase converter involves a 3 phase motor as part of the conversion unit. A static ...
|
| Phase tripping in 3 phase circuit | 10/13/2004 |
Q: Sir, We have a Phase Changer circuit(three phase) in our house,where the three phases been ...
A: Ashok, They make "rotary" phase converters and "static" phase converters. You didn't say which one ...
|
| my switch isnt working | 10/12/2004 |
Q: " I had a plug that did not work to well you had to wigle the wire in order for it to work rite so I ...
A: Mike, Tell your wife for me to give you credit for at least trying, you only missed getting this ...
|
| home wiring | 10/11/2004 |
Q: From Vienna, VA. Pulled outlet from wall, black wire slipped out, touching metal casing, causing, I ...
A: Gary, Check your breakers again. They can all appear to be on but there may be one that is tripped ...
|
| odor in the house | 10/7/2004 |
Q: I had my kitchen remodeled and ever since then, I notice an odor from time to time in different ...
A: Sara, I seriously doubt it especially if your noticing it in different parts of your house. If it ...
|
| Extremely bright lights | 10/6/2004 |
Q: Recently my refrigerator went out. A friend of mine is an electrician and he said that momentarily ...
A: Christina, Your symptoms definitely reflect an "open neutral" condition and this must be addressed ...
|
| One Circuit out | 10/5/2004 |
Q: I have one circuit that went out in my home. The circuit involved is the garage outlets(110V), and ...
A: Dave, Double check the breakers by turning each one firmly off, then back on again firmly. ...
|
| GFI Switches? | 10/2/2004 |
Q: Bob, Perhaps I wasn't clear. The box in question contains TWO switches and NO outlets. I have ...
A: Jim, There is no duplex GFI protected switch that I am aware of. What you would have to do is ...
|
| Outdoor lighting fixtures | 9/30/2004 |
Q: Bob. Glad I read your comments before jumping in here, or I probably wouldn't have thought to say ...
A: Good morning David, You may have BX or armored cable in which case there is no separate ground ...
|
| ceiling fan wiring | 9/29/2004 |
Q: I am installing a bedroom ceiling fan and the instructions show 3 wires coming from the ceiling box, ...
A: Steven, It depends. You might have 2 switches that control this ceiling box. Since you didn't say I ...
|
| Need to update? | 9/28/2004 |
Q: I live in Texas. My question is do we need to update the electrical in this house? We retired and ...
A: Billie, That all depends upon the overall condition of your entire electrical system and what your ...
|
| ceiling fan | 9/26/2004 |
Q: I had a ceiling fan installed. It is controlled by a rotary wall switch like a dimmer. Two problems ...
A: Paul, The rotary wall switch must be of the type for controlling paddle fans. If its a dimmer for ...
|
| Weird Shower Light Problem | 9/25/2004 |
Q: I'm from La Crosse, WI, and I'm having a very odd problem. I hired an electrician to install a ...
A: Tim, Yes it is possible but you have to be careful with those cheap neon testers. They don't always ...
|
| wiring new wall oven to old oven connection | 9/24/2004 |
Q: Bob- I have a new wall oven to install that is four wire, but my old wall oven is only three wire. ...
A: John, Ok, you can use this cable even though it only has 3 wires. The braided bare wires you will ...
|
| 300A service? | 9/23/2004 |
Q: Bob, I am about to wire my own house and have done a load calculation that produced a 217 amp ...
A: Bryan, I don't know about your utility but here in NJ Public Service offers a 300 amp meter pan for ...
|
| wiring new wall oven to old oven connection | 9/22/2004 |
Q: Bob- I have a new wall oven to install that is four wire, but my old wall oven is only three wire. ...
A: John, Please describe the cable thats coming out of the wall. Does it have a metal outer covering ...
|
| Counter Attack halogen light fixtures | 9/21/2004 |
Q: In your answer to Melanie on 5/2/04 regarding "Installing under cabinet halogen lights," you ...
A: Liz, The only place I know of where you can get these lights is where I get them. Krell Lighting in ...
|
| troubleshooting circuits | 9/20/2004 |
Q: What is the best way to find out where the wiring to dead outlets come from? I have several dead ...
A: Ralph, The best thing you can do is give me the whole picture. What preceeded these outlets going ...
|
| 3-Way Switch Problem | 9/19/2004 |
Q: I'm from Massachusetts. I recently re-wired two three way switches that were controlling an outlet, ...
A: Eric, It's not exactly clear to me what you mean when you say the whole circuit went "banana's". ...
|
| three way switched outlets | 9/16/2004 |
Q: I'm looking for a diagram/explanation of how to wire my barn (I'm in IL) so that I have a switch at ...
A: Its not clear to me as to exactly how you want all this to work. I know you want 2 switches but you ...
|
| 3way to 2 way switch | 9/13/2004 |
Q: I have a bathroom light that is controlled by two 3-Way switches (one in the bathroom and one in the ...
A: Henry, What you want to do is far more complicated and difficult to do than just doing it the right ...
|
| Electrical | 9/12/2004 |
Q: From Detroit MI area... Sometime today, about 1/4 of the lighting/outlets in our house stopped ...
A: Pam, Check the circuit breakers again. It is possible you have a tripped breaker but it doesn't ...
|
| Wall Oven--Plug or Junction Box' | 9/11/2004 |
Q: I am replacing my old wall oven with a new one. The old one had a heavy duty 3 prong plug that ...
A: Robert, A wall oven is an installed appliance. In other words it is screwed in place to stay unlike ...
|
| 240v line to 120v | 9/10/2004 |
Q: Bob I've run a (3) wire cable (red/black/white/ground)from the main panel to the new sub panel. I ...
A: Will, You didn't say what size wire you ran to the sub panel so I don't know what size circuit ...
|
| electric dimmer installation | 9/9/2004 |
Q: My name is Bob Meyer and I am from Virginia. I recently moved into a new house and would like to ...
A: Follow up: Bob, I got an amazingly prompt answer from Lutron : Mr. Mossman, Yes, a Maestro ...
|
| ceiling fixture installtion | 9/8/2004 |
Q: 4ft away, yes there is a bathroom above the kitchenIs there a way to install a standard ceiling ...
A: Dale, If you can determine the direction the beams in your ceiling are running , you may or may not ...
|
| Residential wiring/connect question | 9/3/2004 |
Q: ------------------------- Bob, Thanks much for your valued assistance! I am originally from ...
A: Chris, No problem, my pleasure. I may have assumed too much thinking you'd know what a ...
|
| Residential wiring/connect question | 9/2/2004 |
Q: Bob, Thanks for your help! My issue is driving me nuts! I am trying to replace an old kitchen ...
A: Chris, No problem we'll get you going again. What I need you to do is get your hands on a ...
|
| electric boiler | 8/30/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - from motherwell scotland my boiler has recently stopped working after ...
