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Electrical Wiring in the Home/Questions Answered by Expert Will Babbitt
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Electrical Wiring Reverse Polarity Effects? | 1/30/2012 |
| Q: Here's a copy of a question. I asked previously (three days ago). I wondered if you could answer ... A: Howard, sounds like this guy wanted to use multiple syllable words to sound educated, I am with ... | |
| treadmill - electrical interference | 1/4/2012 |
| Q: Recently installed a Pro-Form 790T treadmill. Since the installation in our house we cannot receive ... A: William, good name, yes is the short answer, I am guessing if you unplug the treadmill the ... | |
| 110v twolight / one switch wireing diagram | 12/30/2011 |
| Q: I am trying to re-wire a new circuit into the loft. I have two lights, one on either end of the ... A: Simon, this is a two light circuit, not a three way which would be one light and two switches, A ... | |
| NEMA 6-30p plug | 12/20/2011 |
| Q: I'm going to wire up a pro fusion 240v heater in a wind turbine. The plug on it is a NEMA 6-30p. ... A: Mike, my Wife is from Sheboygan. We are in Kansas City Missouri, sorry about the game last week, ... | |
| Electrical Vacuum Motor | 12/18/2011 |
| Q: My wife bought a Kirby Vacuum in the Middle East. It is wired for 220, and it's brand new...never ... A: Shorty, I wonder what the cycle rating is on the motor? Most likely 50 but it would be ... | |
| Motor question | 12/15/2011 |
| Q: Ok i have a single phase 240v motor. The motor has a black (low speed) a red (high speed) a white ... A: It was working before and now it does not? Why was it unwired? The motor sounds like a Perm Split ... | |
| loud buzzing noise in wall when turning light on | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I turned the light to the outside porch on tonight and when I did- there was a loud electrical ... A: Jake, Good job, now we know it was not a bulb element humming, so it should be kept off, don't ... | |
| loud buzzing noise in wall when turning light on | 11/29/2011 |
| Q: I turned the light to the outside porch on tonight and when I did- there was a loud electrical ... A: Jake, have you changed the bulb? Sometimes a bulb will buzz just before it fails. However if you ... | |
| dc power supply question | 11/26/2011 |
| Q: can i tap this on my 18v 25a power supply? will the high current damage my speaker? thanks ANSWER: ... A: Alain, I see, OK well if you can get 18 volts from your existing power supply, it should ... | |
| dc power supply question | 11/25/2011 |
| Q: can i tap this on my 18v 25a power supply? will the high current damage my speaker? thanks A: Not sure what device and why you need to do this, extra speaker or what? Anyway, several things ... | |
| Old GE induction motor | 11/18/2011 |
| Q: A capacitor went bad on this motor and when I was pulling out the capacitors some wires fell off and ... A: Doug, I replied to you through my personal e-mail, I understand that it has been to a motor shop ... | |
| electric motor | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: I have an electric motor hooked up to our silo unloader and it decided it didn't want to work the ... A: So the chassis ground wire was off, but the single phase wired to the motor measures 120 Volt? You ... | |
| Old GE induction motor | 11/17/2011 |
| Q: A capacitor went bad on this motor and when I was pulling out the capacitors some wires fell off and ... A: One hell of a motor, most motors that are cap start, cap run, are heavy duty motors, the reason ... | |
| connecting a drill press | 11/15/2011 |
| Q: i bought a Cincinnati 50 years old drill press that needs 220 volts but i dont know which of the ... A: Victor, congrats, probably a great press, Cincy 50 years old, built like they don't build them ... | |
| electrical outlet | 11/12/2011 |
| Q: Problem-electrical outlet has a lamp plugged into it. Recently, the lamp has been flickering and ... A: Chris, the arc from the wire at the screw, is due to a loose or high resistance connection, ... | |
| 120 vs 480 | 11/7/2011 |
| Q: Ben, Hi Ben, my name is Marc. I have aI know operating equipment at higher voltages allows the ... A: Marc this is William Babbitt, President of MEAR Services in Kansas City, we are a electric motor ... | |
| Wiring connection for Automatic Capsule Filler | 11/5/2011 |
| Q: Recently purchased what appears to be an AL-90 Automatic Capsule Loader. I say "appears" because ... A: Used equipment can be quite the problem, NORMALLY a 230 volt machine built in the 90s would not ... | |
| dryer amp requirements | 10/20/2011 |
| Q: I would like to install a stackable washer/dryer (ventless/condensation dryer) in my new york ... A: The voltage should be no problem, in the US voltages normally fall within the tolerances of about ... | |
| Service wiring | 9/23/2010 |
| Q: This is more for my information than to resolve a problem...I hope that is ok. I recently installed ... A: This is why we have four wire 220 appliances now instead of the hugely deadly three wire, killed ... | |
| replacing a 240V switch | 9/21/2010 |
| Q: The existing on/off switch for my hot water heater has 2 terminals but the only one I could get at ... A: Hey Tara, if you had only two terminals on the old switch, one is on the line side and one on the ... | |
| Switch wiring in shed | 9/19/2010 |
| Q: I have underground wiring coming into my sheet. The wiring immediately goes to a two plug grounded ... A: I understand overlooking simple, do it all the time myself, but this is such an unusual wiring ... | |
| Proper circuit breaker for older Jacuzzi Deep Well Pump | 9/18/2010 |
| Q: Mr. Babbit We live on a farm in eastern Washinton State. I have a 500 ft well that has a Jacuzzi ... A: I will try, the NEC allows for a plus and minus 5% volt drop so the wire size can be calculated, if ... | |
| 208/220 Voltage | 9/17/2010 |
| Q: What is the difference between 208 voltage and 220 voltage. Basically another electrician and I ... A: Allen, Great question! Plus it is truly refreshing to know two knowledgeable electricians are ... | |
| photocell actuator | 9/15/2010 |
| Q: I have 6 400 watt high pressure sodium lamps on a timer and would like to get rid of the timer in ... A: If i have what you want to do correct, which is put a day night photocell as an off on switch in ... | |
| wiring | 9/14/2010 |
| Q: i have a garbage disposal that i installed that has only two wires a white and a black, my switch ... A: The bare copper wire is supposed to be chassis or earth ground, there should be a green colored ... | |
| wiring | 9/13/2010 |
| Q: i got a dishwasher that has a plug in on it and mine is hard wired can the plug be change to be ... A: Sure, you have a couple choices, you can put an outlet where the hard wire exits the wall into your ... | |
| sewing machine wiring | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: i put new wire on the plug and foot pedal of the machine. now when the machine is working the light ... A: NO Too thick of wire would allow the current to become higher, small wire is a problem Why did ... | |
| light install | 9/10/2010 |
| Q: I installed a ceiling light and the light works but the items plugged into the wall on the same ... A: To make this simple, a switch leg [one switch single off/on] is connected by bringing one hot wire ... | |
| replace elcrt cooktop wire hook up | 9/4/2010 |
| Q: Our house was built in 1986 and we are replacing a Jenn Air electric down draft cook top with a ... A: Sam, One of these days I have to look up the stats on what this four wire system improved, saved, ... | |
| REFRIGERATOR WATT OUTPUT | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: I want to buy a small portable generator for my home. I want to make sure that the generator can ... A: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/resources/images/video/wattage_calculator/wattage_calclulator.htm ... | |
| electric motor diagram | 8/31/2010 |
| Q: i got any old electric motor,(robbins & ... A: emonez, these are the most popular questions due to the fact most manufacturers used some kind of ... | |
| wall plugs getting hot | 8/30/2010 |
| Q: I have noticed that a few wall chargers for cell phones I have get really hot when I plug them in. ... A: Rheann, First, I want to congratulate you on paying attention to such things, many do not, and ... | |
| connecting outlet plug | 8/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a Frigidaire washer dryer combo unit Model FEX831FS2. I understand that this can be wired for ... A: It bothers me you originally stated "you understand this can be wired either 110 or 220" do you ... | |
| connecting outlet plug | 8/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a Frigidaire washer dryer combo unit Model FEX831FS2. I understand that this can be wired for ... A: Hayden, they should do a better job of educating a consumer on their products instead of just ... | |
| Cause of buzzing from small motor | 8/24/2010 |
| Q: Today a small motor (5" X 5" X 2") which hangs on the ceiling in my basement and has wires going in ... A: Barry, great question but what does the motor do? I mean if there is a motor it has to have a shaft ... | |
| whole house generator | 8/22/2010 |
| Q: My house has two meters, one for house panel and the other is for geothermal heating sys. geo meter ... A: Dan, Wow what a setup. You seem to know more than average about this kind of thing, which is ... | |
| A/C Breaker Size? | 8/21/2010 |
| Q: My a/c breaker in the garage is tripping once a day...we called a/c people and everything checks ... A: NO!!!!!!!!!!!!! first the breaker protects the wire and the unit, if there is 30 amps running down ... | |
| fan motor | 8/20/2010 |
| Q: I have a whole house fan with a timer switch and a speed switch. Suddenly, it only stays on for a ... A: It is very likely you have a thermal overload protector, probably in the motor itself, the common ... | |
| pendant lights | 8/17/2010 |
| Q: I have purchased pendant lights to be placed above island in kitchen (new construction). However, ... A: Jen several thoughts come to mind, any overstock or Goodwill TYPE store, a lamp repair shop, motor ... | |
| Outdoor Sensors | 8/12/2010 |
| Q: Will, I have two spot lights in my back yard that are run through a sensor with an interior light ... A: Wayne, what kind of sensor, motion or light [dusk/dawn] What brand? Do the lights have any ... | |
| lighting problem | 8/10/2010 |
| Q: my kitchen light will not go out when i flip the light switch. changed the switch, did not ... A: Will NOT GO OUT it used to go out but suddenly one day the light would not go out, and now it ... | |
| outlet | 8/9/2010 |
| Q: In a pervious question you answered--- Ever considered going wireless? There is technology that ... A: Jean, unfortunately the context was wireless switching, not wireless power. The X-10 technology ... | |
| wiring 240V timer for pool filter | 8/7/2010 |
| Q: need a little help translating wiring diagram for TORK EW103B .... (wiring diagram can be found at ... A: Normally , most timers controls are wired with incoming power to the "supply" terminals and the pump ... | |
| Toaster: ToastMaster 1B14 | 8/4/2010 |
| Q: good morning Will, I have contacted the site and I have bought a toaster "Toastmaster 1B16" of the ... A: Alejandro, That stinks, they don't warranty the thing to at least pop up the bread? That really ... | |
| **Electric meter for water well pump** | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: My house has a water well providing water to the house. The well has a 230 volt electric pump which ... A: Linda, Great question. I am assuming you mean daily and monthly consumption of power, not just ... | |
| electrical | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: I took the light fixture down over my sink in the kitchen and was replacing it with a new one. I put ... A: Well, it could be a bad new fixture, it happens, You could have pinched a wire or they could ... | |
| Replacing Bathroom Exhaust Switch with Timer | 7/31/2010 |
| Q: I'm living in a rental apartment and in the interest of energy savings i'd like to be able to run ... A: The moral to this story is never expect the guy/gal before you to do anything close to correct, or ... | |
| Replacing Bathroom Exhaust Switch with Timer | 7/30/2010 |
| Q: I'm living in a rental apartment and in the interest of energy savings i'd like to be able to run ... A: Normally a switch leg is nothing more than one wire, it is connected or separated by the switch. ... | |
| washer/dryer outlet | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: I am moving my washer dryer. Currently i have a stackable and they run off a 220 circuit. I am ... A: Jay, for local code and insurance reasons, the cost of having a safe accurate outlet is worth the ... | |
| Adding a new light switch and out to shop | 7/27/2010 |
| Q: I have two motion sensor lights on both corners that run off the same switch, I want to run a light ... A: Before the lamp or the power to lamp will be the same to the other additions when it is tripped on ... | |
| Wall outlets | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: We lost power over the weekend,When it was finally restored 2 days later,I went to plug in my power ... A: I understand the other outlets look normal and are, just protected by a GFCI somewhere and no one ... | |
| Wall outlets | 7/26/2010 |
| Q: We lost power over the weekend,When it was finally restored 2 days later,I went to plug in my power ... A: Glen, This sounds very common, what you have is a GFCI outlet, in parallel with several other ... | |
| Ceiling Fan -Knob & Tube Wiring | 7/25/2010 |
| Q: My daughter has an older home that still has knob and tube wiring in the upstairs bedrooms. She is ... A: Ben, The fan doesn't care what is neutral and what is hot, as long as the line to line voltage is ... | |
| Service Entrance Cable | 7/22/2010 |
| Q: I own a house that is in dire need of repair and I am anxious to get rid of it. I do not live in the ... A: Houses do not sell with problems like that, so how you market it is up to you, Yes it is ... | |
| air compressor | 7/21/2010 |
| Q: I have a husky compressor 30 gallon tank and 2.0 HP max psi is 135 and its 120V 60HZ. it starts up ... A: Ok makes sense, everything but not starting the second time, whatever that is, might be resolved ... | |
| air compressor | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: I have a husky compressor 30 gallon tank and 2.0 HP max psi is 135 and its 120V 60HZ. it starts up ... A: Good news it did not burn up, so it had an a tank already and now adding another? The ONLY ... | |
| air compressor | 7/20/2010 |
| Q: I have a husky compressor 30 gallon tank and 2.0 HP max psi is 135 and its 120V 60HZ. it starts up ... A: What breaker size does the compressor call for? And wire size? The run should be dedicated, if ... | |
| installing ceiling fan in 1940s house | 7/19/2010 |
| Q: My house was built in 1941. It has electrical boxes with rigid tubing conduits that fan out like ... A: Gloria, I just can't always tell if someone should be dealing with electrical issues of various ... | |
| 208 volt household wiring | 7/17/2010 |
| Q: how do i wire a 208 volt 15 amp curcuit for a air cond.? A: From Scratch or is there existing? If there is existing maybe you can do it, but if it is a new ... | |
| wiring a 2 speed motor | 7/15/2010 |
| Q: I have a two speed motor: Franklin Electric; RPM1725/1425; 1/2 HP; Voltage 115, 208-230; Phase 1; ... A: Tim, this is kind of confusing, but bare with me. The nameplate states 1725/1425 RPM and dual ... | |
| 4 prong to 3 prong 240v | 7/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a new generator that has a 4 prong 120/240v outlet. This generator replaces one that had a 3 ... A: Wallace, this is a common problem, started back in around 2000 when NEC decided that on 240 volt ... | |
| 2-piece floor lamp has come apart | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: I've attached some pictures that may or may not help you. The lamp was bought at Pottery Barn, but ... A: Judy, I can now see the wiring looks fine, and understand what you are describing, Often when a ... | |
| 110 water heater g.e. | 7/12/2010 |
| Q: i have a g.e. smart water heater it was taken out by someone else and i want to put the wires back ... A: Tim, glad to help, but I need something to go on, my guess is it like most newer appliances, two ... | |
| installing ceiling fan in 1940s house | 7/11/2010 |
| Q: My house was built in 1941. It has electrical boxes with rigid tubing conduits that fan out like ... A: Gloria That looks like some newer wiring than 1941, it looks like almost industrial wiring in ... | |
| Old Kellogg Compressor wiring issue | 7/10/2010 |
| Q: I bought a compressor which had been wired 110. The motor is rated as dual and unfortunately can't ... A: Wade, without a diagram this is tough, is it wired for 110 and proven to work as wired, if so, ... | |
| 2-piece floor lamp has come apart | 7/9/2010 |
| Q: I've attached some pictures that may or may not help you. The lamp was bought at Pottery Barn, but ... A: Judy, It depends on what you have invested in this lamp, It looks like a threaded portion has come ... | |
| ceramic cooktop | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: I recently changed a element on my ceramic cooktop only to find that it appears to be the switch. I ... A: Good for you , glad you were able to find the problem, as for female, it does not matter, there are ... | |
| ceramic cooktop | 7/5/2010 |
| Q: I recently changed a element on my ceramic cooktop only to find that it appears to be the switch. I ... A: Yes, a high resistance connection will raise current, and could be the issue, What bothers me, is ... | |
| water pump pressure switch | 7/2/2010 |
| Q: I HAVE A SQUARE D PUMPTROL PRESSURE SWITCH ON MY WATER PUMP. RECENTLY THE INSULATION ON THE WHITE ... A: Tough question, when you say trimmed back, you mean trimmed the insulation AND WIRE, making a clean ... | |
| 3/4 horspower pump | 6/28/2010 |
| Q: I want to change My 3/4 Hp pump from 240V to 120V. I have seen this done numerous times but have not ... A: Michael, how are you doing? First, you state you WANT TO change from 240 to 120 Volts AC. I am ... | |
| dryer outlets | 6/27/2010 |
| Q: what if my outlet for my dryer only has 3 wires and no ground what can I do to install a new dryer ? A: Victor, this is a problem for millions of people, Two choices, one check your local codes, you ... | |
| red wire | 6/25/2010 |
| Q: In removing a ceiling fan, I know that the black is for the fan and the red is for the fan light. ... A: Yep, cap it off with a wire nut and tape in the new light fixture box or if using the old fan box to ... | |
| trying to identify a wall socket | 6/22/2010 |
| Q: I have a wall plate/socket that is a small square, like a phone jack, but has two, small, black ... A: I could not see inside the plate very well, is it possibly a DSL internet jack? It sure looks like ... | |
| House Wiring | 6/21/2010 |
| Q: The oddest thing occurs in my home. The power will go out in several rooms but none of the breakers ... A: Yes, something somewhere in a circuit, probably a neutral circuit opened, and when you turn on the ... | |
| wireing | 6/20/2010 |
| Q: If you find a black and white wire togather while you are looking for an answer to an electrical ... A: Wow, I see why you are wanting to jerk the wiring out of the whole house in one pull. However, a ... | |
| wireing | 6/19/2010 |
| Q: If you find a black and white wire togather while you are looking for an answer to an electrical ... A: NO, many times a black can be wired to a white, and is supposed to be marked with black tape, so if ... | |
| repairing a power cord | 6/17/2010 |
| Q: Our dog chewed up the power cord to our swamp cooler and the weather is getting hot! We'd like to ... A: Ok how would you like me to help? I have no idea what you have, but if it is not a submersible cord, ... | |
| Boat Lift 220V | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I have installed a boat lift that requires 12A at each motor 220v. I have run 10/3 to the dock. It ... A: Well if you have two hots a neutral and ground, you have 110 from one hot to neutral. So I am losing ... | |
| Boat Lift 220V | 6/16/2010 |
| Q: I have installed a boat lift that requires 12A at each motor 220v. I have run 10/3 to the dock. It ... A: Why not just run a sub-panel off the main panel, that will get you your 220 volts [hot to hot] then ... | |
| problem with wiring | 6/13/2010 |
| Q: There is a lot of problem with low voltage is our area. The maximum voltage level we get at night is ... A: Well you might well have problems with the wiring, but you already had a significant problem you ... | |
| Beeping from walls | 6/10/2010 |
| Q: Not too long ago i noticed a beep coming from our dining room. After investigation it seems it is ... A: You might need GhostBusters, this is really odd. Do you understand the term induction? Short course, ... | |
| nagging issue I can't rectify: over-ride switches | 6/3/2010 |
| Q: Good afternoon. I came upon this site by accident, but was intrigued so I thought I'd ask in hope of ... A: Sounds like you have some kind of relay controlled system, like a low voltage circuit that trips a ... | |
| Automatic Voltage Regulator for Computer set | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: Is my AVR or small transformer consumes to my electric bill? even when I unplug my computer from it ... A: Oh OK there are a lot of different names for that device, Power Conditioner, Voltage Conditioner, ... | |
| Water pump trips GFCI 3-4 hours | 4/7/2010 |
| Q: I have a Beckett w600 water pump, pulls 0.6 amps yet after a few hours it will kick my 20amp GFCI. I ... A: No actually I confused you now that you provided this information, from the descriptions of the GFCI ... | |
| Water pump trips GFCI 3-4 hours | 4/6/2010 |
| Q: I have a Beckett w600 water pump, pulls 0.6 amps yet after a few hours it will kick my 20amp GFCI. I ... A: Mike, it is not the running current that is the problem, the GFCI measures the amount of current ... | |
| Need to install LSV-100 in my Garage | 3/31/2010 |
| Q: I have an electric car and would like to install an LSV-100 Fastcharger made by ETEC. Is this ... A: Jay, Love your question. can you give me more details? I can look up a LSV-100 but would not know ... | |
| dryer outlet | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a 220v 30 amp circuit with romex already run through the wall. The problem that I am running ... A: In the 90s they changed the 220 volt household outlet ground requirements so that there are four ... | |
| dimmer switch | 3/27/2010 |
| Q: i just replaced a low voltage 5 light track system with transformer fixture with the same kind. it ... A: Rick, What did you NOT replace? And why did you replace what you replaced? Old, rusty, style, or ... | |
| dryer / range cord crimp rings | 3/23/2010 |
| Q: Three things. 1. I want to know what crimper the manufacturer of dryer / range cords (GE, etc.) ... A: How odd that you would ask that question, I wrote an article on HOW2 or HOW Too, the website where ... | |
| wiring plug | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: I am wiring a 30 amp plug to a 120 volt stick welder.I have 4 wires, green to green on plug,white to ... A: x and y are generally for the ungrounded conductors, meaning two hots, and that should mean it ... | |
| outlets&1room notworking at all | 3/20/2010 |
| Q: I live in an older model home that i started buying 2 years ago the seller said when we purchased ... A: It is a GFCI outlet somewhere that maybe you have never seen, they did not put stickers on the other ... | |
| Sub HVAC trips and MAIN also simultaneously | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: Triple socket Main Service. Original problem=Old red colored 125A main breaker (old Murray's?) ... A: Got ya, the answer is it depends [I know you did not want to hear that] but if a fault current, ... | |
| short circuit in my house | 3/19/2010 |
| Q: Every once in a while (like once every 2 months)when I turn on the microwave 3 plug ins in my house ... A: Look and see if the outlets are on GFCI, and somehow it is resetting many times one outlet will ... | |
| Sub HVAC trips and MAIN also simultaneously | 3/18/2010 |
| Q: Triple socket Main Service. Original problem=Old red colored 125A main breaker (old Murray's?) ... A: You say the new unit fits loose? Loose where? A loose neutral is the same as a loose hot, could ... | |
| single vs three phase | 3/17/2010 |
| Q: I am buying a screen print (used) conveyor dryer that was a three phase, and the guy said he changed ... A: I have replied three times and it is not sending the answer, I will try the direct email option if ... | |
| electrical | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: Im losing power in my living room. The lights and tv flicker and then go out. After awile they come ... A: There is not one answer to this question, it could be anywhere from a failing breaker in your main ... | |
| illegal jumper wiring | 9/28/2009 |
| Q: I am new to the investigative side of the fire department. We recently had a fire in an occupied ... A: use my personal email wbwill@sbcglobal.net if it says I am on vacation, I have to go out of town for ... | |
| wiring for a dryer | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I switched out my kitchen and laundry room, when doing so i tried to take the wire that was hooked ... A: Older 220 appliances had two hots and a neutral, the new method and standards are two hots, neutral ... | |
| low voltage relay | 9/24/2009 |
| Q: I have searched and just confused myself. I have a 1.5 hp 220vac 60hz high pressure pump motor for a ... A: Kirk, don't know what all else is in your system, but if the total load is not much more than the ... | |
| Leviton GFCI 7899R | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: The screws won't tighten which hold in the wires in the receptacle. What am I doing wrong? ANSWER: ... A: If the wires are tight in the slots, the screws are of no concern, sometimes the first turn on those ... | |
| Leviton GFCI 7899R | 9/22/2009 |
| Q: The screws won't tighten which hold in the wires in the receptacle. What am I doing wrong? A: Are you wrappng the wire around the screw or installing the bare ends into the slots, most GFCIs ... | |
| porch light | 9/20/2009 |
