Electrical Wiring in the Home - Home Improvement/Repair - Home/Garden

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About Greg Hughes
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Residential Electrical including Appliances and HVAC with 28 years experience.

Experience
Started training as an electrician in 1979, worked for major companies and the government.

Education/Credentials
Graduated from Electrician's School, Carrier Training, and various specialty schools.

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Electrical Wiring in the Home

Questions Answered By Expert Greg Hughes
In Category Electrical Wiring in the Home

Subject	Date Asked

MY lights went out when changing a light bulb.	11/21/2009
Q: I have a lampficture in my kitchen that has about 8 small light bulbs. There were only 3 light bulbs ... A: It is possible that part of the old bulb is still in the socket and creating a dead short. With the ...
direct wiring a european model waterheater	11/20/2009
Q: i purchased an under the sink instant water heater, little did i know it was a european model unit, ... A: You will need a dedicated line from the breaker panel to that outlet under the sink. If your outlet ...
Old Breakers	11/20/2009
Q: I was wondering if HACR breakers were necessary years ago. While I was looking online at older ... A: HACR breakers react differently than the older standard breakers. Even fuses for HVAC equipment act ...
Testing low volt transformer	11/19/2009
Q: New home. Five years old. My low voltage lights don't work in my bath and I tried replacing the ... A: First you test the high voltage being supplied to the transformer. Since a transformer merely takes ...
romex to knob and tube switch leg in wall	11/18/2009
Q: ..I'm try to abandon knob and tube in the attic...will run 12/2 romex from new panel..should i use ... A: In my experience some of the most dangerous incidents of k and t is in the wall so I hope you are ...
kitchen circuits	11/18/2009
Q: i am updating my kitchen which has 15 amp circuits, do I have to upgrade existing circuits to 20 ... A: If you are pulling permits for this job you will have to follow what the AHJ dictates. So you will ...
220 V 2 pole Breaker	11/17/2009
Q: I have a motor that I am running an outlet for. The motor is 230 V 14 amp and comes with a 30 amp ... A: In the U.S.A this is how we would do it: If you buy 10-2 with a ground you will connect the ground ...
Ceiling fan lighting issue	11/16/2009
Q: I have an issue with my ceiling fan light kit. The first kit capacitor blew and Hunter sent me a new ... A: Voltage in Japan is 100 volts, ungrounded, and either 50 hz or 60 hz depending on what area you are ...
Is replacing the entire subpanel overkill?	11/15/2009
Q: After inspecting our home built in 1965, an electrician recommended that we replace the subpanel in ... A: If you have a certain type of panel then I would say yes you need to update it. That panel is over ...
Eletrical line problem	11/15/2009
Q: We got a heater of 1500 watts and plugged in. But it went off and when we checked further we ... A: You are talking about two things, fuses and tripped circuits. Fuses blow and are not resettable and ...
220 breaker on a dryer	11/14/2009
Q: i have a new dryer.everytime i use it it trips the breaker. i got a new breaker (20) and it still ... A: Electric dryers require a double-pole 30 amp breaker and at least 10 awg wire. After you make sure ...
Bathroom exhaust fans	11/13/2009
Q: I own a rental house with a small (5x8) bathroom with a very old exhaust fan (about 40 years old, ... A: Any electrical fixture above the shower or tub area needs to be on a gfci circuit. Doubtful your ...
capacitors	11/13/2009
Q: I have a capacitor gone in a motor,its a 400v 50hz 36uf with push on lugs at top for connection. Ive ... A: Caps wired in parallel are added together because you have increased the plate size. It is like ...
Generator hookup	11/11/2009
Q: I am installing a Generac 10kw propane standby generator. Pre-wired harness is 30 feet long. I may ... A: There are splicing blocks available but you have to wrap (insulate) them well. I would splice in the ...
electrical	11/11/2009
Q: my kitchen lights quit working as well as the fan and light on our hood vent, and in the living ... A: Without a voltmeter you are just guessing. And you should never touch electrical wires without ...
Centering a chandelier	11/10/2009
Q: The chandelier is slightly off center due to the ceiling joist. The electrical box is attached to ... A: The ceiling joists are rarely found in the center of a room so you will need to have attic access. ...
Size &t ype	11/10/2009
Q: I have a new detached garage 150 ft from main box. I want 220& 110 underground (no conduit)type ... A: What you need to know is how many amps you plan on using. Add up your lighting, your air compressor, ...
Range Outlet	11/9/2009
Q: I have a question regarding moving the outlet for my range. I am doing some rearranging of my ... A: You should test the outlet for power after you turn off the breaker and before you disconnect it, ...
Four Way Switch	11/7/2009
Q: I recently switched an existing four way switch to a white one and since then the whole system ... A: If it worked before you changed the switch it means you have miswired the new switch. The new ...
switch for blower	11/7/2009
Q: Im replacing a dimmer switch for wood stove the old switch has a blk and white wires the new has 2 ... A: They are different because they were made at different times, perhaps from a different company, both ...
adding ceiling light in existing room	11/6/2009
Q: Is there a technique for running the wire (romex) in a finished wall and ceiling without tearing up ... A: Pulling wires is partly technical and partly an art form. Having the right tools makes all the ...
Shop Wiring	11/6/2009
Q: I recently built a shop and need to get power to it. An electrician suggesting taping my main power ... A: The amount of lighting will depend on several factors. One is your age, another is what type of ...
gfci switch wiring	11/5/2009
Q: I plan on wiring a switch to an outdoor lantern using power from my gfci load out. I have run my ... A: Hot from the load terminal will go to the switch. Neutral from the load terminal goes to the switch ...
Shop Wiring	11/5/2009
Q: I recently built a shop and need to get power to it. An electrician suggesting taping my main power ... A: The attic is better than a ditch. I do not like aluminum so I always suggest copper. The size of the ...
Shutting off when hot	11/4/2009
Q: I live in a older home and my kitchen and bath overhead lights are on the same circuit. I also have ... A: The first things to look for are wrong wattage bulbs and wrong type of bulbs. Each light is built ...
12/3	11/4/2009
Q: Good afternoon, We just ran 3000 ft of 12/3 and have a power converter (for a lack of better words) ... A: At 3000 feet you are going to have major voltage drop issues. What type of voltage and wattage do ...
Multiple outlets stopped working	11/3/2009
Q: After reading thru many question and answers, I believe I know what at least what to check. Anyway I ... A: First, throw the tester with lights in your drawer and get a digital voltmeter (they are less than ...
1930's school clock	11/3/2009
Q: I have a 1930's school clock. It has 3 wires. Black, White, Red. The lable says 24 VDC. Does that ... A: How the schools kept all the clocks running at the same time, which is very important when you have ...
Installing Appliances	11/2/2009
Q: I will be installing a dishwasher in my mobile home tomorrow and have a few questions. 1) Am I able ... A: I am not familiar with local codes for your area and you may need a permit for what you are doing. ...
only getting 52 volts from 110 volts	11/2/2009
Q: I have a wire going to light sconces where I am reading about 52 volts. This wire is connected in a ... A: How I would troubleshoot this is to check all the connections in the switch box (with the power off) ...
Hot tub circuit	10/31/2009
Q: I have a hot tub that requires a 40amp circuit. Here is how I have installed it. There is a GFI ... A: The wire at that length is rated for a 40 amp breaker. It would be 50 amps if it was under 100' in ...
Short cirucit?	10/31/2009
Q: House electrical to separate building (Studio). Problem: Low voltage 20-30V on the studio side. On ... A: The wires could of been nicked originally and the conduit leaks somewhere. Once the ground became ...
Short cirucit?	10/30/2009
Q: House electrical to separate building (Studio). Problem: Low voltage 20-30V on the studio side. On ... A: You say you have 110 volts at a double pole breaker but you should be getting 220 volts across them. ...
Freaked-out Smoke Detector	10/29/2009
Q: We have a ceiling fan and smoke detector in one of our bedrooms. Whenever the ceiling fan is turned ... A: I have seen lower-grade ceiling fans get so hot when they are on that you cannot touch the base and ...
Capping electrical outlet (plug)	10/29/2009
Q: I have several outlets I want to cap, with blank plates, what is the safest way to do this? A: With the power off, disconnect the wires from the outlet and put wire nuts on them and then wrap ...
GFCI outlet	10/28/2009
Q: I am also on the board, in roofing and ventilation. I am remodeling a bathroom on my home. One ... A: If this circuit goes on to feed other outlets outside of the bathroom that are not normally gfci ...
6+ wires in Ceiling Light	10/26/2009
Q: I am trying to replace an existing ceiling light that for some reason has 3 black, 3 white and a few ... A: It sounds like you should wire it the same as the old one. I am not sure what you mean when you say ...
SMOKE COMING FROM ELECTRCAL OUTLET	10/25/2009
Q: THEN NOTICED SMOKE AT THE RECEPTACLE. WE QUICKLY TURNED OFF UNIT AND UNPLUGGED. WATCHED AND WE DID ... A: If the unit was running at the appropriate amp draw then it may be that you had a loose connection ...
Open Circuit ?	10/22/2009
Q: In my home some outlets and switches on a circuit work and some do not. This includes a light switch ... A: Look for gfci outlet(s) that could of tripped. If that is not it start checking each circuit at the ...
fused 120 volt outlet	10/22/2009
Q: Is their such a thing as a fused 120 volt switch or outlet? A: The difference between a fuse and breaker is that the fuse blows and is not resettable, whereas the ...
Switch Leg Issue	10/21/2009
Q: I have a new construction switch leg question. My basement has 8 blue box pull string light fixtures ... A: You really should have two separate circuits for the lights and outlets. I always recommend putting ...
Fuses	10/20/2009
Q: I have two rooms next to each other. Each time I turn on the heater and the TV in one of the room, ... A: Check the wattage of the heater and see if you are drawing more amps with that and the T.V. on at ...
220 line problem	10/19/2009
Q: I have a problem...Each time I run my electrical dryer, I blow a circuit. At firs, I thought it was ... A: One option is to have the factory service come and look at the new dryer to establish that the dryer ...
220 line problem	10/19/2009
Q: I have a problem...Each time I run my electrical dryer, I blow a circuit. At firs, I thought it was ... A: What needs to happen is an amp meter put on the circuit and watched while the dryer is running. If ...
resident wiring	10/18/2009
Q: I visited my mother and she had six wall outlets that when I put a volt meter on them I got a ... A: The only time a broken ground would affect your reading is if you are testing to ground. If your ...
oven bake element	10/18/2009
Q: I need to replace my bake element that burned out I took the old one out and thought that there was ... A: At this point you should look at the schematic. But, normally the two black wires go together while ...
connecting cook top to stove	10/17/2009
Q: the cook top have 4 wires black,red,white, and a ground new wall mount stove has three black,red,and ... A: Usually the red and black are the two hot legs, white is neutral, and green is ground. You could ...
Oven and Microwave Electric Supply	10/16/2009
Q: Doing a kitchen makeover. I just removed a built in double oven. It had a plug/socket 240V supply, ... A: If the two are one unit all you do is wire it to the existing wire and check to make sure you have ...
long distance wiring	10/16/2009
Q: i have a 200 amp service pole about 300 feet away from the main panel of my home. what size wire and ... A: The rule of thumb is for every 100' over 100' you go to the next bigger size for copper wire. The ...
question regarding sub panel	10/15/2009
Q: I am looking to update the sub panel located in my garage (main panel in house). The main panel has ... A: First you need to establish how many amps you need for your house and that will tell you the ...
kitchen wiring - countertop and dishwasher/disposal	10/14/2009
Q: I am doing a complete remodel of my kitchen, down to the studs. Everything is exposed, and I'm ... A: As far as I know you can install as many outlets you want on the counter, as long as a 24" cord can ...
220 dryer plug	10/13/2009
Q: i had to change the plug to fit dads old dryer(dryer plug to range plug),we decided to get a new ... A: At this point you need to take a voltmeter and verify which wires are supplying the 220 volts and ...
240V double pole fuse amperage	10/12/2009
Q: I have a simple question that I've had people give me different answers. I have fuse box with a ... A: Two 30 amp fuses. You have up to 30 amps flowing through the two fuses so if you have 15 amp fuses ...
Replaced bathroom switch, now GFI trips	10/12/2009
Q: Bathroom, separate light and fan controlled by a pair of SPST switches with a common terminal on one ... A: You need to find out if you have reversed polarity, meaning the white is hot and the black is ...
new LG 240v. 18,000 ac wall unit	10/11/2009
Q: installed this unit 10/09/2009, i have a new 200 amp service, used a 20 amp 2 pole breaker switch, ... A: What do you get when you measure from hot prong to hot prong? You mentioned 123 at each prong but we ...
New Construction Recessed Lighting with no access	10/11/2009
Q: As I understand the NEC code, all junction boxes must be accessible without removing ... A: Lets use some good old common sense for this situation. If you install new construction in an area ...
short	9/24/2009
Q: I have an issue with one side of my mobile home losing electricity occasionally, actually off more ... A: It sounds more like an "open" rather than "short". I strongly recommend hiring an electrician ...
service panel in exterior wall	9/22/2009
Q: I am putting a service panel in an exterior 2x6 wall in my new garage due to the short length of the ... A: If the vapor is a major concern I would just run my conduit up from the box, on the outside, and ...
wireing diogonogistics	9/22/2009
Q: how can i trace the problem in an apt bldg on 2nd floor apt whenever they turned on the shower they ... A: Take a volt measurement between the showerhead and a reference ground that you know is really ...
OPEN GROUND	9/21/2009
Q: When installing a new outlet, tester showed an open ground....When I tested all of the outlets in ... A: It is possible that your house is old enough to not have ground wires. That was common in older ...
electric	9/21/2009
Q: I am replacing a combination switch outlet with a combination switch/gfci (Shock Sentry) I have a ... A: Your terminology is a little confusing. By "two wire system" do you mean two wires in one ...
Question	9/20/2009
Q: Is it normal to hear a buzzing sound coming from the electrical panel when the A/C comes on? Thanks A: It depends on where the buzzing is coming from. It can be a sign of a weak or loose breaker, loose ...
Ceiling fan w light	9/18/2009
Q: I'm wiring a ceiling fan and light is not working. situation....hot wire comes into switch ... A: When you installed the light kit make sure the quick-connect connection is tight. Have you tried the ...
Thermostat for fan control	9/18/2009
Q: I'm trying to get ventilation into a root cellar to cool it with night air during our hot summers ... A: Let me see if I understand, you want the cellar fan to come on when the outside air is less than 55 ...
Electrical Outlet problem	9/17/2009
Q: My daughter has an older home with an electrical outlet that has a 6 plug expander box plugged into ... A: Check the rating of the expander to make sure it can handle the amps of the dishwasher. Current ...
shed wiring	9/17/2009
Q: I can bring power to my 10x10 shed directly from my meter box whioh has breaker switch capability. ... A: You can use romex but that is hard to pull through the conduit. Look for wire with a THHN rating ...
Dead breaker?	9/16/2009
Q: I will start at the beginning; last winter, we had an electrical issue with our lights dimming, then ... A: There are a couple of possibilities and all are easier to verify when the problem exists. You did ...
wiring a shed	9/15/2009
Q: I can bring power to my 10x10 shed directly from my meter box whioh has breaker switch capability. ... A: I like PVC conduit in the ground for protection of the wire. You can go directly from a breaker to ...
Electrical Panels	9/14/2009
Q: I converted by home to a square D 200 AMP Sub panel with 30 breakers. I need to know which Square D ... A: If I understand correctly you installed the 200 amp subpanel and now what to upgrade your main. If ...
hot tub	9/13/2009
Q: i was advised to use 6 gauge wire to 50 amp breaker box, do i need to run 6 gauge from outside ... A: Your hot tub should have a GFCI disconnect and if it is on a 50 amp breaker then yes, you would use ...
Upgrading 200 Amp Residential Load Center to 400 Amp	9/10/2009
Q: Just a bit over 25 years ago I was a lic. cert. electrician, HVAC, B1 contractor in LA County, CA. ... A: Yes, but at least you get to live in Florida. This upgrade to 400 amps is not going to be cheap, ...
Upgrading 200 Amp Residential Load Center to 400 Amp	9/9/2009
Q: Just a bit over 25 years ago I was a lic. cert. electrician, HVAC, B1 contractor in LA County, CA. ... A: You will need to get the utility company and the local AHJ involved in this. The utility company ...
tapping off a 220 circuit for a new GFI Circuit	9/9/2009
Q: I built a shed 150 feet from my home. I ran 14/2 underground wire ( bk, wht, gnd) in gray PVC to the ... A: You probably should of asked for advise before this project began. The 14/2 is undersized. You ...
48v at box with power off	9/8/2009
Q: I was attempting to replace a builder installed fan in a master bed room. With fan removed, and ... A: This is why a person should always, always check for voltage before working on wires. Do you just ...
tube and knob wiring	9/8/2009
Q: isit easy to determine if electricity is stii activein a old house.we want to blow insulation in the ... A: Yes, it is easy to determine if electrical wires are live. An inspector would have you remove old ...
sub panel on a detached garage	9/6/2009
Q: I was reading one of your responses on allexperts.com and I was curious about a situation I'm having ... A: Two grounding rods are okay as long as they follow code when installing them. This is not the normal ...
Power fluctuating up and down	9/5/2009
Q: The power and my home kept cutting off so I called an electriction to fix the problem. The guy said ... A: If your 15 amp circuit has any wire smaller than 10 gauge there is now a fire hazard by installing ...
double switch outlet	9/4/2009
Q: i am trying to replace a double switch outlet that turns two different lights on and off. each with ... A: Let me make sure I understand. You have a switched outlet that both the upper and lower prongs are ...
electrical outlet	9/3/2009
Q: I changed the light bulb. The breaker never shut off and the outlet now won't work as well as ... A: Look for a gfci outlet that may have tripped. If that is not the problem you will need a voltmeter ...
wire size for oven	9/3/2009
Q: What size of wire do I need for a 50 foot span of wire to a 240V double wall oven Total Connected ... A: According to the math that would be a 40 amp circuit so the wire size would be #8 awg copper. But ...
Wiring two fixtures to one switch	9/2/2009
Q: I have two exterior fixtures that need to be controlled by one switch. I know how to do this where ... A: At the switch you should have 2 sets of 3 wires (black,white,ground) already there and now you will ...
220V outlets	9/2/2009
Q: I live in a small mobile home and both the stove and the refrigerator spaces are the same size. I ... A: Are you saying you want to swap where the stove and refrig are or remove the refrig and install a ...
ceiling light	8/31/2009
Q: I changed a ceiling light but didn't connect the ground wire to anything. There was a bare (I ... A: You should have a bare copper wire in the ceiling box and a bare wire from the fixture. They get ...
AC Fan Motor Wiring	8/31/2009
Q: The fan in my air conditioner unit does is not turning on. I have confirmed that the motor is ... A: You did not say but it sounds like this is the outdoor fan motor. Normally the outdoor fan is not ...
Covering over house wiring	8/30/2009
Q: I'm adding storage flooring using 4X8 sheets of osb on top of the bottom of my roof trusses. Some ... A: Wiring ran across joists rather than beside are suppose to have firring ran along so people do not ...
SubPanel Followup Question	8/30/2009
Q: I will take your advice and install the subpanel however have a couple of followup questions. Can I ... A: I am assuming you are pulling a permit for this and it will be inspected before being energized. It ...