A: Richard, OK thats good, now I have a better idea of what you should have. Your problem should ...
|
| GFI RECEPTICLE TRIPS FOR UNKNOWN REASON | 8/29/2004 |
Q: I have a 4 year old, slab house in Florida. I have a circuit in my work shop that is protected with ...
A: Harry, GFI's are especially prone to tripping when they are located outside exposed to rain and ...
|
| circuit dilemma | 8/28/2004 |
Q: I have a major dilemma with the wiring throughout the house. Many switches and outlets are somehow ...
A: Jim, Let me get this straight. All the SAME switches and receptacles go on and off with these two ...
|
| Electrical blackout in one room only | 8/23/2004 |
Q: Mr. Mossman, My house is 30 years old and in the master bedroom all of the power just recently went ...
A: Gary, You most likely have a connection issue. Pull out the closest outlet in the guest bed room ...
|
| MULTIMETER | 8/22/2004 |
Q: I have two questions. One is not really your specialty but maybe you can answer it. First, I know ...
A: Joe, As long as the LED is being supplied with the correct voltage it operates at, in this case 3 ...
|
| Wiring 6-8 new Recessed lights | 8/21/2004 |
Q: I am in the process of finishing my living room and will be installing recessed light housing ...
A: Mariano, Use 14 gauge wire which takes a 15 amp breaker. It will more than carry what your planning ...
|
| electrical outlets | 8/19/2004 |
Q: Bob, Yesterday my outlets worked fine; today I have three dead in the same room and one working ...
A: Jan, Check the one outlet that is working and pull it out. Look over the connections. If they ...
|
| Wiring light fixtures | 8/18/2004 |
Q: I am in an older apartment and I am replacing ugly light fixtures. Joined the idiot club by not ...
A: Jason, Try this: On the wall outlet that has the 4 whites, 3 blacks and one red, connect the white ...
|
| Wiring light fixtures | 8/17/2004 |
Q: I am in an older apartment and I am replacing ugly light fixtures. Joined the idiot club by not ...
A: Jason, Welcome to the club, you have plenty of company including professional electricians. You ...
|
| GFI tripping | 8/15/2004 |
Q: The hurricane just came thru here in FL. I have my pool pump hooked up with a GFI inline between the ...
A: Dave, Given the severity of the hurricane that blew thru there I'm sure that water has found its ...
|
| Kids room lost power, breaker is fine | 8/13/2004 |
Q: I live in an old house in Jersey City, NJ. Somehow the kids managed to overload the power outlet in ...
A: Alan, Yes it is possible and probable. You said there were two outlets. Did you pull out the other ...
|
| Help installing ceiling fan without ceiling fixture... | 8/13/2004 |
Q: First, please excuse my ignorance, since I am a newly first time home-owner, and have very little ...
A: Nathan, You are excused under the "first time home owner clause" at a All Experts. Your easiest ...
|
| instellation of new recepticle | 8/12/2004 |
Q: I had a man over to install a 30 amp outlet for my Rv. From my power box to the recepticle mounted ...
A: Don, From what you've described the 30 amp outlet for the RV is hooked up for 120 volts and the ...
|
| switch plate getting hot (dimmer) | 8/11/2004 |
Q: ------------------------- Followup To Karen, Let me know how you make out Karen.......... ...
A: As far as the "gang" thing goes, what they are refering to is the number of device's (switches or ...
|
| switch plate getting hot (dimmer) | 8/8/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - . HOW MANY DIFFERENT WATTAGE DIMMERS ARE AVAIL? CHEAP? IS IT SOMETHING MY ...
A: I see your in charge of the electrical dept at home. Ok, a 1000 watt dimmer is definitly in order ...
|
| switch plate getting hot (dimmer) | 8/7/2004 |
Q: We just got our basement finished and had recessed lights put in. We had dimmer switches put in for ...
A: Karen, The minimum is 600 , then 1000 then 1500. Just add up the wattage of the lamps that ...
|
| switch plate getting hot (dimmer) | 8/6/2004 |
Q: We just got our basement finished and had recessed lights put in. We had dimmer switches put in for ...
A: Well hello Karen ! Enjoy your new finished basement, its definitely a plus. As far as the dimmer ...
|
| LED | 8/5/2004 |
Q: A LED light says min. and max. voltage of 1.7 and 2.4. If I give it 3 volts will it burn out much ...
A: Al, Yes but I don;t know how long that might take with an LED. You can either alter the output ...
|
| Ceiling Fan Installation | 8/4/2004 |
Q: I have installed a new remote controlled ceiling fan in my living room, with no pre-existing outlets ...
A: Mike, No you have to know what your tapping into. A friend of mine once did what your doing and he ...
|
| Recessed Recepticles | 8/2/2004 |
Q: Bob, I just bought a house in NJ that needed a little work. One of the projects that I had done for ...
A: Andrew, First of all I'm sorry this response is getting to you rather late by my standards but All ...
|
| Ceiling Fan | 8/1/2004 |
Q: We live in Elgin, IL. We had a leak from an upstairs bathroom yesterday, it came through to the ...
A: Shalah, You did the right thing removing the fan and letting things dry out. If you didn't have any ...
|
| 240v line to 120v | 7/28/2004 |
Q: ------------------------- I've decided to run another line from the main panel to the sub panel to ...
A: Will, If your going to run a new cable it needs to be a 4 wire cable. If you plan on using the ...
|
| 240v line to 120v | 7/27/2004 |
Q: There is a 240 volt line running from the main panel of my home to a sub panel in the garage. How ...
A: Will, The way the circuit to the sub panel is currently configured you can't get 120 volts out of ...
|
| Dryer receptacles | 7/26/2004 |
Q: I recently moved and my dryer has a 3 prong cord, and the wall has 4. I was wondering if I could ...
A: Mike, You have to change something here wether it be the receptacle or the plug on the dryer. It ...
|
| Power to spa blower | 7/25/2004 |
Q: Pool has spa extension with separate blower system which is controlled by a light switch. Blower ...
A: Joan, Assuming its not the blower motor since two have been tried, I would look at the switch that ...
|
| RECESSED LIGHTING | 7/20/2004 |
Q: IF MY RECESSED LIGHTS ARE ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES, THE LIGHTS TURN OFF AND COMES BACK ON IN A FEW ...
A: Ok, Most likely whats causing this is a small thermal device located in the recessed light. If you ...
|
| wiring a light, switch, and plug | 7/18/2004 |
Q: I am finishing a basement and want to install a light switch and plug in an enclosure around a ...
A: H, Run your feed (hot) cable to the receptacle box first, then run from there to the switch box and ...
|
| Faulty wiring? | 7/15/2004 |
Q: Our problem is that the lights in our bathroom have been flickering, but an even stranger problem is ...