| Q: Trying to install a new porch light with motion sensor. Connected black to black and white to ... A: Doesn't sound like it, white to white and black to black is all you need to make the light come on, ... | |
| smoke detector short ? | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: replaced a battery backed up smoke detector at the end of the line of 6 of them. i have power at all ... A: http://www.kiddeus.com/utcfs/ws-384/Assets/1276en.pdf and this from Kidde: ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Remote Inactivation | 9/18/2009 |
| Q: I have a ceiling fan that is controlled by a remote. Is there any way I can inactivate the remote ... A: The remote disables the wall switch, like if I had a TV and used the remote, I could not turn off ... | |
| Electrical problems in home | 9/17/2009 |
| Q: I have contacted the manager of my apartment building about problems in my apartment building, but ... A: Is the buzzing the same as the motor sound, or where those two different events? The motor then ... | |
| Electrical outlets quit working | 9/16/2009 |
| Q: I came home and tried to turn on the tv.. wouldn't turn on. then discovered that three outlets as ... A: The current from the vaccuum opened the high resistance connection located somewhere in that ... | |
| Hunter fan control | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a Hunter fan with light that came with a remote control. I want to know if I can purchase a ... A: Ok first things first, and most people need help with understanding this, so I will put it out here ... | |
| electric smoke detector | 9/8/2009 |
| Q: My mobile home has two electric smoke detectors, for the last couple of days one of them keeps ... A: I assume these are tied together on a common circuit, regardless, the first thing to check is the ... | |
| custom wiring for security | 9/7/2009 |
| Q: I am thinking about adding some industrial PLC controls to my home. I am wondering is you see any ... A: I agree, x10 can be very inconsistent. Why I have never discovered, I have some of their older ... | |
| custom wiring for security | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: I am thinking about adding some industrial PLC controls to my home. I am wondering is you see any ... A: I see only one possible issue, and that is the warranty if there is one, on the security system. ... | |
| wiring a 220 volt compressor motor | 9/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3 HP-(220 volt only) Century motor that I'm installing on an air compressor. The wiring ... A: This does get confusing, so forget colors for a second. It used to be that if you had a 220 stove or ... | |
| Grounding of house | 9/3/2009 |
| Q: My home was hit by lightning two weeks ago, The television and computer were fried(destroyed). ... A: Andy, Sorry to hear abut the property being damaged or destroyed. This is a complex issue, for ... | |
| ceiling fans | 9/1/2009 |
| Q: Why do my ceiling fans hum at low speed? A: Tom, Common problem, and without getting real technical, the lesser value or lower priced models ... | |
| Wall switch failure | 8/31/2009 |
| Q: I have changed a light wall switch two times. I have tested the wiring with a voltage tester and I ... A: Yes, First the switches do what, quit working, smoke, stay off. stay on,. what happens? Next, is ... | |
| motion light | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: My house has a porch light and 2 other lights in the car port. They all are controlled by a single ... A: No you have installed a motion light NOT A MOTION SWITCH. The motion sensing is done in the motion ... | |
| Generators | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: I want to buy a generator that will run a fridge, laptop computer, a couple of small portable ... A: Ok manual would work, but I have to assume you would be home to plug all this in? I mean if you are ... | |
| Generators | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: I want to buy a generator that will run a fridge, laptop computer, a couple of small portable ... A: Understand, do you want it to come on automatically when it detects loss of utility power? Or are ... | |
| 3way switch | 8/18/2009 |
| Q: I moved my light switch over about 1 foot to install anew door. I marked the wires on the switch as ... A: That is what I thought, I couldn't exactly pick out if you had changed the switch and marked the ... | |
| 3way switch | 8/17/2009 |
| Q: I moved my light switch over about 1 foot to install anew door. I marked the wires on the switch as ... A: Are you saying the new switch does not work, or you bought a new one to try as a solution? Below is ... | |
| attic fan switch | 8/16/2009 |
| Q: I bought a used attic fan. I've done a lot of household wiring, so know most of the ropes, but this ... A: Power is 110? The power goes to common, and then red is low, and black is high, the switch swaps ... | |
| overhead light not working, only reading 30 volts. | 8/14/2009 |
| Q: So I was changing out a chandelier today. Old one worked absolutely fine, just wanted a different ... A: It's not hard for YOU to keep white and black and green straight, but that is you, if you had the ... | |
| overhead light not working, only reading 30 volts. | 8/13/2009 |
| Q: So I was changing out a chandelier today. Old one worked absolutely fine, just wanted a different ... A: Check all your GFCIs all over the house and make sure they are fine, the wiring for the light comes ... | |
| electrical panel for mobile home | 8/12/2009 |
| Q: We have been updating our doublewide, due to hurricane damage. After we replaced two ceiling fans in ... A: Follow the dryer cord circuit to the panel, and take readings, it is acting like a bridge to ... | |
| electrical panel for mobile home | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: We have been updating our doublewide, due to hurricane damage. After we replaced two ceiling fans in ... A: I take it the dryer is 220 and what is happening most likely, is the dryer is closing a neutral that ... | |
| Pendant light fixture too short | 8/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a pendant light fixture whose cord is too short. It's not an expensive fixture and so I ... A: Mitch, It is safe if done correctly, remember not only to extend the same size conductor, but ALL ... | |
| Hanging/wiring chandelier | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: On the one I've hung so far, I connected the two wires but not the copper one. I noticed today that ... A: Good to hear you found the mark was there before, I ask that because there is a normal phenomena ... | |
| 208 three phase | 8/8/2009 |
| Q: i am trying to hook up an ac power failure notification system to my building this consits a ... A: There is a difference between ratings and reality. A circuit is protected for the amount of current ... | |
| Hanging/wiring chandelier | 8/7/2009 |
| Q: On the one I've hung so far, I connected the two wires but not the copper one. I noticed today that ... A: Becky, the burn mark was not there before? For sure? If so flip the breaker or unhook the lamp until ... | |
| discharging auto battery | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: I have for the past two weeks or so been experiencing a dead auto battery in the morning. When I put ... A: Well first it is most likely not an excessive draw while running, because the regulator would trip ... | |
| jacuzzi problem | 7/30/2009 |
| Q: Will: Yes, I found the GFCI was kicked off. The tub hasn't worked for a time and I only just now ... A: Good job on the GFCI, that tells you it saw some kind of ground fault current imbalance, real or ... | |
| Nervous about the power after a lightening strike really bad storm | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: We were out of town when all this happen, first the phones came through phone line? They came out ... A: Cathie, power surges caused by weather, switching surges by the power companies, a calamity down the ... | |
| electrical brownout protection | 7/24/2009 |
| Q: I have a well and wish to know how to protect the water pump against an electrical brownout. The ... A: We are talking single phase and brown out meaning low voltage? Sure there is a way, but it is weird ... | |
| Exhuast fan switch | 7/23/2009 |
| Q: I have a 277v exhaust fan that is removeing steam from a commercial dishwasher with a 120v fan ... A: I am trying to understand what you are saying, tell me if this is correct, you have the 277 volts to ... | |
| ac adapter gets hot | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: I just got digital cable tv and the a/c adapter/transfomer that connects the cable receiver to the ... A: Well glad to hear that, but here is another issue, there should never be interchangable adapters for ... | |
| Jacuzzi | 7/22/2009 |
| Q: When I turn the temp. up and it runs for about 10 min. Then the jets comes on then the main gfi ... A: Does the current rating for the tub match the current rating for the breaker? Heat is either ... | |
| ac adapter gets hot | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: I just got digital cable tv and the a/c adapter/transfomer that connects the cable receiver to the ... A: Lee, It could be several things, but exchanging that part first is the right move, simply because ... | |
| Well pump lightening damage | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: What is the resistance between wirings to the well pump. The pump will work but flips the breaker. ... A: Are you measuring the pump windings, or do you have the wiring to the pump isolated? If you are ... | |
| Ceiling Fan with Light and Remote - Stopped Working | 7/19/2009 |
| Q: We recently purchased a home that had a ceiling fan/light combo installed on a vaulted ceiling, and ... A: These are frustrating issues. First, I have to say you have done a very nice and complete job of ... | |
| Lights spontaneously turn off and on | 7/16/2009 |
| Q: For the past 5 years two of the three lights in my kitchen will stay on for a while and then just go ... A: Most likey there is a lose or corroded, or high resistance connection somewhere, it could be in the ... | |
| starter capacitor wireing | 7/15/2009 |
| Q: I am replacing the fan motor in my outdoor air conditioner unit. The old motor had one brown wire ... A: Yes, the old capacitor was a dual value cap, one for the compressor and one for the fan, so leave ... | |
| General International Table saw 50-220c M1 | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: the saw is wired for 110. I would like to wire it for 220. The cord in to the on/off switch and ... A: The motor could care less about white or black, if the OEM switch breaks two lines, then that is ... | |
| blower fan | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a squirrel cage fan torin blwr dct-916-416-5 cw is on the cage itself I want ot know how ... A: You obviously know that simply stopping the smoking would rid all these issues, but it is good to ... | |
| blower fan | 4/27/2009 |
| Q: I have a squirrel cage fan torin blwr dct-916-416-5 cw is on the cage itself I want ot know how ... A: It is just like a furnace, as long as you restrict the square opening and borrow a clamp on to know ... | |
| blower fan | 4/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a squirrel cage fan torin blwr dct-916-416-5 cw is on the cage itself I want ot know how ... A: The two brown wires go to an external capacitor, which may or may not be hanging off the motor, if ... | |
| Circuit Breaker | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently had a heating and air conditioning service technician check out my unit for the summer ... A: Well you still need a main disconnect, no matter what, now if the heaters were calling for heat, and ... | |
| Circuit Breaker | 4/18/2009 |
| Q: I recently had a heating and air conditioning service technician check out my unit for the summer ... A: so he was doing a "load test on the breaker" now the breaker will not trip, or reset or whatever, ... | |
| 240 volts vs 208 volts and one phase vs three phase wiring | 4/17/2009 |
| Q: I am putting an electric kiln in a commercial building. The caretaker of the building said that I ... A: Wow that was a lot of stuff to digest, I see why you need help. OK first of all the 208-240 thing, ... | |
| Power Converter or Electrician for 220 to 110 Conversion | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: I moved into a condominium that has a 220v outlet in the laundry closet. I intend to buy a ... A: If there is no main breaker, something is really wrong, get some references, and find a good ... | |
| Timers | 4/15/2009 |
| Q: I have a Tork 1101 timer and need to know how to wire it to an outlet for a pool filter I have the ... A: Feel lucky you got directions at all. The .pdf will not download for me from the intermatic site, ... | |
| powering a 110 outlet from a 220 source | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: I have a 220 dedicated line feeding a 3 hp motor on a shop dust collector in our basement. Because ... A: If you can start the collector from any tool in the shop, you mean you have aux contacts on the ... | |
| Multispeed Ceiling Fan with Light | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: I was replacing the light system on the 3 speed reversing fan, but when I was disconnecting the ... A: Alll the wires on but the light wires and the hot gray? Do I have that right? If so remember this, ... | |
| Multispeed Ceiling Fan with Light | 4/11/2009 |
| Q: I was replacing the light system on the 3 speed reversing fan, but when I was disconnecting the ... A: I thought you dropped the two wire light, what happened did it rip the rest loose too? Yu sound ... | |
| electric power tool | 4/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a Delta model 14-650 Hollow Chisel Mortiser. It has a 1/2 Hp 1725 RPM motor. Can I attach a ... A: I sent a really long answer on this last week Mark. Ok first, if it is single phase the existing ... | |
| Replacing wires on thermostat | 4/9/2009 |
| Q: I'm replacing my thermostat and the wires are too short and damaged from previous installation (I've ... A: Sure you can replace them, if you have a way to fish a new set of them down from the stat to the ... | |
| Do I really need 200 amps? | 4/8/2009 |
| Q: I have a house built in the late 50's and was told when I Bought it that i should upgrade from 100 ... A: It is complicated and it would seem you could add up the number of spaces and if it added to 100 it ... | |
| Do I really need 200 amps? | 4/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a house built in the late 50's and was told when I Bought it that i should upgrade from 100 ... A: Shuan, I know it can run big bucks to upgrade, but a hot tub will draw some serious current, and ... | |
| magnetek power center 6300a | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I need a wiring diagram for a Magnetek 45 amp model 6300a power converter. I need a wiring diagram ... A: Firs thing I found was this: ... | |
| my power in my house keeps triping | 4/2/2009 |
| Q: I live in India so I’m not surprised that I have finally got an electricity issue, however it sounds ... A: sketch me a little drawing in paint or something and describe a trip switch, just draw a house a ... | |
| Outdoor TV Antenna | 3/31/2009 |
| Q: I live at the highest elevation between my house and the TV transmission towers. Therefore, I get ... A: Christian, take a look at the following links, tall with lightning is of some value but it is ... | |
| 4 to 3 prong stove recep | 3/29/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3 prong stove and the wiring in my house has a red, black,white and the ground wire. I see ... A: Oh I see I didn't read your note close enough, the problem is your existing recept has three wires ... | |
| 4 to 3 prong stove recep | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: I have a 3 prong stove and the wiring in my house has a red, black,white and the ground wire. I see ... A: The extra wire is green ground, goes to frame or chassis, it is the same as neutral but not off the ... | |
| blower motor for heat pump | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a new blower motor for my heating system. I installed it. I wired the black and ... A: I should have said squirrel cage type fan which is what it sounds like, a flat fan is called an ... | |
| blower motor for heat pump | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: I recently bought a new blower motor for my heating system. I installed it. I wired the black and ... A: It sounds like either you or the manufacturer wired it wrong, if it is dual voltage, I would think ... | |
| Go for 3 phsase? | 3/23/2009 |
| Q: I was a Physics major in college, but while I may understand electric power on a theory basis, ... A: I understand, have you written to the state? Write to your senators and tell them the problem, it ... | |
| motor repair | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: repairing electric motor on sears direct drive table saw model 113-241680 motor #62855. After 30 ... A: Is yours the plastic case model or total metal frame? Guess it really doesn't matter, we have had a ... | |
| Neutral wirings heating up | 3/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a house that is only 4 years old. I have been in it 2 yrs. We have always has lights flicker ... A: Dave, What a report! You have revived my entire faith in the human race. Not that everyone who ... | |
| whole house fan wiring | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I have an older Emerson whole house fan model SA55NXFGS-4781 that I am attempting to repair/rewire. ... A: Green is ground? Leaving three leads? See any capacitors? It is obviously either connected for ... | |
| whole house fan wiring | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: I have an older Emerson whole house fan model SA55NXFGS-4781 that I am attempting to repair/rewire. ... A: This fan is just a motor with a pulley and belt or a fan on the shaft. So you are dealing with a ... | |
| weak voltage on range outlet | 3/18/2009 |
| Q: My range quit working (nothing works) and I'm trying to figure out why. I've checked the terminal ... A: open wire, bad breaker, lose ground in the main entrance, something went open, you measured ... | |
| electrical cord for pendant light | 3/17/2009 |
| Q: We bought a pendant light that is only 4ft. long, but with our high ceilings we need it to be 7ft. ... A: You did good, a molded plug is like the sleeving on the cord now, but molded into a plug that goes ... | |
| electrical cord for pendant light | 3/16/2009 |
| Q: We bought a pendant light that is only 4ft. long, but with our high ceilings we need it to be 7ft. ... A: Sure, it will take some searching, and then we need to find minimum amounts, you did say 7 ft from 4 ... | |
| wiring for ceiling fan pull switch | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: Have a ceiling fan (don't know brand) that needs 4 way (3 speeds and off)switch replaced. Took ... A: You are going to have to find out the model. Without a print, or someone at the factory to help with ... | |
| Motion Sensor Lighting | 3/14/2009 |
| Q: I have an outdoor motion sensor light which is hard wired to the house power(no switch). This light ... A: Dave. These lights will drive you nuts if you are not careful. On the light itself should be a set ... | |
| 60hz powering 50hz light ballasts | 3/12/2009 |
| Q: I purchased ELT 600 watt, 230v, ballasts to run Philips 220v 600w Son-t lights. The ballasts are 50 ... A: Bill, Good question and good for you for checking, I get questions from all over the world, and can ... | |
| 200v welder | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: i found a good deal on a miller econotig welder but it is a 200volt input not 240 like my plug at ... A: http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/safety/quick_eng_200704.pdf http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/ ... | |
| 200v welder | 3/10/2009 |
| Q: i found a good deal on a miller econotig welder but it is a 200volt input not 240 like my plug at ... A: ODD 200 volt, what is the cycle or frequency rating? You could step down, but that is an expensive ... | |
| ceiling fan buzz | 3/9/2009 |
| Q: I have a Harbor Breeze ceiling fan/light. It was there when we moved in, so I'm guessing it is a ... A: So far you have done the right things, eleminating the possible loose screws or hardware, if any to ... | |
| cap start cap run 220v 5hp motor | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: could you direct me to a site where i could get a diagram of the internal connections of these ... A: If the caps are wired up, the rest should not be real hard to figure out, the electo is a run cap, ... | |
| dryer not hot enough, 220v issue? | 3/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a kitchen aid dryer that has me and the repairman stumped. The dryer gets hot, blows fine, ... A: Lyn, this dryer is how old? It worked before, then suddenly would not dry? You loaded it up and ... | |
| 220v compressor switch | 3/3/2009 |
| Q: I Have a I've compressor with a 23 amp motor. It is currently hooked up to my fuse panel i am ... A: Mike, there are line voltage switches that will carry your 23 amps, a contactor is normally used, I ... | |
| low voltage | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a frigeration unit, along with lights and fans, 600 feet away from PG&E 15k transformer, the ... A: NO, to run a longer distance you want HIGHER VOLTAGE< like it is on the highway high voltage poles, ... | |
| SMOKE DETECTORS | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: I came home from work and all the smoke detectors were going off. No fire/smoke any were. Through ... A: Yes, make sure the backup batteries are good if equipped, second if they are tied together, the one ... | |
| 208V versus 220V | 2/21/2009 |
| Q: Will an A/C unit run OK on 208V when its suppose to be wired for 220/240V. I have been told it will ... A: Jeff, the "rule of thumb" is plus or minus 10%, as far as the compressor and or condenser fan. Is ... | |
| Several dead outlets | 2/20/2009 |
| Q: My outside xmas lights were on, someone plugged in a hair drayer in the bathroom. They and one ... A: Ron, I think you have a tripped GFCI, I have had these questions dozens of times, and found GFCIs ... | |
| electrical wire connection for bathroom light | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I recently installed a recess light in my bathroom. I took the power from another existing light in ... A: Nestor, I would say to put things back to the way they were until you figure out why a light ... | |
| 2 stage air compressor wiring | 2/17/2009 |
| Q: Greetings, I have a used 2 stage compressor, it is light green,15hp Uniclosed 3 phase motor. A ... A: Andrew, Slow down. A three phase motor that has three leads, can be any color or combination it ... | |
| synchronizing blower fan on furnace with 3 speed ceiling fan. | 2/16/2009 |
| Q: can i connect furnace blower fan to my lowest speed on my ceiling fan motor so both turn on and off ... A: Charlie, it is possible, but not economical in most cases. To start two motors with one switch you ... | |
| Installing new electric baseboard heaters | 2/14/2009 |
| Q: We are revamping a 1978 built house. My hubby changed out a 6'bb heater ( the old one worked fine / ... A: Wow I can't tell if some controls are line level and some are contactor type, I think you are ... | |
| Light switch only turns off when in "middle" position | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: I have a light switch that will only turn off if I put the switch exactly halfway between "on" and ... A: Jonathan, Is there an outside chance this is a three way? Or on the lamp? If so let me know. If it ... | |
| treadmil | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: i have a new treadmil that trips the afci breaker when first turned on but works fine after reset A: The treadmill is most likely powered by a DC motor. The AFCI is designed to detect non continual ... | |
| electrical stove installation | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: hope i am not wasting your time with a question already asked... here goes... i have a need to ... A: I would think there would be at least a special order 110 volt stove, but it would be an expensive ... | |
| Power Consumption | 12/14/2008 |
| Q: I live in a small one room studio apartment. I have a G.E. electrical window mounted A.C./heating ... A: Excellent, excellent question. If more were thinking like you are thinking we could quit worrying ... | |
| Testing a 220 outlet | 12/10/2008 |
| Q: How do I test a 220 outlet for a dryer? It has power but stopped heating. I've confirmed the ... A: Linda, if you have to ask how to test for 220 volts, you should not be doing it. But what you do is ... | |
| spa pump 220v 50 hz 2 speed | 12/8/2008 |
| Q: I am replacing a my old spa pump & motor that is 220v single phase 60 hz with one that was given to ... A: I don't know hat these tubes are, are they plumbing or electrical jackets? Anyway motor for motor, ... | |
| spa pump 220v 50 hz 2 speed | 12/7/2008 |
| Q: I am replacing a my old spa pump & motor that is 220v single phase 60 hz with one that was given to ... A: The new motor, two speed is 50 Hertz, so depending on the nameplate speed when you apply 60 to it, ... | |
| Space HEater / Melted Wires in Wall | 12/6/2008 |
| Q: I just purchased a faux fireplace and ran it for about three days. The outlet I plugged it in to ... A: You were NOT lucky the breaker never popped, it should have popped before all this chaos. It needs ... | |
| replacement pcs for fuse box | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a house built in 1958. We have had a copper piece break off the black box that buddies up two ... A: Becca, you can't just purchase a new style fuse holder and replace the old? Ebay would be my guess, ... | |
| GFCI | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: I was going to install a GFCI in a bathroom where a standard outlet was. I pulled off the old ... A: Pat that is a long explanation, longer than we have time for here. The outlet you picked is in ... | |
| fans | 11/30/2008 |
| Q: Can you change a large warehouse type three phase fan to 110? It is a large Patterson fan that was ... A: Quite possibly, I need to know the motor or power requirements of the fan. Is it three phase, what ... | |