No power in one circuit.	8/29/2009
Q: I accidently threw a switch and 2 live wires in a light fixture shorted a circuit. The house was ... A: You may have blown that switch or another switch in the circuit. However, if the whole circuit is ...
question	8/26/2009
Q: I found out a 30A breaker is being used to power outlets and light fixtures. I have a few questions ... A: I will answer backwards. The general length were voltage drop becomes an issue is 100'. The 15 amp ...
proper bonding of CSST	8/26/2009
Q: There is mixed info about a proprietary method to properly bond CSST gas feed pipe. Can you clear it ... A: The manufacture, the National Fuel Gas Code, the National Mechanical Code, and the NEC, all have ...
Figuring Amps	8/25/2009
Q: I have a hair dryer that has 1875 watts written on it and I was trying to figure the amps. It has ... A: In your equation P/E = I P = watts E = voltage I = amps The wattage rating of 1875 is if you have ...
Replacing GFI Receptacle	8/24/2009
Q: I have a GFI receptacle in the bathroom of my mobile home. At the opposite end of the house there is ... A: You should not replace the GFI with a switch. Instead, hire an electrician to find out why your GFI ...
Electrical circuit breakers	8/23/2009
Q: I have allot of appliances on one 15 amp circuit breaker that pops or breakers if 3 out of 5 of them ... A: If the wire is 14 gauge you cannot install a 20 amp breaker on that circuit. The wires could heat up ...
6 outlets dead	8/22/2009
Q: Six kitchen outlets are dead. Not sure how or what did it. I assumed it was the GFI outlet. I ... A: The 15-20 amp outlet is not an issue. So let's move on. Normally in a kitchen you have several ...
Remote Lighting Circuit - Riding Arena	8/22/2009
Q: I want to run 2 20amp circuits to a new riding arena we are building. One circuit is for general ... A: Your voltage drop for 400 feet is significant. With 12/2 at 400 feet you approx. have a voltage drop ...
Flickering clock display on stove	8/21/2009
Q: I bought a new electric glasstop range a month ago, and the digital clock and display have a subtle ... A: It sounds like how a traffic signal works. An object disrupts the field (buried under the pavement) ...
Flickering clock display on stove	8/21/2009
Q: I bought a new electric glasstop range a month ago, and the digital clock and display have a subtle ... A: That would be amazing if you did have some super power that allowed you to turn off electrical ...
Adding a Sub-Panel on 110V Service	8/20/2009
Q: Adding a Sub-Panel on 110V Service I’m in the process of remodeling a small house in Mexico and the ... A: You said 40v, but I think you meant 40 amps. I am not familiar with codes in Mexico. Here in the ...
3 way switches	8/20/2009
Q: Is there any difference in the continuity of 3 way switches from the 40's? One of mine started ... A: Yes, the new 3-way switches are different than the older ones. This is what you need to do: 1. ...
outdoor photo cell	8/17/2009
Q: I am trying to hook up and out door photo cell for 2 lights on the front porch. Says hook blk wirt ... A: Are these two separate light fixtures working off of one photocell or one light fixture with two ...
2 Bulb Outdoor Flood Day/Night	8/16/2009
Q: Checked wiring black to black and white to white. Lamps bulbs ok. Socket...center contact - how do ... A: Checking the center socket can be tricky and dangerous because the very bottom center is hot and the ...
Electrical Outlets in two bathrooms and outside have stopped working.	8/13/2009
Q: All the outlets in two of our bathrooms and outside have stopped working. The rest of the house is ... A: You can turn the breakers all the way off and then turn them back on. If one of them does not feel ...
110 or 220 volts	8/11/2009
Q: i am preparing to replace 2 winow ac units for my mother. my father was an electrician and installed ... A: You cannot direct wire a window A/C unless you have a disconnect switch nearby. In other words, you ...
Jacuzzi	8/10/2009
Q: I recently installed a used jacuzzi. The new location is about 200 feet if not a little more from ... A: The rule of thumb is every 100' you need to go up one size in wire to adapt for the voltage drop. ...
electrical short?	8/10/2009
Q: As new homeowners my husband removed an old ceiling fan and installed the new one in our livingroom. ... A: Tripped breakers must be fully turned off before they will reset in the on position. If the breaker ...
installing new electrical oven	8/7/2009
Q: I have some knowledge of wiring basic things, But I'm ready to install a new elec wall oven.The ... A: The first thing you need to do is determine what the amperage rating is for the oven. If it does not ...
Knob and tube wiring	7/31/2009
Q: I live in a two family house. I live in the main part and the back was built on. Some of my wirers ... A: It sounds like you want the service split so both parties have a meter and pay separate bills. If ...
Distance/height above roof	7/31/2009
Q: I've looked all over the web trying to find what the NEC code says about electric feed wires from a ... A: This sounds more like a local problem rather than a NEC, but I cannot tell for sure without seeing ...
replacing old bathroom fixture	7/30/2009
Q: i recently replaced the vanity and mirror in my bathroom. Now the hole in the wall where the wires ... A: At one time, people ran the wires down to the light fixture without a box for termination and ...
grounding conductor size	7/29/2009
Q: I'm rewiring a home that was built in 1953. In the service panel , there is no grounding bus. I've ... A: Normally a 1/2 inch grounding rod is sufficient for a 100 amp panel. However, inspectors can ask for ...
Ceiling fan has ground wire	7/29/2009
Q: I'm putting in a ceiling fan and it has a light wire, a fan wire, a neutral wire and a ground wire. ... A: There should be a ground wire in the ceiling box. It may be shoved way up or sometimes they took the ...
GFCI	7/28/2009
Q: Will a GFCI work on an old two wire system with no ground wire? Is there a special type of GFCI for ... A: You can install a gfci on a two-wire circuit you just need to use the little sticker that comes with ...
400a service	7/28/2009
Q: I'm changing out my 200a service with a 400a service in my home and need to know what size and type ... A: I recommend calling your building inspector because they are going to be the ones that inspect and ...
baseboard locations	7/27/2009
Q: Does an electric (240V) baseboard heater HAVE to be under a window on an external wall, or can I ... A: The main reasons for heaters being placed under windows and on external walls is that those are main ...
Rewiring my outside light	7/27/2009
Q: My front outside light went out and I want to replace it with a Security light. Inside my front door ... A: You may or may not be able to pull that wire because it may have been stapled to a stud. If you are ...
double ovens	7/26/2009
Q: what size breaker should my new double wall oven be connected to the current breaker is a double ... A: The size of the wire from your breaker to the oven will determine what size breaker can be ...
AC and Dryer on same ganged ciruit breaker	7/26/2009
Q: I recently had my AC go out and the AC tech came out and said my AC was fine so I called my ... A: I have a feeling you should of trusted the AC tech because they make more money by selling you a new ...
Heat Pump	7/25/2009
Q: My wife and I just bought our first house and we are going to need a new furnace come winter as our ... A: Congrats on your new home ownership! A heat pump is an air conditioner that has a reversing valve ...
100 amp service - adequate?	7/24/2009
Q: I'm a homeowner in Philadelphia, PA, and would like to do a load calculation to determine if I can ... A: He is referring to 31,800 watts or 31.8 kilowatts. He is saying that the main panel will allow you ...
power out in only 3 rooms	7/24/2009
Q: my daughter plugged in and turned on the vacuum in the living room. This caused the power to go out ... A: If you do sell her who will do the vacuuming? It was not your daughter's fault so please do not sell ...
RSK-2 switch for swamp cooler	7/23/2009
Q: I am installing an RSK-2 speed switch for swamp cooler which calls for 2 black, 1 red, and one "hot" ... A: Use a tester to find out which wire is "hot". Leave the whites alone. With the breaker off; You ...
fuse pull-outs	7/21/2009
Q: I have a 100 amp square d fuse panel. I would like to hook up an electric drier. I have a spare fuse ... A: It is not just the size of the fuses you have consider; you must consider the wire size that is ...
problems with 3 way switch wiring	7/21/2009
Q: I changed two 3 way switches out. One upstairs, one down stairs. The down stairs switch has to be ... A: You have miswired the new three way switches. Often the new ones need to be wired differently than ...
100 amp service	7/20/2009
Q: I have a small cabin (850 Square Feet) in north georgia. I have 100 amp service to the cabin and I ... A: There is a load calculation sheet that is used to determine what the service should be. Rarely ...
codes	7/18/2009
Q: I live in central Illinois and had a tree fall on my house tearing away the meter base and wiring ... A: I am not aware of that code. It is my understanding that if you are simply changing out or upgrading ...
Switched/unswitched outlet	7/17/2009
Q: Greg, Under my kitchen sink is a single receptacle with 2 outlets. They both turn on and off with a ... A: You do need to run more romex because the outlet is being fed power from the switch. The wire is ...
codes	7/17/2009
Q: I live in central Illinois and had a tree fall on my house tearing away the meter base and wiring ... A: You have the NEC and you have state codes and you have local codes. When you say the wiring has to ...
Plugs and Switeches not working	7/16/2009
Q: We recently had a new roof installed and we had them replace the turtle back electric fans and ... A: If you believe someone caused a problem why not have them back out to fix it? If the problem ...
Stove Plug Wiring	7/16/2009
Q: My son just purchased a new stove that came with a 3 prong plug. The previous owner took the plug ... A: If he did wire incorrectly you have a dangerous situation. It means the chassis is now energized ...
dryer wiring	7/14/2009
Q: I am trying to hook up a dryer in my home. The previous outlet was left hanging under the house and ... A: The old way of wiring 220 volt outlets was to use black and white as hot and bare wire as ...
A/C Circuit Breaker	7/13/2009
Q: We are trying to replace our A/C circuit breaker. According to the front it is a Challenger 4 pole ... A: You will most likely need to put in a 20a double pole with a tiebar. It may be that the two circuits ...
Wiring a new garbage disposal	7/12/2009
Q: I want to install a new garbage disposal in a 40 year home that never had one. The source of power ... A: Technically the washer should be on it's own circuit, the kitchen outlets on their own circuit, and ...
Window ACs trip breaker	7/10/2009
Q: I live in a double wide mobile home with three window ACs. One in the back, the front, and in the ... A: You will need to hire an electrician to examine your circuits and perhaps run one or two new ...
cook top wiring	7/10/2009
Q: I have a two wire coming out of the wall with ground. The cook top, which is a Jenn_Air Model ... A: The two wires coming out of the wall sound like they are supplying 220 volts which means that each ...
a/c condenser fan motor	7/10/2009
Q: The fan motor went out at the house,so I purchase a new one but it has 4 wires and the old one had ... A: You need to look at the schematic of the A/C and the one that is on the new motor. It is probably ...
pool filter gfci breaker tripping	7/9/2009
Q: I had an above ground pool installed last year and the electrical line for the filter was run about ... A: This problem is not common. All of your fittings should be water-tight as well as the outlet. You ...
Ground Problem	7/8/2009
Q: I live in an apartment and I recently plug a surgeprotector and the "line fault" led lit. So I ... A: There are several ways you can get this type of reading. The ground could be getting power from the ...
Problems wiring a dimmer to outlet	7/7/2009
Q: I am trying to create a "light control box" Essentally its a portable box that allows me to plug a ... A: Your power cord that is going into this box should have the hot wire connected to the dimmer switch. ...
installing a gfci	7/6/2009
Q: The electrician installed the wiring in boxes for me to complete with gfci outlets. In the first ... A: When wiring gfci outlets you only want to use the "load" terminals when you want the gfci to control ...
connecting three bulb sockets	7/6/2009
Q: I'm trying to make my own photography studio lighting as cheaply as possible. So far i have ... A: You will need to add up the wattage of the bulbs and then divide by your voltage (108-120) to get ...
HVAC	7/4/2009
Q: I HAVE A 230VOLT3 PHASE AC UNIT FROM A CONSTRUCTION JOB LOOKING TO INSTALL IT IN MY HOME. HOW DO I ... A: Yes you can but it is expensive. Unless this used A/C is worth a lot of money it would cost more ...
Missing Electric Heaters in Older FL Home	7/4/2009
Q: A friend just bought a 1962 house in Florida. No central heat or cooling. There are ... A: Check the ceilings. You probably have radiant ceiling heat. It was very popular for awhile. Because ...
doorbell wiring	7/2/2009
Q: Hey Greg, I think my doorbell is haunted. I recently purchased a home and two months after I moved ... A: Answering your questions backwards; There may be a ghost in your doorbell but you would need a ...
transformer plug- in hot	7/1/2009
Q: I recently had a digital cable tv receiver box hooked up; the receiver itself isn't hot but the ... A: Terms like "hot" and "warm" are subjective and really serve little or no help to me in this line of ...
GFIC	7/1/2009
Q: Can I install a switch in front of a GFIC so I can turn the device on and off with out unplugging ... A: Some GFCI outlets trip when power is taken away, so that is the one you would avoid if you want to ...
transformer plug- in hot	6/30/2009
Q: I recently had a digital cable tv receiver box hooked up; the receiver itself isn't hot but the ... A: Almost all newer electronic equipment is energized to some degree when it is plugged in. There are ...
Timer switch	6/28/2009
Q: My outside lights are switvhed on bmo an day-night switch. Can I install a switch that will just ... A: The simplest thing to do is install a timer inline and set the turn-on to be on early in the ...
GFCI in Bathroom	6/28/2009
Q: I Greg, I have a roughed bathroom with light and fan on one circuit and I have another 20 amp ... A: According to the NEC, your bath outlet(s) should be on their own circuit. If you have only one ...
2nd Electrical meter base	6/27/2009
Q: I am adding a rental unit tomy existing home. I am putting in a 2nd electrical 200 amp service ... A: Cities can be different in their requirements so you will need to contact your local building ...
3 Light Series	6/26/2009
Q: Greg, I just bought my first home (built in 1958) and am attempting to replace the light fixtures ... A: What you have is a 3-way circuit. It is not wired like a regular 1-switch circuit. The red wires ...
Can't get new ceiling fan to work	6/25/2009
Q: I have been trying to install a new ceiling fan and am having a bit of trouble. In the ceiling box ... A: The guessing game is no fun so you will need to either purchase a voltmeter or hire an electrician ...
Window AC Question	6/24/2009
Q: Can I safely use a 15amp 125v plug with an converter on a grounded 20amp 250v outlet? The AC is ... A: If the outlet is wired for 240 volts it means both prongs are hot and if you plug a 120 volt A/C ...
grounding wire	6/23/2009
Q: I live in 100 year old home and recently upgraded our box to 200 amp and our grounding wire is also ... A: If they laid the grounding rod down at the proper depth you should be able to pour over the rod. The ...
Induction range - how to check amperage?	6/23/2009
Q: I live in a condo that does not have any gas lines anywhere in the building, but I cook a lot so I'm ... A: If you go to your circuit breaker panel you should find several "double" breakers, meaning they are ...
new ceiling fan	6/22/2009
Q: I installed a ceiling fan in my master bedroom. I tapped into an existing hot wire that runs into ... A: If the circuit can handle a ceiling fan then you need a hot wire going to the switch and then from ...
line of mini pendants not working	6/22/2009
Q: We have a line of 3 mini pendant lights above our kitchen counter/bar. They are attached to a ... A: It sounds like when the light blew it shorted out and caused the dimmer to quit working. Turn off ...
pool motor failures	6/21/2009
Q: I have had 5 pool motors fail in 2 years (7/07, 1/08, 7/08,12/08, 2/08, 6/08). The 7/07 replacement ... A: If I was going to inspect this I would start by examining all of the wires to see if they are ...
old electrical wiring	6/21/2009
Q: i want to install a windwo a/c unit in my garage. i want to use a on/off switch in the house, run ... A: First you need to determine whether that circuit can handle the additional load of the A/C. If it ...
stove top and oven breaker and wire size	6/20/2009
Q: I know and electrician and asked him what size breaker to use for a stove top and oven. He said 30 ... A: 30 amp sounds too small for a stove top and oven together. You should go with the larger one. Look ...
How to connect 6/2 W/G Nmb Cable	6/20/2009
Q: Previous home owner pull a 6/2 W/G Nmb Cable from the main service panel to a subpanel in the ... A: It sounds like they thought about getting 220 volts after they ran the wire, which should of been ...
Circuit reads 60 volts inplace of 120 volts	6/16/2009
Q: 120 volt circuit with GFCI and 6 outlets reads only 60 volts at each outlet & GFCI. Disconnect ... A: Check each outlet by turning off the breaker and pulling the outlet far enough out of the box to ...
Whole house surge suppressor/protection	6/15/2009
Q: I'm trying to protect the new computer (and two old computers) and a new 26" HDTV from electrical ... A: If you are going to install 3-prong outlets you will need to run a ground to each outlet. Yes, I do ...
120v cicuit on 240v breaker	6/14/2009
Q: would a 240v double pole, single throw breaker interupt correctly if overloaded when its wired 120v ... A: Breakers are rated in amps, not volts. What determines the voltage is whether they are single or ...
120v cicuit on 240v breaker	6/13/2009
Q: would a 240v double pole, single throw breaker interupt correctly if overloaded when its wired 120v ... A: A double pole 240v breaker has a 120 volts on each pole, hence the 240 volts. Both poles are suppose ...
bathroom/dining lighting doesn't work	6/13/2009
Q: Our bathroom on the main floor (half bath), dining room, and porch lights are not working. We ... A: Look for a gfci outlet that may be tripped. It could be located outside or in the bathroom. Also, ...
reconnecting a repaired ceil fan motor	6/10/2009
Q: when connecting green with green black with black and then white with white a high pitched noise ... A: Did you remove the shipping blocks that keep the motor from turning during shipping and installing? ...
200Amp Temp. Power Pole undergound to House Sub Panel	6/9/2009
Q: I have a 200 Amp temp. Power Pole that will feed a Sub Panel on an existing House approx. 100' from ... A: 1. 2/0 copper 2. I prefer conduit but either will do as long as local codes allow it. I would run ...
Electric Panel	6/9/2009
Q: While at a home inspection for a client the breaker box was hot to touch on one breaker and it ... A: Was the hot breaker for the A/C? If so, an A/C works hardest in the afternoon and if the sun hits ...
Non-grounded subpanels	6/8/2009
Q: I'm upgrading a '60s house that has a 200a old main panel, feeding two 100 amp subpanels--the house ... A: Regardless of the stove you want your subpanels grounded. With a 100 amp panel you can run #6 for a ...
voltage surge?	6/8/2009
Q: 3 years ago we have our apartment rewired and all lights have been changed to energy saving bulbs or ... A: I am not familiar with the codes and voltages with your country. I suspect that voltage spikes and ...
Electric meter	6/6/2009
Q: How can I find someone besides our electric provider to check the calibration of our meter. Our ... A: We can all expect higher bills due to our new administration. But with politics aside, there are ...
Outside Floodlights mounted on wall of house not working	6/5/2009
Q: I have twin floodlights mounted on either side of my house on the wall in the backyard. The switch ... A: The switches should of had two wires to each and the two wires at each switch can be reversed. It ...
electrical outlet	6/4/2009
Q: I have an outlet located beneath my sink for the disposal and dishwasher. The outlet burnt out, so I ... A: The white should go on the side with the biggest prong. The other side has a tab that needs to be ...
old wiring problems	6/3/2009
Q: Jimmy, I am installing a light fixture into a ceiling with no pre-existing fixture at that ... A: The cable with power would be the one coming in and splits and goes to each switch. And that same ...
nothing 240 works in the whole house.all outlets read 120 each side.	6/3/2009
Q: I have 240 volts @ each element of the waterheater on new elements but no hot water. same with the ... A: The subject says you have 120 volts on each side but then your question says you have 240 volts ...