A: David, I don't think the thumping is faulty wiring but rather some sort of device. Do you have an ...
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| Electrical Wiring | 7/14/2004 |
Q: My house was built in 1962. I was wondering when should I think about replacing the electrical ...
A: Jason, The only parts of your electrical system that really wear out are your switche's, and ...
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| Electrical dimmer switch on pump | 7/12/2004 |
Q: I recently had a pond installed in my back yard which includes a submersible pump that feeds a ...
A: John, A dimmer definitely won't do what you want without damaging the dimmer and or the motor but ...
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| basement wiring | 7/10/2004 |
Q: I am from blaine mn. a subburb of minneapolis. I am finishing off my basement and in the bedroom I ...
A: Brent, Yes use the Arc fault breakers. You can have up to 12 duplex receptacles on a single 20 amp ...
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| bath outlet confusion | 7/6/2004 |
Q: What I indicated in the orginal question is still correct (please look at it below because it ...
A: Marc, Voltage meters don't tell the whole story when it comes to indicating power so I want you to ...
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| bath outlet confusion | 7/4/2004 |
Q: I thought i was tackling a simple outlet replacement, but I've managed to screw it up and am hoping ...
A: Marc, Theres a piece to this puzzle thats missing. If your GFI was ON all the time regardless of ...
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| bath outlet confusion | 7/2/2004 |
Q: I thought i was tackling a simple outlet replacement, but I've managed to screw it up and am hoping ...
A: Marc, Your GFI SHOULD have two sets of terminals on it corresponding to the words "LINE" and "LOAD" ...
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| Ceiling Fan installation | 6/29/2004 |
Q: I'm installing a new ceiling fan. I removed the old lighting fixture, and replaced the electrical ...
A: Dennis, Since your getting voltage from the red to ground even though its white, certainly seems to ...
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| ceiling fan upgrade (Long Island NY) | 6/26/2004 |
Q: I have installed a ceiling fan, relacing a light fixture. I would like to upgrade the switch to a ...
A: Damian, You can handle this a couple different ways. Hunter brand fans and Hampton Bay (Home Depot) ...
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| Ceiling Fan | 6/21/2004 |
Q: I am trying to replace my ceiling fan switch. The chain broke off of the fan. And of course it broke ...
A: Try this. The round part of the switch that the chain used to hang out from on the outside of the ...
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| grounding and switches | 6/21/2004 |
Q: Texas. I am remodeling a lake house. 1. Wiring to plugs and switches have no ground wire (14-2. I ...
A: Mark, Your old 14-2 may have a ground wire but its just not visisble in the box. I've seen many ...
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| ceiling fan | 6/21/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question -I have a ceiling/light fan unit and I have been having problems getting the ...
A: Ron, Ahhh !.....the mystery is finally solved. Thank God. Well as I said the reason that part was ...
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| Wall switch | 6/20/2004 |
Q: Bob: Many thanks for your very very quick response and interest. The programmable wall switch is: ...
A: Nick, I've used this particular timer with pretty good success over the years. I don't know what ...
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| Smoke detector | 6/20/2004 |
Q: ------------------- Hello again, I ran new wire (14-3), how do the 3 wires hook into the circuit ...
A: Randy, Here's a little twist. You don't have to run 14-3 back to the panel from the first smoke ...
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| ceiling fan | 6/9/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - I have a ceiling/light fan unit and I have been having problems getting the ...
A: Ron, The part you've described sounds like it was an accessory and not an original part of the ...
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| Splicing stranded wire | 6/8/2004 |
Q: Is there another name for 'mechanical bugs'? The 'electrical guy' at the store didn't know what ...
A: Raymond, If you go to an electrical supply house they will know what a mechanical bug is. If you go ...
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| What to do with the old wire | 6/8/2004 |
Q: I am installing 'heavier' oven: replacing 10 gauge wire with 8 gauge wire. What to do with the old ...
A: Raymond, The easiest thing to do would be to "box" the end of the cable where it is and make sure ...
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| ceiling fan | 6/8/2004 |
Q: I have a ceiling/light fan unit and I have been having problems getting the fan and lights to work. ...
A: Ron, This part must work with one or both of your wall switches or there was some sort of remote ...
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| Splicing stranded wire | 6/8/2004 |
Q: Marietta, Ga. I'm about to hook up stranded 8 gauge 3-wire to stranded wire of wall oven. Should I ...
A: Raymond, Using mechanical bugs is the best. Its a solid connection after you crank them down and ...
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| Electrical troubleshooting | 6/7/2004 |
Q: Indiana My outside post light has stopped working. Checking the actual wire from the house to the ...
A: Kevin, Its possible a lighting strike could have severed your line. I've repaired lines to lamp ...
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| GFI Electrical Outlet and Fan | 6/7/2004 |
Q: FirstI have a GFI outlet in the garage that trips intermittently. There is nothing new within the ...
A: Jose', A GFI receptacle can trip intermittently for a number of reasons: It could be a faulty ...
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| basement wiring | 6/7/2004 |
Q: I'm finishing my basement in minnesota! I have a 200 amp service to the house and the panel is ...
A: Tony, 1.) # 6 2.) Don't load up the circuit to more than .80% of its rated capacity. For example: ...
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| Ceiling fan stopping & starting | 6/6/2004 |
Q: I'm from Atlanta Ga. I have a problem with a ceiling fan in master bedroom going on & off. The ...
A: Jerry, Its time to get a new control switch for the fan and when you get the new one don't get ...
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| Electrical troubleshooting | 6/6/2004 |
Q: Indiana My outside post light has stopped working. Checking the actual wire from the house to the ...
A: Kevin, There is an instrument that will pin point where the problem is but its expensive and many ...
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| Electrical wiring | 6/6/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question -Followup To Question - Hi Bob-Curt from LaPorte, IN I currently have a 3 ...
A: Curt, No problem you just have one end of the jumper in the wrong spot. Move it to the other brass ...
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| No electricity to Masterbathroom | 6/4/2004 |
Q: Aol Search I am trying to find out why my lights in my master bathroom and upstairs bathroom are ...
A: Paul, Try this first and see what happens. Check all your GFI receptacles in all the bathrooms ...
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| Electrical wiring | 6/3/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question -Hi Bob-Curt from LaPorte, IN I currently have a 3 switch bank in my kitchen ...
A: Curt, You'll have to get another piece of white wire to connect to the existing white wires that ...
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| ceiling fan | 6/2/2004 |
Q: I have a ceiling/light fan unit and I have been having problems getting the fan and lights to work. ...
A: Ron, Sorry but I've never come across something like this in my travels. Casablanca fans are the ...
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| Electrical wiring | 5/31/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - Hi Bob-Curt from LaPorte, IN I currently have a 3 switch bank in my ...