| Control panel for Steam Shower | 11/29/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a steam shower from Wasauna. 220 power and hook up was done by a licensed electrician. ... A: Henry, I understand all the various types of touch control, there are some that use the human ... | |
| partial power loss | 11/28/2008 |
| Q: Last night the power to half of my house went. It is not localized to one spot. Apparently it took ... A: Dawn, The dishwasher may be on a GFCI, have you looked for and checked every GFCI on every outlet, ... | |
| taco pump | 11/27/2008 |
| Q: i recently added a second zone to my boiler,i have a taco model 007-F5 circulator pump,and a taco ... A: Is this a commercial or residential issue? I am happy to help individuals, sometimes really small ... | |
| Control panel for Steam Shower | 11/26/2008 |
| Q: I purchased a steam shower from Wasauna. 220 power and hook up was done by a licensed electrician. ... A: Henry, First let's do this. I hear or read the word nightmare and know we have a very upset person. ... | |
| Why do lights flicker and burn out | 11/24/2008 |
| Q: For awhile now i have had some lights in my house flicker and bulbs burning out . Now i have lost ... A: Many things, first I need more history, for a while now, is what? This suddenly happened? Sounds ... | |
| 240 volt wiring | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: Is there any way to convert the standard hot, hot, neutral, ground 240 single phase wiring to ... A: Greg, Unfortunately no neutral is ground and it is not another phase, it is a nightmare someone ... | |
| wall outlet power failure | 11/22/2008 |
| Q: For no reason we can identify, five wall outlets, on opposite sides of the house, have failed at the ... A: James, Help me understand your question. You have suddenly 5 duplex outlets that do not work on ... | |
| wiring hook up for my wall furnace heater | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: everything seems to hooked up already except one wiring coming out of the thermo from the top is ... A: Vegas, you got to be more complete in your description, we don't know what all these heaters look ... | |
| Purchasing a Generator | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I want to purchase an emergency generator to run the pump for our well water. It's a 1-1/2 ... A: 1.5 HP depends on the voltage, but here are the formulas: 1.5 hp single phase 115 volts 20 amps ... | |
| connecting 230 v 4 wire load to 230 v 3 wire motor | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: I recently added a 230 v circuit to my shop in anticipation of converting my table saw motor. The ... A: Scott, the four wire is the new way of getting a chassis ground to an appliance that used to be ... | |
| Wires from house to utility pole | 11/15/2008 |
| Q: From the corner of my house I have 3 wires connecting to the utility pole. The wires look slightly ... A: Kevin, The City I doubt will have anything to do with the utility lines, it will be whomever you ... | |
| Can I use 14-3 | 11/13/2008 |
| Q: I've started replacing wire in my home to upgrade the old fuse box with no ground. In doing so, I've ... A: Codes are good because it keeps people from cheating customers, all the good reasons, and then there ... | |
| Breaker blowing at pool | 11/12/2008 |
| Q: Ok I recently started helping a buddy take care of his in ground pool because he has no idea what he ... A: Tom, Look on all three devices, get the amperage rating of each, write me back at ... | |
| single phase versus 3 phase air conditioning | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: My sons house has 230v 3 phase power to it. It has one 3 phase air conditioner in it, and one ... A: Don, First thing you need to do is call your utility and find out what they are charging you, and a ... | |
| Remote Switch Dimmer Modification | 11/10/2008 |
| Q: Do you have any idea how I can modify the light dimming feature on a Hampton Bay Wireless Ceiling ... A: That is a good question. I know where you want to go, and don't want the in between. have you ... | |
| esb avalon16 residential tanning bed electrical help | 11/7/2008 |
| Q: We have a esb avalon16 bed that has always worked great but now shuts off automatically every couple ... A: Why are you using a surge protector on a tanning bed, does it call for a gfci or surge protector? ... | |
| how to rewire a ceiling fan switch | 11/5/2008 |
| Q: The pull chain in my ceiling fan (the one that controls the fan speed) pulled completely out of the ... A: The switch location options should mean nothing, L stands for line or the incoming switch leg just ... | |
| romex connector | 11/4/2008 |
| Q: I just had my home inspected and the inspector told me I need to have the romex in a connector for ... A: Wendy, First why did you have an inspector out to your house? Is there something going on that ... | |
| wiring a saw | 11/3/2008 |
| Q: I have a 3hp, single phase, 230V, 13A table saw and need to "hardwire" it. They recommend using a ... A: Instead of writing out all the parameters, below is a link should be 6 pages which gives you all the ... | |
| Capacitor in DC motor | 10/4/2008 |
| Q: I have a 12V DC shurflo pump,which quit working. on checking I found motor will run if I give the ... A: Bill, Why do you assume this capacitor is shot? Is it open? It is probably a noise suppression ... | |
| Purchase from US | 6/26/2008 |
| Q: I am from England and I am thinking of purchasing an electrical item from the US. The item is some ... A: Steve you will first need to contact the manufacturer of the equipment with model and serial, and ... | |
| hot water heater element wiring | 6/24/2008 |
| Q: I need to wire up a 240v hot water heater element for a project I am working on. The element is U ... A: Aaron, Your element if taken from a 240 volt tank, is simply a resistive load, designed to produce ... | |
| Lighting Problem | 6/22/2008 |
| Q: I was putting up drywall ceiling, and the person helping me lift cut the wires to a light fixture. ... A: Amber, These questions are so hard to answer using this format, too much history needs to be ... | |
| Electrical Surge felt in the Shower (Shower Mixer) | 6/17/2008 |
| Q: Please can you help me. When I open the Water in Shower via the Shower Mixer (Tap) I feel electrical ... A: is this s anew issue, suddenly started happening, does the electician feel the surge? Put a volt ... | |
| How to replace the transformer for Rainbird Controller | 6/16/2008 |
| Q: I am an absolute newbie and recently, my Rainbird Controller for the Sprinkler system went dead. So ... A: OK first things first, I have no idea how the controller is wired in, is it plugged in, hard wired? ... | |
| Ceiling Fan sound | 6/15/2008 |
| Q: The metal piece which the blades are attached to are rubbing against the metal which the light ... A: New fan? New light kit? Was is working properly prior to this rubbing problem? It sounds like the ... | |
| 3-phase inverter tripping GFI | 6/14/2008 |
| Q: I just got a new woodworking lathe Jet jwl 1642 evs if you want to look up the specs. The lathe has ... A: I don't know what Jet uses for an inverter and even with their specs it don't tell me anything. I ... | |
| electrical surges | 6/12/2008 |
| Q: I'm having some type of power surge or something. When I turn on our washer in the garage the tv ... A: Kenny, you got a something not a surge, and it needs to b e dealt with ASAP as this low voltage ... | |
| European 3 Phase (380V-I think) to 1 Phase 220V | 6/7/2008 |
| Q: In Europe, Installing Oven and Electric hot-plate (stove top) in the home. Stovetop is three Phase ... A: YOu got a question I will tell you upfront, I have no idea what all the wiring is in a particular ... | |
| table saw with 3 phase motor/how to run on residential 220 | 6/2/2008 |
| Q: I purchased an old Powermatic table saw with 2 HP motor, found out it is 3 phase. How do I make this ... A: You will have to purchase a single to three phase converter, which is known as a converter/VFD, the ... | |
| Capacitor test | 5/31/2008 |
| Q: In my home air conditioning unit, the fan motor stopped while the compressor was still running. I ... A: A capacitor tester is the only known way of testing a cap, a Simpson PSM-4 I am not familiar with, ... | |
| hot attic fan control | 5/30/2008 |
| Q: We have a attic fan in our home. Tonight I noticed the rotary type dimmer control and cover plate ... A: Rotary type switch, dimmer type switch? Is it at timer or speed control? Does it have steps or ... | |
| lighting | 5/25/2008 |
| Q: all of my lights seemed to be wired for dimmer switches, that are not installed anywhere in the ... A: Ayoung, The reason your lights "seem" to be wired for dimmers [there is really no such wiring ... | |
| 24 volt trolling motor | 5/24/2008 |
| Q: I have two batteries 12 volts, how do I hook them up for my 24 volt trolling motor A: Mark, to get 24 volts, you need a jumper [the size is determined by the amp rating of the motor, ... | |
| home wiring problems | 5/23/2008 |
| Q: The lights in 3 rooms in our house are not working. They are all on the same fuse/breaker in the ... A: Margo, Did you replace the lamps with the energy saving florescent type lamps? They are usually ... | |
| Re-Wiring Delta Table Saw Motor | 5/17/2008 |
| Q: I recently purchased a Delta 10" table saw, and would like to re-wire it to 230v. The diagram ... A: Mike it is confusing, these damn manufacturer's don't seem to know themselves. Let me give you the ... | |
| 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, probably, know what the amperage is? You can get a single to three phase converter and ... | |
| wiring a converted 110v / 220v | 5/13/2008 |
| Q: I have a compressor that was 110v then converted to 220v and now want to convert it back to 110v . ... A: Johnny, Do NOT SIMPLY CHANGE THE PLUG< the motor needs to be reconnected externally so it accepts ... | |
| 3 phase and 220 volt question | 3/12/2008 |
| Q: My barn has 3 phase service, with 110 and 220 volt outlets. I have a new 220 volt welder and needed ... A: Mike, that is really odd, I have a friend who was an expert on here for years and still helps for ... | |
| Humming Sound from restaurant next door | 3/11/2008 |
| Q: I have a business next to a restaurant. I hear a loud humming sound. It sounds like it comes ... A: It could be the fan, and the reason there is a humming sound could be that something within the ... | |
| no power to thermostat | 3/9/2008 |
| Q: I installed a new digital thermostat yesterday. It did not work, so I reinstalled the old one. Now ... A: Tina, still no power? Can you find a voltmeter to borrow? something to prove we have no power? Any ... | |
| SInger Sewing Machine 220v conversion to 110v | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: Will, I purchased a Singer model 222k from England with a 220v motor and foot controller. Can I ... A: If I recall the sewing machine issue, they replaced it with a new one and resolved the issue. If ... | |
| Electrical | 3/2/2008 |
| Q: What are the dangers of having loose wiring? A: Specifics: What kind of loose wiring? Connections? Loose from anchors? I will assume you mean ... | |
| Hardwiring a Microwave? | 2/29/2008 |
| Q: I bought a new over the range micro/convection oven with a 110v plug. The previous fan/light hood ... A: Well actually either could be the problem. Can you gt a clamp on around the conductors and see what ... | |
| Help? | 2/28/2008 |
| Q: My eletricity bill has gone over $200.00 any tips to lower it? A: Michelle, sure there are ways to lower it and gas bills. Without getting into your life style to ... | |
| light, thermostat, and switch | 2/22/2008 |
| Q: my daughter is making a incubator. To heat the incubator, she is going to install a 100 watt light ... A: Mary, Quite the project. First thing I would do is go visit a pet store or breeder and see how they ... | |
| MAYTAG NEPTUNE ELECTRIC DRYER WIRING | 2/21/2008 |
| Q: I just bought a Maytag Neptune electric dryer to replace a gas dryer that was making too much noise. ... A: William, Is it too late to exchange it? There is NO reason a gas dryer would emit more noise than a ... | |
| 110v to 220v | 2/18/2008 |
| Q: Is it possible to convert a 110v ceiling fan to 220v for use in Asia? I'm interested in the Minka ... A: If there is room to mount it, a 220 to 110 transformer could be placed in front of it, in the body ... | |
| Buzzing electrical box | 2/17/2008 |
| Q: I just installed 4 new outlets in my garage, and when i plug in two space heaters my electrical box ... A: you do understand what I mean by cycle the heaters? Turn one on for a few hours then the other, you ... | |
| wiring | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: was using a space heater in the hallway and the bedroom, both outlets stopped working. I checked the ... A: Are the outlets new? I have observed many times when the tab was not removed from the side of the ... | |
| Voltage Differences | 2/14/2008 |
| Q: My Old Hot Water Heater Uses A 60 Amp Breaker That Runs At 240 Volts I Am Looking At A New Heater ... A: Interesting, most older stuff is rated 220 and most new is rated 240. The difference is the heaters ... | |
| Pool-pump | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: I have a 2HP pool pump (230V) and i like to buy a variable speed control for this motor. It is ... A: Nice complete answer that helps me help you. There are no variable speed motor controls as the ... | |
| Dayton G73 | 2/11/2008 |
| Q: Just had the unit installed by an electrician, unit goes on and off continually every 3 minutes A: My first guess is that it has an internal thermal device in line, and the motor is getting too hot. ... | |
| Electrical wiring through an inactive gas pipe | 2/10/2008 |
| Q: The original builder of my house installed very elegant exterior gas lights. The gas lights required ... A: Gary, I am having trouble picturing what and where these fixtures are, it takes a long ladder to ... | |
| Generator | 2/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a friend who has a 6000w generator/welder with a 3 prong 240 outlet on it and he would like ... A: The 4 wire receptacle consists of two hots, 1 neutral, and 1 equipment ground. The ground slot ... | |
| Incandecent Buzzing | 1/31/2008 |
| Q: I had a question regarding a couple of torchiere lamps i bought at home depot which use a three way ... A: Peter put the torch bulb in the hanging, and put the hanging in the torch, see if the bulbs make any ... | |
| elect | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: What would really happen to me if the old proverbial radio falls into the bathtub. A: Doug, It depends on many things. Check out a few of these sites for some information: ... | |
| Century Electric Motor Wiring Connections | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: Will - I was wondering if you can assist me with determining the proper wiring connections for an ... A: bud, Nice job and thank you for the kind words, if you get a chance how did it finally connect and ... | |
| fan dimmer | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: i opened up a new fan dimmer. i thought it to be a potentiometer but found something else. i know ... A: Ali, Pretty good questions and many have not been as complete as you have in your research. First ... | |
| furnace 2 spd blower | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: Will, my question is this. I would like to wire a 2spd blower motor on an oil furnace w/ air ... A: You will have to do some research, I did, when my gas Trane box shot craps and not one to be had for ... | |
| furnace 2 spd blower | 1/17/2008 |
| Q: Will, my question is this. I would like to wire a 2spd blower motor on an oil furnace w/ air ... A: Yes I see the problem, most of the time a two or three speed furnace motor has a common, and then ... | |
| Tracking a Hot wire through ceiling | 1/16/2008 |
| Q: I would like to know are there any sesors/meters which will give a Beep or needle movement when you ... A: Yes there are meters that do that, most commonly called tick tracers, come in all kinds of prices ... | |
| Furnace Motor Replacement-Adding Capacitor | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 30 year old Payne Furnace in which the motor bearings failed. The original motor had no ... A: Ok, well it is working, but the cap case should not allow a shock to the frame, even metal cap to ... | |
| 115V 48A? | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: I have recently put a hydraulic car lift in my garage, and installed a new subpanel in the garage. ... A: Chris, Interesting, so far I see nothing you did wrong, but one thing bothers me. Rule of thumb for ... | |
| Oven Element Wiring | 12/18/2007 |
| Q: )! But... in the process I damaged the red plastic cover on the wire coming from behind the oven, ... A: I can't see what was showing as far as fuzzy insolation, the black tape if pushed back behind the ... | |
| Furnace Motor Replacement-Adding Capacitor | 12/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a 30 year old Payne Furnace in which the motor bearings failed. The original motor had no ... A: Ok you put in a new motor and capacitor, in your furnace. With the capacitor mounted to the frame of ... | |
| 4-prong generator outlet and 3-prong recepticle on house | 12/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a problem with hooking up a generator to my house. I know you'll ask, so I'll tell you now: ... A: Guy, IF you look back over dryer four wire instructions there are several comments and answers. ... | |
| noise from sauna contactor | 12/15/2007 |
| Q: Babbitt, I recently installed a new 6kw Finlandia sauna heater and after replacing the sauna ... A: Marke, The contactor was replaced for the second time, and at the end of the question you ask if it ... | |
| home generator | 12/12/2007 |
| Q: Not sure if this makes sense or not but.....I recently did a home addition and had the electrician ... A: yes I understand, her is the things that you need to consider. First the interface from the ... | |
| nichrome heating elements | 12/10/2007 |
| Q: will, so, i hope this is within your realm of knowledge, its kinda out there, so i'm gonna take a ... A: Daniel, Sorry to hear you are not getting help from this site like you would want, I really have ... | |
| cable cealing heat repair | 12/8/2007 |
| Q: I have cable ceiling heat that has one exposed broken wire. It is on a loop at the end of the zone ... A: Monte, I strongly suggest you find a local electrical firm familiar with this type heating. The ... | |
| European in the USA | 12/7/2007 |
| Q: I need to purchase a machine in europe for use in the USA. It has a small motor and infrared ... A: I am not sure what you mean by one prong and two prongs, but if you bring a 50 hertz machine and ... | |
| wiring home theater/ through wall | 12/5/2007 |
| Q: Do you know where to get a hole cover, rubber maybe, that is perferated so you can stick wires ... A: Ken, I know what you mean. I was looking around the other day for some online stuff, where to get ... | |
| ongoing motor conversation | 12/3/2007 |
| Q: will, thanks for your help. i think i'll be going back to this service call on monday- the one ... A: You got it perfectly. the reason it won't run if just the run windings are energized is that there ... | |
| 220v dryer receptacles | 12/2/2007 |
| Q: I have an existing 220v receptacle for my dryer. This receptacle is a home run from the panel. Can I ... A: You did the correct thing.....ask......and you could not have said it better! none of us are really ... | |
| single phase reversable motor | 12/1/2007 |
| Q: am a residential electrician. recently had a service call to replace the switch for a pool cover ... A: It is a lot, and there are son many possible combinations I can only attempt to give you options to ... | |
| Plug Type for Motor Amps | 11/30/2007 |
| Q: I bought a JET planer, model JWP-15DX with a 3hp, single-phase, 230V, 11 amp, motor. The chord came ... A: Basically the NEC says everything feeding and protecting the motor shall be a min of 125% of the ... | |
| Smoke Detector junction Box Chirpping | 11/28/2007 |
| Q: My home's smoke detector Junction box is chirping about every 2 minutes and will NOT stop. (Very ... A: Not a problem and we would have went there next, do verify the breaker is labeled correctly. You ... | |
| Clothes dryer outlet in an older home... | 11/27/2007 |
| Q: ..older home has a 110 outlet for a clothes dryer, despite most current-day clothes dryers requiring ... A: Julie, Your 220 dryer needs a 220 source, there is no good solution, other than to run a dedicated ... | |
| question about wire I have | 11/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a whole bunch of this wire that I don't know what it is used for. Can you tell me what kind ... A: It is worth something and depending on the pounds, A LOT. Even wire with insulation on it is worth ... | |
| Pot lights/recessed lights | 11/23/2007 |
| Q: We recently finished our basement and installed pot lighting in our ceilings. A standard kit from ... A: How many cans on each circuit? what sixe wiring to the cans? How far is the wiring run? Something ... | |
| capitor charged water circulator motor | 11/22/2007 |
| Q: my wood fired furnace has a capator charged circulator; about 1/6hp-and yet a 3,500 watt generator ... A: Mark, I am trying to get the jest of what you are needing to know. You have a 3,500 watt backup or ... | |
| 12 volt light | 11/21/2007 |
| Q: Wanted to buy a light for hunting at night. Plenty of lights out there, but none that I wanted, so ... A: No the amperage of the whole circuit and the wattage of the lights. Example the 2 mil power lights ... | |
| motion light | 11/20/2007 |
| Q: I recently installed a motion light for a friend. He says it stays on very dim untill it senses ... A: You took 50 feet of 12/2 to this motion light and it is tapped off a junction where an attic switch ... | |
| motion light | 11/20/2007 |
| Q: I recently installed a motion light for a friend. He says it stays on very dim untill it senses ... A: First of all "motion sensors do not sense motion, but the heat generated by that motion. There is ... | |
| furnace cuicut breaker keeps tripping | 11/18/2007 |
| Q: What do we need to do what is causing this, It is getting HOT!! its not even winter year. Please ... A: Mrs Lipski, the problem is resolved? What was the cure? If nothing is hot there is a good chance ... | |
| Plasma TV | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: Recently purchased a new TV after moving into a new apartment. Had the cable activated and hooked ... A: http://smr-home-theatre.org/Ground-Loops/ A bit in depth but read it. I experience arcing also when ... | |
| motion sensor lighting | 11/16/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 of them. Suddenly, they all stay on all the time, whether it's dark or daylight. If I ... A: Has the temperature outside changed dramatically just before this started? There should be TWO ... | |
| Dishwasher Electricity | 11/15/2007 |
| Q: The problem is with my dishwasher electricity. My dishwasher worked fine last week, but this past ... A: Candi, Hope the old dish washer was old, this an extreme test procedure to find out if power is ... | |
| 230 volt | 11/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2hp air compressor. It is 230 volts, 12 amp, 60hz, max amb 40, phase 1, with an ac motor. ... A: If the motor is dual voltage and has a connection diagram to 115, sure you can switch it to run on ... | |
| outlets not working | 11/11/2007 |
| Q: The girls were blowdyring their hair and then all the outlets in the bathrooms do not work. I tried ... A: Ian, All outlets were working and suddenly when using hair dryers, either out of the ordinary ... | |
| outlets not working | 11/10/2007 |
| Q: The girls were blowdyring their hair and then all the outlets in the bathrooms do not work. I tried ... A: Blow drying...............I got it and maybe with more than one blow dryer? Ok some where on one of ... | |
| Theoretical Question about LED | 11/5/2007 |
| Q: We are in the planning stages our 'green dream home' and... I know that LED lights are virtually ... A: Actually you pose a good question, and you say light emitting diodes consume less energy than other ... | |
| outlet | 11/3/2007 |
| Q: i have two outlets in my kitchen that are on a circuit breaker together. one out let ... A: Is the non working outlet in parallel or follow the one that does? I would check it to see if it is ... | |
| Electrical socket | 10/31/2007 |
| Q: When I went to open my deep freezer, I noticed that it was not freezing. I unplugged it and plugged ... A: Michael, No power to just ONE outlet? is it duplex, one on top of the other? Total of one plate ... | |
| Can you help finish this? | 10/30/2007 |
| Q: I was working with Don on this and he had to leave and said you may be able to help me finish (I've ... A: Unfortunately we are in a circle, as there are no answers to that question without knowing what and ... | |
| Microwave Shorting | 10/29/2007 |
| Q: My microwave and oven are on the main kitchen circuit - however, recently my hood microwave has been ... A: Christina, the microwave and the totally electric oven short out? What do you mean short out? Both ... | |
| Electrical repair | 10/28/2007 |
| Q: Just recently I purchased a foot massager in Japan and was very excited about it, in my excitement I ... A: Saurabhi, Sure it can be repaired, the problem will be if it is worth it to you. You mi9ght try ... | |
| well pump wire | 10/27/2007 |
| Q: What size wire do i need for a 240 volt 20 amp well pump. total distance from panel to pump is 800 ... A: Chris, I am tied up tonight and will put some work into this tomorrow. If you need a really quick ... | |
| ELECTRICAL QSNS | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: An electrical contractor has connected all the lighting on one phase, all single phase motors on one ... A: How are things going with this division of same devices? Any problems? Lights dimming, anything at ... | |
| Humming noise through the cordless phones | 10/26/2007 |
| Q: I am having a feedback noise come through my cordless phone. It has been pined to my Jacuzzi Hot Tub ... A: Get yourself a filter, like a DSL filter that seperates data from voice. You can get them at ... | |
| Jacuzzi tub not working | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a small Jacuzzi tub in the bathroom and it was working fine until now. we are in the process ... A: Corina, First check that all connections to this thing are still intact, check the breaker that the ... | |