2 in 1 light switch/power socket	6/2/2009
Q: Could you help me connect a light switch and power socket (a 2 in 1 device)to my residential power ... A: For an outlet to work you need a hot wire and a neutral. Some switch boxes only have a hot coming in ...
Breaker 40 Amp Air Conditioner 15 Amps	5/31/2009
Q: Can I put a 15 amps air conditioner on a breaker that is 40 amps. I know I have to change the ... A: Can you? It is physically possible. Should you? That is another question. If your A/C is rated for a ...
does wiring a motor to 22 increase it's performance	5/29/2009
Q: Greg, I bought a Rigid Table saw that has the capability of being wired for 220v. I have been ... A: The main advantage is that the amps are reduced and you can run a smaller wire size to it and hence ...
30A	5/27/2009
Q: I have a 30A double breaker feeding my detached garage. I would like to replace the fuse box with a ... A: You did not mention where the fuse box is but it sounds like the 30 amp breaker is feeding a fuse ...
Electric motor	5/27/2009
Q: My fan on my AC unit starts up but runs slow. The paperwork with the unit says it should pull 1 ... A: The first thing to check is the voltage. You should have between 208 and 240 volts being supplied to ...
changing dihwasher from hardwire to pluggin	5/26/2009
Q: is there a anything wrong with me changing my dishwasher from hardwire to cord wire plugin im using ... A: Technically, yes with each connection you run a greater risk of a loose connection. However, your ...
Tankless water heater	5/25/2009
Q: Most of the specifications for tankless water heaters indicate 240v and up to 100w for proper ... A: Do you mean 100 amps? 100w = 100 watts and that does not sound right. If your home is electric, ...
240v outlet	5/25/2009
Q: How do I determine if my air compressor will require a 3 or 4 wire 240v circuit? can power tools ... A: Good question. The requirements should be on a metal tag attached to the compressor. If it calls for ...
new light and outlet	5/24/2009
Q: I would like to add a light and an outlet to a circuit. I would like to run the wire from the ... A: Lets go backwards in your questions. You are not suppose to have two different size wires in the ...
installing double oven	5/24/2009
Q: We are installing a ge monogram double wall oven, ZET2SMSS the specs of the metal plaque are as ... A: When the engineers build ovens they face the dilemma that each house may have a different voltage ...
Air Conditioning	5/22/2009
Q: We got Central Air installed the beginning of last summer. It's a BRYANT. We turned it on a few days ... A: The most typical causes of what you explained are low air flow due to one or more of the following; ...
exhaust fan	5/20/2009
Q: I added an exhaust fan to my washroom and connected the wiring to the existing light switch. The ... A: Frank, The white from the fan needs to be connected to a neutral wire, not to the switch. What you ...
second panel for shop	5/20/2009
Q: I have a 200 amp service to my house panel. I am putting a 100 amp panel in a backyard shop, 160 ... A: I am curious why you are coming off the meter box instead of main panel, but it does not matter for ...
220v socket to 110v	5/19/2009
Q: Let me start by telling what happened first. I had an older a/c that uses a 220v socket which was ... A: As you are aware, you hooked 220 volts to your 110 volt A/C. I am surprised it lasted for 2 days. ...
Flood light fixture switch	5/18/2009
Q: Are you aware of any off/on switch that will screw into one of the three threaded holes that exist ... A: The main thing to overcome are the 1/2" threads and the switch needs to be waterproof if this is ...
bathroom outlets	5/17/2009
Q: We recently moved into a relatively new house (built 2006). It has 5 1/2 bathrooms on 4 levels. ... A: What do all three have in common? They should all be on GFCI breakers and all require a good ground, ...
4 electrical things quit working	5/17/2009
Q: The other day, when I turned on an upstairs bathroom light switch the 5 light fixture over sink made ... A: Is it a "fuse box" or "breaker panel"? A tripped breaker can appear to be okay sometimes and the to ...
Should I upgrade from 100 to 200 Amp	5/16/2009
Q: I am in the process of renovating a house that my wife and I just bought. It was last renovated in ... A: Given that you are switching two big users of electricity to gas and hopefully installing a more ...
Sub panel and gounding rods	5/15/2009
Q: I'm getting ready to run a new sub panel and underground line to my detached garage. I'm going to ... A: This is an accepted method but check with the local building codes just to make sure before you run ...
wiring from home to camper / 30amp	5/12/2009
Q: I just purchased a travel trailer and I need to run a 30amp 70ft. I was just wondering what gauge ... A: I love it when you guys say "I have limited funds for this.." What is that suppose to mean to me? ...
electric to a camper	5/12/2009
Q: i recently bought a camper and put it 500ft from my mothers house in attempt to save for a house. ... A: The money it is going to cost you to run sufficient wire will be significant. I do not know what ...
Private water pump occassionaly trips circuit	5/11/2009
Q: I have been having a problem lately with our water well. It started when our pressure switch of 15 ... A: Clint, It is most likely a problem with the motor or the motor controller, or both. You should have ...
outdoor wiring to backyard and building	5/11/2009
Q: ...I have run romex wire to two locations in my back yard in 1/2" elect conduit, one two plug outlet ... A: Alan, There are a couple of things I believe are wrong with this picture and I probably need some ...
Stanley Vemco Garage Door Capacitor Removed.. Is this dangerous?	5/10/2009
Q: I have a Stanley Vemco garage door opener that began to stop going up and down intermittently ~ it ... A: You may end up burning your motor so I would recommend you replace the capacitor. I believe it is a ...
Loosing Power	5/8/2009
Q: I have a bedroom that is intermittently losing power. I have identified the breaker that controls ... A: Most likely they are tied together either in a junction box or an outlet box. They may also be tied ...
12/3 split (2/20 breakers)	5/7/2009
Q: I have an outdoor cooking center and am leveraging a 12/3 line that was no longer used and blanked ... A: You should never put a refrigerator on a gfci protected outlet. You can have a dedicated outlet ...
Electrical hum	5/7/2009
Q: I have a visual horizontal line running through my tv when plugged into down stairs outlets. If I ... A: It does not have to be on the same circuit breaker to cause noise. Your neighbor a few doors down ...
AFI breakers and GFI outlets	5/6/2009
Q: I have a AFI protected circuit and every time i put GFI on this circuit the GFI trips am i doing ... A: It sounds like your GFI outlet is not wired correctly or you have reverse polarity. Some of the new ...
Electrical hum	5/5/2009
Q: I have a visual horizontal line running through my tv when plugged into down stairs outlets. If I ... A: Find out what happens after in 7pm in your house and the house connected to you. It may that your ...
Running extension from light fixture to create outlet in adjacent closet	5/5/2009
Q: Is it OK to just plug two prong extension cord to the light socket outlet adapter ... A: Looking at that picture I am not sure that light is up to code in that cupboard. Extension cords ...
old wiring spark and dead receptacle...related?	5/4/2009
Q: while installing a ceiling fan with a light, there was a spark, when pulling wires through 1st ... A: The first thing is why are you working on this with the circuit breaker on? Turn it OFF before you ...
Wires to light both hot	5/4/2009
Q: I am doing some electrical work in a home I purchased that was originally built in the early 1900's. ... A: I need to know where you touched the probes to get this reading, and I recommend getting a digital ...
wiring basic porcelain incandescent fixtures	5/3/2009
Q: I am putting simple porcelain fixtures for standard incandescent bulbs (obviously compact ... A: Check to make sure the black coming in to the fixture with the switch is hot, and not the white. It ...
electrical service for aeration	5/2/2009
Q: Greg, I want to run an underground service line from my home approx. 600ft to my pond.All this line ... A: The first thing you need to know is the amp draw because that will determine the initial wire size. ...
Light switches	5/2/2009
Q: I have 3 light switches controling one light.Two of the switches work fine,the third,works only if ... A: Most likely it is wired wrong or you have the wrong type of switches. If it is wired correctly and ...
60 amp breaker	5/1/2009
Q: i have to add a 60amp breaker for my pool heat pump. and there is no openings in the 200amp box, ... A: Piggy back is dangerous and against code. What you need is a subpanel and then feed from that back ...
GFCI outlets	4/30/2009
Q: I have a circuit in my house with 2 GFCI outlets on it. Is there any reason to have 2 on the same ... A: It is true that if the line ends with a GFCI that last outlet will be protected by that GFCI. The ...
ceiling lights wiring	4/22/2009
Q: I bought 4 light ceiling kit. There is no wiring scheme how to connect the rest of ceiling lights. I ... A: It sounds like you are wiring it correct, the blacks go together and the whites go together and the ...
European wiring to U.S. codes	4/22/2009
Q: I have a chandelier that I bought when stationed overseas in Germany. I thought I wired it ... A: Normally in Germany you are right with the color code. Two things; 1. Make sure that the lamp is ...
Copeland Scroll Compressor	4/21/2009
Q: I have a 54,000 btu Copeland Scroll compressor, R47K3-PFV-235, in my heat pump which draws 12 amps ... A: Your compressor draws 12 amps, but what about the fan motors? Is that 12 amps including those ...
Plug powered by light switch	4/21/2009
Q: I recently replaced a plug that was controlled by a light switch in my spare bedroom. I was told to ... A: If the switch originally controlled both halves of the outlet then you would not break or remove the ...
Frigidaire Pro Series Stove - glass cooktop - burner quit working	4/20/2009
Q: We have the Frigidaire Pro Series Model PLEF398CCA Stainless steel with black glass flat surface ... A: The element is about $150.00 and I am not aware of any programming that is needed, but a quick call ...
microwave hood range	4/19/2009
Q: simple question i guess may sound stupid but where do you put the plug outlet for a microwave hood ... A: The plug is usually fed up on the right side and above so you can unplug it. The plug has to be ...
Wiring a pool system	4/17/2009
Q: Is there a safety risk if I use the kitchen range wiring (8 Gage) from my main service panel to ... A: What you are talking about is not safe and is not to code. The only way you could follow code and ...
ground rod installation	4/16/2009
Q: I am about to upgrade from a 75amp panel to a 200amp panel and need to install a 10' ground rod as ... A: The inspectors in the area I live want the ground rod to stick up above the cement enough so they ...
AFCI breakers tripping when it rains	4/16/2009
Q: About a month ago, the two AFCI circuit breakers (15 amps each) for my bedrooms in my electrical ... A: AFCI breakers can become weaker (more sensitive) over time, just like regular breakers. And the more ...
30 amp thermostat for radiant heater.	4/15/2009
Q: I was hoping to find out about replacing a thermostat. Right now i have radiant heating in the ... A: Turn off the breaker and look inside your t-stat for info on what the amperage rating is. It sounds ...
dryer not heating after re-wire	4/15/2009
Q: We installed a new electrical panel and changed everything to match what was there. everything ... A: The electric dryer requires 120 volts for the motor to run, but requires 220 volts for the elements ...
Electric Baseboard Heat Issue	4/14/2009
Q: I recently had an issue with my living room heating where the heat would constantly stay on, ... A: We normally say 220 volts or 240 volts but it is what ever the power company actually gives you. And ...
wire type	4/14/2009
Q: I just wanted to double check that the wiring in my home is copper wiring. My house was built in the ... A: The best way to find out what type of wire you have throughout the house is to remove the breaker ...
Electric Baseboard Heat Issue	4/13/2009
Q: I recently had an issue with my living room heating where the heat would constantly stay on, ... A: The first place I would start is the circuit breakers and make sure you do not have one that is ...
Wiring a timer switch	4/13/2009
Q: I bought a Intermatic FD60MWC Auto Shut-Off Timer ( http://www.rewci.com/infd60inspwo.html ). This ... A: Jason, I clicked on that link and read, quote "These timers are designed to replace any standard ...
Circuit with hot to ground reverse	4/12/2009
Q: I have a circuit that has worked fine for 4 years. Recently it quit working. The circuit is in a ... A: It sounds like a loose connection or partially tripped breaker. Start at the breaker panel and make ...
Generator Transfer	4/12/2009
Q: I have several questions about installing my own manual transfer switch. I have a 3kw Honda with ... A: It sounds like you are installing a subpanel type of TS, and if so then you need a double-pole ...
Generator Transfer	4/11/2009
Q: I have several questions about installing my own manual transfer switch. I have a 3kw Honda with ... A: Kent, Great question. With the current threats to our power grids and the horrible storms across ...
power gone	4/9/2009
Q: In the kitchen, I have the main overhead lights on a dual dimmer. One on one side of the kitchen ... A: What you have are two 3-way switches feeding the kitchen lights. If you do not have power at one ...
250 receptacle	4/8/2009
Q: i bought a welding machine, it requires 250 volts(or 225) to use in my garage, can i re-wire a ... A: To the best of my knowledge you have the same type of voltage and frequency as here in the U.S. ...
Wiring standalone garage	4/6/2009
Q: I want to run power from the panel in my house to a panel in a stand alone garage I am building. I ... A: Your 10 awg is what we call 10 gauge and it carries 30 amps if the distance is less than 100 feet. ...
Ground Fault Breaker	4/6/2009
Q: I have a double pole 50 amp Sq. D GFCI breaker that services my hot tub. It now trips off right ... A: I found one hot tub that had a light right above the control board and it was slowly dripping water ...
connecting a portable generator to a house	4/5/2009
Q: I have a 5000w portable generator. I would like to use it during outages. I understand the need for ... A: Your transfer switch should come with a wiring diagram. Basically you are feeding your whole main ...
100amp to 200amp service upgrade	4/3/2009
Q: I recently purchased an older farm home said to be about 100 yrs old. This house is currently ... A: If the "post and line" is the old "knob and tube" (which I suspect it is) then my suggestion would ...
home power keeps tripping more and more regular	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: Every time the breaker trips it loses tolerance so it will trip easier the next time. If you have a ...
Adding Ground Wire	4/1/2009
Q: I am going to be moving into an 82 year old house. The house has an upgraded circuit breaker box ... A: It would probably be better to drive a ground rod near the panel and ground the main panel. Then ...
can lights	4/1/2009
Q: The situation is there are 3 rooms, in feet 13 x 7 10 x 12 8 x 10 Installing 6-inch can (or ... A: Randy, Can lights can be very useful and attractive if used correctly. Here is the problem with ...
outlet plugs	3/31/2009
Q: I just moved into a house--in 1 bedroom a ceiling fan has been added. The light is control by the ... A: That switch use to control one of the outlets and someone made it control the fan. Does the switch ...
Oven Element	3/31/2009
Q: I have an old GE wall oven (guessing 1960-70 model) and one of the elements went out. I ordered an ... A: I cannot find that model number. I do not believe you can get the exact element anymore. The white ...
wiring ceiling fan between 2 switches	3/29/2009
Q: I am installing a ceiling fan, with remote, in family room. House is fairly new and has box set up ... A: Either someone miswired the switches or they are not meant to work together as a 3-way. Are you ...
Lights and Outlets	3/28/2009
Q: Recently the light in my bathroom went out, I figured it was a burnt out bulb so replaced, no light, ... A: First check for a gfci outlet. It has a little reset and test button on it. It could be in the ...
Electrical Plug for Water Well	3/28/2009
Q: I currently have a new home under construction. I have a brand new water well/pump ready to go but ... A: You could use a 220 volt 20 amp plug and outlet. Yes you can use the 250 volt outlet. You will wire ...
troubleshooting outdoor light fixture	3/27/2009
Q: Maybe you will be able to give me some more advice. My husband just replaced the outdoor light by ... A: Did you buy the exact same light to replace the one that was not working correctly? It is possible ...
ground fault breaker/plug	3/27/2009
Q: We live along the coast-Hurricane Ike put 8' of water in our downstairs--covering all the electrical ... A: All the boxes and junction boxes need to be checked. Water can leave a mineral trail that electrons ...
Removal of electrical outlet and light switch	3/26/2009
Q: I need to remove a two-plug electrical outlet and single switch light in order to accomodate new ... A: At the outlet your black wires will get connected together (wire nut), the white wires together, and ...
wiring for 9kw sauna heater	3/24/2009
Q: I have installed a 9kw sauna heater. The house was set up with 10-3 wire to a 30 amp breaker. When ... A: If it takes 220 volts, the heater draws about 40 amps so you need to go up to 50 amps. This will ...
Outdoor number sign not working	3/23/2009
Q: Need to know how to what setting my multimeter should be on and where to probe and what readings ... A: If it is A/C voltage you should set it to 700 volts A/C and touch where the two prongs of the bulb ...
comes and goes	3/23/2009
Q: We have a 200 amp electrical system. The electricity in one area of our basement and part of our ... A: It is possible that you are losing one leg of your power and the oven is back-feeding. The question ...
Split Dual Breaker	3/21/2009
Q: Electrician installed a dual 30amp breaker just in case we use an electric drier but instead we ... A: Your electrician should of ran 10/3 instead of 10/2. This mistake will only allow you to run one ...
Dimming, brightening lights	3/21/2009
Q: My lights and TV and fan dim then brighten, dim and brighten. It is often and is bad, but ... A: Has the landlord seen the lights flickering? Did the electric company see it? Did the electrician ...
HQI aquarium lighting troubles...........	3/20/2009
Q: For about the past year I have noticed drastic change sin the brightness, color temp, and longevity ... A: Did you check voltage with no load or loaded? First check it unloaded. Where did you check the ...
Electric dryer wiring	3/19/2009
Q: I have a used dryer that i just purchased.The plug on the dryer is a 30Amp 125v/250v 4 prong plug.In ... A: Two choices: 1. Install a 3-prong 30 amp dryer outlet and replace the 4-prong cord with a 3-prong ...
broken connection	3/19/2009
Q: I am having a problem in a mobile home with the wiring. I plugged in a lamp, turned it on and it ... A: Look for a GFCI outlet, usually the bathroom, kitchen, or outside, and see if it tripped. Hit the ...
lights flickering	3/18/2009
Q: Several of my lights at home started to flicker very frequently and I have a couple UPS started to ... A: It is possible that your circuit is overloaded, and it is possible that another circuit is causing ...
240v tablesaw swapout from 120/240v dryer	3/18/2009
Q: Hughes, Just purchased a 1988 home in Houston,,,Has an existing 120/240v 30A clothes dryer on the ... A: You are on the right track. The 10/2 is actually better than the 12/2 in this case. The 6-15 is for ...
Lights Come On With Dryer.	3/17/2009
Q: So today perfectly normal average day sitting in the living room with my son when the power goes ... A: This sounds like a main breaker issue with one leg bad and your dryer back-fed the other leg. If ...
Installing motion sensor light	3/16/2009
Q: Iam tring to install a motion sensor light. I have already installed a double switch so that one ... A: You need a hot wire and neutral. A hot goes to the switch and then from the switch to the ...
arc fault interrupter tripping	3/15/2009
Q: my wife was vacuuming a few rooms with a kenmore upright when it shuts off. apparently, some kind ... A: Jay, The AFCI has not been perfected, but many would argue that it is better than nothing. Unlike ...
electric range install	3/14/2009
Q: I just removed a 35 year old electric range that was hard wired. Coming from the wall is a Black ... A: In a 2 wire plus ground configuration for 220 volts the black is hot, the white is hot, and the ...
converting 4 prong dryer to 3 prong	3/13/2009
Q: we converted the dryer to a 3 prong. dryer runs but no heat is producing. is there such thing that ... A: It is possible that you have energized the chassis of the dryer and extreme caution should be taken. ...