A: Curt, Then your basically set. You'll just need the new combination switch over GFI receptacle ...
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| Square D Breakers. | 5/30/2004 |
Q: I am having a guy install Central Air in my home and he told me that if I plumb a drain and run a ...
A: Dan, Yes you can. Both the white and black wires will connect to the breaker. I'm assuming he has ...
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| Electrical wiring | 5/29/2004 |
Q: IN I currently have a 3 switch bank in my kitchen that controls three seperate lighting fixtures. I ...
A: Curt, Ok thats a good sign but just to be 100% certain take a volt meter and test from that group ...
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| Outside Garage Door light | 5/27/2004 |
Q: I just purchased my home and I was wondering where should the switch for the outside garage door ...
A: Angela, The interior and exterior garage lights should not be on the same switch. There has to be ...
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| bathroom fan | 5/25/2004 |
Q: putting in a new fan and wanting the light and fan on seperate controls have a new combination ...
A: Jeff, You have to get a new 14-2 Romex from the fan to the existing switch. Once in the switch box ...
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| Bathroom exhaust fan wiring | 5/24/2004 |
Q: I have a exhaust fan in the bathroom already which plugs into an outlet in the fan. when I turn the ...
A: Dave, Drop another 14-2 Romex from the fan to the switch. Remove the old cable first of course and ...
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| workshop wiring | 5/24/2004 |
Q: I am building a workshop that is built on the side of my house it will have sheetrock walls but I ...
A: Steven, Yes thats what I'm saying. Pvc would be easier for you VS EMT (metal) because you wouldn't ...
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| Our lights no workie. | 5/23/2004 |
Q: It is a whole house fan. So, you suggest we return the lighting switches to orginal and add a new ...
A: Patrick, From a professional point of view, unless there are compelling reason's to do otherwise I ...
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| i was using lots of power... | 5/23/2004 |
Q: i was using lots of power and then everything shut down all of a sudden tried to reset the ...
A: Yom, It sounds like you blew the main fuse or fuses. It also sounds like you have the pill shaped ...
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| workshop wiring | 5/23/2004 |
Q: I am building a workshop that is built on the side of my house it will have sheetrock walls but I ...
A: Steven, If you want to run on the surface you may as well reap the benefits of using conduit ...
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| 240v Electrical wiring | 5/23/2004 |
Q: How do I install a 240v clothes dryer outlet from breaker box? Basiclly, there i an existing 120v ...
A: Joseph, Material wise you'll need some 10-3 Romex, a 30 amp 4 wire surface mount receptacle, a 30 ...
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| fluorescents | 5/22/2004 |
Q: I sent this question last summer, and you told me to check ballasts, etc.: My basement has four 4' ...
A: Mike, You could have "ballast issues". Ballasts produce heat and in the cooler weather they will ...
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| Our lights no workie. | 5/22/2004 |
Q: To clarify we seem to have 3 sets of 3 way switches and 1 single-pole on a circuit. My wife was ...
A: Patrick, It would be MUCH better if you left the existing switches alone and wired the new ceiling ...
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| outdoor floodlight with motion sensor | 5/22/2004 |
Q: Bob, for your quick response. I checked RAB online and took a look at a basic Luminator (LS300). I ...
A: Bob, for your quick response. I checked RAB online and took a look at a basic Luminator (LS300). I ...
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| lighting | 5/22/2004 |
Q: In a new home with a great room 16 by 20 with 16 ft.high ceilings how many recessed lights do I ...
A: Bob, You could get good light level's and coverage using 6 recessed lights that will handle the PAR ...
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| outdoor floodlight with motion sensor | 5/21/2004 |
Q: I live on Long Island and am troubled by an flood light mounted on the side of my house which works ...
A: Check to see if maybe the spot lights have moved out of position and are shining too close into the ...
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| Circuit Breaker | 5/20/2004 |
Q: I have a 10amp circuit breaker that trips when both the window air conditioner and something like a ...
A: Larry, Take a closer look at this breaker because I don't believe you have a 10 amp breaker. Maybe ...
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| Change 2 prong to 3 prong | 5/19/2004 |
Q: How do I re-wire or change a 2 prong outlet in my home to a 3 prong outlet? Thanks for your ...
A: Jeff, Its real easy as long as you have steel boxes which I'm sure you have given the presence of 2 ...
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| electrical wiring | 5/19/2004 |
Q: I am retired and live in north carolina. I am renovating my daughters house.I opened the ceiling ...
A: Charlie, From 1985 on or there abouts the insulation in cables changed to a better higher ...
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| 30 amp GFCI breaker | 5/17/2004 |
Q: I cannot find a 30 amp, 1 pole, GFCI breaker for my home. Are they just not made? Instead, could I ...
A: John, I just called one of my suppliers and he told me they not only make them but he actually has ...
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| 30 amp GFCI breaker | 5/17/2004 |
Q: I cannot find a 30 amp, 1 pole, GFCI breaker for my home. Are they just not made? Instead, could I ...
A: John, What brand panel do you have ? Square D, GE, Cutler Hammer, ITE, Crouse Hinds, Federal, ITE ...
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| 2 way switch wiring | 5/17/2004 |
Q: Followup To Question - We have a plug in the middle of our living room that we have two end table ...
A: J, Sorry for the delay in getting back with you but my work load has been heavy this week, my day ...
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| home lighting | 5/17/2004 |
Q: Matt from San Francisco here. Here's my question. I have two lights running to a single switch and ...
A: You did your home work well Matt and explained it well too. You can fix the problem very easily by ...
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| Old Knob and Tube | 5/17/2004 |
Q: I actually have 3 Questions for you. To set the scene let me start by saying that I I am restoring ...
A: Adrian, You can tell the difference between the "hot" and neutral because you will see in places ...
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| 240 wiring | 5/16/2004 |
Q: i am installing a pool chlorinator that i bought from australia. it has 3 wires: brown(active), ...
A: Mike, You didn;t say what voltage the new Chlorinator is but I've wired enough foreign stuff to ...
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| home lighting | 5/15/2004 |
Q: Matt from San Francisco here. Here's my question. I have two lights running to a single switch and ...
A: Matt, Ok I need you to do some home work. Remove both fixture's and tell me the following: How many ...
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| Lengthening of Wire Runs | 5/15/2004 |
Q: I want to install a generator panel (manual transfer switch panel, 100/60 amp util/gen breaker, with ...
A: Mark, Scotch locks are fine just make sure you twist the wires together tightly before you screw the ...
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| Bathroom Exhaust Fan | 5/14/2004 |
Q: I live in Anchorage, Alaska. My bathroom exhause fan ceased working. Some pointers of what to look ...
A: Patrick, If you take the grill off you'll see most fans are plugged into a small receptacle inside ...