| vanity lighting | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: The light fixture above my bathroom vanity will not turn on with the wall switch. The bulbs are ... A: Cyndi, Is it switched from the wall? Have you checked the switch? Unusual that a light would quit. ... | |
| electrical chirp - not smoke alarm | 10/25/2007 |
| Q: have been experiencing a chirp (similar to the sound of the smoke alarm) coming from my junction box ... A: Can you remove the smoke detector completely? Some have not only the 9 volt battery but a small ... | |
| Bathroom lights | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: I have an older house with older wiring. In the bathroom there are four separate lights controled by ... A: It could be many things, It may be that there is a ground in that circuit somewhere, if you have the ... | |
| Low generator output | 10/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a John Deere 550 ge generator, about 6 years old used very little. Last year it started ... A: It started having issues with higher loads, higher than before or just not doing what it used to do? ... | |
| Replacing Cord Cover | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: Will, I purchased a 1950s era pull-down ceiling light and the cord cover is frayed. Can this be ... A: Jan, If you are handy with tools and cords, and have some knowledge of electrical devices, it ... | |
| how many amps does a 3 hp motor need | 10/22/2007 |
| Q: i am thinking about buying a Powermatic Model 66 Table Saw with a 3 HP motor. How many amps will ... A: 3HP and the speed, plus the effeciency, plus the ACTUAL VOLTAGE applied to the motor will determine ... | |
| 110 vs 220 for steam sauna shower unit | 10/19/2007 |
| Q: Two suppliers of almost identical sauna steam shower units that sell for over $2,500. One used two ... A: Frank, Don't you just love the sales twists that people use? I do not like businesses that cut ... | |
| 3 way & 4 way switches | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: I replaced my 3 & 4 ways switches in my house. I took each wire out of the original switches and ... A: http://www.thecircuitdetective.com/ Try this site a very good self help step by step guide to find ... | |
| Humming Dimmers when they are turned off | 10/18/2007 |
| Q: When I remodeled the basement I added 6 recessed can lights which I wanted installed on 3 additional ... A: Trying to find a hum with the human ear is nearly impossible. Try removing the connections on ... | |
| Switch replacement-ceiling fan light kit | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: Tonight I tackled what should have been a simple process, replacing the pull-chain switch that ... A: ptrick, take the new switch and temp it in to the existing black lamp leads by using black on ... | |
| Humming Dimmers when they are turned off | 10/17/2007 |
| Q: When I remodeled the basement I added 6 recessed can lights which I wanted installed on 3 additional ... A: Brendan, Interesting. Maybe you just think they are off, maybe they are on the very lowest setting ... | |
| living room power problem | 10/16/2007 |
| Q: i live in boston, in an old apartment building and ive been trying to hook up my new lcd tv to my ... A: Sebastian, get what looked at and fixed? Sparks from cable outlets? are you telling me you see ... | |
| how to check for an arc fault in my home wiring | 10/15/2007 |
| Q: We recently bought an older (built in 57) house where the previous owner was nail crazy... he has ... A: Ryan, I don't do much with checking whole house wiring for cable faults, I know there are non ... | |
| pullchain for light in ceiling fan broken off | 10/14/2007 |
| Q: The pull-chain for the light part of my kitchen ceiling fan/light combo broke of at the source. ... A: Brad you propably wont be able to reattach a chain to the off on pull chain light switch, which is ... | |
| School Project | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I am attempting to help my son with what they call an electrical motorized clothesline. They have ... A: Use the scooter motor. the torque is good through the speed/torque curve and I am assuming it is a ... | |
| School Project | 10/13/2007 |
| Q: I am attempting to help my son with what they call an electrical motorized clothesline. They have ... A: Tracy, Glad to best I can. What kind of attic fan and what kind of transmission is going to be ... | |
| Outside motion light | 10/11/2007 |
| Q: I have checked bulbs - they are ok, checked the switch -it's ok, the motion detector blinks red - ... A: Remove all power from the device. Make sure the breaker or whatever is off to the device not just ... | |
| Outside motion light | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: I have checked bulbs - they are ok, checked the switch -it's ok, the motion detector blinks red - ... A: Do you have the bulbs that quit working? If so see if they will work in something else. What is ... | |
| Outside motion light | 10/9/2007 |
| Q: I have checked bulbs - they are ok, checked the switch -it's ok, the motion detector blinks red - ... A: Ryszard, Are the bulbs within the tolerances of the motion detector? Not too big or too small? ... | |
| Bathroom Fan | 10/8/2007 |
| Q: What is the life expecectancy of a bathroom fan. My fan was installed about 5yrs ago and has become ... A: Beth, there is no exact time frame, it depends on make and model and number of hours used, humidity ... | |
| Bedroom light and outlet wiring | 10/5/2007 |
| Q: Will, I just bought a house built in 1964. The master bedroom has a ceiling fan which has the only ... A: Travis, What would be really easy is if there are two switched leads at the switch itself, total or ... | |
| Lightening strike 30 ft from home | 10/2/2007 |
| Q: On 8-27-07, Lightening hit a security light pole on the end of a 3 pole line, causing it to explode, ... A: Beverly, You have done a great job of taking down the needed data. It is impossible to say what ... | |
| Voltage loss 2 volt on each computer | 10/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a cyber cafe at home in which i have 12 computers. My UPS is giving 232 volt power supply ... A: Possibly, But if you are exact on the 2 volt drop on each PC, then the problem is not in the cable ... | |
| Voltage loss 2 volt on each computer | 9/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a cyber cafe at home in which i have 12 computers. My UPS is giving 232 volt power supply ... A: Ram, When an electrical load is connected to a supply there are many factors to be considered. If ... | |
| 208volt vs. 230volt pump | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 120/208 3phase 4 wire system. Can i run a single phase, 230v pool pump without causing long ... A: Darryl, You have a three phase 120/208 system. So you havea delta configuration on the secondary ... | |
| fluorescent lights | 9/25/2007 |
| Q: My overhead light worked fine until my A/C repair man hit the wrong circuit breaker and shut off the ... A: Tom, Coincidence or not, it sounds like the ballast is the issue. I can't see why cutting the power ... | |
| Sprinkler pump wiring | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a 1 1/2 horse pump pre-determined to be ready for 230v. I had to make room in my ... A: David, A ton of good questions, so lets start at the top. I have no idea if you did anything wrong ... | |
| one phase to three phase | 9/24/2007 |
| Q: We got one phase at home but bought a milling machine that needs three phase. How can I put to the ... A: Ansie, You need a single to three phase converter. There are static models and rotary models and ... | |
| wiring | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: I got an old 3 light auto traffic light signal at a sale to put in my den. It has a red black green ... A: Jack, You have the wiring connected correctly most likely. I know nothing of stop lights but they ... | |
| CEILING FAN LITE SOCKET | 9/23/2007 |
| Q: ARE CEILING FANS LIGHT SOCKET WILL HOLD THE BULB ONLY IF I PUT A TOOTH PICK BETWEEN THE BULB AND THE ... A: Rob, You mean you have to put a toothpick between the light bulb outside threads, and the socket ... | |
| wiring motor for lift | 9/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a dumbwaiter(lift) from one floor to the other At present it has a rope pulley to operate ... A: Very complex situation, you need a center off double pole double throw switch, with proximity ... | |
| light switch getting hot to the touch | 9/21/2007 |
| Q: A friend of mine told me that his light switches in his foyer and dining rooms start getting hot and ... A: Andy, You should sign up for this site, what else is there? It is obvious that hot swithes are ... | |
| ceiling fan & amp feedback | 9/19/2007 |
| Q: Don referred you for this one... I just installed a ceiling fan (black-blue-white-ground) to the ... A: Joe, the amp is on the same circuit as the fan and the amp is sending back emf into the line and ... | |
| Thermadore gas cooktop | 9/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a cooktop I'd like to reinstall it was hardwired and has tons of wires coming out of the ... A: Jennifer, The ignitors if contolled seperately from the bundle of wires should have continuity with ... | |
| electrical wire to short | 9/15/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing my dead Maytag dishwasher with a new Maytag dishwasher. However, the electrical box ... A: Heather you have a lot of good questions but you will have to explain YOUR situation in more detail. ... | |
| Hot Switch Plate Screws | 9/15/2007 |
| Q: What could the problem be with my dimmer switch when the screws holding the faceplate on is warm or ... A: cOULB BE INDUCTION INTO THE SCREWS FROM THE ELECTRO MAGNETIC FIELD CREATED BY THE DIMMER. THE FACE ... | |
| GFCI and Single Pole Switch to Leviton 6260M switch | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: Info: Just moved into a house and I'm not too sharp with electrical.... Washroom has a GFCI and a ... A: Pete, got ya, it could indeed use the white, the problem is that the directions could be written in ... | |
| wire 208 vt motor | 9/14/2007 |
| Q: Sir:i have a new air compressor i need to install in my garage.it has no cord/must be wired direct. ... A: 220 will have usually a red and white and black, you want the two hots, from the 220 dryer, no ... | |
| GFCI and Single Pole Switch to Leviton 6260M switch | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: Info: Just moved into a house and I'm not too sharp with electrical.... Washroom has a GFCI and a ... A: Leviton Blue to Hot Leviton Black to line conductor? Leviton White to nuetral if present Leviton ... | |
| Can you change a 220 outlet to 110? | 9/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a single outlet that has three holes--the big bottom one and two above it. Of the two above, ... A: depends on code and how close you need to stay to code. When you have 220 at an outlet it is ... | |
| GFCI and Single Pole Switch to Leviton 6260M switch | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: Info: Just moved into a house and I'm not too sharp with electrical.... Washroom has a GFCI and a ... A: Pete I shot you an answer on this, it did not get through to you, can you tell me what the four ... | |
| wire 208 vt motor | 9/12/2007 |
| Q: Sir:i have a new air compressor i need to install in my garage.it has no cord/must be wired direct. ... A: butch, You need a double pole breaker with two hots and one ground, what voltage is the dryer? ... | |
| wiring smoke detectors on dedicated circuit | 9/11/2007 |
| Q: I was reading that you suggested that the smoke detectors be put on a dedicated circuit but a (wac) ... A: Got ya. In Missouri we have a version of wac, it is titled wakko, which I am not sure exactly what ... | |
| Re: 3 Ceiling fans | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: Question I have (3) Quorum non-working combo light/ceiling fans located in different rooms.(Of ... A: Mike, Each fan has a light control and and fan control on the wall? What kind of control on the ... | |
| wiring smoke detectors on dedicated circuit | 9/10/2007 |
| Q: I was reading that you suggested that the smoke detectors be put on a dedicated circuit but a (wac) ... A: Matt, Didn't mean for my comments to read that way. i was not suggesting only stating that many are ... | |
| Intermittent power failure | 9/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a problem with several outlets in my upstairs including a three-way hall light. The upstairs ... A: The power goes off and then resets itself? Go switch the three ways and see if some combination of ... | |
| Ceiling fans | 9/7/2007 |
| Q: I have (3) Quorum non-working combo light/ceiling fans located in different rooms.(Of course made in ... A: Mike, Are you saying one of the running fans went pop and now all three fans are off? I would get ... | |
| ceiling fans hum | 9/6/2007 |
| Q: I tested three ceiling fans in my kitchen. Two of them were of the same model, and the third one ... A: Greg, How are you doing with the fans? i have been out of town for a funeral for several days. ... | |
| Res. Electrical problem I fear Is dangerous. | 9/5/2007 |
| Q: This I beleiev is linked to an event that occured when I noticed water coming through the jacket of ... A: Joseph, Well this is no good. I am going to give you my two cents and then refer you on to a very ... | |
| electric plugs | 9/4/2007 |
| Q: Why do the plugs on some of my appliances get hot? The house I live in was built in the 30's. A: David, How hot is hot? 100 degrees? 125 degrees? 80 degrees? It makes a difference, as some people ... | |
| 12V gate opener pre-permit education | 9/3/2007 |
| Q: I would like to add a 12V gate opener to a driveway gate. Some years ago I had (2) 1/2" PVC ... A: Matt, Pretty complex stuff, and very impressive, of course this is one of those things you will ... | |
| Wiring one light one switch from 12-3 wire | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: I wired a 3 way switch, that works fine to my bedroom. I wanted to add a seperate switch to the ... A: Bill, There are several ways to go at a three way switch, and no good way to put diagrams on here. ... | |
| trouble installation with motion sensor | 9/2/2007 |
| Q: I just installed the motion-sensor light outside. I follow the instruction by connecting the white ... A: Mike, it sounds like you did everything right. Were you replacing a failed light? There is ... | |
| Main Electrical Panel | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: A home inspector, for a real estate sale, wrote that 1) there was a missing cable connector at the ... A: John, I see your confusion, and have an opinion, but I would suggest this. Copy and paste your ... | |
| Refrigerator tripping GFCI in Garage | 9/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a GE Profile refrigerator in my garage. It had been operating fine for approximately 1 yr. ... A: Stephen, you have had a refrigerator on the GFCI for a year, and it never tripped until now. ... | |
| Window AC unit. | 8/31/2007 |
| Q: Is it safe to use an extension cord to power my window AC unit? A: Aaron, Great question! I can't speak to the particular cord or outlet you might use, but an ... | |
| moisture in my power outlet | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: is it from the outside or is the air conditioning causing it any help would be great. A: Ryan, the inside of the outlet in the wall is probably much warmer than the inside air right above ... | |
| Re: Ceiling Fan/Light combo humming | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: Will- I was referred to you by Don (from this site) because he wasn't able to help me. I installed ... A: Jodi, Fans, even if they do happen to work with a dimmer switch, should not be run with a dimmer. ... | |
| ceiling fans hum | 8/30/2007 |
| Q: I tested three ceiling fans in my kitchen. Two of them were of the same model, and the third one ... A: Greg, I don't think I over estimated at all, the diagnosis is even better this time. I can see now ... | |
| ceiling fans hum | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: I tested three ceiling fans in my kitchen. Two of them were of the same model, and the third one ... A: Greg, Interesting and a great job of explaining the question! I am hoping that experts one day get ... | |
| Whole house fan timer | 8/29/2007 |
| Q: This is sort of like the question about the high low switch, but different. I installed a whole ... A: Lyman, You are wanting a separate timer and then your choice of speeds? Sure just run the timer ... | |
| safely cutting a wire | 8/27/2007 |
| Q: We just bought a house that had a security system installed. All of the security consoles (the 3x4 ... A: David, I sent you and a very detailed answer on this question. Did you get my reply? I wonder if ... | |
| Megatesting three phase motors | 8/25/2007 |
| Q: When checking for insulation breakdown in a three phase motor with a megatester I assume each ... A: Daryl, One more thing, I should explain from just years of knowing motors. The emperical value is ... | |
| @@V Plug wiring | 8/23/2007 |
| Q: I am installing my old dryer (3 plug 220V) in my new house. The new outlett is a 4 plug 220V so I ... A: Mike, In the new house the four prong outlet should have had a separate ground wire, four wires to ... | |
| Fresh install of ceiling fan (no existing ceiling light) | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: I am thinking of installing a ceiling fan in my bedroom but there is no existing ceiling light. I ... A: Craig, Are you going to switch the fan or use the fan control cords? If no switch, just run the ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Wall Switch | 8/21/2007 |
| Q: Recently moved into house that is less than 5 years old which has ceiling fan w/light in great room, ... A: Don, What happened to the fans with light kits and two switches? Do we really need remote controls ... | |
| 2-speed swamp cooler motor | 8/20/2007 |
| Q: Recently my swamp cooler motor is acting up. It won't turn the fan on the low setting, though I can ... A: Bruce, What is a swamp cooler? Is it a window type air conditioner? It has a pump, is the pump a ... | |
| AC to DC transformer | 8/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a 6 volt DC(4 C batteries) clock.It has a receptacle for a 6 volt DC 100mA AC adaptor.I have ... A: Stephen, Good for you. I appreciate the fact you have looked for a resolution to a problem with the ... | |
| light switch/celing fan wiring | 8/17/2007 |
| Q: Wall switch box is wired (as you are facing it) for 2 light switches. Left wires come out of wall ... A: Josh, I think so, the red sounds like it was for the light. So your power is coming from the wall? ... | |
| 3 prong dryer to 4 prong | 8/16/2007 |
| Q: I used to have a 3 prong 220v dryer receptacle, my new dryer has a 4 prong plug. I purchased a new ... A: Sean, I think so. If it makes you feel better everyone struggles with this old three wire ... | |
| Tanning Bed circuit problem | 8/15/2007 |
| Q: I just recently purchased a tanning bed for my wife. The store and the customer service stated that ... A: Chris, Most salesman will tell me or you we can make a milk shake in a microwave and pulled pork in ... | |
| Welder In Garage newly Wired on 220 | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: Will: I am trying to get a welder wired up in my garage. I purchased an older Lincoln Stick Machine ... A: Allan, you did the circuit right far as I can tell, I mean nothing out of the normal. You need a ... | |
| Evaporative Cooler motor | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I have a problem with my swamp cooler-I replaced an old squeaky motor on my evaporative cooler... ... A: Maggie, what was the first motor? What is the second motor? It sounds like the start circuit is ... | |
| Generator/Camp wiring | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I just completed a very simple wiring job on my hunting camp. I have two 15A circuits with a few ... A: Cory great information! I see why you would no mention that. You need a voltmeter asap! Something ... | |
| cant identify wires to wire doorbell | 8/13/2007 |
| Q: I feel a bit stupid here, but here goes: I bought a new doorbell (chime plate and cover) and didn't ... A: Mark, you are OK, here is what happens, one pair comes from the transformer, one pair goes to a ... | |
| automotive wiring | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a 1987 lance lc300 cabover camper, or slide in camper. It is equipped with a deep cycle ... A: Josh< I see, and without knowing these devices or seeing them I would be hard pressed to say. But ... | |
| Generator/Camp wiring | 8/12/2007 |
| Q: I just completed a very simple wiring job on my hunting camp. I have two 15A circuits with a few ... A: OK Cory see below, is this or is this not the way you have wired the panel? just scratch off the ... | |
| Generator/Camp wiring | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: I just completed a very simple wiring job on my hunting camp. I have two 15A circuits with a few ... A: and I will get back to you with more information. At this point look for an incomplete bond, and or ... | |
| Generator/Camp wiring | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: I just completed a very simple wiring job on my hunting camp. I have two 15A circuits with a few ... A: Cory, You took all the outputs from the generator and combinded them? Can you not go from ... | |
| Electric motors | 8/10/2007 |
| Q: Have a domestic project for which I need a 1HP, 3400/3600 RPM, SP 110/115 VAC, variable speed - and ... A: a one HP power tool? The universal part is OK, but it will be a brush type motor and one horsepower ... | |
| Electric motors | 8/9/2007 |
| Q: Have a domestic project for which I need a 1HP, 3400/3600 RPM, SP 110/115 VAC, variable speed - and ... A: Willy, don't know what bank you have, but here is how you can do this. What is the speed range you ... | |
| Outside lighting using deapcell marine bat. | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: I would like to install 8 Travel trailer type lights along my wall using a deep cell marine battery ... A: Donald It will take some engineering to come up with all this but can be done. I guess my question ... | |
| Electric range hook up | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: I have put an electric range in my garage to use for canning. We do not need to use the oven part. ... A: Good question Daryl, I don't know if there is amp rating on just the burners like a cooktop, which ... | |
| wiring relay | 8/8/2007 |
| Q: My brother-law- who is a hvac person wired a new relay that is on the side of the inside unit which ... A: I can try John, first thing does the setup sheet call out for specific positioning for the relay, ... | |
| Replacing GFCI outlet with standard outlet, not working, extra red wire? | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: I bought my home (built in '71) and it had one GFCI outlet in the kitchen that would not work ... A: Chris, Long history of switch failures in this location. But if the outlet worked, then it should ... | |
| Light switch change to Timer | 8/7/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a light swith for my outside lights with a Leviton Switch/Timer. The new timer ... A: Craig, This is a problem when we the free experts cannot see what you see. I apologize for not ... | |
| Light switch change to Timer | 8/6/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a light swith for my outside lights with a Leviton Switch/Timer. The new timer ... A: Craig, You have a three way switch [the new one] that you don't need. It may not be returnable and ... | |
| 220V to 208V | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: Greetings! I am a test engineer from the Philippines. Our company based in US will be transferring ... A: yzza, I understand the situation. However I make my living by consulting and reverse engineering ... | |
| lights blinking/flickering | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: For some time I have noticed occasional blinking of the overhead lights in various rooms of my ... A: David, It very well could be the same thing. You have a condition were there is either a loose ... | |
| Redoing electric | 8/5/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased my home and the contractor advised that we would need to redo the entire house ... A: Dustin, Probably both. 100 Amps is not what they put in three bedroom homes now day, with all the ... | |
| Stove Plug three prong to four | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a older stove that had a three prong plug, I went to Lowe's and bought four prong plug. I am ... A: Morgan, You had an older stove with three wires, then bought a four wire/prong plug. You have two ... | |
| electrical machine | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: Why the permanent magnet generator is made to generate excitation voltage for the main exciter at ... A: I am not sure why they would do such a thing, I take it there is something that increase the speed ... | |
| Maytag Dryer | 8/4/2007 |
| Q: Will: Perhaps you may have some insight into my problem. I have a Maytag Dryer Model DE612, that has ... A: Nick, You might as well save the bullet, it will just ricochet and hit you. If you go to an ... | |
| Wall switch | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: My ceiling fan & light suddenly stopped working. I think it may be the wall switch that operates it. ... A: Carol, Ok, that makes sense, so something is OPEN in this part of the circuit that includes an ... | |
| Wall switch | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: My ceiling fan & light suddenly stopped working. I think it may be the wall switch that operates it. ... A: Carol, I am in dead rush today, so real quick, just two wires to the switch? If more than two the ... | |
| Maytag Dryer | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: Will: Perhaps you may have some insight into my problem. I have a Maytag Dryer Model DE612, that has ... A: Nicholas, You are doing very well. Nice job on looking for the volt drop. Without a drawing I can ... | |
| Garage Door | 8/3/2007 |
| Q: This past winter we started experiencing problems with our garage door opening(auto door opener). ... A: Jennifer you are welcome, you will find that a little loose can cause a lot of binding, garage doors ... | |