Pullout disconnect	3/11/2009
Q: I have a outside condensor unit AC that is rated at 15 amps. I have a 2-pole breaker feeding this ... A: You have three choices. One, you can install a disconnect that has an arm on the outside. Two, you ...
Tankless Hot Water Heater amperage	3/6/2009
Q: I have a couple of questions I guess. I want to install a tankless hot water heater in my house to ... A: I have a couple of answers I guess. First, which one is best depends on how many people occupy the ...
Replacing a light with a loop	3/6/2009
Q: I recently bought a new light to put in my daughters room. When I removed the standard light, there ... A: The old light should of had two wires coming from it (hot and neutral) to the wires in the box. When ...
dryer and stove receptacles	3/5/2009
Q: what is the difference between a dryer and stove outlet? We have 4 prong outlets for both, but the ... A: The reason they are different is one is rated for 30 amps and the other for 50 amps. They are ...
Electric Baseboard Heaters Relay	3/3/2009
Q: I have 3 baseboards all on 1 circuit breaker (kitchen, liv room & hall)that continue to run full ... A: Are these baseboard electric or baseboard hydronic heat? Since each heater is in a different room, ...
Breaker Box	2/26/2009
Q: I just finished instaling a new thermastat. I cutoff all the power when I'm doing any electrical ... A: Pull the dryer plug out of the outlet and try turning the breakers all the way off and then turn ...
dryer outlet/welding outlet	2/25/2009
Q: Ive read a lot of posts where people are using their dryer outlet for their welder. I would like to ... A: If this is brand new, the manual should tell you the required breaker size. Look at the requirement ...
dryer outlet/welding outlet	2/25/2009
Q: Ive read a lot of posts where people are using their dryer outlet for their welder. I would like to ... A: I like the idea of changing your dryer to 4-prong because this will separate the ground and neutral ...
dryer outlet/welding outlet	2/24/2009
Q: Ive read a lot of posts where people are using their dryer outlet for their welder. I would like to ... A: In a garage the NEC allows for one 220 volt circuit used for multiple devices with the understanding ...
size wire	2/24/2009
Q: running a new line from an old meter to a new barn; I would like to know what size wire to use and ... A: The first thing you need to establish is how many amps are you going to want/need out at the barn ...
Outdoor GFCI & lamp post light	2/23/2009
Q: My outdoor lamp post light recently stopped working. I replaced the photo eye sensor & actual light ... A: Think of a gfci outlet as a breaker. So all the power on the way to the outlet can be on but ...
breaker keeps tripping	2/22/2009
Q: About to install a can light in laundry room and discovered 4 separate 12/2 lines going to old ... A: Your homecenter store most likely sells wire markers that electricians use to put on wires so they ...
dryer wire hook up	2/21/2009
Q: we have a dryer and the wires are red black and white, our plug in wires are yellow blue and white. ... A: You should use a voltmeter to verify which wires are hot and which is neutral. On your dryer; red ...
3/phase air compressor	2/21/2009
Q: How to tell the difference between 3/phase and 220v? There is a 3 prong twist plug on the ... A: 3 phase is how many phases you have and 220v is the measure of voltage. This question is like can ...
shower fan install location	2/20/2009
Q: I'm planning a bathroom in the basement and my location doesn't lend itself to placing my exhaust ... A: There isn't room in the joists to place the fan outside of the shower and run the duct through the ...
cooktop wiring	2/19/2009
Q: i am installing a cooktop (240). it is a 30 amp circuit (10 guage wire) i have 10/2 with ground to ... A: The installation manual should be clear on this, but if it is not then you can figure if the cooktop ...
Sub Panel Installation	2/19/2009
Q: Greg, I recently had a sub panel put in by my electrician. I am adding a circuit, and happened to be ... A: The neutral and ground are on the same bar at the main service panel. In other words, they are ...
Sub Panel?	2/18/2009
Q: I will be finishing a 1158 sq. ft. basement (home theater, rec room, home office) in a 7 year old ... A: You could run everything from the main. However, you need to weigh the cost and trouble of running ...
subpanel wiring	2/18/2009
Q: im rewiring my home and i have a utility room where my washer/dryer, elec water heater, and few ... A: If your dryer, water heater, and washer all ran at the same time it would probably be too much for ...
wire type and capacity for downline service	2/16/2009
Q: I want to know the correct wire type and size for an 80 foot run from a current load center to a new ... A: If you are only running 120v you could use copper #4, 2 wire with ground. If you are not using ...
Dryer stopped working	2/16/2009
Q: I had a leak in my laundry room last week from the washer drain. I went in there barefoot while the ... A: This is a perfect example of why the NEC was changed so the chassis has its own ground separate from ...
Heat pump pulling tomuch amperage	2/14/2009
Q: We had a Kenmore heat pump installed recently and received a whopper of an electric bill. Had an ... A: It sounds like your electric back up heat is turning on. There could be several causes but let me ...
waterheater	2/13/2009
Q: I would like to make my water heater quicker to recover. Why can't I wire another 30 amp circuit to ... A: You would have to check with the manufacture of the heater to see if it is designed to handle that, ...
Running a Treadmill in Europe	2/13/2009
Q: I have a Nordic Track treadmill that runs on 110 (I think it is uses 1100 Watts). Can I use it in ... A: A step-down transformer takes the incoming voltage and lowers it. Sometimes it is cheaper/easier ...
Install Split Aircon	2/12/2009
Q: I am installing a 24k BTU A/C with #10-3 w/Grd and 25 amp C/B. I intend to install a disconnect ... A: Let me explain how a split system is wired. The indoor unit (air handler) has a either a 220volt or ...
knob and tube	2/12/2009
Q: I am currently planning on replacing all the knt in my two story cape cod bungalow. I am adequatly ... A: It depends on how your power is ran to your house. And it also depends on local codes. For ...
knob and tube	2/11/2009
Q: I am currently planning on replacing all the knt in my two story cape cod bungalow. I am adequatly ... A: Whatever the service panel is rated for you will need to run wire (including the ground) that is ...
wellpump pressure switch	2/10/2009
Q: Pressure switch has 2 different wires coming to switch ,each separate wire has a black wire ,a ... A: If this is a 220 volt pump the switch should be double pole. If it is then there should be two sides ...
15 Amp AFI Trips	2/9/2009
Q: Two questions: I think I've got too many appliances and outlets running to my 15 Amp AFI breaker. ... A: It is possible that you have the circuit loaded to the point that it is ready to trip. Each time a ...
dehumidistat wall switch	2/9/2009
Q: I have an existing bath fan controlled by a wall switch (line voltage) that I would like to replace ... A: It sounds like you want the fan to come on when steam builds up in the bathroom and then turn itself ...
electric outlet near gas line	2/8/2009
Q: Is there a code problem with installing electrical box ON the wall near the incoming line for a gas ... A: Most gas stoves require an outlet for 110 volts. It is never recommended to use an extension cord so ...
Direct Box Old Electric Dryer	2/8/2009
Q: Is this acceptable? There is an old dryer in the home that I am renting and it is directly hooked ... A: In all my years I have never seen a dryer direct wired to a box. All appliances that are ...
thermostat replacement	2/7/2009
Q: I have a seven wire thermostat that is connected to Nordyne air conditioner/heat pump. The manual ... A: It looks like you may be able use it. But with a heatpump it can get pretty complicated and it ...
ELectrical problem	2/6/2009
Q: I replaced a single electrical switch to a bedroom that was only controlling the light in that room. ... A: It sounds like the power to the other two room are fed from this box. You should have three sets ...
knob and tube	2/6/2009
Q: I am currently planning on replacing all the knt in my two story cape cod bungalow. I am adequatly ... A: Finding the neutral for a hot in the panel is very easy. I am not sure exactly what you are doing ...
electric in bathroom	2/5/2009
Q: recentley we added high hats in the kitchen, which is directly under one of our bathroom tub/shower. ... A: If there is a stream of water hitting electricity the current can easily flow through that stream ...
GFCI wiring	2/3/2009
Q: I am trying to change an outlet in my bathroom and update it to a GFCI outlet. The box with the ... A: You did not mention the ground wire. Some GFCI outlets require a ground wire connected to a good ...
Lights get brighter	2/3/2009
Q: In my 30 year old house, I recently replaced 2 overhead lights, (2) 2-way & (2) single pole switches ... A: It sounds like it may be time for a service upgrade and redistributing some loads. We have much ...
dimmer light fan	2/2/2009
Q: I am trying to connect a dimmer fan/light combo to my current fan with light. I have some prior ... A: This should be pretty easy. It sounds like the wires at the bottom go to your outlets, one of the ...
new switch	2/1/2009
Q: I just put in a new island in my kitchen and have 2 outlets and a switch for the garbage disposal ... A: It sounds like you either wired the switch wrong or the outlet. The switch is a 4-way switch? If ...
OUTLET PROBLEM	1/31/2009
Q: I had a microwave plugged into an outlet for a while. This outlet is being supplied by an outlet ... A: This outlet may be on a gfci breaker or being fed from a gfci outlet. That is the first place to ...
Wiring a fluorescent fixture as a plug-in lamp	1/31/2009
Q: The fixture has a ground wire but the zip wire (with 2 prong plug) doesn't. My outlet is 2-prong, ... A: I cannot tell you to disregard the ground wire that came with the fixture. If it comes with one then ...
Fluorescent Lights in Garage - Take Two	1/30/2009
Q: I was informed the lights are to be wired in parallel. I hope this is not a dumb question. The ... A: Parallel simply means that each light is being fed from the source. Normally the power gets ran to ...
main breaker	1/29/2009
Q: my main breaker keeps blowing. the watertank has its own circit but it sems like if i run any ... A: Probably the best thing to do is have an electrician take a look at your system and see what the ...
wiring a oven range	1/27/2009
Q: we have just pull out our old cook top and wall oven and bought a new oven range slide in. and our ... A: Your house was built during the time the NEC allowed for 3-wire connections (two hots and a ...
installing outdoor outlet	1/27/2009
Q: First want to thank you for your time helping others here. My question, i'll be installing an ... A: If this was new construction or remodeling the outdoor outlet would not be on the same circuit as ...
Space Heater	1/26/2009
Q: I am replaceing a baseboard electric heater with a built in thermostat. I did not take the old won ... A: It sounds like you bypassed the switch. Yes, there is no neutral in your heater because it is ...
Safety	1/25/2009
Q: I'm hoping you'd be willing to answer the following question about safety/code: Is it o.k. for the ... A: If the sub panel is rated for 125 amps then you need to run wire that is appropriate for 125 amps, ...
front door sconces -- wiring	1/25/2009
Q: A friend of mine called me to take a look at this: she is having work done on her house (not ... A: I need to know how you are measuring power, exactly how you did it and what type of voltmeter did ...
Sub Panel Wire Size	1/24/2009
Q: I have a few questions regarding sub panels. Is the amp rating of a sub panel supposed to be higher ... A: The wire running to a subpanel has to be rated for whatever that panel is rated for. No matter what ...
Electrical Panel	1/24/2009
Q: I have a 100 amp service fuse panel (amalgamated electric) that is full. Some 14/2 wire has been ... A: Where did you read that about the dryer? The concern I have is if you are overtaxing the 100 amp ...
oven malfunction	1/23/2009
Q: I have a frigidaire pro gas range #plgf659ec. It is only 16 months old. The "Bake" mode has failed. ... A: The first thing to check is that you are not in "time bake" mode. If you have verified that all the ...
electrical	1/22/2009
Q: I installed a programmable light switch for my outside lights, beside 2 other switches (3 switches ... A: All the switches should have the tabs snug against the box. If they are not, then yes you probably ...
dryer throwing the main breaker	1/22/2009
Q: I have a 5 yr. old Roper dryer. It runs on it's own 30 amp breaker. Recently, when the dryer is ... A: You could have a short in the motor or heating element(s). An amp-meter can be used to find out the ...
Safety	1/21/2009
Q: I'm hoping you'd be willing to answer the following question about safety/code: Is it o.k. for the ... A: You can have junction boxes or subpanels between the main breaker and the device. I am not sure ...
3 way switch gang box	1/20/2009
Q: I am working with a new lighting installation in my basement and have never wired 3 way switches but ... A: First, if it is a 20 amp circuit you will need to run 12 gauge all the way through. Do not make the ...
oven wire splicing	1/19/2009
Q: I have an in cabinet, 96 Kenmore micro-oven combo #665.4433452. The wiring harness had a loose wire ... A: Excellent question. The answer depends on if you feel like you ever need to separate the wires ...
GFI/Circuit breaker	1/18/2009
Q: We did a bathroom remodel and a friend added a few gfi outlets, a light and an exhaust fan with a ... A: If this is the only bathroom, the lights and outlets can be on the same circuit. Otherwise they need ...
old home wiring	1/17/2009
Q: I am remodeling my kitchen. For 30 years the fridge has been on a circuit with 2 other receptacles ... A: Your new microwave will need its own circuit (20 amps). The refrigerator should be on its own ...
Lamps and Bulbs.	1/17/2009
Q: Is it ok to use a regular 60 watt bulb in a lamp that says requires a 3 way 150 watt incandescent ... A: The "type A" is the shape and size of the base of the bulb so you have to follow that. If the ...
wiring bathroom fan/heater	1/16/2009
Q: I want to put a timer switch on my bathroom heater. Currently I have wiring coming into a two ... A: It sounds like the black/white/ground is the source power. To verify, disconnect all wires and make ...
Wire size	1/15/2009
Q: I am running 60 amp panel to the garage ,from my 100 amp house panel . It is approx 180 ft of wire . ... A: #6 is very, very close to the max voltage drop allowed by the NEC. Note the words "max allowed" ...
2 outlets not working	1/12/2009
Q: This is the previous question I sent: Boyfriend installed a new big computer monitor which blew the ... A: Yes, we do have secrets but unfortunately if I tell you what they are they cease to be secrets. j/k. ...
installing 220 vlt outlet	1/10/2009
Q: I am trying to put a 220 volt outlet in my basement for my dryer. The wiring is already there I ... A: The two hots get connected to the two straight prongs and the neutral gets connected to the the "L" ...
Burnt component smell at disconnect breaker	1/9/2009
Q: Overjoyed to have found this resource, thanks in advance for any insight. Basic Issue: ... A: You do not add the two phases together, so your 95 amps is incorrect. However, your 47 and 46 amps ...
voltage in outlets	1/8/2009
Q: Some of our home outlets read 145-150 volts when we checked them. Is this a problem? How do we ... A: You did not say, but I will assume you are in the U.S. This could be a problem for some loads and ...
Electrical Fluctuation	1/7/2009
Q: The electricity in my house fluctuates whenever anything is turned on. The strange thing is if you ... A: It sounds like there is a circuit that is wired from two different sources and perhaps shares a ...
Thermostat will not follow commands	1/7/2009
Q: I have a hot water baseboard heating system and I changed from a conventional thermostat to a seven ... A: I could not locate the model for the White Rodgers. But at this point you need to find out what ...
electrical wiring	12/16/2008
Q: 1 - in the bathroom there is a combo light switch/single outlet recepticle. The light switch works ... A: The outlet could have a broken or loose connection in the box, or the outlet itself is worn out. Do ...
Breaker?	12/15/2008
Q: Tonight, our kitchen, garage, and living room lights went out. This has happened a few times in the ... A: That is an awful lot to be on one breaker. The breaker has probably been overloaded for too long and ...
AFCI Breaker	12/14/2008
Q: I have a question, is it possible in a circuit with a AFCI Breaker that some of the outlets will ... A: Are AFCI breakers required in garages in your part of the country? It seems like they would be a ...
Very low power	12/13/2008
Q: I live in a duplex and each unit has separate meters. One night around midnight our lights were ... A: There are too many possibilities for you to be expected to fix this problem. You need a good ...
electrical panel	12/13/2008
Q: I am from Ontario Canada and I'm considering moving my bathroom to a much larger room. The problem ... A: I am not familiar with codes in Canada, but I would not recommend having the panel inside the ...
ceiling fan with light with remote and three way switches	12/12/2008
Q: I am replacing a hallway light with a remote controlled ceiling fan with a light. The light is in ... A: You should of connected the black and white marked line to the same wires that the old light was ...
AC wiring	12/12/2008
Q: We are selling our house and the buyer's home inspector identified a double tapped circuit breaker ... A: Placing two wires under the same breaker is not allowed. It sounds like someone took one leg of your ...
exterior christmas lights	12/10/2008
Q: I am running christmas lights on my property. It is a fairly short run using a 9' extension cord to ... A: This is a very good question. Technically the correct answer is no, however; Christmas lights ...
trip breaker	12/10/2008
Q: I installed some new sconces, new electrical wiring and new light switches. I used new 12 guage ... A: It sounds like you have the switches bypassing the lights so when you turn them on you have a direct ...
Bathroom outlet suddenly not working.	12/6/2008
Q: ..this morning I noticed the outlet in the bathroom was not working -- I have my cats water ... A: This should be on a gfci breaker or outlet. The gfci outlet could be located in that bathroom, ...
Circuit goes dead when controlling Circuit Breaker is 'ON	12/5/2008
Q: An answer to yourThanks for answering this if you can. I have a 15 amp gfi breaker which controls ... A: Feel free to ask as many questions as you like. What you should have is two 3-way switches and one ...
Circuit goes dead when controlling Circuit Breaker is 'ON"	12/5/2008
Q: An answer to yourThanks for answering this if you can. I have a 15 amp gfi breaker which controls ... A: It is most likely a loose connection and I have never seen a loose connection tighten itself. In ...
Moving an existing electrical outlet to another room	12/3/2008
Q: My garage is finished with drywall and one electrical outlet (with the exception of the garage door ... A: If you have an AFCI breaker for the bedroom this would not work well. Even if you do not have AFCI ...
Wiring Honeywell truesteam humidifier	12/2/2008
Q: I am installing a Honeywell steam humidifier to a Lennox dual fuel heat pump/gas furnace. The ... A: When I said four wires to the humidistat, I meant to say four wires to the humidifier. Your two ...
electrical problem at home	12/1/2008
Q: we had the washing machine, dishwasher,tv, and also the blowdryer on in our small 2 bedroom house ... A: Normally your dishwasher and garbage disposal are not on a gfci, and they are not a circuit together ...
Wiring Honeywell truesteam humidifier	11/29/2008
Q: I am installing a Honeywell steam humidifier to a Lennox dual fuel heat pump/gas furnace. The ... A: All you are doing is breaking the "G" circuit (which is the fan) and supplying an "R" and "C" ...
electric	11/29/2008
Q: An outside outlet is dead, tested it with both a meter and a lamp. Switched out the 3 wire unit ... A: If you pulled out the outlet and there was no power to the wires then replacing it would not be the ...
Wiring Honeywell truesteam humidifier	11/27/2008
Q: I am installing a Honeywell steam humidifier to a Lennox dual fuel heat pump/gas furnace. The ... A: Scan the diagrams for me. Normally you would have the humidifier turn on when the heat is called ...
dryer plug	11/26/2008
Q: turned on my dryer smelt burning,red wire was melted a bit in outlet,turned off breaker and the red ... A: With the circuit breaker off; Strip the wire back and cut off burnt part. Reattach firmly to outlet ...