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| shop lighting | 5/13/2004 |
Q: I am an auto shop mechanic in Wasilla Alaska. Thankyou for your expertice. My shop is a metal pole ...
A: Doug, For about the same money or less you could get Metal Halide 400 watt "Hi Bay" fixtures and ...
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| height of 3 hanging lights | 5/11/2004 |
Q: Having 3 hanging lights installed over island in kitchen, ceiling approx 8 ft, bar approx 36" from ...
A: jmb, There is a "general" rule of thumb for this but what I always tell my customers first is: "Its ...
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| Ceiling Fan Installation | 5/9/2004 |
Q: Have a single family home with attic access. Need to install ceiling fans in 2 bedrooms. Can I (and ...
A: Bill, You can make this a lot easier on yourself if you use fans that have remote controls which ...
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| 2 way switch wiring | 5/6/2004 |
Q: We have a plug in the middle of our living room that we have two end table lamps attached to. This ...
A: J, Ok here's what we need to do: Pull the switch out that he replaced. The "key" wire you have to ...
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| lights and receptacles not working | 5/5/2004 |
Q: I need some help desperately with an electrical problem I am having. I had to change all the ...
A: Wayne, You almost broke the All experts record for longest question. Anyway I believe all or at ...
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| Hi Bob,
The pool filter/pump... | 5/4/2004 |
Q: The pool filter/pump is on its own. The pool house will be seperate from the filter/pump system. the ...
A: Tony, Given the distance (140'), the loads, possible future loads and you only want to do this ...
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| Adapting 220 to 110 for lamps | 5/4/2004 |
Q: ! I evidently wasn't entirely clear: I'm not concerned about the bulbs -- only the wiring. IOW, if ...
A: Ruth, The only thing you should have to be concerned with is having the correct plug on the end of ...
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| Adapting 220 to 110 for lamps | 5/4/2004 |
Q: When I moved to where I currently live from the US, I brought my table lamps along. Just as I was ...
A: That is indeed true, the 220 volt bulbs won't get very bright at all on 120 volts over here and you ...
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| air conditioner installation | 5/3/2004 |
Q: From Maine---Would like to install my window mounted air conditioner in the wall. Have no problem ...
A: Ed, It will you just have to be carefull you don't cover or obstruct the vent openings on the sides ...
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| ceiling fan | 5/3/2004 |
Q: I live in Livonia MI. I was trying to install a ceiling fan last night and there are 2 black wires ...
A: Tricia, I need you to give me some insight into the ceiling box with all the wires. You said there ...
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| installing under cabinet halogen lights | 5/2/2004 |
Q: Per your instructions, I'll tell you that I'm from London, a small city near Toronto, Ontario. I ...
A: greetings from the US....... Yes you do need to be concerned about the heat build up not only from ...
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| dead outlets | 5/2/2004 |
Q: I am in the Rochester NY area. In the garage there is a single romex (black, white, ground) in the ...
A: Don, Ok this is good information. It tells me its possible these could be separate circuits totally ...
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| outlet/breaker wiring | 5/2/2004 |
Q: I am from Illinois. I have been changing the wiring in my home to utilize more of the unused ...
A: Mark, If you've been changing the wiring around you could have easily reversed something and or ...
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| going from stationary to rotating power | 5/1/2004 |
Q: SIR: I am in the process of making a hand extension reel. What i need to know, is where or what i ...
A: Bill, I'm not certain what you mean by "rotating power" though I think you may be refering to the ...
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| 240 to 110 | 5/1/2004 |
Q: Can you tell me how I can get 110 from a 220 cicut? Thanks,Gil
A: Gil, Tell me more about your situation. I get questions from people in Europe where all they have ...
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| Microwave | 5/1/2004 |
Q: We are remodelling our kitchen, with new cupboards and all, and are putting in a microwave above the ...
A: Brad, Microwaves come in all different sizes and draw different amounts of current. If you have a ...
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| help | 5/1/2004 |
Q: I have a homework question, and i need help to understand just how to do it, i hope you can hel with ...
A: m&m, The closer these 2 bends are to one another the tighter they have to be. In other words the ...
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| dead outlets | 4/29/2004 |
Q: My father asked you the following question on my behalf and I wanted to give you some more info to ...
A: Don, I think its more likely you've got a connection issue here VS they didn't finish the wiring, ...
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| receptcle wiring problem | 4/29/2004 |
Q: bob, I found enough slack to pull the receptacle over to new opening, at the time it worked ...
A: Ed, Is this AC recpetacle a direct line back to the panel ?....if so check the connections in the ...
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| chicago | 4/28/2004 |
Q: I want to install my Electric dryer and question is do I have to install three wires or four to the ...
A: David, You want to run a 4 wire line to your dryer which would be Romex (plastic outer covering) ...
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| 2 questions | 4/28/2004 |
Q: if you have a motor that must remain adaptable to several sizes of belts, what is the max length of ...
A: Hassouna, You seem to be saying that this motor is adjusted to different positions thus requiring ...
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| receptcle wiring problem | 4/27/2004 |
Q: I have two ac plug-in receptacles that have me baffled. one: I moved the receptacle which worked ...
A: Ed, What do you mean when you say you moved this receptacle ? Did you have to splice it out or were ...
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| dead outlets | 4/26/2004 |
Q: I recently bought a newer home I have 2 outlets that are dead 1 in the bathroom and 1 in the garage ...
A: Don, Check the nearest working receptacles to the ones that are not working. If you happen to know ...
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| converting elctric cooktop to gas | 4/25/2004 |
Q: We are replacing our electric cooktop with a gas unit. the gas unit requires only a 110 outlet to ...
A: TJ, Absoulely tap into the outlet on the island for the electronic ignition in your new gas cook ...
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| outlets | 4/25/2004 |
Q: KS I was wondering why 3 outlets in my house would quit working? It seems that they all run off a ...
A: Jon, If your certain that 3 different circuits are involved the problem is other than the circuits ...
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| lights | 4/25/2004 |
Q: Regarding those tiny LED lights it says" typical voltage is 2.8v, max. volts is 3.8V at 20mA". My ...
A: Al, Max operating voltage is important. You must adhere to the max voltage ratings or you'll burn ...
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| electric panel | 4/23/2004 |
Q: my nane is paul i am from massachusetts. my question is. i moved in a condo 18 months ago with ...
A: Paul, Unfortunately the problem isn't the elements in your heater but at least you have new one's ...
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| Bathroom Circuits | 4/22/2004 |
Q: I am adding a bathroom to my house. I want to wire it with three switched circuits off one circuit ...
A: Herb, Its really very simple. Run your 14-2 Romex from the panel into the 3 gang switch box. Then ...