| GFCI question | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: Do GFCI receptacles protect against short circuits or overloads? I was reading the instructions for ... A: Angel, It really makes no difference. Metal will not be a problem. It should be gasketed to keep ... | |
| Pre-wired In-ceiling Speakers | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: My wife and I just bought a condo. It is "pre wired" for in-ceiling speakers in all the rooms (only ... A: Generally most homes now days will have a room or two with the speaker wires ran in the walls for ... | |
| outdoor plug trips breaker | 8/2/2007 |
| Q: I have a pond in my backyard near my patio. I had an electrician install an outdoor plug next to ... A: Patty, You say you did plug other things into this outlet? And this circuit has a GFCI in the ... | |
| Garage Door | 8/1/2007 |
| Q: This past winter we started experiencing problems with our garage door opening(auto door opener). ... A: Jennifer, There is a quite a list of issues but here are some starting points. Do you know why it ... | |
| 220 Baseboard Heat and its wiring | 8/1/2007 |
| Q: I am vary familiar with standard house wiring. I am working with a friend to remodel her bathroom. ... A: Jim, Don't you love it when you are doing a favor for a friend, and it turns into a huge time ... | |
| GFCI question | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: Do GFCI receptacles protect against short circuits or overloads? I was reading the instructions for ... A: Angel, You are correct. The ciruit breaker does that part. The GFCI is GROUND FAULT CIRCUIT ... | |
| Electrical disconnect | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: "I want to disconnect electric source that powers an electrical power strip that is connected to my ... A: Deni, Sure, if you have identified the cable, or romex or whatever ties to the power strip in the ... | |
| Changing ceiling light | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: Don I'm trying to change a ceiling light. There was a fan there, with its own light. But I removed ... A: Neil, can you tell me what the connection was to the old fan and light? first thing is to try and ... | |
| electrical appliance | 7/31/2007 |
| Q: Have a puzzle: when I run my hand mixer my coffee bean grinder (that is plugged in the split kitchen ... A: Kees, This mystery has always occurred? As long as you can remember? Or at any time did the two ... | |
| Light Buzzing Sound | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: I have 2 recessed can lights using BR30 Bulb, controlled by a dimmer switch. It has worked fine for ... A: Olivier, I have some cans myself and on dimmers also. Often they buzz from the element about to ... | |
| No electricity in bathroom | 7/30/2007 |
| Q: I moved into a 1971 mobile home recently & the light switches & outlets in the master bathroom do ... A: Samantha, The key is that when you plug something in things work... My guess is the wires hanging ... | |
| Identifying the old house wiring | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: I would like to install a ceiling fan in an old house in which the wiring, including the Ungrounded ... A: Kip you way you hav3 no black and no white and no ground [bare] either? Are your outlets only two ... | |
| Hot Watert Heater | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to put a timer on my electric hot water heater. I thought I needed a plug so we put a ... A: Imelda, Hello, I am not sure what you have as all the terms you used were good terms, but there are ... | |
| GFCI not working | 7/29/2007 |
| Q: The GFCI in a bathroom we're working on is not working, and neither are downstream outlets. We ... A: Kim, The GFCI in the bathroom which controls some other outlets, is not working now, did it before? ... | |
| Dryer 3-Prong Outlet | 7/28/2007 |
| Q: We just moved into a new home and when I plugged our dryer into the 3 prong plug outlet, it is not ... A: Bill, Volt meter in the plug will tell you if there is any voltage or enough present to operate the ... | |
| superpump pool in ground 230vs110v | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: I have bought a new Hayward super pump for my in ground pool. The old pump was running under 110, so ... A: Paul, Some motors are made to run on EITHER 110 or 220 and can be reconnected by the user. Some ... | |
| Gargage Door Opener | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: My house is 9 years old, but the sensor on the garage door has always been touchy. One of our pets ... A: Diana, There are many types of garage door openers and sensors and proximity switches, so I don't ... | |
| GFCI | 7/27/2007 |
| Q: All the GFCI receptacles in my house are not working. They are the ones that do not have a reset ... A: Tia, They are able to be reset somehow, do you know where the circuit breaker box is? There is ... | |
| generator wiring help | 7/26/2007 |
| Q: I would like to know if I can rewire my air compressor. It has 220 single phase with a 6-20p wire. ... A: If you get a minute let me know how you dealt with it, this no doubt will be a question again. Will ... | |
| generator wiring help | 7/26/2007 |
| Q: I would like to know if I can rewire my air compressor. It has 220 single phase with a 6-20p wire. ... A: Jim, If the motor is single phase then there is no chance for the three phase idea, short of buying ... | |
| troubleshooting/wiring/mobile home | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: we have 1999 clayton mobile home. on the 20th of july there was a strong electrical smell and some ... A: Debra, I appreciate the very kind and "pronounced" comments. It is a volunteer site and no ... | |
| hvac wiring | 7/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a propane fired furnace (laying on side in my attic) and an outside (small) air conditioning ... A: Rob, Actually I have went and figured and still without an answer, no need to reply I wanted to say ... | |
| GFI circuit breaker | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: I am building my own home and I have a GFI Arc-Fault breaker to one of my bedrooms that keeps ... A: Yes, you need to do a search on a "tic tracer". They are meters now available at hardware stores, ... | |
| 220v wiring problem | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: My wife and I recently purchased our first home, about 2 months ago to be specific. About 2 weeks ... A: If the tracer will not work, take a look at this site: http://www.thecircuitdetective.com/index.htm ... | |
| Dryer Shock | 7/24/2007 |
| Q: Sir, I recently bought a new house and when I set up the dryer and it gave me a tremendous shock. ... A: Jason, First this is a dangerous situation and until you get is solved, you should unplug it. What ... | |
| 3 wire electric range | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: We recently redid the tile in our kitchen and had to move our electric range. However, when I ... A: I can't say for sure, but the normal setup is the ground or neutral in the middle. If you have any ... | |
| 3 wire electric range | 7/23/2007 |
| Q: We recently redid the tile in our kitchen and had to move our electric range. However, when I ... A: The red and black are normally the 220 hot leads and the bare wire is neutral or ground, both the ... | |
| Dead Outlet | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: The line to an outside electrical outlet is completely dead. I checked the circuit breaker and none ... A: Depends, It is outside and they usually install them just like the interior outlets which is to ... | |
| GFI circuit breaker | 7/22/2007 |
| Q: I am building my own home and I have a GFI Arc-Fault breaker to one of my bedrooms that keeps ... A: First to the builder and have them fix it. If they won't do it, then focus on the new GFCI. Wouldn't ... | |
| outdoor motion detector | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a outdoor motion detector and it seems to be getting the electric to it because its blinking ... A: Kari, Slow down and relax we will figure something out. OK you have an outside motion detector ... | |
| Wall switch | 7/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a three switch outlet on my wall. The first two switches work but the third one does not. ... A: Ron, Switches are not understood devices. A switch really has no power. It is simply a way to open ... | |
| pool pump | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: What is the advantage of 220 volt over 120 volt for pump motor.I have one wired for 120v and plan ... A: I appreciate the kind rating and kind words, it is strictly volunteer and it is nice to know I was ... | |
| Hard wired smoke alarm | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: Our smoke detectors are hard wired and have been going off every half hour for the last twenty four ... A: I doubt weather unless water is shorting something out in one of them. Have you tried to ... | |
| Ceiling fan light problem | 7/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a ceiling fan (in a house I just moved into)with light kit on a single switch. The light ... A: Barry, It will take a little patience, but many times these fans get hung and wired incorrectly, ... | |
| Ceiling fan light problem | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a ceiling fan (in a house I just moved into)with light kit on a single switch. The light ... A: Barry, You checked the wires to the light itself blue and white...with a tester and they have ... | |
| Hot Tub Electrical Requirements | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a question regarding the electrical requirements of a hot tub. I have a brother-in-law that ... A: I appreciate the kind words and votes of confidence. Yes many will save a dime anyway they can, and ... | |
| New dryer wrong plug | 7/19/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a new/used dryer and realized that we had the wrong outlet at our house. We have what ... A: Kate, I think you are fine. Just to be sure, your new dryer/used dryer requires a thirty amp cord ... | |
| 220 extention | 7/17/2007 |
| Q: Will, I have a 220 outlet that needs to be moved about 15 feet. The old outlet is no longer needed ... A: If local codes allow you can put a junction box in line. If code don't like it as splice box, make ... | |
| Dead Outlet | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: The line to an outside electrical outlet is completely dead. I checked the circuit breaker and none ... A: Jim, Has it ever worked? If it was working and is not now, you get no voltage at all from hot to ... | |
| Don Beck | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: I noticed in one of your answers that you "tinker" in inventing. Do you know if there is a device ... A: Hey Don, How are you doing? Will you write a white paper on the installation of four wire ... | |
| SPLICING WIRE TO ELECTRIC STOVE. | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: I'm in the process of remodeling my kitchen,We have to move the electric stove about 3 feet from ... A: I don't like taking chances with electricity, not that splices are risky, it is another high ... | |
| 3 Phase Wiring | 7/16/2007 |
| Q: I have a concrete grinder that uses 220 3phase 20amp service. When I need to use it at nights on a ... A: Almost...............three phase has line to line to line voltage at which it is rated, so if you ... | |
| storm and electrical | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: last night we had a bad storm in Alberta and the power went off and on 4 times.Then I noticed our ... A: Linda, I can give you some ideas. Many times in a storm with severe lightning and not always ... | |
| splicing coaxial cable | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: I just severed 3 coaxial cables from my satellite dish ! Since the satellite company is ... A: Yes you can repair it. There are hundreds of coaxila patch kits available but the best ones are sold ... | |
| AC/DC converter | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: I have modem that requires 10.5vdc 900mA, but the only converter I have delivers 10vdc 800mA. Will ... A: Maybe I read this wrong. Your original says that the modem reuires 10.5 and your follow up asks if ... | |
| 220v wiring the receptical | 7/15/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to wire up a 220 line for my welder. I installed a 40 amp dual pole breaker in my box. ... A: Jeff, This is the delima everyone with an older house and new range or 220 dryer faces, the old ... | |
| 3 Phase Wiring | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: I have a concrete grinder that uses 220 3phase 20amp service. When I need to use it at nights on a ... A: Chris here is your problem. from job site to job site you have an electric motor that is wired to ... | |
| electrical hookup to stove | 7/14/2007 |
| Q: I hooked up the 220 V wiring to the female receptacle for the stove plug yesterday. After I turned ... A: Richard, low light and glasses, somehwat familiar with that issue. Now the important issue. Red ... | |
| 2 lights, 1 power source, big problem | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: I'm trying to finish my basement, and I have one issue that I can't seem to get around. I have 2 ... A: Chris no such thing as big problem just ANOTHER problem. I am trying to get the complete idea of ... | |
| AC/DC converter | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: I have modem that requires 10.5vdc 900mA, but the only converter I have delivers 10vdc 800mA. Will ... A: How did it work out? Jim, it won't do any harm to try it. These supplies are not usually ... | |
| running a fridge on an inverter | 7/13/2007 |
| Q: I attempting to build an RV on the cheap (which for me, means avoiding propane fridges). I have 2 ... A: Josh, Pretty cool! I invent stuff, and it works sometimes and sometimes it falls flat, but I sure ... | |
| Low voltage connection | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: If I connect a 10vdc 900mA output converter to a modem which needs 10.5vdc 800mA will it work? Will ... A: No it should do no harm and the modem should run at the 10 vdc, unless it is a modem that is rated ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Universal Remote | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a Hunter ceiling fan and am adding a Harbor Breeze remote control. The wiring ... A: Generally if you have no light kit you simply put a wire nut on the end and secure it out of the ... | |
| Dryer hook up | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: I have moved into an apt. that does not have regular dryer/washer hook up. I was wanting to get a ... A: Well, Here is the problem. I think you are referring to needing a dryer that runs on 110. A washer ... | |
| Wiring Diagram for Motor | 7/12/2007 |
| Q: I am installing an exhaust fan in my greenhouse, however I don't have the wiring diagram for the ... A: Garry, did you need some more help? Write me at my office service@emrrepair.com and put motor ... | |
| No power to lights and fan | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: This issue is boggling my mind and I am hoping an expert will have a better idea of what might be ... A: Well this is a tough one. Where do you think the flash came from? At the switches you would not ... | |
| Replacing a hotplate | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: I have to replace two hotplates in my electric stove. A friend has given me two that match in size ... A: Ok two leads with the same wattage versus four with the same. So what you need is the combination ... | |
| circuit breaker arcing | 7/11/2007 |
| Q: my double #30 breaker for the hotwater heater has started to arc. (I have been shuting down my ... A: Are you shutting down the hot water heater by the breaker each time? Where exactly is this arc? Why ... | |
| hvac wiring | 7/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a propane fired furnace (laying on side in my attic) and an outside (small) air conditioning ... A: Rob, What a mess. Let me see what I can come up with. The blower is in the heat unit correct? And ... | |
| Service Entry | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: I installed a 200 amp service entry, meter and load center on my stand a lone garage. It was ... A: Don, Good for you on the great planning and thinking ahead! Actually another expert on here named ... | |
| Garburator installation | 7/9/2007 |
| Q: I want to have a garburator (electric waste disposal) in our sink. This involves an electrical ... A: Jet, If your existing outlet is in the correct place to have a switch for your disposal it could ... | |
| Backfeeding Generator | 7/7/2007 |
| Q: I'm preparing for the hurricane season here in Houston and would like to know how to connect the ... A: John, You know how to pull the main so everything on the load side is now isolated. Instead of a ... | |
| differnet supply | 7/6/2007 |
| Q: I am looking to buy some pumping equipment in the USA. the spec says it uses 240 volt single phase ... A: Mike You have a 240 volt 50 AMP pump that you have 240 volt 15 amp supply? If I read your ... | |
| Troubleshooting spa | 7/2/2007 |
| Q: I am looking for troubleshooting assistance. I have a Leisure Bay spa that seems to keep having ... A: Chad, I don't understand the term "pack", what is a pack? If the high speed was disconnected ... | |
| Wiring a basement | 6/28/2007 |
| Q: We built a home last summer and it has an unfinished basement. I plan on doing most of the wiring ... A: Jerrett, That is totally amazing. It sounds exactly like my basement, storage under the stairs the ... | |
| electrical problem | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: I live in a rented house which seems to have very outdated wiring to it! I have now had to seal off ... A: Nikki, You seem to be a very sharp Mom. You have done everything right. All your curiosity about ... | |
| 208V HVAC motor wiring | 6/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a blower from a built in air conditioner from my dad's office. He gave it to me when the unit ... A: Ben, If you cannot get to me on allexperts use service@emrrepair.com amd put 208PSC motor problem ... | |
| 220v verses 110v on 12000btu ac | 6/26/2007 |
| Q: which is more cost effective? Can you show me the formula for figuring this out? A: John, apples to apples if the exact device has the option of being set for 110 or 220 the 220 is ... | |
| electrical problem | 6/26/2007 |
| Q: I live in a rented house which seems to have very outdated wiring to it! I have now had to seal off ... A: Nikki, I don't know where the visible wires are? In the socket in the ceiling or a fixture hanging ... | |
| Replacing an Old Incandescant Light Fixture with a New Halogen Fixture | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a 1930's incandescent ceiling mount fixture with a new ceiling mount fixture that ... A: Hal, Quite the configuration. You did a Terrific JOB of detail and description! OK first one of the ... | |
| xbox 360 usb fan electrical interference | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: Bought a laptop usb fan (simple usb adapter on a stalk with a soft blade fan) to plug into the ... A: James, Thank you for the very kind words. You have done about everything that makes good sense to ... | |
| wiring a 240 volt receptacle from a 5 wire junction box? | 6/25/2007 |
| Q: 2 black hot, 2 white neutral, 1 ground. I am setting up a 220-240v Is this possible? Where do the ... A: I am missing something here. You had two blacks, two whites and one green and got 240? Then you ... | |
| motion sensing 3-way wall switches | 6/23/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to install two motion sensing 3-way wall switches to control a hall light. Here is what ... A: Don Beck can answer this one in about two seconds. If he is not available write me back and I will ... | |
| 220v 4 prong 30A twist lock to 3 prong plug. | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a concession trailer that is wired with a 30 amp 220 volt 4 prong twist lock plug. I need to ... A: Actually the generator needs a chassis ground making it four wire also. What you are going to do is ... | |
| pool pump 120 twist connector testing | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: I have an above ground pool with a gfi breaker going to a 1 hp pool pump. I believe the pump is ... A: Jay, I copied and pasted that e-mail address and got a bounce back. So here is my answer. First ... | |
| ceiling fan has switched itself on! | 6/20/2007 |
| Q: My top-floor flat's kitchen extractor (linked to a light) does occasionally let in the rain - not ... A: Call an electrician if you switched off the main. I am assuming that once you reset the main the ... | |
| Arc Faults | 6/19/2007 |
| Q: The inspector determined the rac fault breaker in bedroom is not working. What does he mean and how ... A: Chris, I am not sure what an rac fault breaker is in a bedroom. Are we talking a GFCI for maybe a ... | |
| Ceiling Fan w/ Remote | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: Rick, I am installing a ceiling fan that came with a remote control transmitter. I would prefer to ... A: The remote came with only controls for the light? That seems odd. But if so I am not sure what ... | |
| voltage | 6/18/2007 |
| Q: I am taking an electrical course & have been asked to answer the following: If operating equipment ... A: Mark, Actually we do. On the residential side you barely see any 480, on the industrial side you ... | |
| electrical problem in den | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: Turned on my stereo, heard a high pitched sound. everything in the room goes out. no breakers ... A: I lost track, but I hope I responded to the right Paul. If you found the bad outlet we should be ... | |
| electrical problem in den | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: Turned on my stereo, heard a high pitched sound. everything in the room goes out. no breakers ... A: Paul, Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to fill out the rating thing, I appreciate ... | |
| DPDT switch for a generator | 6/16/2007 |
| Q: I recently consulted an electrician about installing a transfer switch so that I can switch from the ... A: Kris, You said you wanted to switch from mains to generator power for all circuits. Now we are ... | |
| Location Of Switch | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: Fan swith Zing Ear ZE-208S that controlls speed of a fan has broken threads, but operates. Home ... A: Robert, Not knowing Hampton Bay, I have limited specific information. Is this the pull chain ... | |
| ground stake | 6/15/2007 |
| Q: Can I pull out / relocate ground stake currently "grounding" electric box, cable & phone? What are ... A: NO! it is as important as the transformer feeding the house. Ground stakes are often mistaken as an ... | |
| AC for walk-in cooler | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: Interesting question for you. We are a remote Alaska fishing lodge. We are installing a ... A: Jason, I found a diagram for a Friedrich window unit. The three leads were red black and blue. But ... | |
| burning smell | 6/14/2007 |
| Q: i just installed 2 new fans in my bedrooms. they have a burning grease smell to them when they are ... A: Nathan, NO not really, they should have ball bearings of some sort in them and the bearing grease ... | |
| motor testing | 6/12/2007 |
| Q: I have a 3 phase motor for a pump, i also have a megger tester, If i isolate, and disconnect the ... A: Michael, Good question, yes isolate incoming power. If you have a 460 volt motor with three leads ... | |
| light switch works when it wants | 6/10/2007 |
| Q: So i have one of those motion senser light behind my house. I works when it wants. I usually have to ... A: Pat, A motion sensor behind your house. On what? A pole or on your house over a door? Can you get ... | |
| a/c | 6/9/2007 |
| Q: cam i put 2 a/c on one fuse?? can 2 a/c run on a single wire?? that goes to the fuse box?? A: NO Never protect two devices with one fuse. The fuse or breaker also protects the wire from over ... | |
| Wiring thermostat | 6/7/2007 |
| Q: I am attempting to wire a Honeywell RTH6300 thermostat to my heat pump/AC. The old stat is a ... A: Bob, Great to hear. this is a really tough one to figure out using colors and not letters. Did they ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter you are almost there. send the wiring diagram to my office service@emrrepair.com In the mean ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/6/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, no that is OK I thought you would come back with that. So we have an OK circuit to the ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, Actually more discoveries: Volts at GFCI is 115 Black to white 115, black to ground =0 ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/5/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, Yes I do have some more. Have the bathroom outlets ever worked with no GFCI? Bare wires ... | |
| generator wiring | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: i asked a question earlier. this is what i want to build ... A: Evan, I see it. You want to build this extension cord with the box on the end? It looks to me like ... | |
| Emergency generator wiring 1 of 2 breakers that use a common white wire | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: Wiring a breaker into a manual transfer switch that has a common with another breaker cause any ... A: Frank, it would be a better world if we could get another 10 to think like you. No such thing as a ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, Maybe. You have now wired direct to the remaining outlets and each shows 55 volts. ... | |
| Problem with my Home Generator | 6/4/2007 |
| Q: I recently hooked my house to a Guardian 16 kW Air-Cooled Standby Generator. I had it ... A: Chris, I know this is a terrific pain in the butt, but you will need to resolve it. Same advice, ... | |
| repair power cord for pond motor | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: While cutting some roots out of my pond, I cut into the power cord for the pump. What is a safe way ... A: Mike, Depending on what it is, either an expensive pump or a replacable pump, the best way is to ... | |
| 2HP Single Phase CSCPM | 6/3/2007 |