Plugging In Dryer Caused Loud Pop	11/26/2008
Q: First, thanks in advance for your help! My problem is that my tenant just purchased a washer and ... A: The dryer should be on its own fuse or breaker, so it should not affect any other circuits. If it ...
Help me!	11/25/2008
Q: I am wiring a ceiling fan that has a variable speed and dimmer light the wiring coming out of the ... A: Okay, what I need you to do is tell me where power is at (hot and neutral) and you will need a ...
partial power outage and surging in mobile home	11/23/2008
Q: Sometimes when it goes out if flickers many times and other times it just goes out and sometimes ... A: It sounds like either a main breaker is going bad, a few breakers are going bad, the panel is pitted ...
Circuit breaker problem?	11/21/2008
Q: My wife was drying her hair in the master bath when the dryer shut off. No breakers tripped - yet ... A: It sounds exactly like a gfci outlet or breaker tripped. You should go to the main panel and check ...
House lost neutral	11/21/2008
Q: An electrical crew cut the neutral going to my house form the street (underground utilities). Most ... A: This is very serious! It sounds like they may have cut through the cable and shorted the wires ...
home wiring	11/20/2008
Q: While replacing the light fixture in the stairway to the basement, i fount that it uses the old knob ... A: It is possible that they are using the same neutral and you have reversed polarity. It is easy to do ...
Electric Heating Relays	11/20/2008
Q: A friend of mine has 3 - 2000 watt fan forced electric heaters installed in his living room and they ... A: So that is 4 - 2000 watt heaters you want on one t-stat? The first thing you need to establish is ...
Dryer Plug Issue	11/19/2008
Q: I put my dryer in storage when I moved into my folks home after they passed away. Their old dryer ... A: Kay, Your dryer has a 30 amp cord on it, which is correct. Your parents have a 50 amp outlet and ...
apartment wiring	11/19/2008
Q: i am currently renting an apartment where my roomate and i have to constantly reset the breaker ... A: Typically the lighting and outlets are put on separate circuits. A breaker that continues to trip is ...
WIRES	11/18/2008
Q: hi my partner tried to put up a new light fitting he also replaced the old switches with dimmer ... A: It sounds like either a breaker tripped or the dimmer switch is no longer working. I would start by ...
Electrical Amperage in our home	11/18/2008
Q: We have a 3200 Sq.ft home in Cypress, Texas. (near HOuston) When the air conditioning comes on the ... A: The size of the main depends on a load calculation that is usually required by the city or county ...
adding a dishwasher	11/15/2008
Q: I just purchased an older home and it doesn't have a dishwasher.There is a wire ran for under ... A: Your dishwasher uses enough watts to need its own circuit. The dishwasher should not be on the ...
lighting switch- radio controlled	11/14/2008
Q: I am looking for a lighting switch that can control 1000W of lighting. The circuit is structured as ... A: The same voltage drop to the switch still applies to the wire going to the lights so the wire size ...
German Dryer Not Hot Enough	11/13/2008
Q: I bought a German Brand dryer (Bosch) n the States and it's not getting hot enough to dry ... A: In your first question you said you had fuses, now you say you have breakers. Do you have a breaker ...
Electrical box for a florescent fixture	11/12/2008
Q: I am trying to install a florescent light fixture in my laundry room. The electrical box that held ... A: Some florescent light fixtures do not require a separate box for the wiring. You can do the wiring ...
wiring	11/9/2008
Q: I have my refridge on a 20 amp circuit as well as 3 other outlets is there any way to make sure the ... A: If you really want to know for sure you will have to open each outlet and trace the wire around the ...
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: Call a qualified electrician before you start a fire. Unplug the unit until you can get an ...
Non-working receptacles	11/6/2008
Q: where a "master electrician" once lived. Apparently this guy loved outlets, because my house if ... A: I love Cape Cod homes. However, a custom job by a homeowner or handyman is an electricians worst ...
Garage GFCI Tripping	11/4/2008
Q: I have four florescent light fixtures each with two 4' long 40 watt bulbs in them hanging in my ... A: You should keep the GFCI in the garage because of code. However, the lights do not need to be on a ...
open ground fault	11/2/2008
Q: I am wiring a basement and am having a problem with the last three of four outlets, two boxes of two ... A: Each outlet needs it own ground wire connected to it. In the first box you will take the incoming ...
Electric heat 4 wire thermostat question ...	10/28/2008
Q: I tried another expert, but they are not familiar with electric heat - thank you so much for your ... A: Without looking at your wiring I cannot tell you if you have created a dangerous situation or not. ...
Hot tub wiring	10/27/2008
Q: i am wiring a hot tub that requires 220 #6 4 wire 3 + ground my panel currently has 5 i belive 220 ... A: It sounds like you have an electric oven and maybe a separate cooktop, water heater, dryer, and your ...
recessed lighting	10/26/2008
Q: I am instaling four 5 inch can lights in my living room. I have a spare dedicated gfi outlet that I ... A: Technically you cannot add 12 gauge to the end of 10 gauge. I would just go ahead and feed the ...
installing a new pull switch on ceiling fan/light	10/25/2008
Q: I am installing a new pull switch on my ceiling fan. Prior to installing the switch and with the ... A: Did you remove the ceiling fan to replace the pull switch or did you leave it in place? The pull ...
bathroom GFCI circuits	10/25/2008
Q: I have rewired many baths, and usually have all switches (to lites, exhaust, etc) protected by the ... A: No, not according to the NEC. The light over the sink and the fan are usually not on the same ...
wiring	10/24/2008
Q: i turned the power off to my bathroom from my breaker box when i was unscrewing the wires the and ... A: It sounds like the breakers are not marked correctly. Remember that the bathroom light is most ...
power to my shop	10/23/2008
Q: I've decided to get some power to my shop.Outlets,lights to run saws, sanders ,small ... A: If you bury the wires in conduit you do not need direct burial wire. Of course you can run direct ...
Wire from my home to my shop	10/21/2008
Q: I just bought a home that has 6 awg al xlpe 600 volts wire running from the home to a shop 200 ft ... A: Your 6 awg is effectively 10 awg at that distance which is good for 30 amps. So your 100 amp panel ...
TRAVEL TRAILER HOOK UP AT HOME	10/19/2008
Q: I AM TRYING TO HOOK UP ELECTRIC TO MY CAMPER.I GOT A SEPERATE BREAKER BOX. DISTANCE FROM MAIN BOX AT ... A: This is a common problem with campers. You need to know your amperage needs and voltage needs. If ...
1 second delay when turning on lights	10/17/2008
Q: 2 days ago I noticed a 1 second delay when switching my daughters room light on. Then yesterday the ... A: The switches most likely need to be changed. They are both probably the same age and get about the ...
nameplate	10/16/2008
Q: Does a nameplate on equipment tell you if you need a neutral wire?I know ac uses 220 and doesn't ... A: If the equipment uses 120 and 220 volts it needs 3 or 4 wires. An electric dryer uses 220v for the ...
main amperage requirements in resi	10/16/2008
Q: I own an apartment with 60amp service... How do I determine the amount of main service I need... I ... A: You could do a load calculation to find out the service you need. Simply adding your loads is not ...
a.m. radio noise from house wiring	10/15/2008
Q: M. radio at my house. I notice that when I turn on an outside light the noise gets dramatically ... A: There are many factors that can contribute to the disturbance of Amplitude Modulation (A.M.), which ...
ceiling fan/ light problem	10/14/2008
Q: I replaced a broken double switch that controlled a ceiling fan and its light. I wired it exactly ... A: Does the switch have two screws on both sides? If so, then you have wired the hot and the fan to ...
4 wire drier plug	10/9/2008
Q: would the ground and nuetral be hooked on the same post at drier? A: On a three prong dryer the ground and neutral are bonded together. The ground is attached to the ...
Remodeling kitchen adding wall oven and cooktop	10/7/2008
Q: Our home was constructed in 2000. Currently we have an electric 4 burner range with a self cleaning ... A: The NEC allows both the cooktop and oven to be on the same breaker, as long as the breaker can ...
200 vs 100 amp service	10/6/2008
Q: We moved from a house with a 200 amp service to one with 100 amp service. Our electric blanket ... A: A quick test would be to use a voltmeter in the same outlet as the one the blanket is plugged into. ...
House Main Breaker	10/5/2008
Q: Our apt. has only one breaker between the meter , and the Apt, upstairs. I cannot determine the amp ... A: Two 20 amp breakers with single lever is called a 20amp double pole breaker and it is rated at 20 ...
Sub Panel	10/3/2008
Q: question is ... I am running a 125 subpanel around 125 feet from the main panel ... what size feeder ... A: Normally a 125 amp panel requires #2 copper. However, your long distance means that you need to go ...
Dayton G73 Electric Heater	10/3/2008
Q: In reference to the Murray/Alex Napier exchange regarding the above. To review - the Dayton Heater ... A: This sounds like a pure 220volt heater, meaning that is does not require 120volts. If so, black from ...
wiring mobile home	10/1/2008
Q: We just put a pole outside for new electric service. The electrician we got put a 200amp breaker on ... A: There are too many unknowns for me to tell you if it safe or not. You should of pulled a permit for ...
Re-wiring a pump	10/1/2008
Q: I recently replaced my submersible well pump when I had a new well drilled on my property. The old ... A: Get a voltmeter and determine the voltage of the pump and which wires are carrying what volts. ...
two or more undercabinet lights in series	9/30/2008
Q: I am wiring two halogen under cabinet lights, with each having it's own switch. Do I need a fourth, ... A: If you are using the built in switches then you need to run one black, one white, and one ground to ...
adding new wiring	9/30/2008
Q: The load-bearing walls are cinder blocks with wire metal lath and plaster. The non-load-bearing ... A: There is a product called "Wiremold" that goes on the outside of the wall. This may be what you will ...
Trane shop heater wiring	9/29/2008
Q: Old, hanging Trane shop heater, natural gas, 115v. Fan motor went bad, ordered a replacement from ... A: The four wires indicate that it is either multispeed or requires a capacitor. The wiring diagram on ...
two or more undercabinet lights in series	9/28/2008
Q: I am wiring two halogen under cabinet lights, with each having it's own switch. Do I need a fourth, ... A: You will have black from the outlet go to each switch. From the other side of the switch you will ...
Dryer wiring problem	9/27/2008
Q: I just remodeled an old cabin and put 10-2 wire in for the dryer instead of 10-3. The walls have ... A: Mark, There is product called Wiremold that you can run on the outside of the wall. What you need ...
wiring multiple outlets	9/26/2008
Q: How would i wire multiple outlets or do they have to be home runs? A: This depends on the application. For example, bathroom outlets need to be on their own "home run", ...
220V Single Phase machine with Three phase socket?	9/25/2008
Q: I have an espresso machine that requires single phase 20amp power at 60hz...now I have an outlet ... A: You need to change the outlet to match the plug on the espresso machine. Typically you have two flat ...
electricity goes out and later comes back	9/24/2008
Q: I would be grateful if you can help me with the following problem. On a regular basis (weekly, ... A: When the power goes out you will need to trace the circuit and check each junction box and fixture ...
hvac	9/24/2008
Q: I have a heat pump that is about 23 years.American standard, I am in the process of changing from ... A: You will need to physically look at which wire goes to the reversing valve, which wire goes to the ...
3-way rocker switch	9/22/2008
Q: I have the same problem in all areas with a 3-way. I am using leviton Decora switches. My house is ... A: The new 3-way switches are wired differently than some of the old ones. If you replace it wire for ...
wiring in our new house melted our dryer	9/21/2008
Q: Greg, Hello! Help! We just moved to a new (old) house and the first few days when I was doing ... A: The two causes that I can think of are the outlet is wired wrong and you got 220 volts on the ...
service entrance	9/21/2008
Q: My entrance coming in behind the meter goes in to a cylinder fused square d switch box rated at 100 ... A: It sounds like you need an electrician to inspect your wiring and you may need to pull a permit. ...
Upstairs lighting circuit not working ?	9/18/2008
Q: The problem is that the bathroom light was switched on which in turn blew the bulb, the bulb was ... A: The voltage pen tester only detects if voltage is present, not if you have a good circuit. If you ...
220v line ?	9/18/2008
Q: is there any way i can run a 220v line split off of my stove for a dryer,i know that it wont be ... A: You can do that for a stove and oven, and you can do it in the garage for loads that will not be ...
Upstairs lighting circuit not working ?	9/17/2008
Q: The problem is that the bathroom light was switched on which in turn blew the bulb, the bulb was ... A: Three ways to approach this problem: Start at the main power and work your way towards the light. ...
Hit Electric Wire in Ceiling with Drill	9/15/2008
Q: We were installing large hanging hooks in our garage ceiling and used a regular stud finder, which ... A: I am glad to hear you are getting an electrician out there. The danger depends on several aspects. ...
Electric furnace wiring	9/13/2008
Q: Greg I'm installing a 20kw electric furnace and have worked out the min circuit breaker should be ... A: Go with the 2 gauge. A two-pole breaker connects to both legs so you can get 240 volts between the ...
Ceiling fan wiring	9/11/2008
Q: I'm replacing a light fixture controlled by a wall switch with a ceiling fan/light. Present wiring ... A: Do not worry, this is not a stupid question. Are the two lines present at the switch box or light ...
Two Switches 1 Live Line	9/11/2008
Q: Currently I have 1 switch at the top of the stairs and it turns on the lights to the Rec Room. It is ... A: If that switch only has two wires coming to it then it sounds like the power goes to the light box ...
Lights	9/10/2008
Q: My husband moved a window unit from one window to another. It had been working fine all day. Then ... A: The unit is plugged into a circuit that cannot properly support it. You will need to either place ...
Questionable wiring	9/7/2008
Q: I recently discovered some 14 gauge wiring on a 20 amp circuit in my house. The 14 gauge seems to ... A: If the lights were added on, it should not be too difficult to change the wire. With the power off, ...
Home Sauna Wiring	8/31/2008
Q: I'm building a sauna in a shed behind my house (120 feet from the main electirical panel). The ... A: You are very close on this one. The max length, given the voltage drop, is 119 feet with #8. If ...
How to replace an receptacle?	8/31/2008
Q: I found an old 3-prong socket (with one connection) in my new home that appears to be an old socket ... A: First you should find out if it is 220 volt or 110 volt. This will help you if you decide to use the ...
wiring outside the house	8/30/2008
Q: Is there any way to reconnect to a short line coming through the basement wall? Our old well pump ... A: I guess that is why they are plumbers and not electricians. You are going to need to find where the ...
subpanel	8/30/2008
Q: the subpanel in my detached garage did not pass inspection because the main breaker did not have a ... A: You gave me the model of the subpanel, which does not have a main breaker. I believe you are ...
WELDER HOOK UP	8/29/2008
Q: I NEED TO RUN A 240 V CIRCUIT TO A SYNCROWAVE 200 WELDER. ITS RATED OUTPUT IS 150 AMPS AT 26 ... A: The voltage drop should not be a concern for 60 feet. I would recommend #4 gauge and a 60 amp ...
Lennox start capacitor not grounded	8/29/2008
Q: I believe - red, yellow, green wires) recently burned out on my 10+ old Lennox outside air unit. A ... A: Start caps have a tolerance whereas run caps do not. The start cap should have a % of tolerance ...
wiring three way to outlets!	8/28/2008
Q: I'm Currently working on renovating my house, In my upstairs bedroom i want to have my recepticals ... A: Here are the different ways to wire it according to where the power comes in and if the light is ...
wire length in main panel	8/27/2008
Q: I am wiring a new 125 Amp Murray main lug panel. I was taught in an electrical course 20 years ago ... A: You can have a wire nut in the panel. Two schools of thought; you get to pick which one. Bring the ...
washer and dryer grounding???	8/27/2008
Q: ..I just got an old washer and dryer and I'm wondering if the green wire hanging from the back of ... A: The middle one should be the neutral, which is white on the dryer. Remember to bond the neutral ...
washer and dryer grounding???	8/26/2008
Q: ..I just got an old washer and dryer and I'm wondering if the green wire hanging from the back of ... A: That green wire gets connected to your cold water line. It is most likely that the people who owned ...
electrical problem	8/26/2008
Q: the other day while vacuuming my breaker tripped. I unplugged the vacuum and went to the breaker ... A: If the bathroom outlets are on the same circuit and have power then it would not be a circuit ...
electric thermostat	8/25/2008
Q: I want to move my thermostat from the electric heater to a wall mount. I have run 12-2 wire to the ... A: It depends on whether the t-stat is single or double pole. And, are you sure the 12-2 is big enough? ...
wiring in a ceiling fan	8/25/2008
Q: Greg, I am looking to install a ceiling fan in a bedroom that has no ceiling fixture. There is a ... A: The way I told you to wire it would make the outlet hot on both upper and lower prongs. If you are ...
wiring in a ceiling fan	8/24/2008
Q: Greg, I am looking to install a ceiling fan in a bedroom that has no ceiling fixture. There is a ... A: I would suggest running wires from your switch to the attic and across to where you want your fan to ...
Replacing Furnce	8/23/2008
Q: We are replacing a 15yo furnace with more efficient model. Terrible time deciding which brand. ... A: Having been factory trained by Carrier, worked for factory authorized Lennox - Trane & Carrier; And ...
Capacitor	8/22/2008
Q: If a blower motor (for an air handler) asks for a 5mF/370V cap, would it be a big deal to connect a ... A: Run caps need to be exactly what the motor calls for or else you will have premature burn out of the ...
need home generator connection to house help	8/21/2008
Q: I have a 5500 watt gas electric generator. I have not had time to get an electrician to install the ... A: "Do you think that will work as a temp fix thru this storm?" All indications that I have seen you ...
Hard wire do wall plug	8/20/2008
Q: I bought a range hood that was supposed to have a plug but that instead has 2 wires coming out of it ... A: I take it that you are not replacing an existing hood, but adding a new one that never had any ...
Plugs not working	8/18/2008
Q: The plugs in my two back rooms don't seem to work. I have tried flipping the switch at the circuit ... A: The testers that light up merely tell that there is voltage present, but not how much. It also ...
One Circuit two breakers	8/17/2008
Q: My garbage disposal circuit requires that I turn off two separate breakers and siimultaneously to ... A: No, this is not normal. Somehow you have that tied into another circuit. You will need to back track ...
New switch	8/17/2008
Q: I want to add a switch and an outlet to an existing line of outlets. However, I only want the ... A: Yes it is possible. With the power off, run your romex (12/2) from the switch to the outlet. You ...
Outside Garage Lights	8/16/2008
Q: Have a problem with outside garage light pair, standard builders’ grade fixtures from Lowes: Both ... A: Mike, This is an old trick that sometimes works. We usually do not reveal it because it is ...
Shed feeder question	8/15/2008
Q: Hughes: I just built a 12 x 16 shed and pulled my electrical permit to wire it up. I have a ... A: I am surprised that the inspector is allowing you to put in a 100 amp service panel on #4 wire. This ...
Outdoor GFCI got wet	8/14/2008
Q: Greg, My father and I installed a GFCI line outside for my new pool. Over the past 3+ weeks, it has ... A: If the pump was plugged in and the cover was open to accommodate the plug then it is very possible ...
Circuit out	8/13/2008
Q: After a recent storm, the main switch activated. On turning it back on, the switch activated again. ... A: Bill, That is a good way to troubleshoot. If the breaker trips with no load on the transformer you ...