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| Regarding fuses | 4/21/2004 |
Q: The other night we had a power outtage in certain areas of our home. No one had turned anything ...
A: Kim, It sounds like you have a short circuit somewhere in the affected areas. It could be any ...
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| Switch Install wiring confusion | 4/19/2004 |
Q: OK. I'll try it when I go back to the house this weekend. However, it seems to be working the way I ...
A: Kevin, Yes definitely change it. It should not be ticking and may be ticking because of the way its ...
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| installing circuit breakers | 4/19/2004 |
Q: Two parter here, I'm getting a new curcuit breaker installed to replace a fuse box in my home built ...
A: Blair, The breakers will not only be fine with the existing wiring but once installed and properly ...
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| Switch Install wiring confusion | 4/18/2004 |
Q: No, both the black and the white wire enter the box unspliced, directly out of the 12/2 or 14/2 ...
A: Kevin, Ok, I believe you have the Intermatic brand timer which does require a neutral connection ...
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| Switch Install wiring confusion | 4/17/2004 |
Q: In a 2-year-old home, I am attempting to install a fan timer switch for a bathroom application and I ...
A: Kevin, Do the black and white wires that control the fan go to a single cable coming into the box ...
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| Overhead Light | 4/16/2004 |
Q: First, let me say thanks for taking my question. My question is as follows: I have an overhead ...
A: John, You've got a poor connection there some where and it could be in one of the near by light ...
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| 3 and 4 way switches | 4/15/2004 |
Q: i recently bought a house that is approx. four and a half years old, and i have three switches that ...
A: KC, Get yourself a "pig tail" (socket with black and white leads) available at HD or Lowes and ...
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| lights come on by themselves | 4/13/2004 |
Q: We have a 50 yr old farmhouse about 40 miles N. of Austin Texas.For about a month now the touch ...
A: Jake, It sounds like you have a loose main connection given the number of circuits involved and it ...
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| wring a 240V outlet from existing a 240 line to oven | 4/13/2004 |
Q: I like the idea of having a subpanel. As you guessed, I do need another 240 circuit for a band saw ...
A: George, Ok, sorry for the delay I've been battling a stomach virus. Anyway the sub panel is still ...
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| wring a 240V outlet from existing a 240 line to oven | 4/12/2004 |
Q: Bob. I really appreciate your prompt response. I got home and gathered the following information: ...
A: George, Since your making this a work shop area then it makes sense for you to do what I'm about to ...
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| wring a 240V outlet from existing a 240 line to oven | 4/12/2004 |
Q: Bob. The saw is 3 HP and for 230 v only (I just ordered it) and I'm not sure the Amps (could be 25 ...
A: George, A 3 HP motor operating at 240 volts will pull about 9.7 amps so you only need a 20 amp ...
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| wring a 240V outlet from existing a 240 line to oven | 4/12/2004 |
Q: Is difficult or possible to install a 240 v outlet from a existing 240 v line to an oven which I no ...
A: George, It is certainly possible but tell me your circumstances there. What size is this line to ...
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| Bathroom outlet question | 4/12/2004 |
Q: .any other suggestions? Thanks CraigFrom CT - Hi - wondering why a GFCI outlet in the bathroom ...
A: Craig, Yes check any other working receptacles that are in the vicinity. If your absolutely ...
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| Flickering lights and CD player | 4/11/2004 |
Q: About a month ago a lamp started flickering and dimming, think it was a bad bulb we replaced it to ...
A: Paul, The problem most likely lies with the fact that these receptacles are back wired and not to ...
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| sudden isolated loss of power | 4/10/2004 |
Q: I have an office/study that I call "Guytown"- technically that's supposed to mean it's the only room ...
A: Bruce, Check the wall switch that controls the hall light. Pull the switch out and examine all the ...
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| Locating a break in residential wiring | 4/9/2004 |
Q: Located in Grass Valley CA. I do volunteer work for a local organisation that helps disabled people ...
A: Good show Roger..........by the way you can have two separate 2 wire circuits share a common ...
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| Three-way switches - 2 fixtures - one light is dim | 4/9/2004 |
Q: I have just wired a three-way switch lighting circuit, with two fixtures. Circuit layout: ...
A: Drew, In order for this to work you need a 14-2 cable from fix #2 to fix #1. Its not clear to me ...
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| basement wiring | 4/8/2004 |
Q: i live in rdg. pa.i'm fixing up my basement and i will have a bbathroom with a shower, sink and ...
A: Bob, Here's what I would do: Run a 12-2 from your panel just for the GFI receptacle. Then run a ...
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| Bathroom outlet question | 4/8/2004 |
Q: From CT - Hi - wondering why a GFCI outlet in the bathroom works sometimes and not others - ...
A: Craig, You have a connection issue some where along this circuit. Pull out the closest working ...
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| Ground Connection arc | 4/7/2004 |
Q: The braided wire from the service panel connecte to a water pipe is arcing at the clamp. The arc is ...
A: Peter, You have a potentially dangerous situation there. The neutral connection (white wire) has ...
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| Locating a break in residential wiring | 4/6/2004 |
Q: Located in Grass Valley CA. I do volunteer work for a local organisation that helps disabled people ...
A: Roger, Especially since this is aluminum wire you probably have a bad connection somewhere along ...
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| soffit lights | 4/5/2004 |
Q: hey, i was looking to install some recessed lighting in the soffits outside my home. however, the ...
A: Eric, Check this ...
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| wiring can lights in serial with 3 switches | 4/3/2004 |
Q: I have 3 15 amp 120 Volt switches, 2 are 3 way and 1 is a 4 way. The circuit is a 20 amp circuit. ...
A: Blake, Here's what you should have: In the first 3 way outlet connect the red and black wires from ...
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| Outlet instalation | 4/2/2004 |
Q: Bob I found this web site via a search for home electrical wiring questions. I have an existing ...
A: Chris, You can very easily get the best of both worlds by doing what you've suggested. You can ...
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| "slow" lights | 4/1/2004 |
Q: This question is coming to you from Alexandria Virginia. We live in a 1923 bungalow. Most of the ...
A: John, You have a connection issue brewing. Since the switches are the easiest things to check first ...
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| house wiring/panel | 3/30/2004 |
Q: I am an owner of a 2 yr old house in Ontario Canada. I am familiar with the way lights dim ...
A: Chris, What your describing is classic "open neutral" symptoms. When the connection to the neutral ...
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| Wire gauges | 3/29/2004 |
Q: I'm running 3 recessed lights (60W each) off a 15 amp breaker. I've used 14 gauge wire from the ...
A: Allan, Practically speaking no, but technically speaking if you start out from the panel with 14 ...
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| Extending wires | 3/28/2004 |
Q: I am a PA homeowner. I am running some 12/2 wire in my unfinished basement from the panel to put in ...