| Q: We have referenced motor on a commerical automotive paint booth. Ir is used to pull air from the ... A: Jim, I appreciate the kind words, and there is no need to take up your time with more on me UNLESS ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, You have 55 volts at each? Something is not wired correctly, or you have one hell of a ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/2/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, You are a trouble shooter already. Somewhere you are dropping voltage it seems and maybe a ... | |
| Wiring thermostat | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I am attempting to wire a Honeywell RTH6300 thermostat to my heat pump/AC. The old stat is a ... A: Bob, Try this to bypass the three days. Will Bob, All I can pull up on the Honeywell Website ... | |
| insufficient power to receptacle | 6/1/2007 |
| Q: I have 3 bathrooms all connected to the same circuit. A CFI receptacle is in the garage and wired ... A: Peter, Sounds like the GFCI is the Culprit. Get a regular outlet and replace the GFCI with it. ... | |
| Changing from 4 prong to 3 prong on dryer... | 5/31/2007 |
| Q: I'm changing from 4 prong to 3 prong on dryer...and one of the nuts of the nuts to get the cord off ... A: Dennis, They certainly don't give anyone any room to work in. You're taking a four prong cord off ... | |
| WIRING MY 240V. AIR COMPRESSOR SWITCH | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: I bought a 60gal. air compressor and the heavy duty extension cord to go with it. Problem is: I ... A: You bought a 60 gallon compressor and they sold you a cord and no instructions on how to wire it? ... | |
| installing a 30 amp oven to a 60 amp circuit | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: what kind of damage can a 60 amp circuit do to a 30 amp oven and what should have been done to ... A: Grace, This is going to be complicated. First a 60 amp circuit is CAPACITY. In other words it would ... | |
| AIR COMPRESSOR 2 STAGE WIRING | 5/30/2007 |
| Q: Just bought a Sear 2 Stage, 60gal. Single Phase 240/60/1 Air Compressor. My problem please; I ... A: Ray, Don't get me going on the crap that we the public end up with. I have never in my life seen ... | |
| wiring a 240 volt receptacle from a 5 wire junction box? | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: 2 black hot, 2 white neutral, 1 ground. I am setting up a 220-240v Is this possible? Where do the ... A: Mike, Are you trying to add two 110 volt circuits, with two hot and two neutral and 1 ground and ... | |
| Door Bell - lighted push button issue | 5/29/2007 |
| Q: I have an electronic door bell that can be set to play various tunes. I attempted to replaced the ... A: Tom, The original was an electronic door bell? And it was not the type with a light? Now you ... | |
| 220 wiring | 5/28/2007 |
| Q: I used 12/2 solid copper to run 15 feet of wire to make a outlet for using a welder. (from service ... A: Jesse, Your 12 wire should be OK for the outlet. The extension cord should be OK, it depends on ... | |
| ceiling fan lights | 5/27/2007 |
| Q: I just noticed today the lights on my ceiling fan were not working. I replaced the bulbs and still ... A: Katherine, Are the lights and fan controlled from the pull cords or from a wall switch or both? ... | |
| electrical cords | 5/26/2007 |
| Q: i have 2 questions. when i plug my cell phone charger into my outlet in the kitchen it gives a ... A: Lori, Is the phone on the charger when you plug it in? Try it both ways. I doubt you have a ... | |
| converters | 5/25/2007 |
| Q: Have a sidewalk lighting system of 6 lights converted from 120v a/c to 12v d/c using standard 12v ... A: James, Can you measure the DC output? Look for the thermal if the DC can be proven out of the ... | |
| dayton 1/2 hp cap start motor SPARKS | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a Dayton 5k455b 1/2hp cap start 1725rpm motor that I got at a junk store- looks brand new. ... A: I hope you got my answer to this, but if not in short here it is again. Nice job on taking the ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Installation in Very Old House | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a very old house (70+) years old. I am trying to install a ceiling fan in the basement. ... A: Thomas, The voltage meter won't tell you which is which. But you have wired it correctly. The black ... | |
| ceiling fan hum | 5/24/2007 |
| Q: Why would a ceiling fan hum at high and medium speed and not at low speed? What can I do about it? A: Bam, Not a personal question, but what price category fan do you have? If it is less than a $50.00 ... | |
| Problem with my Home Generator | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I recently hooked my house to a Guardian 16 kW Air-Cooled Standby Generator. I had it ... A: Chris, Something is wrong, way wrong. The generator seems to be a really nice unit, and you have ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Installation in Very Old House | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a very old house (70+) years old. I am trying to install a ceiling fan in the basement. ... A: Theresa, Don't panic, the black is the motor for the fan and the blue is the light. White is ... | |
| Wiring 30A Angle plug | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a Felder (German) Combination Woodworking machine which requires a 30A 240V plug (single ... A: Roger, the colors are from Felder and without a print or diagram they have scheme. There is no ... | |
| condo central smoke alarm | 5/23/2007 |
| Q: I just moved into an old condo that has been renovated. It has 2 central smoke alarms that buzz ... A: Suzy, What are you burning every time you turn on the stove? I am KIDDING. Explain this to me. ... | |
| Shallow Well Jet Pump | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a well for watering the lawn and the pump motor for the system has stopped working. Actually, ... A: John, If you have a motor shop in town it might be worth a trip to get an estimate. Being 20 years ... | |
| Electronics connected between 2 outlets, shorts them out. | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: I'm renting in an old house in St. Paul, Minnesota. In my bedroom there are 2 outlets on opposite ... A: Antone, Can you plug both in the same outlet with an extension cord for a short test? One outlet ... | |
| Hot Tub | 5/22/2007 |
| Q: Osgood, I recently purchased an old home with and existing hot tub that we recently removed. We ... A: Tom, You are fine, there is no problem. Now you have this one breaker wired up. I lost track of the ... | |
| Brownout protection | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: I live in an area that experiences occasional brownouts. I have a water system pump, a pool pump ... A: Yes, They are called UPS or uninterruptible power supplies. Go the APC web-site. For your whole ... | |
| Hot Tub | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: Osgood, I recently purchased an old home with and existing hot tub that we recently removed. We ... A: Excellent, You see the problem I see from here? I can't see what you have. But, it sounds like you ... | |
| wiring a 10 bulb light fixutre from scratch | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to wire a homemade lamp that will use 10 12 Volt Christmas minilights using the sockets ... A: Kristin, You want to take 10 lights and wire them in parallel [each side of each light to each side ... | |
| A/C Wiring | 5/21/2007 |
| Q: Can i use two 12-2AWG romax wires on a 40 amp circuit breaker to run to an A/C unit. This is ... A: Gary, It does make sense. And I see no reason if your paralled the two 12s there would be a ... | |
| Attic Fan Troubles | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: about a week ago the wife said she heard a humming noise in the attic - I went up to investigate and ... A: Tim, Don't rip any roof up yet. Is it a belted drive? Or a direct drive? The list of ... | |
| wiring | 5/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a dimmer switch on the wall and I hooked up a fan w/light to it. It makes a loud buzzing ... A: Thomas, First, a light dimmer will NOT control a fan or motor, that is the hum you hear. If you ... | |
| problem with switch that controls new vanity bath bar light | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: Power comes to the switch, via a 3 wire. Fixture connection has 2 wires. After switch there is a ... A: Billy, What is different from the old light and the new one? The switch somehow is not making and ... | |
| dayton 1/2 hp cap start motor SPARKS | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I have a Dayton 5k455b 1/2hp cap start 1725rpm motor that I got at a junk store- looks brand new. ... A: Brian, On an open type single phase, a spark can be seen sometimres when the stationary contacts ... | |
| Relay | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I have Marathon motor MQP 48C17D2042L P Type SCS singl ph, 60 Hz 1/4 hp RPM 1725 115/208-230 V. I'm ... A: Is the thermal on this motor a button type that you can reset? How critical is the thermal, what ... | |
| A/C Wiring | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: Can i use two 12-2AWG romax wires on a 40 amp circuit breaker to run to an A/C unit. This is ... A: Gary, You have two 12/2 in parallel on a 40 amp breaker? How far is the run and what is the total ... | |
| what size wire to barn | 5/19/2007 |
| Q: I would like to run power to my barn which is 100' from my house what size wire would I need & what ... A: Donald, you have a good question. How much stuff are you going to use in the barn? This is just ... | |
| CO/Smoke detectors | 5/18/2007 |
| Q: In a two family house interconnected CO and smoke detectors will be required. Each apartment will ... A: I replied directly. I forgot to tell you that the fie department came by and inspected my shop last ... | |
| lighting fixture trouble | 5/18/2007 |
| Q: Having difficulty installing a new dining room overhead light. 1973 era home with copper wire. The ... A: If you read my introductory thing, I have no faith it ever worked. You have to remember that from ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Remote Wiring Question | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: Will, Don referred me to you. I hope you can help. I am installing a ceiling fan remote for a ... A: Vern, your comments were much too kind, and I needed to keep updated with the latest and greatest ... | |
| 100 Amp vs 200 Amp | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: I am currently building a 1200 square foot 2 bedroom, 2 bath place that I originally planned on ... A: The best possible thing you can do is to get two to three bids. Get them for the 100 amp option and ... | |
| Hot Tub | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: Osgood, I recently purchased an old home with and existing hot tub that we recently removed. We ... A: You have more conductors than you need and described, you said you had 10/2 UF with ground, that ... | |
| Watts calculation | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: If a heater element is rated 2000watts at 240 volts what is the wattage at 230 volts A: Colin, depending on what kind of element it won't vary much but you can work it as a linear ... | |
| there is no stupid question | 5/17/2007 |
| Q: I work for a small electric company in delaware and my boss seems to think that in europe that the ... A: You are correct, and I think I replied to a question like this not too long ago. First you are ... | |
| GFCI problem in the bathroom | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I am seeing a weird problem, the outlets in the bathroom doesn't work when the lights are turned on, ... A: Srini, Any work or new installations lately? To just discover the outlets fail when the lights are ... | |
| Low Voltage Readings effecting equipment | 5/16/2007 |
| Q: I used a Watt's Up Power Analyzer which has read Min. Voltage of 95.8 recently. Could this one ... A: Howard, 95 to 96 volts on a 115/120 residential or commercial circuit is too low. I can't say it ... | |
| reversing direction of electric motor | 5/15/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased a new motor for my band saw and when a friend saw how much I paid for it, he ... A: control, The connection that says "control" means that this motor belonged on something that took ... | |
| compressor motor help!!! | 5/15/2007 |
| Q: Will, I have created a problem with an electric motor used to power a compressor. It is 2 HP, ... A: Billy, The red reset button on motors are sometimes a little piece of junk. I have seen one ... | |
| compressor motor help!!! | 5/14/2007 |
| Q: Will, I have created a problem with an electric motor used to power a compressor. It is 2 HP, ... A: Billy, Let me get this correct. You had the dual voltage motor running on 115 volt, connected for ... | |
| reversing direction of electric motor | 5/14/2007 |
| Q: I recently purchased a new motor for my band saw and when a friend saw how much I paid for it, he ... A: Cayt, You have the connection diagram for voltage. It looks like your question got cut off. IF the ... | |
| bathroom light fixutre wiring | 5/13/2007 |
| Q: My home was built in 1956. I am attempting to replace a light fixture in the bathroom. There is only ... A: Yes, You are removing the long metal box, ballast and and all? And install an entire new fixture ... | |
| bathroom light fixutre wiring | 5/13/2007 |
| Q: My home was built in 1956. I am attempting to replace a light fixture in the bathroom. There is only ... A: Renee, First of all the ground or copper wire on the new fixture does not touch or wire up to ... | |
| Possible defective NEW electrical wall switches. | 5/12/2007 |
| Q: Will, We have just within the past two years had an upgrade on our electrical wiring throughout ... A: Wayne, If you hear these sounds they are either mechanical or possible that you are hearing an arc. ... | |
| Hot Tub | 5/11/2007 |
| Q: Osgood, I recently purchased an old home with and existing hot tub that we recently removed. We ... A: Tom, All outlets are different so I called an RV supply house. They had no clue so I called the ... | |
| Problem with Casablanca ceiling fan | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a Casablanca ceiling fan with the light fixture, and a wall mounted control with push button ... A: It quit clunking and started working in both directions like a Swiss watch? How weird. You might ... | |
| cooktop ignition | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: my whirlpool cooktop won;t light. I called the technician and he says that the problem is with the ... A: Yes. but how come the voltage is so low? The technician put it in for you and wired it up to a low ... | |
| Hot Tub | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: Osgood, I recently purchased an old home with and existing hot tub that we recently removed. We ... A: How much current total for the hot tub? If it is within or under the 10 wire and the run is within ... | |
| Vent Fan on dryer | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: I have a vent fan on the dryer since the outside run is greater than 15'. I am using a pressure ... A: It is a 110 volt fan I assume, so can you find 110 in the dryer that is on in any mode? If so wire ... | |
| Re-using electric motors | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: Would it be possible to use a 110v .96amp ceiling fan motor to build a horizontal metal cutting band ... A: Jeff, Sorry, the ceiling fan motor is a low torque permanent split type motor that will do nothing ... | |
| DIY project idea | 5/10/2007 |
| Q: I've been wanting to get a horizontal band saw to cut metal with, but of course am sometimes a bit ... A: You will struggle with even the dryer motor. Same thing, those are meant to run a flywheel load not ... | |
| Ground wires | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I am installing a new light fixture in my bathroom. There are 2 sets of black, white and exposed ... A: Larry, I confused you sorry. I knew what you meant about the plastic box. What you need to do is to ... | |
| Ground wires | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I am installing a new light fixture in my bathroom. There are 2 sets of black, white and exposed ... A: Larry, You are doing good. The wires should go on the new like the old. If the bare grounds were ... | |
| Problem with Casablanca ceiling fan | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a Casablanca ceiling fan with the light fixture, and a wall mounted control with push button ... A: Inserts are sometimes used on the blades. Some fans have "inserts" in the middle of the blade to ... | |
| Problem with Casablanca ceiling fan | 5/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a Casablanca ceiling fan with the light fixture, and a wall mounted control with push button ... A: NT, Clunking sound in any speed in the opposite direction? When it shuts off on the third speed, ... | |
| thermal overload on new motor | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: I have been in maintenance field for 8 years now. Some basic electrical qualifications and HVAC. ... A: Bill, This is something that happens all the time. Did you order a motor by EXACT BRAND model ... | |
| wiring new cooktop in older home | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: We have a new cooktop in our 1958 home and the electrician who came out to wire it wouldn't because ... A: Patricia, I cannot tell you if you are grandfathered or not. Different locals have different use of ... | |
| spa pump replacement | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: need to replace dual speed to single speed pump got from friend brand new ao smith what do i do with ... A: Randi, the new single speed has a red wire from the motor that the two speed does not? Then you say ... | |
| smoke detector lines and emergency lites | 5/8/2007 |
| Q: OK to tap into a line dedicated [thus far] to hard wired smoke detectors to get juice for another ... A: Bob, Home security is not my area, but circuits are circuits. If there is enough current capacity ... | |
| hooking up my dryer | 5/7/2007 |
| Q: Im hoping you can help me, I have a new breaker box and was trying to hook up my dryer again. The ... A: Kristi, I am assuming you have done this before? If there is a shadow of a doubt get some help, ... | |
| spa tripping GFCI | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a five year old spa. It just started giving me a GFCI problem. It heats by "heat transfer", ... A: I have a pool and understand, getting help after you own anything is near impossible. The bolts on ... | |
| spa tripping GFCI | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a five year old spa. It just started giving me a GFCI problem. It heats by "heat transfer", ... A: I understand, got a lot better picture. Now you have really amazed me. The motor started without a ... | |
| hot tub electrical | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: I've got a hot tub set up in my backyard. I borrowed from a friend a glorified 220V extension cord ... A: Suzy, What is a glorified 220 volt extension cord? What you will need is to follow local code and ... | |
| spa tripping GFCI | 5/6/2007 |
| Q: I have a five year old spa. It just started giving me a GFCI problem. It heats by "heat transfer", ... A: It trips the new GFCI also? And you say it is tripping when it shuts on. Meaning off or something ... | |
| Whole House Fan Motor | 5/5/2007 |
| Q: Will, House fan died, power thru the two-speed switch up to the motor. No hum or anything. There's a ... A: You have power through the switch and nothing happens with the motor? If the capacitor was shorted, ... | |
| cord prong broke off in outlet... | 5/5/2007 |
| Q: Hey, Interior extention cord prong stuck in outlet How do I remove it safely? A: Dave, is it just one of the prongs? The ground or the power prong? Is it broke off flush with ... | |
| electric motor | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: Have a small 1/4 HP used inside a duck cleaning machine A new service cord was installed by owner ... A: OK, Now you will have a new motor and new cord. If it is the motor you have two good cords. Once it ... | |
| dimmer switch use? | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: Silly perhaps but can I use a dimmer switch to control my model train layout? I have a transformer ... A: I left out a word. train contollers are expensive hear but generic parts should NOT ... | |
| sewing machine motor | 5/3/2007 |
| Q: some how I'm not able to figure out which of the 4 wires than come from the motor shall I connect to ... A: I got involved with a sewing machine motor not too long ago. So the foot switch does reverse and ... | |
| 220 volt wiring | 5/2/2007 |
| Q: I know this question is redundent but i have a 3 wire outlet I need to plug in a new 4 wire dryer ... A: By code you need to run a new wire to the entrance, separating the neutral and ground. If you do it ... | |
| dimmer switch use? | 5/2/2007 |
| Q: Silly perhaps but can I use a dimmer switch to control my model train layout? I have a transformer ... A: Not silly at all and you can do this, but not a dimmer switch. Model railroads use a rheostat, that ... | |
| Unknown reason for power bill to triple | 5/2/2007 |
| Q: We are not doing any thing different. For some reason our power bill tripled this month. Is there ... A: Jo, What happened? Find anything out? I would really be interested in knowing and see if others are ... | |
| "Flat Cable" under carpet tiles | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: There was an answer in the forum to one of my questions: "There is a specific type of wiring that ... A: Check this out.......price is up there. ... | |
| electric motor | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: Have a small 1/4 HP used inside a duck cleaning machine A new service cord was installed by owner ... A: WELL color is a difficult thing. If the motor lead was run down the green conductor of the power ... | |
| Bathroom exhaust fan/heater/light combo | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: I just moved into a new house built in 1984. One of our bathrooms had a combo exhaust ... A: Jason. Great question, well written and nice diagnostic work on your part. What might have ... | |
| Three phase to two phase welder changeover | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a PowCon welder that is designed for 440 or 220 operating. The 440 is three phase, but the ... A: Mike it is always a pain trying write out a problem. So many little things to remember to mention. ... | |
| electric motor | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: Have a small 1/4 HP used inside a duck cleaning machine A new service cord was installed by owner ... A: William, cool name! So the spinning brush machine had a bad cord. Owner of what? Your boss owner? ... | |
| 4 prong outlet | 5/1/2007 |
| Q: I upgraded my dryer cord this weekend to a 4 prong because the new house I purchased was only ... A: How is it going? Anything happen and hopefully to your liking? What has the thirty day and what ... | |
| Fan Motors | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I am an "expert" in the elctrical site also, and I have found your insight on motors awesome! So, ... A: This is quite the unexpected honor. It appears you are the top of the heap of experts and have read ... | |
| Three phase to two phase welder changeover | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a PowCon welder that is designed for 440 or 220 operating. The 440 is three phase, but the ... A: Mike, You have three phase available? Or is the plug the welder plug? What kind of conversion are ... | |
| Double wall oven / cooktop | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: We are currently remodeling and we are putting in a double oven and cooktop. The appliance man at ... A: David, I applaud your questioning of a salesman! Especially the grad students that work at Home ... | |
| Electrical Wiring. | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: Will- I purchased a 240v Hot Tub and I want to install it in an out building by my pond. I am ... A: Michael, cost cutting with electrical has only killed 4 people I knew personally. But let's say ... | |
| outside plug | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: hey i have a plug that is for my washer which is a higher voltage then the normal 120v can i take ... A: Graham, what do you mean you have a higher than normal voltage plug? Tell me about that, how do you ... | |
| 4 prong outlet | 4/30/2007 |
| Q: I upgraded my dryer cord this weekend to a 4 prong because the new house I purchased was only ... A: I adjusted up the number of questions so you have some space to get back to me. I worry with you ... | |
| electric welder question | 4/29/2007 |
| Q: i have a chance to get a electric welder for the cheap but it operates on 480 volts 1 phase. Is ... A: John, Yes, a couple ways. First is that some welders offer a conversion voltage kit, call or go to ... | |
| IR 3PH TO SINGLE | 4/29/2007 |
| Q: I bought a 5hp IR 3 phase Air Compressor like others and am converting to single. New motor, and ... A: By the way not shame on you, it happens all the time. I am looking for a diagram for something ... | |
| Need help splitting fan/light switch into two separate switches | 4/29/2007 |
| Q: Help... I have a ceiling fan/light combo(no pull chains) that is controlled buy a single Hampton ... A: The red that is taped off should be up at the fan and a switch leg, the split is i the "fancy switch ... | |
| IR 3PH TO SINGLE | 4/28/2007 |
| Q: I bought a 5hp IR 3 phase Air Compressor like others and am converting to single. New motor, and ... A: Why not get a 5HP single to three phase static drive? Not going to cost any more than buying another ... | |
| hot tub tripping breaker | 4/28/2007 |
| Q: We have a portable outdoor hot tub. The pump and motor are one peice. We just had it refurbished ... A: Randy, You don't want to hear this but the motor was rebuilt incorrectly. The dragging noise is ... | |
| Installing electric Tankless to double pole 60 amp | 4/28/2007 |
| Q: I currently have a tanked electric 40 gallon water heater installed on a double pole 30 amp circuit ... A: No. The breaker protects many things one of them the wire in the circuit. You will need new wire, ... | |
| Ceiling Fan | 4/27/2007 |
| Q: What do I have to do to stop the fan from humming, when on? A: Carol, many ceiling fans hum, especially on the lower speeds. Sometimes it is impossible as it is ... | |