GFI Outlet	8/12/2008
Q: I have just replaced a GFI outlet in my kitchen. I believe i have everything connected correctly ... A: You should have the hot wire connected to "Line-Hot" or "Line-Black", the neutral to "Line-Neutral" ...
Running wiring to the shed	8/11/2008
Q: I'd like to run 20amp wiring from the breaker box, through the basement and outside - then running ... A: Many cities allow a home owner to do an electrical upgrade under builder-owner as long as a permit ...
Running wiring to the shed	8/10/2008
Q: I'd like to run 20amp wiring from the breaker box, through the basement and outside - then running ... A: Greg, Here are some things to think about: 1. Is the pump 110 volts or 220 volts? 2. Do you think ...
208 VAC	8/9/2008
Q: We are a non-profit that just received a donation of a forklift and battery charger for our ... A: 1.The diagram was scanned at too low of resolution for me to read. I can see that it is telling us ...
Dimmer and Recessed Light	8/8/2008
Q: I installed nine (9) recessed lights in our living room. The wire used is Romex 12 Gauge (Yellow ... A: The actual wattage drawn is a result of the actual voltage supplied. The resistance of the filament ...
24v supply for humidifier	8/8/2008
Q: I am (re)installing an Aprilaire 700M humidifier on my Bryant 350MAV furnace. (The old one, an ... A: The "HUM" is for your humidifier connection. This is only energized when the furnace in is the heat ...
Grounding strap concern	8/6/2008
Q: The original DirecTV installer did not use exactly one of the points in an article "Grounding ... A: I do not enough information from that picture to give you advise. You need to find out how ...
three-way switch wiring issue	8/5/2008
Q: have three way switch circuit that is giving me a problem. Situation: I have a three switch to ... A: Newer three-way switches are wired differently than older three-way switches. If you replace an ...
mobile home	8/5/2008
Q: Hughes, How difficult is it to change the aluminum wiring in a mobile home to copper wiring. Also I ... A: Aluminum wire expands and contracts more than copper does, so it is more prone to become loose and ...
TV turns off when Stove is turned on	8/4/2008
Q: This is a problem that has happened to me in two separate apartments. It only started after I ... A: It sounds like your surge-protector is doing it's job. An A/C draws a lot of power when it turns on ...
MOBILE HOME ELECTRICAL	8/3/2008
Q: LOST POWER TO A 220 AC UNIT, AND ALSO REFRIGE AND FREEZER, AND OTHER SPOTS AROUND THE HOUSE, WHAT IS ... A: The first place I would look is in the main panel. It sounds like either a main breaker going bad or ...
replacing a receptacle	8/3/2008
Q: before replacement, when the light switch was in the off position, the receptacles had power to only ... A: There is a small metal tab on the side of the outlet where the screws are that needs to be broken. ...
installing new ceiling fan	8/2/2008
Q: I am trying to install a new ceiling fan/light combo. The existing fan uses the pull chains to ... A: This means that power is most likely being supplied at the light fixture and the two wires to the ...
swamp cooler motor	8/2/2008
Q: I bought a 1 yr old cooler this summer from a friend who I guess left it undrained last winter, so I ... A: The first thing to check is the voltage supplied to the motor. If that is okay then you did the ...
Residential remodel wiring	8/1/2008
Q: I have recently bought an older home that had some older updates, including the electrical. We had ... A: It will probably be better to isolate the bedroom outlets like you are thinking. This will also ...
expanding from one outlet to three	7/30/2008
Q: I am renovating my bathroom. I have one standard outlet on the opposite wall from the sink. I want ... A: The first thing you want to check is if this outlet is on a GFCI breaker, or fed from another GFCI ...
Stackable W/D	7/29/2008
Q: My husband pulled out a stackable washer/dryer unit to replace the dryer vent. After it was done, he ... A: Interesting problem. It sounds like a wire came loose, or the plug is not making good contact in the ...
Garage Door Opener (GDO)	7/29/2008
Q: I had a motor "start" capacitor blown on my 20 year old model 2200 Stanley GDO. A replacement ... A: This sounds like a start capacitor. A run capacitor has an exact micro f. rating. A start capacitor ...
Need subpanel for new A/C system	7/27/2008
Q: I have an 8.5-yr old house with a 3.5 ton Goodman A/C system going bad. I have 2400 sq. feet and 2 ... A: Without seeing the job there is no way for me to estimate a cost. There are too many variables. ...
no power along one wall in garage	7/26/2008
Q: I have NO experience in wiring. I was working in my gagrage last week when I noticed that I had no ... A: It sounds like there is a good chance the breaker needs to be replaced. But the outlets need to be ...
Ground rods, GFI & Arc-Fault breaker questions	7/24/2008
Q: I am building a 24x60 (with 14x60 second floor) workshop next to my house and it is wiring time. I ... A: Ken, For the ground rods you should consult your local building inspector because each area can ...
Vent Pipe Shock	7/24/2008
Q: I am a journeyman electrician with years of troubleshooting experience. Recently a customer was ... A: What were the two vents for? Are the vents well grounded? Is one well grounded and the other not? ...
Wire capacities	7/23/2008
Q: Need a direct answer. After asking several electricians I am confused. I am installing a sub-panel ... A: If local codes are stricter than the NEC, the local codes supercede the NEC. Which is why it is good ...
Wire capacities	7/23/2008
Q: Need a direct answer. After asking several electricians I am confused. I am installing a sub-panel ... A: What is the subpanel rated for? You need to run the wire size that is appropriate for the rating of ...
Running electricity to an outside brick shed	7/22/2008
Q: i have just moved into a new house and have a brick shed which is about 3 feet from the main ... A: Drilling the holes is okay but you would need to run conduit. Anytime you have electrical wires on ...
Electrical Wiring problem	7/21/2008
Q: Not a home wiring issue but this is the closest I could find. Hope you can help. My neighbor has a ... A: It is possible that you have a loose or broken ground wire. Try plugging the motorhome into a ...
bad recptacle	7/21/2008
Q: I have a circuit in my house that that covers three rooms. Two rooms receptacles and lights work ... A: It is a good idea to have the bathroom outlet on it's own gfci circuit. However, it sounds like you ...
Breaker question & kiln	7/20/2008
Q: Greetings! I hired a professional electrician to add a 50 amp circuit breaker to my home service ... A: How long does the kiln run at (basically) 50 amps? If the kiln runs at 50 amps for 3 hours or more ...
220V electric shower	7/20/2008
Q: I will appreciate very much if you can help me with this problem : I´m a resident in a ... A: I looked at the manual, but I do not understand the language, and it appears that there are two ...
A problem I don't understand....	7/17/2008
Q: I removed all my basement lights and decded to install new ones. I installed new boxes and wire from ... A: Ground wires can have voltage due to voltage coming up from the earth through the ground rod, from ...
Moving ceiling light fixture	7/17/2008
Q: My current ceiling light fixture is not centered to our living room. I'd like to move it ... A: If you have good attic access then this is not difficult. You will need to run the romex from the ...
garbage disp and dishwasher	7/16/2008
Q: our switch for the garbage disp has been sticky latly and you have to really push hard to get it to ... A: It is possible that he tripped a gfci outlet or breaker. Check the kitchen and bathroom for a gfci ...
Switched outlet	7/15/2008
Q: I have an outlet with 4 receptacles, and power feeding the outlet box. one black, one white, one ... A: First you want to establish if the wires from the switch are hot or not. And you want to establish ...
Toggle switch connection to existing outlet	7/15/2008
Q: I have installed an exhaust fan under the eave of my house to vent kitchen smoke via existing ... A: You could replace the outlet with an outlet that has a switch, or you can install a cut-in box near ...
electrical - sockets and lights not working	7/14/2008
Q: Can you please help? In the bedroom: Lights for the closet and above the sinks will not come on. ... A: Were you experiencing a problem that caused you to mess with the electrical panel? Mosts likely a ...
circuit box	7/13/2008
Q: dryer not working - tried flipping switches in circuit box - 2 for kitchen had white test buttons - ... A: Yes, if the test button is on the circuit breaker it will trip the breaker. If a breaker trips for ...
circuit box	7/13/2008
Q: dryer not working - tried flipping switches in circuit box - 2 for kitchen had white test buttons - ... A: There should be a reset button for the two. If the reset button does not allow you to turn the ...
Lighting System for church outdoor Poster	7/12/2008
Q: Our Local church is planing to light up an advertising poster fixed on the outside part of the ... A: Wow, a lot to answer here. First I would suggest using a photocell instead of a timer. This way you ...
CEILING LIGHTS	7/11/2008
Q: I HAVE TO SAY I DO NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT ELECTRIC. BUT I TURNED MY BREAKER OFF AND CHANGED FIVE LIGHTS ... A: Yes, ground can actually be hot. Which is why electricians are taught to use a voltmeter before ...
electrical panel	7/9/2008
Q: my 30 year old house had an old heater that had its own small box with two 220v circuits. I ... A: You will need to run it to the main panel. The existing 220v circuit has been broken down into two ...
Confused about wiring my new kenmore H2 Dryer	7/8/2008
Q: The dryer came with the standard three prong cord. Delivery guys said i had to buy the three prong ... A: Good question and I am glad you asked. The 4-prong is the way the National Electrical Code wants us ...
all home air fan	7/8/2008
Q: the fan is a few months old turns on, will run and then after a while shuts off, ckt breaker does ... A: Is it a "whole house" fan that takes air from the house and blows it into the attic, or an "attic" ...
Fixing a someone elses Mistake	7/7/2008
Q: Hey I was installing a new panel box in my 1938 home when I noticed something odd. I have a 220v ... A: You should check local codes because you probably do not have to have the 50a gfi disconnect fed ...
house wiring	7/7/2008
Q: have a 4" box with a three wire that controls my light on my stair landing also from this box comes ... A: Let me see if I understand this correctly. It sounds like your 3-wire switch is a 3-way switch that ...
Main breaker in subpanel keeps tripping	5/28/2008
Q: I have a lot of info to give so I will give the question first. The 2 hot bars in a breaker box ... A: When you rewired your house you should of updated the panel to 200 amp service. To answer your ...
loose neutral	5/28/2008
Q: The lights in my master bedroom dim and stay there when a small appliance such as an iron is ... A: It is not uncommon on older homes to have the lights dim when a clothes iron is plugged in on the ...
combo switch	5/27/2008
Q: "I am having trouble installing a new combo outlet...the outlet is a combo switch/outlet..I have ... A: You will need a voltmeter to do this correctly. Simply trying wire configurations is dangerous. If ...
Location of Breaker Box	5/26/2008
Q: I an currently living in Colorado and my wife and I are searching for a home. I've have noticed ... A: Charles, Where I live all main breaker boxes are mounted on the outside. We have no basements. ...
Oversizing electrical wire	5/25/2008
Q: I ran 10g wire for a Reiker Heater ceiling fan, designed to give out 5,000 btu of heat. Ten guage ... A: The 10 gauge wire is okay. The circuit breaker is there to keep the device from running at too high ...
Wiring a new receptacle from single-pole switch	5/25/2008
Q: I am trying to add a receptacle near a new work box that currently has a single-pole switch in it ... A: You will need to find out which black wire is the "hot" wire and which one feeds the light. Turn ...
Wall Switch on celing Fan	5/24/2008
Q: This gives me the option of speeds from "blow you away"...to "pleasant breeze". I'm the nervous ... A: A dimmer switch generates heat because it acts like a resistor in series with the fan. How much ...
Electrical Outlet Problem	5/24/2008
Q: I can not get a plug pulled out from an outlet. It is an outlet outside that my pool pump is ... A: Jen, It is possible that the prongs have fused themselves to the inside of the outlet, or they have ...
"Strange" Electical problems in my mobile home	5/23/2008
Q: I have the strangest thing going on here in my mobile home. On several occasions within the past ... A: John, it sounds like your problems are all related in some way. This really sounds like you should ...
Tankless Water Heater Wiring	5/22/2008
Q: I just bought an electric tankless water heater. The instructions say to run two separate 8/2 wires ... A: At 200 feet (100 feet each) you are at the limit for 8/2 so you cannot go to 10/2. If anything you ...
cooktop	5/21/2008
Q: I have a three prong 250V outlet for my old cooktop and just bought a new one that came with a four ... A: The NEC is trying to get us away from the old 3 prong system and converted over to the 4 prong ...
Switches & Receptacles	5/21/2008
Q: I am building a room in my son's basement and want to know how many receptacles & switches can I put ... A: Good question. Technically the outlets and lights should be on separate circuits. The number of ...
bathroom fan	5/20/2008
Q: i am trying to install a bathroom fan.The bathroom has two sets of lights operated by one ... A: You need to determine if the power is first going to the switch or to the light. If power is going ...
Low voltage at wall switch	5/18/2008
Q: A wall switch controls a porch light. It had been working. When it quit working i checked the ... A: What do you get hot to neutral from both sides of the switch with the switch in the "ON" position? ...
water pump to definite purpose (relay?)	5/17/2008
Q: I am installing a new Torrium water pump and water storage tank to replace mt 30 gal. bladder tank. ... A: It sounds like they are switching one leg of the 220 volt. Which is okay. It may be that you have ...
water pump to definite purpose (relay?)	5/17/2008
Q: I am installing a new Torrium water pump and water storage tank to replace mt 30 gal. bladder tank. ... A: L1 and L2 are the supply voltage from the source. You should have two hot legs and a ground. The ...
cooktop hookup	5/15/2008
Q: how to wire a new electronic control cooktop with 240vac 4 wire (red, black, white and green) to a ... A: Black, white, and ground (copper) is considered 2-wire with a ground. When used for 220 volt both ...
stove and miro wave hook up	5/15/2008
Q: i had a direct wire 220v to my stove 3 wire white,black,copper. bought a three wire plug hooked ... A: If these are separate appliances you cannot hook them both up to the same breaker. If you have ...
new light switch wiring	5/11/2008
Q: I have a switch that is at a end run and I wanted to add one more switch that would operate a hall ... A: You are switching either the neutral or hot leg for the existing lights and your new switch and ...
inground pool ground	5/10/2008
Q: I recently pulled out a cement slab in front of my pool that had to holes for a handrail in it. When ... A: Call either an electrician in your area or a building inspector right away to get the proper ...
Kitchen/Bathroom remodel and wiring	5/8/2008
Q: My wife and I are currently in the process of remodeling our kitchen. We do not plan on ripping out ... A: This is a good question because it poses a dilemma for many homeowners updating their houses. If ...
GFCI tripping	5/7/2008
Q: I have a GFCI next to my sink. My refrigerator is the only thing connected to it downstream. Small ... A: The first thing I would do is put the refrigerator on it's own 20 amp circuit. It should not be on a ...
Using a European espresso maker from Italy in the USA	5/7/2008
Q: I lived in Italy and purchased an espresso coffee maker and brought it with me to the USA. I got it ... A: Oh sure you can make it safe and pass code. Of course what you have now is really not advisable. ...
30 AMP OUTLET	5/6/2008
Q: I HAVE A TILE SAW WITH A NORMAL GROUNDED PLUG THAT NEEDS TO RUN ON A 30 AMP BREAKER. I AM GOING TO ... A: You did not say, but I will assume it is 115 volts. If so, 30 amp outlets are pretty common and most ...
Using a European espresso maker from Italy in the USA	5/6/2008
Q: I lived in Italy and purchased an espresso coffee maker and brought it with me to the USA. I got it ... A: 1)I am not familiar enough with the color system of the Italians to answer properly. If I had a ...
convert one three wire circuit to two circuits	5/5/2008
Q: At present, two fixtures on one switch are in parallel; so a three wire cable connects the two ... A: If you have three wire running from the switch to each fixture you can do this. Take the hot wire ...
dishwasher that may have caused an electrical problem	5/3/2008
Q: A wooden spoon dropped onto the heating element of our dishwasher while it was running. This caused ... A: Mick, Some dishwashers are on their own breakers, and just because a breaker appears to be on does ...
3 way switches	5/2/2008
Q: I'm installing some new lighting in a house and one of the dimmer switches burned out on me. I was ... A: The original switch has a "hot" leg coming to it and a "hot" leg leaving to feed the light. It is ...
gas to dual fuel range replacement	5/2/2008
Q: I am replacing a gas only slide-in range with a dual fuel one. The only wiring present now is a 40' ... A: John, Even though the bigger gauge wire is more expensive you are smart to be thinking ahead in case ...
3 way switches	5/1/2008
Q: I'm installing some new lighting in a house and one of the dimmer switches burned out on me. I was ... A: If the original switch had two wires (not including the ground) then it was not a 3-way switch. If ...
3-wire confusion	4/29/2008
Q: I'm finishing my basement and can't seem to successfully add 2 lights to the existing lighting ... A: It sounds like the black wire is being ran as "hot" all the way from the breaker to your switch. ...
jenn air cooktop	4/29/2008
Q: On my new jenn air cooktop stove, i am having trouble getting the grill warm enough to grill. We ... A: Are you sure it is 3-phase? 3-phase is mostly found in commercial buildings. 208 volts is at the ...
a/c circuit breaker hookup unusual question	4/28/2008
Q: Is this correct? A/C unit calls for a 50 amp breaker. Wire is a size 8 (3 wires and a ground inside ... A: You need to install a 50amp double pole breaker. You need 6 gauge for a 50 amp breaker. Two single ...
220 volt to 115 volt	4/25/2008
Q: I have a 220 single pole outlet (nema 6-15 plug) that I would like to convert to a 115 volt ... A: Yes, it should be easy. You should have two hots and one ground. You will keep one hot by keeping ...
Installing a Celling fan to a Switch Outlet	4/24/2008
Q: I have a switch that is connected to an outlet in my bedroom. I want to add a celling fan to this ... A: Without drywall work your best bet is Wire Channel or Wiremold. It is channel that goes on the ...
Outlet distance	4/22/2008
Q: We are trying to finish the basement in our house and I was wondering what the distance the outlets ... A: If a wall is 2ft or more it needs an outlet. From the beginning of a wall the first outlet must be ...
Converting a 110 outlet to 240	4/21/2008
Q: I'm purchasing a new washer/dryer that operate at 240V / 20amp. I've got an existing dedicated ... A: Good question. Usually a washing machine does not fall into the continuous load category, however ...
A/C Start assist kit	4/21/2008
Q: I need a little help here. I have been an a/c mechanic for about 25 years, but have forgotten how to ... A: I am wondering why you are not going with the "Kick-Start" or "Hard-Start" kit? Those are wonderful. ...
halogen lighting problems	4/20/2008
Q: I have a series of 3 halorgen pendants hanging in a series in my kitchen. Yesterday, one light went ... A: If they are truly in series then they are wired wrong. However, I suspect you mean that they are all ...
Install pump start relay	4/19/2008
Q: How do I install a pump start relay? I have a 240v irrigation well pump with 3 wires coming into the ... A: You should place the start relay as close to the pump as possible. If there is no box you can ...
electric space heaters	4/19/2008
Q: How many 1000 watt in-wall or baseboard heaters can be safely wired on (for example) a 20amp 120 ... A: A 240 volt load that does not require 110 volts only needs the black and white plus ground. ...
electric space heaters	4/18/2008
Q: How many 1000 watt in-wall or baseboard heaters can be safely wired on (for example) a 20amp 120 ... A: One on the 120volt circuit and Three on the 240 volt circuit. These would be considered "continuous ...