A: Izzy, There's nothing wrong with what you want to do as long as you adhere to the following: Use a ...
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| Bob, maybe you can solve my... | 3/24/2004 |
Q: Bob, maybe you can solve my problem. I have 2 sets of rapid start flourescent lights in kitchen (2 ...
A: Ted, You could have a connection issue that has nothing to do with the fixture itself. In other ...
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| no power | 3/23/2004 |
Q: I had a table saw pluged in to a faulty extesion cord and lost power to other outlets in garage. ...
A: Ross, Lets check the easy stuff first. If you know which breaker feeds this circuit I want you to ...
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| Powder room light & seperate fan | 3/23/2004 |
Q: How do I wire the light and the seperate exhaust fan I want to install so each has its own switch? ...
A: Bob, You can only get power from the switch if you have 2 cables in that box. In other words 2 ...
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| circuit breaker/wiring issue | 3/23/2004 |
Q: My name is Patrick, and I live in St Paul, MN. My wife and I live in a bungalow that was built in ...
A: Patrick, If you put the voltage tester on the breaker while you were having this problem and the ...
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| circuit breaker/wiring issue | 3/22/2004 |
Q: My name is Patrick, and I live in St Paul, MN. My wife and I live in a bungalow that was built in ...
A: Patrick, Yes it could very well be the breaker. You could try taking the wire thats connected to ...
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| home wiring | 3/21/2004 |
Q: We are experiencing periods of time when n electrical circuit shuts off. The breaker does not trip. ...
A: Ann, In order for this problem to involve several different circuits it sounds to me like your ...
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| Melted coating on hot wire | 3/21/2004 |
Q: We had a Delonghi oil filled "radiator" heater (manufactured in 92 I think) in our basement bathroom ...
A: Larry, Its a combination of 2 things: The high draw of current and a poor conection to the GFI. ...
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| 220 volt switch | 3/18/2004 |
Q: I am helping a friend set up a new workshop and we ran 220 for the table saw which is an old Sears ...
A: Todd, The motor starter is a totally separate item and comes in its own enclosure measuring approx ...
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| 220 volt switch | 3/18/2004 |
Q: I am helping a friend set up a new workshop and we ran 220 for the table saw which is an old Sears ...
A: Todd, The type of switching arrangement you have described is used to control what is called a ...
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| lighting | 3/18/2004 |
Q: I have an overhead light fixture in which bulbs burn out very quickly (less than a minute). There ...
A: David, How old is the fixture........if its 10 to 20 years old the socket is most likly worn out or ...
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| Electrical Problem?? | 3/18/2004 |
Q: I've noticed over the past several months that we seem to be using more light bulbs than previously, ...
A: Debby, If you still have a lot of the original fixtures from 1980 the sockets are just worn out ...
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| WIRING STEAMER | 3/17/2004 |
Q: Bob, I have a steamer in a restaurant that is 240 volt with #10 wires coming out. It calls for a ...
A: Cliff, Technically the # 6 wires from the panel to the steamer should be protected by a 50 or 60 ...
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| outlet | 3/15/2004 |
Q: I want to install a live outlet by jumping from a wall recepticle which consists of three switches. ...
A: Scott, OK thats good enough. You want to put the white wire from the new receptacle with all the ...
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| outlet | 3/14/2004 |
Q: I want to install a live outlet by jumping from a wall recepticle which consists of three switches. ...
A: Scott, Pull all 3 switches out of the box and tell me the following: How many individual cables ...
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| Wiring a Wall Oven | 3/11/2004 |
Q: From New Jersey Bob - First I'd like to say thanks for the help with my basement lights - I did it ...
A: Bill, Glad to hear the lighting job came out well, you obviously followed the directions to the ...
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| service panels | 3/10/2004 |
Q: If I want two 200 amp 40 circuit panels in my home what size service do I need, do I want a 400amp ...
A: Bob, First of all your potential KW (Kilowatt) load should determine what size service you "need". ...
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| gfi breaker | 3/10/2004 |
Q: I have an older home and all of the outlets were (are) 2 prong. We had some work done to the house ...
A: Paul, Whoaaaa Nelli ! Don't rewire the house just yet ! Even though you have 2 prong recpetacle's ...
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| dryer wiring | 3/9/2004 |
Q: What is the recommedend cabling for a clothes dryer circuit? Most references I have seen suggest NM ...
A: Tom, Armor clad cable like Romex has its pluses and minus's. On the plus side it has the metal ...
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| exsisting basement wiring | 3/8/2004 |
Q: Bob, I am from middle Tennessee, twenty miles from Nashville. I have a basement with about eight ...
A: Try to find the last keyless fixture with only one cable in it if there is one and there may not be ...
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| electrical outlet and light switch | 3/7/2004 |
Q: I am from Lake wales Florida. I have an oulet and a light switch side by side in my bathroom. There ...
A: Bill, There should be screws on the side of your new receptacle to attach the wires to. You would ...
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| electric range wiring | 3/7/2004 |
Q: I live on the coast of north carolina,am asenior citizen. my daughter and i are redoing a house she ...
A: Charlie, The line for your stove doesn't have to be aluminum and it doesn't have to be copper. ...
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| short in ground wire | 3/6/2004 |
Q: What can cause a short in a ground wire. I am from the midwest
A: Debbie, Ground wire's don't cause shorts themselves but provide a low impedance (little resistance) ...
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| lights | 3/3/2004 |
Q: I want to wire up some new lights in my basement. I ran a 14/2 wire from the panel to light # 1. ...
A: Peter, Because "All Experts" only sporadically notifies me of new questions VIA e-mail I didn;t get ...
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| Dead Circuit | 3/1/2004 |
Q: Houston, Tx. All of the outlets and ceiling light are dead in one of my bedrooms and one outlet in ...
A: Claude, Here's what I want you to do: I suspect that the problem is in the den, either in the ...
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| gfci wiring | 2/29/2004 |
Q: How do I wire up an gfci recepticle in a kitchen that has two 15 amps feeds from a split feed ...
A: Dave, The easiest thing you can do is just install a GFI receptacle at each kitchen counter ...
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| Desktop Lamp (Electrical) | 2/26/2004 |
Q: Need wiring diagram for a two bulb floresant light it has two F15T8 bulbs, one switch, two ...
A: David, My advice to you would be: Return the 2 transformers you got that requires "starters" those ...
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| underground electrical wire | 2/24/2004 |
Q: I want to run electrical service to a new exterior brick wall. I had plastic conduit installed in ...
A: Ed, You can use what is called "UF" cable which is designed for direct burial however it must be ...
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| Plastic filters for light fixture | 2/24/2004 |
Q: I wasn't sure who to ask this question of. We have those upper wooden cabinets that surround ...