| miss connect thermostat wire cost stop working | 4/27/2007 |
| Q: I tried to install a remote control thermostat and I think I miss wired the connection and now it is ... A: Hey Fred, nice job. the burnt from yellow to black is not an issue so far. Did you clean it at all? ... | |
| power on and off breaker doesn't trip | 4/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a confusing situation at my home. I've got a circuit that randomly seems to go on and off. ... A: Well not exactly the off on kind of thing you are talking about, but fix it. get your neutral where ... | |
| Converting a ceiling fan from a one switch control to a separate control for light and fan. | 4/26/2007 |
| Q: I recently installed a ceiling fan in my home. The wall light panel in the bedroom has two ... A: More than likely. if you had two switches on the wall before and have two hot or black wires from ... | |
| miss connect thermostat wire cost stop working | 4/26/2007 |
| Q: I tried to install a remote control thermostat and I think I miss wired the connection and now it is ... A: So what did you find? It is difficult to do this kind of trouble shooting with simply words and ... | |
| 277 WIRING | 4/26/2007 |
| Q: WILL, I WANTED TO CLARIFY WIRING FOR LIGHTING @ 277V. I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VOLTAGE ... A: Jim, 277 is the neutral to ground connection on the 480 three phase circuit, producing a 277 volt ... | |
| Motor | 4/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a single phase motor with no hp rating,How can I determine this.I belive it draws 20-30 ... A: 20 to 30 is a big spread. Loaded or unloaded current? Depending on speed an unloaded motor can ... | |
| Outdoor light wiring with 2 motion sensors | 4/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a long stretch-about 100'- of outdoor lights. They are now controlled by one switch on the ... A: I would take a look at something like X10 or smarthome. They are using RF signals instead of hard ... | |
| miss connect thermostat wire cost stop working | 4/25/2007 |
| Q: I tried to install a remote control thermostat and I think I miss wired the connection and now it is ... A: You removed a thermostat and then installed a new one with remote. Then you replaced the old unit ... | |
| Fridge cutting-out | 4/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a medium size refrigerator that cuts out by itself about 4 or 5 times a day, possibly more. ... A: Wow! Well I hate to say it but the last three major appliances I have purchased had some sort of ... | |
| Ceiling Fan Remote issue after power outage | 4/24/2007 |
| Q: I have 4 bedrooms with ceiling fans all controlled by seperate remotes. On sunday we had a power ... A: You probably have diagnosed it correctly. Are the receiving modules interchangeable without a lot of ... | |
| Hot tub wiring | 4/24/2007 |
| Q: I have a 110v Cal Spa hot tub, about 8-10 years old, in my backyard. Rats got inside and chewed ... A: Kim, It will. Just mark which is which. Color some masking tape with a magic marker. Then red to ... | |
| Hooking up a 5 h.p. phase converter | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a vertical milling machine(3 h.p.) and a 5 h.p. rotary converter. I need to know what size ... A: Jeff, Instead of writing this out, check out this site: ... | |
| 3 way switches and wiring | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I have just replaced two sets of old 3 ways switches - aluminum wiring, maybe in the late 40's. ... A: I understand the walking part and truly I have found most things are the simplest solution, but we ... | |
| power on and off breaker doesn't trip | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a confusing situation at my home. I've got a circuit that randomly seems to go on and off. ... A: Jonah, Whatever is going on needs fixed ASAP, anything becoming energized on it's own is no good. ... | |
| CO/Smoke detectors | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: In a two family house interconnected CO and smoke detectors will be required. Each apartment will ... A: And the other side of the 9 volt battery is interfaced with common. So that makes sense. Alarms are ... | |
| 3 romex in a gfi | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I was reading this Q/A abot 3 romex in a plug but was wondering if it is the same for a gfi?? please ... A: I am right here. So is it wired like the old plug? Except for two of the whites? How did you figure ... | |
| 3 romex in a gfi | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I was reading this Q/A abot 3 romex in a plug but was wondering if it is the same for a gfi?? please ... A: I think I understand. There was an existing outlet correct? You should be able to put the white and ... | |
| Hot tub wiring | 4/23/2007 |
| Q: I have a 110v Cal Spa hot tub, about 8-10 years old, in my backyard. Rats got inside and chewed ... A: Kim, If it is in good condition don't scrap it. Any electrical supply house can get you the wire, ... | |
| Rewiring front door light | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: I have an idea to rewire my front door light. Currently the light turns on and off according to a ... A: Jacob x10.com but be aware of the package specials. They have everything you need, but they tend ... | |
| CO/Smoke detectors | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: In a two family house interconnected CO and smoke detectors will be required. Each apartment will ... A: That figures. One of my pet peeves is somebody sells something and then can't tell the person who ... | |
| Ceiling Fan with 5 Wires, No Switches | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: Don...Fan has a light, assume it's multi-speed. Wires...Black, White, Red, Blue, Gray. Originally ... A: Charles, my best guess is this: black hot white neutral blue light red speed choice gray other ... | |
| wireing electric motor | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a Sears 220 volt air compressor and I heard that a guy can rewire it so that it plugs into ... A: Bruce, I forgot to mention, that the dual voltage connection diagram may be on the Back of the cover ... | |
| Electrical issues in my home | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a 2 year old home with several electrical issues I am concerned about. First, the most recent ... A: George you got some stuff going on. Lets make this easy first> If it is under warranty, make a ... | |
| Replacing Thermostat | 4/22/2007 |
| Q: I have a White-Rodgers 1A10-651 Line voltage heat-cool thermostat ... A: Manav, No not really, White-rodgers is fine. Whatever you can get the best deal on. A high dollar ... | |
| garage door | 4/21/2007 |
| Q: I tried using my garage door opener this morning and the remote clicker would not work, so I ... A: Chris, Maybe the receiver is bad? Maybe it means the code needs to be reset. Can you shutdown the ... | |
| Installing a power cord to 50 amp breaker box | 4/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a snow cone stand. It has a breaker box installed that contains a 50 amp breaker. We need to ... A: Linda, The snow cone is operated on 220 volt, the breaker? is installed on the cone machine with 6 ... | |
| Low Voltage damage | 4/21/2007 |
| Q: We're having a debate in our RV club about wether or not we might damage our Elect. equipment if ... A: I used motors as a quick example and NO LOW VOLTAGE DOES NOT MEAN THEY WILL SIMPLY NOT RUN. Motors ... | |
| Low Voltage damage | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: We're having a debate in our RV club about wether or not we might damage our Elect. equipment if ... A: Ye say they could fry every electric motor in a everything you mentioned with low voltage. Low ... | |
| Power going out only in Master Bedroom | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: For about 10 days now, the power in my master bedroom goes out every night between 3am-4am (I then ... A: Sharon this gets complicated. I ask about where what is because the breaker reacts to amperage by ... | |
| Conduit fill restrictions | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: How many 12 gage solids can be in a 3/4" conduit A: What insulation? How long is the run? Controlling any kind of inductive load at the other end? Like ... | |
| blown breaker | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: the breaker to the dryer goes off with every wash after about 20 min of drying time nothing else ... A: You got my questions about all electric dryer and the breaker rating? The question keeps coming ... | |
| cytringan 3 phase welder | 4/20/2007 |
| Q: The above welder (new to me) has 5 terminals for the input cable. The central one is clearly the ... A: Jim, New welder to you but not new as in unused? No manual? three phase welder and 5 terminals, ... | |
| Phone charging | 4/19/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can help me? if you do not know the answer to my question will you be good enough to tell ... A: You need to educate me again. I asked how you would split out the 110 volts in my last reply. I ... | |
| Phone charging | 4/19/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can help me? if you do not know the answer to my question will you be good enough to tell ... A: Yes, you are correct. Breakers will deal with surges. But we aren't quite talking yet. You will be ... | |
| Phone charging | 4/19/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can help me? if you do not know the answer to my question will you be good enough to tell ... A: OH< whoops I see. 240 is fine. It has a current rating on it. As long as the total charge at anyone ... | |
| Phone charging | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: I hope you can help me? if you do not know the answer to my question will you be good enough to tell ... A: Hey Alan. So phones run the batteries down at concerts, like two and three hour concerts? People ... | |
| Power going out only in Master Bedroom | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: For about 10 days now, the power in my master bedroom goes out every night between 3am-4am (I then ... A: Sharon, The right way to do this is to unplug one thing at a time in the room. Start with the ... | |
| 3 phase 330 volt to 110 volt | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: I have a large air compressor at the end of a long conduit run wired 3 phase 330 volt. 3 hot wires ... A: OK that is better. First thing, take a look at this site: http://www.maxivolt.com/survey_manual.htm ... | |
| ceiling fan wont run | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: I have completely dissembled a non working 3 speed ceiling fan motor and find no broken or burnt ... A: Did you get to line 8 of my last response? You will find that I agree with you 100%. Very nice ... | |
| ceiling fan wont run | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: I have completely dissembled a non working 3 speed ceiling fan motor and find no broken or burnt ... A: I got the playing around with it mixed up with the complete disassembly. Nice job on the capacitor ... | |
| GFCI Trips | 4/18/2007 |
| Q: GFCI trips in approximately 30 seconds with no devices turned on or plugged in. Outlet previously ... A: Here are three articles that may give you a clue, and these articles should be read anyway: ... | |
| installing a gfi outlet into exsisting box with light and exhaust fan | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I'm trying to install a gfci outlet into the electrical box that already has the wiring for a light ... A: Cheryl, take a look at this site: http://ecmweb.com/mag/electric_think_gfci/ This is a terrific ... | |
| 3 phase 330 volt to 110 volt | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I have a large air compressor at the end of a long conduit run wired 3 phase 330 volt. 3 hot wires ... A: John, 330 three phase? That is different. What and where does the 330 come from? I am just curious ... | |
| Replacing a Metal Lathe Motor - Old Atlas Lathe | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a very old Wagner 1/3 HP motor with a new Dayton 3K199 1/2 HP capacitor start motor. ... A: Ron, Into the motor? I think you are meaning just any way to switch it on and off? If it is on a ... | |
| Converting wiring of electric motor from 220v to 110v | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I need to convert an Ajax electric motor for a water pump that supplies water to my house from 220 ... A: You did fine, but we are still short some information. I can tell it is a 56C Frame 1750RPM Class F ... | |
| ceiling fan wont run | 4/17/2007 |
| Q: I have completely dissembled a non working 3 speed ceiling fan motor and find no broken or burnt ... A: I am impressed. So you had this thing all apart and running and now nothing but a hum? Each ... | |
| Converting wiring of electric motor from 220v to 110v | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: I need to convert an Ajax electric motor for a water pump that supplies water to my house from 220 ... A: An Ajax motor, now wired for 220 or is it a 220 motor? Some are dual voltage some are not. There ... | |
| light switch voltage not correct | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: Light bulb went out. Light would not work after replacing bulb. Checked the voltage at the switch ... A: I thought it was in the fixture. The problem is all the neutrals and other parallel circuits, when ... | |
| meter mystery | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: I live in the Philippines - land of the "not quite right." My air conditioner is a 3-phase unit ... A: Wow, I had no idea electrical service was that outdated there. Pretty cool to have three phase ... | |
| No power - Hot Contact Not Connected | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: We currently have no power in our outdoor receptacles. My husband bought a tester and the results ... A: Tina, If you bought the house through a Real Estate Company, they should be able to help you. They ... | |
| My GE 3 phase, 220 volt motor | 4/16/2007 |
| Q: so started a new question format. Thanks again for your response - the situation is more clear for ... A: Michael, 1. My fault, I thought your motor was rated at 3 amps, my mistake. 3. The rating has no ... | |
| No power - Hot Contact Not Connected | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: We currently have no power in our outdoor receptacles. My husband bought a tester and the results ... A: Tina, I take it they used to work? If so here is a couple things to look for. Many times an ... | |
| 220 volt, 3 phase motor | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: I know little about electrical wiring, but I am a machinist and am very handy. I have a GE 220 volt, ... A: Michael, Thank you for the kind words and you are very welcome. Hell, you know more about this ... | |
| Wiring a programmable switch | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a standard switch with a programmable one. The switch operates one light; there is ... A: That is it no doubt. That may be expensive to get that neutral down to where you need it. Do you ... | |
| service upgrade | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: I just bought an 80 year old house with an exsisting 100amp service. the wire looks like #2 with a ... A: Rich, I guess people either try to be helpful or supportive or are clear out of their minds. Not ... | |
| old electric motor | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: there is no wiring diagram on cover of motor.It is a robbins&meyers 2 hp motor I think the model#is ... A: Mark, Tell me about the wires out of the motor. Are they numbered, colored, or are any connected ... | |
| Wiring a programmable switch | 4/15/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing a standard switch with a programmable one. The switch operates one light; there is ... A: Garrett, I am having a bit of trouble following all this. But I think the new switch directions are ... | |
| 220 volt, 3 phase motor | 4/14/2007 |
| Q: I know little about electrical wiring, but I am a machinist and am very handy. I have a GE 220 volt, ... A: Michael, I doubt you have three phase to the house. You have single phase and running three phase ... | |
| no power | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: We have a camp with utility power, but we are at the end of the line and about a mile from anyone ... A: Here is one site: [I have no affiliation with anyone on these kind of things! ... | |
| light switch voltage not correct | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: Light bulb went out. Light would not work after replacing bulb. Checked the voltage at the switch ... A: Aluminum, yep you got it more than likely. But try and get on this ASAP. The day I cut the one ... | |
| Home TIG Welder | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: I just purchased a miller econotig for my home. I am waiting to have an outlet installed, but I was ... A: Hey Matt, They should be posting questions to YOU! Thanks for the very kind words and votes and the ... | |
| meter mystery | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: I live in the Philippines - land of the "not quite right." My air conditioner is a 3-phase unit ... A: John, http://www.ezmeter.com/wizard.html I have asked this question and got three different ... | |
| light switch voltage not correct | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: Light bulb went out. Light would not work after replacing bulb. Checked the voltage at the switch ... A: Nice job of trouble shooting. So with the switch out, you have 73 vac on the hot side of the circuit ... | |
| light switch voltage not correct | 4/13/2007 |
| Q: Light bulb went out. Light would not work after replacing bulb. Checked the voltage at the switch ... A: Hey Paul, Where is the switch? A typical wall switch? If so what were the measurement points you ... | |
| tapping into a light switch for electric | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I want to put a fan/light (fan goes on when light does) in a bathroom and get electric from an ... A: Karen, First look at this link at the bottom of the page: ... | |
| 16/5 wire for old Hunter window fan | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I'm replacing a 2 ft. section of an old wire from the motor (21 amps, 115-125 volts) of this window ... A: Mike, You are very welcome. Thank you for the very kind words. You used common sense and you were ... | |
| electrical wiring | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I am replacing an old outside light fixture with a modern motion detector light, however I can get ... A: Most likely not, though you not having a ground at all is a bit of a safety concern. Does it say ... | |
| Control light/fan from 2 locations | 4/12/2007 |
| Q: I had a light in my house that was being controlled by two 3-way switches. I replaced the light with ... A: Marc, I have included a site for you to look at. Probably the way to go is with RF or some type ... | |
| toaster oven low temperature | 4/10/2007 |
| Q: I set my Oster toaster oven to 450 degrees. I inserted an oven thermometer in the toaster oven and ... A: If you need anything else at all, do not hesitate to write. I understand that sometimes we feel ... | |
| 1 wire; that's it | 4/10/2007 |
| Q: OK guys heres one ive not been able to get answer too; i was changing/upgrading outlets around house ... A: OK, You have a single pole light switch with one wire in the switch box? It is white. The other side ... | |
| Use of voltage step down converter | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I currently have a 110v Treadmill and will be moving to Europe. If I use a step down converter to ... A: Depends. The motor on the treadmill should say 50/60 hertz. If not call the Maker of the Treadmill ... | |
| Ceiling fan that makes noise- 2 fans | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I have (2) SMC 52" five blade ceiling fanas that makes a buzzing sound when running in all three ... A: Buzzing doesn't sound like lack of lube. What is the history of these fans? New, old, just started ... | |
| wiring a ceiling fan | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: Can I wire a ceiling fan to a switch that is wired only to a socket and nothing else in the room? A: Let me make sure of the question. Can you wire a ceiling fan to an existing light socket that has a ... | |
| OLD PLUGS | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I live in a studio apartment. I am turning the mainroom into a home studio for recording and such. ... A: This is good news. Can you remove a metal box, remove the earth round, slide in a plastic box and ... | |
| lights in Japan | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I have a three part question. First, I live in Japan and I am wondering if the Voltage used here ... A: The Japanese voltage you say is 100 AC @ 50/60 Hertz. I know nothing of Japanese electrical supply, ... | |
| Subpanel installation | 4/9/2007 |
| Q: I am planning to install a subpanel to the main panel in order to run power to a carriage barn out ... A: NO. NOT EVEN A POSSIBILITY. The feed is designed for 200 and nothing can be done except your ... | |
| refridgerator amps | 4/8/2007 |
| Q: I just bought a new gas generator for the cottage that has a output of 7.5 amps. Is that enough to ... A: Possibly, however I need the nameplate voltage and current rating from the refrigerator. Should be ... | |
| Voltage change on Dewalt Table Saw DW746 | 4/8/2007 |
| Q: I have a Dewalt table saw (DW746) which can be either 120 / 240V. Currently it is wired for 120V ... A: NO, there is no effect on the motor by the wire colors feeding it in this case. All you have are ... | |
| Voltage change on Dewalt Table Saw DW746 | 4/7/2007 |
| Q: I have a Dewalt table saw (DW746) which can be either 120 / 240V. Currently it is wired for 120V ... A: Mark, You have it correct. It should say electrically connect motor leads orange and black, then ... | |
| another 4 vs 3 prong dryer cord question | 4/7/2007 |
| Q: I bought a new home with 4 prong receptacle. My 1 year old dryer has 3 prong plug. I presume that ... A: I don't know if wrong is the correct term but I know where you are going. If the shunt between ... | |
| another 4 vs 3 prong dryer cord question | 4/7/2007 |
| Q: I bought a new home with 4 prong receptacle. My 1 year old dryer has 3 prong plug. I presume that ... A: You are correct. There sure are a lot of these going on these days. But you have wrote the question ... | |
| Bathroom outlets | 4/6/2007 |
| Q: I have 2 outlets in my bathroom. 1 is a standard 3 prong double receptacle, the other is a double 3 ... A: What was going on with the old light bar? Did you have outlet problems then? You had one outlet ... | |
| Motor tripping heaters | 4/6/2007 |
| Q: I have 30 years of service experience in the HVAC field. I've worked in large industrial plants and ... A: 30 years! I been at it a bit longer and now know two of us need our heads examined. Actually it is ... | |
| Bathroom outlets | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: I have 2 outlets in my bathroom. 1 is a standard 3 prong double receptacle, the other is a double 3 ... A: "IS the fact that the switch is not wired to a new light bar yet a problem?" YES The extra black ... | |
| 208/230 vs 220 volts | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: Can you explain the difference between 208/230 volts and 220 volts. I am hooking up a 60 gal ... A: It appears damn confusing. I won't go into great detail, but depending on a power transformers ... | |
| 208/230 volts vs 220 volts | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: Can you explain the difference between 208/230 volts and 220 volts. I am hooking up a 60 gal ... A: I am sorry, i thought I got to this question. It is nothing to worry about. It is really a range of ... | |
| a light that won't turn off at all | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: recently my roomate replaced a bulb in his overhead light and, tonight he came to me to figure out ... A: You shut down the main breaker and a light is still on? If so go get a lamp or radio or something ... | |
| 30 amp 220 volt generator receptacle | 4/5/2007 |
| Q: My gen. has a 4 wire receptacle,30 amp, my air compressor has a 3 prong that looks like a 110 volt ... A: Do you have it now? It is a hell of problem trying to explain that kind of ground. You said it was ... | |
| Wiring ceiling fan and remote | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: I have a Hampton Bay model# 54SHRL. The fan was an open box item and was missing it's remote so I ... A: Could you sync the hand held remote with the dip switches? I am alwasy in need of knowing how it ... | |
| outlet addition | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: I have 1 outlet installed now and would like to go from a single gang box to a triple gang box, how ... A: Make sure your circuit will handle the load and code is OK, then get the box for the triple and wire ... | |
| 4-prong dryer cable, color coded wire | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: I have Whirlpool duet dryer and would like to hook it up with a 4-prong outlet. The 4-prong cord is ... A: Are there no markings on the dryer? not so much for color but for hot, neutral, line ground etc. ... | |
| wiring on off and low/high speed switch | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: I've wired a 2 speed furnace fan motor, (to run as an air cleaner in my home wood shop)using 14/3 ... A: Motors and enclosures are built with certain ratings and dust is one of them. Believe it or not, ... | |
| wiring on off and low/high speed switch | 4/4/2007 |
| Q: I've wired a 2 speed furnace fan motor, (to run as an air cleaner in my home wood shop)using 14/3 ... A: Actually , just the opposite of crazy. Keeping the dust out of the motors is critical, keeping the ... | |
| generator compatibility | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: Will: I have two honda generators. One is an e2000 and the other is an e3000. I know how to hook ... A: It ain't. Now what you can do is to figure out what generator has the power to run the pump. Then ... | |
| Wire size for gate opener | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I am installing a one hp electric 110 Vac swing gate opener. It is 1040 feet from my breaker box. ... A: Because I don't know where you are, what the lay of the land is, and other factors I could give you ... | |