Motion sensor with multiple lights	4/17/2008
Q: I have a building that I would like the lights to come on when someone comes in the door and then ... A: If you were happy with the system but it draws too much power for the sensor I would suggest adding ...
Water Wire HOT	4/17/2008
Q: The wire to my water heater gets extremely hot (too hot to hold) when it is in heating mode. ... A: My first thought is why are you holding a wire to your water heater? Second thought is what gauge is ...
Second Meter Base	4/14/2008
Q: I have a small metal working business in my home and feel that it uses a good portion of the total ... A: If your shop is separate from the home they should allow this. But I am sure you can see their ...
Sub panel fusing	4/13/2008
Q: I'm planning to install a sub panel to feed a fridge, kitchen plugs, and a dishwasher. Based on ... A: The first thing you need to do is make sure your main panel can support the extra load you are ...
Split Circuit with shared neutral and ground	4/13/2008
Q: Due to some issues with the wiring in my house I have found I am mapping the whole house and ... A: Yes it is allowed, if you mean having two branch circuits sharing a neutral. Yes, you can. It is ...
Wiring a Ceiling Fan w/ dimmer switch and motor control on the wall	4/12/2008
Q: There are similar answers to this question, but I think I have a unique problem here. I want to ... A: The best way to do this is to run another cable from the fan to the switch. Remove the existing ...
please help	4/11/2008
Q: We just moved into a new place. When we attempted to plug a light into an outlet here, there was a ... A: Forget saving your landlord the cost of an electrician and save yourself a lot of trouble by calling ...
Running out of ideas	4/11/2008
Q: I have checked our panel box,switch and outlet power and light bulbs and one trip to the attic. My ... A: Sounds like a perfect candidate for a tripped gfci outlet or breaker. If it is an outlet it will ...
GFI Keep Popping	4/9/2008
Q: Ok, so we bought a refigerator (used) on Craigslist a couple weeks ago. Previous owner said it was ... A: The first thing to do is not plug it into a GFCI protected outlet, ever. Refrigerators, and other ...
home wiring	4/8/2008
Q: last week lightning struck near my house and shut the power off. The power came back on quickly ... A: You should see if there is a gfci outlet controlling those outlets, it may be tripped. Plus, you ...
pendant light	4/8/2008
Q: I just ordered two pendant lights (hanging from the ceiling) and found out they are plug-in. Do you ... A: You have a ceiling cover that the wires fit through and if it is the proper ones for the new lights ...
conversion of power	4/7/2008
Q: I've ran the 220 line and set up the recepticals and had them checked by my local electrician for ... A: You need to look at the nameplate, which I am assuming you have not because you are guessing at the ...
Dryer sparked when plugged in	4/7/2008
Q: I have a maytag electrical clothes dryer that is about 9 years old. It was making a loud noise, my ... A: Lani, I believe the lint trap is in the front so I am concerned when you say he took off the back ...
flickering lights, popping noises,	4/6/2008
Q: I truly hope you can help me! My wife and I have an older home with a 100 amp service. Last night, ... A: The loose neutral certainly could of caused what you described. It is possible that the utility tech ...
conversion of power	4/6/2008
Q: I've ran the 220 line and set up the recepticals and had them checked by my local electrician for ... A: The frequency of a load is only important to certian devices. For instance, an incandescent light ...
flickering lights, popping noises,	4/5/2008
Q: I truly hope you can help me! My wife and I have an older home with a 100 amp service. Last night, ... A: A bad (loose, corroded, etc) main neutral at the panel is connected with every circuit and can cause ...
flickering lights, popping noises, "hot electric" smell	4/5/2008
Q: I truly hope you can help me! My wife and I have an older home with a 100 amp service. Last night, ... A: Mike, This definitely needs to be checked out by a qualified electrician. Is PP & L the utility ...
Comination switch recptacle	4/2/2008
Q: Currently in a 2 gang box I have the garbage disposal switch and a regular duplex receptacle each on ... A: Are you just adding an outlet? In other words, you still have the duplex and now you have a ...
New Circuit	4/1/2008
Q: Mr. Hughes I am adding a 15 amp breaker to my box. It will run about 25-40 feet to the circuit. The ... A: Justin, These are all good questions and I am glad you asked before doing the work. Your outlets ...
My light will not turn off / even without the switch	4/1/2008
Q: Stupid of me... I changed a fixture and during my re-wiring, the light's GROUND cable hit the live ... A: Allan, We need to retrace a bit first. How many wires are in the light fixture box? It is possible ...
Current With Circuit Breaker Off	3/31/2008
Q: Is it possible for a circuit to retain or carry a residual or parasitic charge even when the ... A: Gary, please do not use an aluminum ladder to do electrical work, instead switch to a fiberglass ...
Lighting fixture	3/31/2008
Q: "My new light fixture has clear wire. I have read conflicting - opposite- information on the web ... A: Technically it does matter for safety's sake. However, because it is AC and not DC it will work with ...
220 plug for hook up of a dryer	3/30/2008
Q: in my kitchen i had a stove they removed the stove we want a dryer there but the 220 wire that was ... A: You will need a voltmeter to check which two are the "hot" legs and which one is the neutral. The ...
Arching	3/30/2008
Q: My daughter just moved into a single family home. When pluggingin the gas stove circuits in house ... A: You have done the right thing by calling out a professional electrician. This sounds like a ...
double pole gfci circuit	3/29/2008
Q: I hope that you can help me with this question. I pulled 4 #12 thhn wires to my bathroom, with the ... A: I do not know why you want two independent outlets. The only reason I can think of is that you are ...
how to size a panel	3/28/2008
Q: i have a friend that wants to change out his panel from a 100 amp servise to a 200 amp servise but i ... A: 100 amp panel use to be the standard, but with all the new appliances and loads a lot of people are ...
Pendant lighting	3/25/2008
Q: Is there a rule of thumb to hang pendant lights.I feel the previous owner hung them in the wrong ... A: They are generally hung in the center over the counter to light up the countertop. Generally they ...
Thermostat duel fuel	3/23/2008
Q: I have conventional heating and a heat pump and I wanted to put a programmable thermostat in. I ... A: Honeywell makes good products. What you need is a heatpump t-stat. Keep a record of what you just ...
Amperage Question	3/22/2008
Q: I was wondering if you could assist. I originall asked Rick Meill a question about roughing in the ... A: Lets go back to the start. According to the NEC, your bathroom outlets cannot be shared with any ...
adding single pole switch for under cabinet light	3/20/2008
Q: I am adding hard-wired under-cabinet light fixtures in my kitchen. I want to use a single-pole ... A: Justin, You will need to add what we call a "pig tail" to one of the black wires and one of the ...
cook top replacement	3/19/2008
Q: I replaced a cook top in my kitchen. The old wiring was standard 12 2 110v, the new cook top ic 220. ... A: Are you replacing a gas cooktop with an electric cooktop? You can use the existing circuit as long ...
Wire Warm to the Touch	3/18/2008
Q: Greg, Is there any reason one lone wire should be warm to the touch when all other wires coming from ... A: Most likely it is either drawing more wattage, or it runs more continous than the others. There is ...
wiring question	3/17/2008
Q: I have little wiring knowledge so bear with me, in a bathroom I am trying to switch a ... A: Aaron, Thanks for the picture it helped me see what you were saying. Actually this has been wired ...
new light fixture	3/17/2008
Q: i have just replaced one light fixture in a hallway with another and rewired the new fixture the ... A: There are about 12 different ways to wire a 4-way switch circuit. What I need to know is how the ...
Lights Dimming, then brightenning - Really worried!	3/16/2008
Q: I live in a rental apartment, that is likely 50+ yrs old now (not sure exactly). I have put a call ... A: Your local utility company may be of some assistance, so you might give them a call. I do not know ...
Tap an existing electrical wire	3/14/2008
Q: I'm installing a steam shower. The steam generator requires a 110V/30A power supply. Nearby in the ... A: Norman, I have never used those on anything more than 24 volts, and I probably would not. But you ...
Bathroom H-F-L-NL rough in question.	3/14/2008
Q: Can you give me some guidance on roughing in my bathroom? I bought my house with an unfinished ... A: BC, If you are in the United States, this is not up to code as I understand what you are ...
New wiring	3/13/2008
Q: I had a contractor install a new Jacuzzi tub which required 220. The existing location had 110 ... A: There are several issues to this. To answer you first question; This is how 220 volts is made when ...
Lights Out	3/11/2008
Q: My boyfriend was painting the kitchen and had all the outlets unscrewed from the wall he hit the ... A: The best way to diagnose is with a voltmeter. If you do not feel "qualified" enough to stick a meter ...
No power to rooms.	3/11/2008
Q: I'm having a problem with no power getting to neither my sister's room, nor the bathroom (they're ... A: Two things to check. First see if there is a gfci outlet in the bathroom. There should be one and ...
wiring to a triple switch	3/10/2008
Q: Please could you help. I am trying to connect 2 individual kitchen lights and an outside light to a ... A: The back of your triple switch should have a common on one side and three terminals on the other ...
clicking sound in wall	3/8/2008
Q: At night while lying in bed I hear a clicking sound coming from the wall. It appears to be coming ... A: You could try turning of the breaker to that outlet one night and see if it goes away. More likely ...
light switch/outlet	3/7/2008
Q: I have a light switch (for light above kitchen sink) and an outlet in the same receptacle box. I ... A: My best guess is that one of the wires came loose in a wire nut (cap). With that many wires in one ...
WIRING NOT SHUTTING OFF	3/6/2008
Q: I remodeling my basement. i placed 7 can lights in the ceiling and would like to have these on a ... A: Mike, Unless these are high wattage heat lamp bulbs 30 amps is too much. They should be on a 15 amp ...
Jacuzzi bathtub wire.	3/5/2008
Q: I am installing a Jacuzzi bathtub which requires a 120 VAC, 15 AMP, 60 Hz dedicated GFCI protected ... A: Dan, I would recommend running pvc conduit on the outside of the house, and installing a gfci ...
Installing new light fixture	3/4/2008
Q: I had our handyman Tyler come to our 10-year-old house (purchased by us in the fall of 2007) to do ... A: You are correct, the power was ran to the fixture and then the hot leg was sent down to the switch ...
Light fixture	3/3/2008
Q: I am trying to install a light fixture with a 3 way switch, but I am not sure where the wire from ... A: Tony, It sounds like power is coming in one switch and the other switch is being fed through your ...
faulty breaker	3/1/2008
Q: I have an old breaker I'm trying to replace the only writing on it is CB SWP it is a single pole 15 ... A: Yes take it with you and it only matters if the breaker itself is gfci. It would probably be better ...
Ground Rods	3/1/2008
Q: Have upgraded old service from 60 amp to 100 with new disconnect and panel box.How many ground rods ... A: You need one ground rod and you will need to ground the water pipes. Check with local codes to see ...
range cord	2/29/2008
Q: we have a 40-amp range, and can only find 50-amp cords at Home Depot. is it okay to attach a 50-amp ... A: Will it work? Yes. Technically, the wire size should match the outlet rating. Will it cause a ...
Hot wire, very hot.	2/29/2008
Q: I bought a new over the range micro/convection oven with a 110v plug. The previous fan/light hood ... A: Those are not meant to be hardwired, hence the cord. So that is the first thing gone wrong. Next, ...
no power to GFI outtlet in bathroom	2/26/2008
Q: the GFI went out and we replaced it but there is still no power to the outlet. The circuit breaker ... A: Your follow question needs to be more specific. Do you have power at the wire on your circuit ...
no power to GFI outtlet in bathroom	2/25/2008
Q: the GFI went out and we replaced it but there is still no power to the outlet. The circuit breaker ... A: Pull the outlet out of the wall and check with a voltmeter across the two wires. If you have power ...
Failing miserably at installing a light fixture	2/25/2008
Q: I have done a lot of research and I'm not too goo ith terminology but I'll try my best here. I spent ... A: Mark, It sounds like you need to connect to red and white at the light fixture. Here is a quick ...
Wiring in our home	2/23/2008
Q: We have a new construction and have noticed that whenever I run the vacuum the lights dim. Is that ... A: Yes, it could be an indication that something is not correct. The outlets should not be on the same ...
100A subpanel	2/22/2008
Q: We are finishing our basement and one electricians quote includes installing a 100A subpanel, the ... A: Patti, A subpanel is used when you either need more room for breakers than the box has, or you need ...
multiple fixtures	2/1/2008
Q: we are stuck!! we got two 3way switches with 3 light fixtures between them...HOW DO WE WIRE IT WITH ... A: This has a level of difficulty to it. 3-wire is black, red, white and ground. 2-wire is black, ...
Range Wiring	2/1/2008
Q: I moved into a home built in 1981. The range area in the kitchen had no receptacle. It had a armor ... A: You mentioned that you have 4 wires. Two hots, a neutral, and a ground. You said the ground and ...
Circuit problem	1/31/2008
Q: I've been using a lot of electricity on one particular circuit (my room). I was using the tv, ... A: Your question is not aimed at the source problem and that is you are overloading your circuit. ...
Range Wiring	1/31/2008
Q: I moved into a home built in 1981. The range area in the kitchen had no receptacle. It had a armor ... A: If you want to bring it up to the newest code you will need to install a 4 prong plug and a 4 prong ...
InGround Pool wiring	1/29/2008
Q: I am in the process of running a feed line to a pump house located near the pool. I have read ... A: A portable spa has a breaker in the main panel and then a gfci breaker in the disconnect located ...
Tracklights burning out.	1/29/2008
Q: i'm a new j-man electrician in canada, so im doing some trouble shooting for my sisters place. but ... A: Tracklights are very specific in what can be used and the allowed wattage. Often people put in a ...
Short circuit in a Jenn Air Range	1/28/2008
Q: Hughes, I have read your answer on another Jenn-Air range, 4 to 3 wires conversion, but, while very ... A: From your explanation it does not appear that you did anything wrong. It sounds like the 110 volt ...
Arc Fault Circuit Breakers	1/27/2008
Q: We are in the final phases of purchasing a house built in 1940. During the home inspection, our ... A: With the wiring is in this condition it sounds like a whole house rewire is in the near future. If ...
Outlet/light combo	1/27/2008
Q: I built a room in my basement and I want to wire lights in it. I would like to use the same power ... A: Be careful to not overload any of the circuits. Find out what is on the circuit you would like to ...
electrical panel	1/26/2008
Q: I have a 3 panels with 3 separate 50 amp services coming into my RV home. 1 for the heat pump, 1 ... A: If you run the washer and dryer at the same time you will be pulling almost 30 amps. The new water ...
TRipped Circuit Breaker, no devices plugged in, no wire ends touching	1/24/2008
Q: In the process of remodelling my kitchen, I removed the cabinets from the walls. To get one cabinet ... A: First turn the breaker all the way to the "off" position and then try turning it to the on position. ...
240v hookup	1/23/2008
Q: I had a professional rewire my new home, and install a laundry in the basement. I decided to make a ... A: The two things I suggest you do is to buy a voltage tester and remove the wires from the circuit ...
Dimmer Switch 2 black wires and One Green	1/23/2008
Q: I bought this a few years ago, and never got it installed and am without packaging (surprise!) I ... A: The markings indicate the type of wire used. Your old switch should have two wires connected to it ...
Adding an Outlet for Plasma TV	1/22/2008
Q: "I have an electrical outlet that I am trying to add a new outlet to use for a 50" plasma ... A: Are you installing the outlet in the upper half of the wall? Since you already have a refrigerator ...
Breaker size for small appliance	1/21/2008
Q: I was planning to install a small 500watt base board heater (240V) I have a 240V line on a 50amp ... A: Your base board heater does not meet the requirements to be fed directly from the range. Your ...
SUB PANEL	1/21/2008
Q: GREG THANKS FOR TAKING TIME TO HELP. I HAVE A REMODEL OF A KITCHEN. WE HAVE REMOVED THE OVEN STOVE ... A: Can you replace two of the 15 or 20 amp breakers with a "twin" breaker? It is a thin version and has ...
Ceiling Fan wiring	1/14/2008
Q: I am replacing a ceiling fan/light combo unit and didn't pay close attention to how the original ... A: Take the white wire that is paired with the "hot" wire and connect it with the white wire from the ...
Ceiling Fan wiring	1/13/2008
Q: I am replacing a ceiling fan/light combo unit and didn't pay close attention to how the original ... A: Your best thing to do now is purchase (if you don't own one) a tester. Separate all the wires and ...
110v apliance on 230V socket	1/13/2008
Q: I am a fellow volunteer at allexperts.com, though of a very distinct area of knowledge: Dentistry. ... A: Looking back I thought the bulb was rated at 125 volts, but I now see that the extender is rated at ...
Garbage disposal wiring	1/12/2008
Q: I have a new garbage disposal with a white and black wire. The old disposal was connected to a ... A: Sometimes the electrician leaves 110 volt at one of the two outlets at the double outlet, and the ...
26 volts on turned off breaker	1/10/2008
Q: Live on an island, solar/wind house for collecting power inverter used to produce AC, house is wired ... A: Charles, There are several things to look for. Check for voltage coming from your ground rod up ...
possible defective residential electric meter	1/9/2008
Q: We started reading our meter several times a day when our bill became unreasonably high and found ... A: The digital meter will not act like the older type that you could watch spin. There is a product ...
Extension Cords	1/8/2008
Q: You have seen the craze on christmas lights beening set to music.. Well I joined the club. But I do ... A: It is a little late for Christmas but I like the idea. There is wiring that is rated for outdoor ...
warm electrical receptacle / brackish wires	1/8/2008
Q: in our home there are no gfi receptacles. i noticed that the bathroom receptacle is warm when it ... A: The most likely culprit is an overloaded circuit. However, it is possible that the outlet is worn ...
electrical trouble	1/7/2008
Q: I was trying to install a ceiling fan when I touched to wires that apparently didn't go together. ... A: Check to see if the GFCI outlet in your bathroom tripped. It may be in a different bathroom if you ...
WELDER WIRING OUTLET	1/7/2008
Q: the breakers are a double-throw(barred-together) am i to believe the wiring is 10-3 not 12-2 ... A: Eric, I would not assume that the wires are 10 gauge and they would not need to be 3 wire for a ...
rewiring	1/6/2008
Q: My aged parents have been told they probably need their 5-bedroom house rewired. I know this ... A: No need to apologize for the length, it helps me give better advise. Since this is happening to the ...
rewiring	1/5/2008
Q: My aged parents have been told they probably need their 5-bedroom house rewired. I know this ... A: Hmmm, just how long is a piece of string? It sounds like you already know my answer but I will go ...
wiring a heat pump to breaker box	1/3/2008
Q: i recently purchased a heat pump and the electric installing was not included in the install , i ... A: Is this a wall unit, split system, or package unit? You mention two breakers in the furnace, are ...
Lights dim and bright	1/3/2008
Q: House built in 1920's New wiring added 2 yeaars ago with new breaker box. I turned on the washing ... A: It appears to be your whole electrical system that is affected. The voltage needs to be checked at ...
240 Volt Wall Heater	1/2/2008
Q: Have purchased a 240 V wall heater and already have 240 v. run to the location. The wireing is red, ... A: You can open up the circuit breaker panel and see if the black and red are connected to the double ...