A: Dave, You were on the right track. Scoring the plastic lens with a razor knife not a box cutter is ...
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| wiring rqmts for shop (outbuilding) | 2/21/2004 |
Q: I'm in the process of building a woodworking shop, (Biloxi, MS) and need to know several answers ...
A: Jameson, We need to clarify just what your 300 amp service panel on the outside of your house ...
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| Wiring cooktop appliance | 2/21/2004 |
Q: Bob, Thanks for the reply. I did some research and yes you are correct. I am having an electrician ...
A: Tom, If you look at the cables coming out of your panel and can determine which one goes to the ...
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| Wiring cooktop appliance | 2/21/2004 |
Q: Bob, Thanks for the reply. I am from Westchester NY. I have another question. The feed wire to the ...
A: Tom, I'm glad you mentioned this because you do need to be very concerned. Copper and aluminum wire ...
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| Wiring cooktop appliance | 2/20/2004 |
Q: I am replacing a GE cooktop with another new GE cooktop. My question is- When I disconnected the old ...
A: Tom, From what you've described that is the correct way to wire up the new cook top. The red stripe ...
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| two way light switch | 2/19/2004 |
Q: i have a light switch at each entry to kitchen.one will turn light on and off. the other will only ...
A: Bill, You could be looking at a bad switch or it was never installed right from the begining. So ...
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| two way light switch | 2/19/2004 |
Q: i have a light switch at each entry to kitchen.one will turn light on and off. the other will only ...
A: Bill, 3 way systems can be tricky to fix depending upon the circumstances in other words were these ...
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| 240 v line to 120 v line? | 2/16/2004 |
Q: I have a 240v line which once serviced a couple of ovens. There are three wires in the circuit, ...
A: Ken, The best and easiest thing you can do is install a 12 circuit sub panel to connect this 50 ...
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| Open Ground Reading At Outlet | 2/16/2004 |
Q: I recently had a home inspection done and the inspector noticed when he tested one outlet by my ...
A: Steve, An "open ground" means you have lost "ground" continuity up to that particular box and maybe ...
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| Wiring new light and receptacle.... | 2/14/2004 |
Q: I'm currently remodeling our bathroom, and am having trouble installing a new light and switch, plus ...
A: David, You just made a rookie mistake. The cable that you ran from the receptacle to the switch for ...
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| Floor lamp switch repair??? | 2/14/2004 |
Q: I am new to this. Here's my problem: I have one of those floor lamps that most homes seem to have, ...
A: Rasu, I hate to tell you this but your most likely going to have to disassemble the lamp in order ...
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| Open Ground | 2/14/2004 |
Q: I'm Originally from Cuba but I've been living in the US since I was nine, I now live in New Jersey ...
A: No problem, I can be asked the same basic questions over and over again but they're always put ...
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| Fixtures blowing light bulbs | 2/14/2004 |
Q: I replaced a light fixture in a bathroom. It had two fixtures with two bulbs each. Each bulb rating ...
A: John, Usually when light bulbs start burning out quickly its an indication that the socket(s) are ...
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| REWIRING | 2/14/2004 |
Q: BOB, THANXS FOR YOUR INFO. I NOW IT WILL BE A CHALLANGE FOR SURE, BUT THE END RESULT OF UPDATING ...
A: Kevin, You can get yourself a copy of the 2002 National Electrical Code Handbook at the "Electrical ...
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| Fixtures blowing light bulbs | 2/13/2004 |
Q: I replaced a light fixture in a bathroom. It had two fixtures with two bulbs each. Each bulb rating ...
A: John, How many lamps have you gone through so far and did you buy the replacements from the same ...
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| Wiring a new outlet | 2/13/2004 |
Q: Bob, Thanks for the quick response. I tested the switch and it has the steady feed. I just need ...
A: Daniel, OK, you want to make your opening for the new receptacle in between the same 2 studs the ...
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| REWIRING | 2/13/2004 |
Q: BOB, THIS IS RATHER A LARGEHAVE YOU EVER HAD TO REWIRE A WHOLE HOME? THE BUILD DATE ON THIS HOME ...
A: Kevin, Yes I have. Just bringing the receptacles in the house up to code will be a good sized ...
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| Wiring a new outlet | 2/12/2004 |
Q: Bob, I just bought a new phone for the kitchen that requires power. Need to install an outlet near ...
A: Daniel, Its quite possible you don't have what you need in that 3 way switch outlet for the new ...
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| electric dryer connections | 2/11/2004 |
Q: Bob, I live outside of Dallas, Texas and decided to see if you or one of the others could give me a ...
A: George, I'm assuming your current receptacle is a 30 amp 240 volt receptacle where if you test ...
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| Lights turn off and on by itself | 2/10/2004 |
Q: No, it's a hanging ceiling fixture. I checked it out and the transformer on it becomes incredibly ...
A: HJ, It sounds like you had a halogen lamp in there that exceeded the wattage output of the ...
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| Lost power to ceiling lights | 2/10/2004 |
Q: In our basement, here in Michigan, is a finished room with two recessed lights. When they were ...
A: Randall, Check the switch again, if you put the prods of the volt meter on both screws of the ...
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| heat tapes for gutters | 2/10/2004 |
Q: a friend sent me this , thought i would share it with you, any thoughts? ...
A: Stan, The "Easy heat SR tape" at this website is the same type of cable you saw at the other web ...
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| Moving breaker panel to laundry | 2/10/2004 |
Q: I'd like to move the breaker panel from the kitchen to the laundry adjacent as this would ...
A: John, I take it that you just want to flip the panel so its facing the other way into the laundry ...
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| heat tapes for gutters | 2/9/2004 |
Q: I live in Wi and have a couple of older properties with low pitch roofs, and gutters jamb if snow ...
A: Stan, Heat tape is very effective and I've installed plenty of it. There are different grades such ...
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| lights blowing in motorhome | 2/8/2004 |
Q: Bob, I am changing out the old receptacles in my 1966 retro motorhome to new ones. When I replaced ...
A: Charles, Did the circuit blow before you put the new switch back in the box or after ? In other ...
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| feeds from single source | 2/5/2004 |
Q: Is it alright for me to pull two feeds from a single power source 12/3 wire. The line now has 2 ...
A: Mike, 12-3 IS a cable that you can use for 2 circuits , so I'm a little puzzeled by your question ...
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| bathroom vanity light | 2/4/2004 |
Q: I am looking for a vanity light that has an electrical outlet included. I used to see a lot of ...
A: I don't believe that type of fixture is made any more, I haven't seen one of those in a store or ...
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| Ceiling light wiring | 1/28/2004 |
Q: I am from PA and I moved into a house that had a vacant ceiling light fixture removed. I think they ...
A: IT, Very simply , just use the white and red wire in the ceiling box and cap the black wire. So the ...
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