| 220 volt appliance | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: Is there any way I can use North American 220/240 to power a bad boy 3000W 220V UK kettle? All that ... A: I unfortunately don't know what a bad boy kettle is. Do you know if the kettle is rated 50/60 cycle ... | |
| Service to house and shop | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I'm building a house and shop. I will be running a 60A welder, 60A plasma cutter, and 40A air ... A: Tough to use? You are kind or a genius. It is a bitch and only the extremely experienced have read ... | |
| slow start-up on 240v bandsaw | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I recently moved houses, and I'm having a problem with my bandsaw at the new place. I have a 3hp ... A: Nice work. thank you for the very kind words. So the voltage at the motors was 122? The sub panel ... | |
| outdoor motion sensor lights stay on | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I have two outdoor lights with motion sensor that had worked fine and they both now stay on all the ... A: YES. Are they controlled from a switch in the house somewhere? If so, these things sometimes have ... | |
| Converting pool pump motors to solar | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: I'm interested in what it would take to convert my in ground pool pump motor from ac to solar ... A: A lot. You would have huge solar collectors, something to change the solar to AC Voltage, regulate ... | |
| Light that won't turn off | 4/3/2007 |
| Q: In ref to the below, I tried your advice. Hooking the black wire of the fixture to the single white ... A: YES, but we don't know what someone else did. Look at it this way. Hot should be witched. Once you ... | |
| 220 110 | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I could not reply back on my own question as when I did, it said you were on vacation. Thanks for ... A: You are doing fine. How do you know no reading with a broke meter and the other does with a broke ... | |
| Wire size for gate opener | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I am installing a one hp electric 110 Vac swing gate opener. It is 1040 feet from my breaker box. ... A: Copper is much better than aluminum. don't use it. Run 1000 feet of one size and tie onto the end ... | |
| Door Bell | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I have just a simple doorbell and it lights up. Well, the light and the doorbell has stopped ... A: Yes, somewhere in the house is a doorbell transformer, probably in your basement or in your attic. ... | |
| Gemini Glass top Duel Oven Stove Shocked my wife | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I was laying tile in my 2nd Bath and my wife was cooking dinner. I heard a snap that I belive came ... A: the stove receptacle? I thought it might be. YOU ARE THE MAN! Way to hang in there and thank you ... | |
| wiring on off and low/high speed switch | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: I've wired a 2 speed furnace fan motor, (to run as an air cleaner in my home wood shop)using 14/3 ... A: RE-READ YOUR question and make sure it is what you wanted to ask. The answer to the question as ... | |
| 220 runs for a rotary phase converter | 4/2/2007 |
| Q: Does operating a rotary phase converter unbalance the load on the two legs of a 220 supply and if so ... A: I am going to send you some links to look at and help you with sizing and some other issues. Here ... | |
| OLD PLUGS | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: I live in a studio apartment. I am turning the mainroom into a home studio for recording and such. ... A: This brand says it will work: http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/ts237.htm If you want to get real ... | |
| electric cable | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: So glad this site exists, thx a mil ! Im trying to change a "plug head", that goes into a Lacie ... A: Can you not lay them out by physical position? They should be in a row> or two top, left right, two ... | |
| Connecting a light fixture | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: In the outlet box I have 2 wires. The coverings of both have been painted so I can't tell which is ... A: There is just two wires? Alternate means reversing them right? Not another set of wires? Well ... | |
| kenmore/whirlpool 3 speed motor | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: This is a kenmore/whirlpool 3 speed stepper motor. It is running, but is on the middle speed. I ... A: OK I get the idea now> Does the motor start right up and torque pretty good? Is the motor running in ... | |
| 220 110 | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: I could not reply back on my own question as when I did, it said you were on vacation. Thanks for ... A: The plot thickens. You bet they are connected. I bet there is two neutrals on the one, two hots on ... | |
| Ceiling fan chirping | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a Casa Vieja ceiling fan in my room that started chirping. This unit has no remote and no ... A: No owner's manual I take it? Go trip the breaker on the fan circuit and tell me if it quits. Does ... | |
| Capacitor for pump motor | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: How can I determine the size of capacitor to be used to our 220V pump motor? (that we got also from ... A: You are having no luck at all. No motor data, no cap data? The best you can do at this point is one ... | |
| Ceiling fan chirping | 4/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a Casa Vieja ceiling fan in my room that started chirping. This unit has no remote and no ... A: Probably a bearing. When noise emit at constant intervals correlating to rotational speed it is most ... | |
| Short in switched circuit | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: I have a short in the end leg wire that feeds power to the switched outlets. This wire is pulled ... A: I do appreciate the kind words. You are correct in all, and you also know the difficulty of writing ... | |
| 220 110 | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: I could not reply back on my own question as when I did, it said you were on vacation. Thanks for ... A: WOW. Glad to hear back from you. If you take a volt meter and put the probes in the outlet you will ... | |
| Swimming Pool Grounding | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: Recently it has come to our attention that many swimming pool in a subdivision built by a major ... A: NO. You will need someone licensed in the area. They will know the local code and offer a solution. ... | |
| Short in switched circuit | 3/31/2007 |
| Q: I have a short in the end leg wire that feeds power to the switched outlets. This wire is pulled ... A: Here is a pretty good ohm meter lesson: http://arcadecontrols.com/BBBB/om.html I have not run ... | |
| Short in switched circuit | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a short in the end leg wire that feeds power to the switched outlets. This wire is pulled ... A: Yes. First isolate the circuits, Check for continuity to the pipe one at a time looking for a short ... | |
| Putting up a ceiling fan | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I'm installing a celing fan in a bedroom and I'm a little confused on the wiring in the ceiling. ... A: You say you put the three wires from the fan together on the wire from the ceiling. Do you have all ... | |
| hooking up to a generator? | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I have a generator with a nema L14-30R recepticle on it for 240v. My cabin is wired to a nema ... A: Please look at this site. give them a call. Explain to them what you have. The L14-30P is custom ... | |
| Question on 5-head goose neck floor lamp | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a 5-head goose neck floor lamp from target store.When i asembled it it didnt ... A: I can't imagine a company having a customer wire a lamp to the extent you are speaking of. Unless ... | |
| House Thermostate | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I wanted to replace my old mercury house thermostat. I bought a digital one and installed it. The ... A: You have eight wires in the wall behind the thermostat? 1 Possibility that the other four are bad ... | |
| Question on 5-head goose neck floor lamp | 3/30/2007 |
| Q: I recently bought a 5-head goose neck floor lamp from target store.When i asembled it it didnt ... A: It is the wiring. Do you still have the assembly instructions? Tell me about the lamp operation. Is ... | |
| Putting up a ceiling fan | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I'm installing a celing fan in a bedroom and I'm a little confused on the wiring in the ceiling. ... A: Was the light you took down switched, away, from the light on the wall, or was it a pull chain ... | |
| Service to house and shop | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I'm building a house and shop. I will be running a 60A welder, 60A plasma cutter, and 40A air ... A: Codes are different in all situations and different from locale to locale Breakers are not ... | |
| Appreciate your help | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I have a 100a panel thats about 75ft. away from where the service cable enters the house. What type ... A: I know you won't like this answer, but it depends on what types of load, motors, just lights, etc. ... | |
| Wiring an air compressor to a 220 switch | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: I wanted to know if I could use this switch( Bryant Electrical 1 Phase, 3 Pole 30 Amp toggle motor ... A: You are very welcome and thank you so much for the very kind words and voe of confidence. You get ... | |
| Capacitor for pump motor | 3/29/2007 |
| Q: How can I determine the size of capacitor to be used to our 220V pump motor? (that we got also from ... A: How did you determine the motor is OK and the motor is good? If the cap is bad the motor won't ... | |
| grounding at the subpanel | 3/28/2007 |
| Q: I have installed a subpanel in the basement.Bare ground is attached to the ground casing bar, white ... A: At the subpanel, did you keep the neutral and ground separate? Do not tie the buss to the panel ... | |
| Wiring an air compressor to a 220 switch | 3/28/2007 |
| Q: I wanted to know if I could use this switch( Bryant Electrical 1 Phase, 3 Pole 30 Amp toggle motor ... A: It will take me a while to answer, I have to look up that switch. It will be tonight before I can ... | |
| blown fuse | 3/28/2007 |
| Q: My son accidentally got a balloon caught in the ceiling fan. We immediately turned it off and ... A: Ok first let's get the terminology fixed, incase you are calling someone locally. The device that ... | |
| Wiring an air compressor to a 220 switch | 3/28/2007 |
| Q: I wanted to know if I could use this switch( Bryant Electrical 1 Phase, 3 Pole 30 Amp toggle motor ... A: I find nothing on the switch. The best way is with a contactor sized to the compressor amperage and ... | |
| Swith outlet combo | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: I've installed a garbage disposal. I have a dual outlet that I want to convert to a outlet/switch ... A: Completely or just when switched? Probably in either case it has to do with the two outlets being ... | |
| 60 amp | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: With a 6-2 stranded copper wire and a 60 amp 2 pole breaker, can I run 3 A/C's. One with a 45 max, ... A: No. There are many de-rating factors and formulas for amperages in overload protection. Too long to ... | |
| 3 prong dryer hookup 4 prong dryer? | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: I read the stuff online for the opposite situation and cannot extrapolate for my situation. If i am ... A: I understand your frustration and you are making perfect sense. Dryer new four wire. You can shunt ... | |
| Cut Romex | 3/27/2007 |
| Q: A carpenter cut through the hot (black) wire in a romex cable that is in a channel next to a window ... A: Yes, Before you read all the commercial links I have provided, here is the way I would do it. Can ... | |
| Red Wire | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: We purchased a new home with a ceiling fan rough-in. We are trying to install the fan/light combo ... A: Sorry didn't catch your full question. Red usually indicates a hot wire switch leg. The red would be ... | |
| Remote controlled ceiling fan | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: I have a Hunter ceiling fan/light that is controlled by remote control. Now the light is the only ... A: Please use the hyperlink below. Hunter has so many different wiring schemes for their fans, ... | |
| 1phase requirement ...3 phase outlet | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: I have several 220V 3phase outlets available to me but no single phase. I have a welder who requires ... A: No, not at the plug. But if you have three phase in the building [a big plus!] you can go to the ... | |
| Red Wire | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: We purchased a new home with a ceiling fan rough-in. We are trying to install the fan/light combo ... A: Most commonly ceiling fans will have 4 wires, or 3 wires plus a ground. Black, white, green, and an ... | |
| Gemini Glass top Duel Oven Stove Shocked my wife | 3/26/2007 |
| Q: I was laying tile in my 2nd Bath and my wife was cooking dinner. I heard a snap that I belive came ... A: Well there is three people looking the situation over and say nothing is wrong. New stove, laying ... | |
| downstairs lights | 3/25/2007 |
| Q: All my downstairs lights have stopped working, the trip switch has not gone but strangely my kitchen ... A: Here are several scenarios: 1. You have two separate problems, that showed up at one time. By the ... | |
| Sub panel feed | 3/25/2007 |
| Q: I have a 60a sub panel that I want to feed.Its 8 circuits,but the only circuits I have are basically ... A: You didn't mention the distance, but I get the feeling from your question you know what you are ... | |
| Direct Wire to Wall Plug | 3/25/2007 |
| Q: I want to change a track light from direct wire to a wall plug. Are there instructions on how to do ... A: Are you wanting to add a cord to the track light and be able to plug it in? If so most likely. Not ... | |
| New light in off-postion trips breaker | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: I have just installed a new light fixure in my bathroom. After wiring the fixture, I turned the ... A: Somehow you have a direct short when the switch is off. Make sure first that the position of the ... | |
| nutural wire | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: what and how does the natural do ANSWER: You mean neutral? It is typically the ground side of an AC ... A: A Neutral represents a reference point within an electrical distribution system. Conductors ... | |
| 220v | 3/24/2007 |
| Q: I have bought a Dryer in us that 220/240v and moved to europe i need to know will my drier work and ... A: I don't know where you are in Europe, but nothing works on 1 wire. Often European voltages will be ... | |
| reconnecting power to a mobile home | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: I am a novice to electrical wiring, but would like to try reconnecting power to an old building on ... A: Steve, keep a copy of this description. You did a great job of checking everything, you noted it in ... | |
| Light that won't turn off. | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: I recently had my house painted. The painter took down the outside mounted wall light and basically ... A: When the painter trashed the light, how do we know what he did with pairings of wires? This will be ... | |
| Gemini Glass top Duel Oven Stove Shocked my wife | 3/23/2007 |
| Q: I was laying tile in my 2nd Bath and my wife was cooking dinner. I heard a snap that I belive came ... A: Yes I do. First I need to know how savvy you are with electricity. Second, is there a decent ... | |
| disconnecting a hard-wired oven | 3/22/2007 |
| Q: We are removing our hard-wired drop in range. We need to know how to safely disconnect the wiring. ... A: You have done the first step correctly. You are absolutely sure you have the correct breaker off? ... | |
| T-Bar and Heat Ducts Energized | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: I am in the process of installing a suspended ceiling in my basement and I have discovered that the ... A: You should be damn proud or yourself. That was not an easy problem. I just got a question about a ... | |
| Replacing wall AC. | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: I'm replacing my AC wall unit with a Fujitsu Mini split air (24000 BTU's), the old unit was ... A: It sounds like your existing unit is three phase. Is that a possibility? There is no point in 12/3 ... | |
| Spa electrical | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: A friend gave me a spa and I am in the process of getting things together to get it all hooked up. ... A: Good job. Now Don't assume there is 50 Amps in left in the main where you are going to get this ... | |
| 120 volts AC to 12 volts DC converter | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: I have a 12volt dc lift that is run with hydraulic by two 12volt deep cycle marine batteries. Can I ... A: Yes you can. There are commercial convertors available. Or to build your own, you need a transformer ... | |
| Spa electrical | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: A friend gave me a spa and I am in the process of getting things together to get it all hooked up. ... A: You are doing good so far. First thing is there an owner's manual and install guide for the spa? If ... | |
| Outlet extension | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: My outlets are sunk in to sheetrock to far how do i get them out is there extension boxes. thanks ... A: Tell me more. All of them are sunk? Did they move for some reason? Or are you saying someone ... | |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | 3/21/2007 |
| Q: We have a 30 year old house with a 150 amp "Zelco"? panel. We have used all the spaces avaliable in ... A: Absolutely. I don't know what the "others" level of expertise is, but if you have an electrician you ... | |
| low voltage outside lighting | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: I do not have outside electrical outlets so I would like to mount the low voltage transformers on ... A: Then I think your plan is a good one. Let me know if you come up with WHY, they say to put them ... | |
| conduit in basement | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: William, I'm adding a sub in my shed and am running 3 - #4 THHN wire from my main on a 50amp 220v ... A: If you have a good instructional book, stay with what it says. Often times ground rods are ... | |
| T-Bar and Heat Ducts Energized | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: I am in the process of installing a suspended ceiling in my basement and I have discovered that the ... A: First of all, I am impressed with your determination and your trouble shooting ability. Yes the ... | |
| Old socket new range | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: I have a home built in 1984 with a 3 prong range socket. The socket contains a red, black and white ... A: I just ran into the same thing. New code calls for new installs to have a separate or fourth chassis ... | |
| low voltage outside lighting | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: I do not have outside electrical outlets so I would like to mount the low voltage transformers on ... A: I will have to go back and find out why my answer did not come to you. I apologize I think it was ... | |
| Outlet question | 3/20/2007 |
| Q: I'm wiring my shop with outlets along the back wall (3 in a row). So from my panel I have wire ... A: Tom, Yes. I am assuming you mean by fins, that top and bottom are shunted together. There is ... | |
| Separate thermostats for heat and cool. | 3/19/2007 |
| Q: I would like to have an automatic thermostat that would switch over, between heat and cool, when it ... A: I can see why you want the two controls, but trying to use two would probably be a real issue. ... | |
| loose electrical neutral | 3/19/2007 |
| Q: how can i locate a loose neotral that is sending random surges through out the circuits? A: If you invest in a decent non contact circuit tracer, the indicator on the tool may beep or light ... | |
| T-Bar and Heat Ducts Energized | 3/19/2007 |
| Q: I am in the process of installing a suspended ceiling in my basement and I have discovered that the ... A: First don't panic and start taking things apart. I know at this point all this work you have done ... | |
| Light that won't turn off. | 3/19/2007 |
| Q: I recently had my house painted. The painter took down the outside mounted wall light and basically ... A: It sounds like the light was on a three way switch. Where did you turn the light on from? It ... | |
| Electric Motor Reset Button | 3/18/2007 |
| Q: Let me first say I'm fairly skilled in electrical repair and know enough not to electrocute myself. ... A: I certainly hope that from my previous answers, I haven't given the impression I feel most are not ... | |
| Wiring | 3/17/2007 |
| Q: I need to know what size wire to use to run out to workshop. I have a 6.25 horsepower compressor and ... A: Need a little more information to help you. How will you run it out to the barn? How far is it? ... | |
| garage wiring | 3/16/2007 |
| Q: i have some tools in my garage.bandsaw.saw woodlathe+a dust vac.is it ok to run 12ga wire from the ... A: You have some questions inside the question, but that is OK, some go right ahead without asking and ... | |
| wiring | 3/10/2007 |
| Q: other than homes, where else might you find electrical wiring? Thanks,BH A: Do you mean the type of wiring that is in a typical home? Or just wiring of any kind? My first ... | |
| Light Fixture heating up | 3/1/2007 |
| Q: I have a high hat light fixture that was working fine for years but now sometimes a perfectly good ... A: My apologies, I do not know what the term high hat is, regarding a light. It may be important, but ... | |
| GFI vs non-GFI | 3/1/2007 |
| Q: I purchased a machine that must be plugged into a non-GFI plug or it stops. My electrician told me ... A: I didn't see a specific question. Are you saying that the only place you can plug this machine into ... | |
| Converting 240v to 110v | 3/1/2007 |
| Q: and the accompanying foot pedal and power cord. I want to replace the motor with a 110v, and am ... A: This is Will. I found your question in the question pool, it looked like you had not received an ... | |
| Wall oven | 2/28/2007 |
| Q: I am trying to replace my old wall oven but am confused concerning the wiring supplied with the new ... A: I don't quite understand the question. The wiring that came with the new oven is smaller than than ... | |
| Lights flickering | 2/22/2007 |
| Q: The lights in my home have a continual minor flicker. Not just one flicker, as in a power surge, but ... A: Start looking at the main power box. Sounds like a intermittent connection on one a neutral ... | |
| Adding new light, but one is on and one is off. | 2/21/2007 |
| Q: I am adding a new light in an existing bathroom between an existing light and an existing switch. ... A: Can you put the existing light back just as it was? If so you need to do that for the moment. When ... | |
| Dryer | 1/4/2007 |
| Q: I bought this house 2 years ago. I started using my old dryer and it took 3 cycles to dry a load of ... A: You are right. the difference is the full load current of the different motors on different dryers. ... | |
| wiring | 12/29/2006 |
| Q: We are building a new house and our electrican came in and did all the new wiring... he drilled ... A: Did he say it was against code? If so yes move them. He is worrying about inducing electrical in ... | |
| tiffany lamp electrical connection | 12/23/2006 |
| Q: I am going to install a tiffany style lamp hanging from the ceiling. I will use an existing outlet ... A: The extra "copper wire" is more than likely a ground wire. It looks copper in color because it has ... | |
About Electrical Wiring in the Home
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here
This site answers questions related to home electrical wiring, home wiring, general electrical help,and other electrical questions related to aleternating current (AC). You can find help on the National Electical Code, home electrical issues, wiring electrical outlets, installing lighting, electrical grounding, and general electrical help for do-it-yourself projects not require an electrician. If you do not see your home electrical wiring question answered in this area then please ask your electrical wiring question here
Electrical Wiring in the Home
Answers by Expert:
Will Babbitt
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Electrical MOTOR or APPARATUS trouble shooting, motors, electrical problems, repair of most any electrical/mechanical/electronic apparatus, OEM, AC, DC, Industrial Applications, Three phase, single phase failure mode, determining the root cause of the equipment failure BEFORE failure of the replacement, antique appliances, motors, fans, many ceiling fans/base mount fans, poor equipment performance, modifications, habitual failures, vibration, redesign, obsolete issues, collectible items restored, rewinding. Owner of EMR Repair Inc www.emrrepair.com More information under Engineering/Motors
Experience
Over thirty years and now owner of my own specialty repair shop, EMR Repair Inc., located in Kansas City Missouri, service@emrrepair.com, evaluation and repair of electrical/mechanical apparatus. Electrical and mechanical repairs, trouble shooting including, vibration and balance issues.
Organizations
Former IBEW, EASA,
Education/Credentials
4 Year Technical School, Industrial College Credit and non Credit, electronics courses, experience in electrical apparatus, motors fractional to above 5000HP, other electrical apparatus, slip rings, sleeve [plain] bearings, lubrication, identification-no data plate, control components, service and sales
Awards and Honors
Yes
Past/Present Clients
Federal Government, National Weather Service, NOAA, Commercial Power Plants, Major Vehicle Manufacturers, Printers, Other industrial and Commercial Concerns
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