220 and 110 for Washing Machine and Dryer	1/1/2008
Q: I have a stacking washer and dryer in a closet in a high rise apartment. The closet has a 220 ... A: The 220 volt outlet was intended for a combo unit that requires one 220 volt outlet. The internal ...
conduit	1/1/2008
Q: i need to run a new circuit from my existing panel to a new addition on the opposite side of my ... A: Check local codes you may not need to run the coax and phone line in conduit. If you do, then no, do ...
how to start an Air Conditioning and Heating business	12/30/2007
Q: My father and I are considering starting an Air Conditioning and Heating business in a small local ... A: Drew, you would be better served by contacting local HVAC companies and your local BBB. You might ...
Switch has 60VAC in off position	12/29/2007
Q: I just bought my house 6 months ago, and I'm in the process of redoing one of the bathrooms. Today ... A: It appears that you have reverse polarity somewhere. Meaning that your neutral wire is hot. Take ...
Converting 120/240 circuit to 240 only	12/29/2007
Q: How can I convert a 120/240 circuit with a Nema 14-30 receptacle in my basement to a 240 volt 30 ... A: In a 240/120 volt outlet you will have a black and red hot leg. The white is neutral and green/bare ...
Re: Rewiring a 110 lamp 220	12/28/2007
Q: We are building a house in Ireland and are looking to bring some lamps from the US. Are we able to ... A: I believe a simple plug adapter will work for you since the load is purely resistive. Check the lamp ...
Installing a ceiling fan	12/27/2007
Q: My husband and I just bought a new ceiling fan for our bedroom. Previously, we had been using a ... A: In residential wiring "red" is never, ever used as ground. There are standards for wiring and those ...
breaker burns and smokes	12/26/2007
Q: I had a new furnace and heat pump installed 12 months ago. everything was working fine until 2 weeks ... A: Quickly get a qualified electrician familiar with mobile homes to check out your electrical system. ...
Oven and Cooktop wiring	12/25/2007
Q: My house was built in the early '80s. We will be installing a new cooktop and built-in oven soon. ... A: It will save you money by not installing an outlet and cord for your built in oven so that is good ...
Gas range	12/24/2007
Q: My contractor installed my gas range (convection oven gas burners); manual says to use 125/250 volts ... A: The manual states that you need 125/250 volts and your contractor said that 110 volts "would ...
thermostate replacement	12/23/2007
Q: I have an old thermostat with 7 wires. I don't know what to do with the "B" wire. can you help? ... A: The best thing to do is trace the "B" wire and find out what it feeds or being fed from. Usually it ...
King Wall heater	12/23/2007
Q: im wanting to install a king wall heater and run it off 220volt,but there is only 110V supplying a ... A: You cannot connect to that light switch or light fixture to feed a heater. You did not mention the ...
Garage Heating Solution	12/23/2007
Q: I just can't figure out what to do and I was hoping you could help. I've installed a 240V heater in ... A: I would install a relay with a 220 volt coil that closes the circuit to the 110 volt fan circuit ...
Main breaker haphazardly trips	12/23/2007
Q: I am having a problem with the main circuit breaker in my apartment. Once in a while, it will break, ... A: It sounds like you need a bigger main breaker, however you can only install one if the supply wire ...
open ground at receptical	12/22/2007
Q: Can you install a GFI receptical in a circuit that has an open ground and be in code? A: Yes. You have to mark the receptacle (on the outside so anyone can see) that it is ungrounded. Most ...
shop wiring	12/22/2007
Q: I recently bought a house with a small work shop. The problem I'm having is the receptacles only ... A: The first problem I notice is that the breaker is over rated for the wire size. That is a code ...
hot water heater	12/22/2007
Q: we have changed the elements and the thermastats on our hot water heater, but still don't have hot ... A: Have you pushed in the "reset" button on overtemp protection? If you feel qualified, measure the ...
Burned up line voltage thermostat	12/21/2007
Q: I had electric baseboard heat in a room addition and the 240 volt line voltage thermostat melted the ... A: The breaker will trip if an overload of current passes through it. From your explanation I am not ...
both my outlet holes are live	12/21/2007
Q: I added a bunch of outlets to my house recently when we were remodeling and we just realized that ... A: How are you testing to see if they are "live"? This would mean that you disconnected a neutral and ...
three cable confusion	12/19/2007
Q: I am trying to move the location of the switch (which was in a very inconvenient spot) in the ... A: Since you did not mark the wires when you removed the switch you will need a voltmeter to be able to ...
Space heater wiring	12/18/2007
Q: We keep tripping the fuse when we use a new space heater. We have tried different outlets.One on a ... A: Your voltage will play a part in how many amps are pulled. But in any case your 15 amp circuit ...
Single Circuit Rewire, PVC Conduit Use	12/17/2007
Q: I have a quick question. I am rewiring a single circuit in my home (one of the last which was ... A: 1. Use the gray PVC found in the electrical department along with the glue that is made especially ...
Outdoor lighting with motion detection	12/17/2007
Q: I want to install outdoor motion sensor light, but also want to control the same light from an ... A: Most outdoor lights with motion sensor have a way to turn them on at the switch without motion ...
Electrical clothes dryer	12/17/2007
Q: I'm renting a house with a hook up for a gas dryer. I own an electrical dryer. i want to hook up my ... A: You have two choices. You either buy a gas dryer, or you get the landlord to run a 220 volt circuit ...
220v circuits	12/15/2007
Q: When I moved to the US from the UK I brought all my 230V woodworking tools with me - in the hope ... A: Gareth, Actually they are both single phase. Here in America the norm is 120 volts supply and in ...
200 amp to 400 amp service upgrade?	12/15/2007
Q: I also sent this question to another moderator in this forum but since then noticed that you have ... A: Ken, Adding up the breakers in the panels is really of no value since they are rated above what the ...
Oven wiring	12/13/2007
Q: I am installing a KitchenAid double convection oven. The pigtail has 4 wires, black, white, red and ... A: This would not pass code today. Not all inspectors pay close attention to detail so this could of ...
heater	12/13/2007
Q: if i my heater is not heating and I have a light blinking on and off on my circuit board, what does ... A: It means that your board detected a fault. A certain amount of blinks in a row tells the technician ...
Changing a ceiling fan into 2 flush mount light fixtures	12/13/2007
Q: G., I have a client that needs me to change a ceiling fan into 2 flush mount light fixtures on the ... A: It depends on where you want the lights. If they have to be in an exact location and other than the ...
Changing a ceiling fan into 2 flush mount light fixtures	12/12/2007
Q: G., I have a client that needs me to change a ceiling fan into 2 flush mount light fixtures on the ... A: Flush mount refers to a light that hugs the ceiling. You should be able to simply remove the ...
Electric baseboard heater problems	12/11/2007
Q: I just bought a condominium constructed 20 years ago. There was a 1000 watt 208V baseboard heater ... A: It could be a partially tripped breaker. The best way to check is with a voltage meter. Put the two ...
Battery Preservation	12/10/2007
Q: Since one usually has to buy batteries at a store in packs, how can I store the batteries I don't ... A: Batteries generally do not like extremes (hot or cold). I am assuming we are talking about AAA, AA, ...
wall mounted switch	12/9/2007
Q: A: This is a good question. If you are remodeling a house for little people, or people in wheel chairs ...
light fixture wiring	12/6/2007
Q: i am installing a new light fixture in an old house. the new fixture has a black wire, a white wire ... A: Take the two black wires and connect them to the black wire of your new fixture with a wirenut. Take ...
Having two dryers in one home	12/4/2007
Q: I have two dryers but only one plug. Is there a plug made to run both dryers on the same circuit, ... A: You might get away with it if they are both GAS dryers. But if they are electric, you will not be ...
Furnace Motor Wiring	12/2/2007
Q: I do understand my motor has different speeds, but if I only connect White to white, and Blk to Blk, ... A: Most home owners should not mess with the speed of their furnace blower motor. The speed needs to be ...
lights dimming when other loads start	12/2/2007
Q: We are experiencing a problem with lights dimming in our home. When other loads such as microwave, ... A: Your symptoms all point to either low voltage, too many loads on one circuit, or a loose neutral or ...
outdoor electrical outlet	12/2/2007
Q: I am trying to plug up my Christmas lights and they won't work from any of the outlets on the ... A: They should be fed from a GFCI outlet or GFCI breaker. If you look in your breaker panel and find a ...
Follow up to question I asked of Will Babbit	12/1/2007
Q: I assume you have access to my question but basically, I have an 3hp, 11 amp, single phase, 230V ... A: Jeff, I do not have access to your original question. Is this a dedicated line to your planer? ...
20 amp outlet	12/1/2007
Q: Sir: The A/C I'd like to install has a 20 amp plug. Is it possible to replace the existing outlet to ... A: If you are trying to plug it into a 15 amp circuit than you need to run a new circuit for the A/C or ...
Adding a sub-panel	11/30/2007
Q: Greg, I am adding about 500 sf to my house and will be adding a sub-panel for the new circuits. I ... A: To do it correctly a "Load Calculation" needs to be performed on your existing circuits with the ...
Wiring Question	11/29/2007
Q: Greg, I recently bought a new house and had a quick question regarding the wiring of the Electric ... A: Martin, First find out what the requirements are for the oven. If the oven requires a 30 amp ...
grounding...	11/28/2007
Q: We have a 2 1/2 yr old modular on a full concrete basement. Ever since, we had a water issue, with ... A: On top of your tank you will find a large nut. Under that nut lies the anode. You will need to turn ...
grounding...	11/27/2007
Q: We have a 2 1/2 yr old modular on a full concrete basement. Ever since, we had a water issue, with ... A: Mike, You did the right things by grounding the pipes and installing the correct connectors from ...
wiring pot lights	11/27/2007
Q: I`m was wondering about wiring 6 pot-lights in a 20-10 rec room. its a drop ceiling, the ? is when ... A: Your first light should have two wires coming in (hot and neutral). Connect these to the wires of ...
Hot to touch Ceiling light fixture	11/25/2007
Q: I have a flush ceiling light fixture in kitchen. It smells hot and is hot to touch.I was up in crawl ... A: When you say "flush" are you referring to a "recessed" light fixture? If so, there are basically ...
change a circuit breaker	11/25/2007
Q: I have a circuit breaker that has gone bad. A little bit of smoke comes out of it when it is on so I ... A: Most breakers place the model number on the side of the breaker so you cannot read it until you ...
Outdoor light on 20 amp circuit	11/24/2007
Q: I goofed when I rewired my home. I wasn't thinking and tapped of a junction box for lighting in one ... A: Putting a j-box concealed in the wall is against code. Running the wire diagonally in the wall is ...
Aux Electrical Panel	11/23/2007
Q: I want to install an aux electrical panel in my basement for new basement shop power, game room ... A: You do need a 100 amp breaker in the main panel to feed the subpanel, and you need a separate ground ...
Outdoor light on 20 amp circuit	11/22/2007
Q: I goofed when I rewired my home. I wasn't thinking and tapped of a junction box for lighting in one ... A: Is it unsafe? You need to wire it correctly and protect it from weather. The difference between a ...
Wall Oven installation	11/21/2007
Q: We have purchased a new frigidaire wall oven, which has the standard 4 wires ( a red, a black, ... A: I am not sure where you live and I do not know local codes. However, if it were me with this set up ...
Thermostat	11/19/2007
Q: If my digital programmable thermostat is showing the correct room temp and date/time but won't turn ... A: The problem with jumping at the furnace is that you have not ruled out a broken wire between the ...
Installing a dimmer switch	11/19/2007
Q: Hey Greg, This might be a simple question but I have to ask, novice here. I am installing a dimmer ... A: Yes, you have a 4-way switch. (I deleted my remarks about advise given from "shelf stockers" about ...
Thermostat	11/18/2007
Q: If my digital programmable thermostat is showing the correct room temp and date/time but won't turn ... A: Most digital t-stats show they are calling for heat (usually in the form of an icon), this is what ...
New Home electrical Panel	11/18/2007
Q: I am building a new home approximately 2500sf main floor (incl garages) 2000 top floor and 2000sf ... A: A lot will depend on whether you use gas or electric for your big loads (heater, water heater, oven, ...
Installing a dimmer switch	11/18/2007
Q: Hey Greg, This might be a simple question but I have to ask, novice here. I am installing a dimmer ... A: Does the original switch have four posts (not poles) or two? If it has two, and the two red ones ...
New light fixtures are tripping the breakers	11/17/2007
Q: I am replacing two wall sconces with new ones. The old fixture was a type A the new ones require ... A: The Type of bulb refers to the shape of the bulb. You should have more info than Type A, or B, or C. ...
thermostat replacement	11/16/2007
Q: Good evening. I wish to replace my 19 year old Lennox heat pump thermostat with a Honeywell ... A: Rick, Lennox did their own thing when it came to wire color and naming standards. So their units do ...
Electrical Outlet problem	11/16/2007
Q: I have an electrical outlet in the kitchen that the toaster will not work in. I can plug in a lamp, ... A: It sounds like the plug from the toaster is not making good contact with the prongs in the outlet. ...
residential light switch	11/15/2007
Q: We have lived in our 1960's built 3 bedroom story and a half for 20 years. About 10 years ago I ... A: What type of light bulb are you using? If it is incandescent, you may need to replace the switch. ...
circuit problem	11/14/2007
Q: I was running a tale saw when the circuit went dead. The beaker did not trip, though I have since ... A: If this is A/C current you do not have a positive and a negative. You have what we call a "hot" and ...
Breaker panel	11/14/2007
Q: I am buying a NEW house in Texas. Is there any particular reason that the circuit breaker panel for ... A: In warmer/milder climates it is not unusual to have your main panel mounted outside. Where I live I ...
Main Panel	11/13/2007
Q: I have a 200A main service panel (installed & inspected new in 1981). It is Sylvania panel with ... A: I found this in the question pool and thought I would address it because it is a very, very popular ...
Ceiling fan question	11/13/2007
Q: I purchased a new home and recently installed a hunter ceiling fan to a pre-wired junction box. ... A: Doug, You had two wires from the two switches (one for the light, and one for the fan) correct? ...
Electrical Outlet issues	11/11/2007
Q: Recently had some electrical work done to the house. All in all, went well, but I have one ... A: Douglas, a good way to find out if you hired a great electrician is to call them back out on ...
fusebox	11/11/2007
Q: last night the plug sockets in my house all stopped working. The overhead lights continued to work. ... A: You either have a circuit breaker that no longer works correctly, or you have a short in that ...
A 100 year old house.. to buy or not to buy?	11/10/2007
Q: My husband and I are facing a relocation to the Chicago area in a few months and are toying with the ... A: Chicago has some great pocket areas and I love the city (to visit that is). I lived just outside ...
sub-panel install	11/10/2007
Q: I'm renovating a 500 sg' room above the garage. There is 200 amp service in the main house with a ... A: The 10 gauge will not pass. It would be for a 30 amp breaker only. Instead of adding up the ...
replacing an old wall oven and cook top with a 1 piece combo	11/8/2007
Q: I am in a 40 - 45 year old house. The breaker box is the infamous federal "no blow" pacific. I have ... A: Not knowing exactly all that is involved I cannot really comment on the estimate. I do not have the ...
electrical	11/5/2007
Q: is it normal for lights to dim when i start the vaccum cleaner in the same room? A: It is not suppose to be normal, however it is not uncommon. Many homes have the receptacles and ...
Outlet replacement - 4black wires and 1 shite	11/3/2007
Q: I've replaced almost all of our outlets, some have 2blk/2wht with 1 ground, some are 1blk/1wht. Now ... A: No need for another outlet. Take two black wire and pig tail it (wire nut) with a small piece of ...
Electric Cooktop wiring.	11/2/2007
Q: I just swapped out A Jenn-Air Electric Cooktop for a New Kitchen-Aid Unit. My Power supply is 3 wire ... A: Wires from breaker panel to the cooktop: Black should be one power leg from breaker. Red should be ...
Honeywell visionPRO th8000 thermostat	11/1/2007
Q: I have the above mentioned Thermostat installed recently with a new heat pump and works in ... A: It sounds like your back up heat is not coming on. The sequence for heat is usually, heat pump only ...
Short circuit	10/31/2007
Q: I have a portable Dimplex air cond. and I'm pretty sure there is a short somewhere because whenever ... A: Frank, The small pump is not weird for a portable A/C. It is used to help eliminate the condensate ...
Grounding...	10/30/2007
Q: Our house is a 2 1/2 yr old modular on a full basement in Central New York. Ever since moving in, we ... A: Mike, I am sorry you had so many problems and expenses. Did anyone check your water heater to make ...
furnace electrical componets	10/29/2007
Q: My circulation pump on my boiler keeps running even when the zones are not calling , what part is ... A: It depends on how you have it wired. Usually the t-stat calls for the circ pump. If you have ...
breaker box wiring	10/29/2007
Q: I have installed a breaker box in my wife’s green house. The main breaker box has a 30 amp ... A: From the 30 amp breaker from the main box what size wire did you run to the subpanel in the green ...
What is this?	10/28/2007
Q: We just moved into a new house and were wondering if you could tell us what this is and what is used ... A: My first guess is that it is an outlet from another country than the United States. It sort of looks ...
Electrical box	10/26/2007
Q: I am in the process of buying a home. I briefly looked at the breaker box. How do I know what type ... A: The two 100 amp breakers means that you have a 100 amp service. If you want a larger service you ...
arc Fault breakers	10/25/2007
Q: I am going to upgrade my service to 200A with a new panel and the question is what do you think ... A: Not that I know of. One is looking for arching and one is looking for leakage to ground. I have ...
Switch confusion	10/24/2007
Q: Hughes, I'm hoping you can help me. I bought this house about a yr ago and finally found a ... A: Sorry you are having so much trouble. It sounds like maybe the light use to be a pull chain and ...
New light fixture	10/23/2007
Q: I have just installed a new chandelier over our dining room table. Everything is working, but I was ... A: Lewis, This is a good question. The answer is; because this is AC current the light will still ...
sauna circuit	10/22/2007
Q: I have a 6k sauna heater on a 240v breaker. I changed to a gfci breaker. The breaker trips when the ... A: Jim, Where I live, the sauna company will not deliver the new sauna until an approved GFCI ...
converting a 3 way switch to an outlet?	10/22/2007
Q: I have a 3 way switch that controls a light in my den. I would like to use one switch to control ... A: Normally one switch has both a hot and neutral, and the other switch does not. (I say normally ...
ROMEX	10/21/2007
Q: MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A HOME A ARE DOING A FULL REHAB I HAVE TO "REWIRE" THE HOUSE HAVE THE ... A: Nathan, This is a big job and many codes are involved. I strongly suggest you get a qualified ...
Hooking up a telephone jack	10/20/2007
Q: We had a phone wire installed a few years ago and now have decided to hook it up. The phone jack ... A: Be careful, because if someone calls you while you are holding the bare wires you will get shocked. ...
wires	10/20/2007
Q: my q is i just putting in a new cooktop and the new on only has the black com adn the red hot but ... A: Glen, Most cooktops have three wires. Black, Red, ground or Black, White, ground The reason is ...
50 HZ compared to 60 Hz.	10/19/2007
Q: I have a piano from England and is wired for 220, 50Hz I can supplie 220 but only 60Hz. Will a ... A: It should state on your piano near the model number. It would look something like this: v 220 ...
arc Fault breakers	10/19/2007
Q: I am going to upgrade my service to 200A with a new panel and the question is what do you think ... A: There has been some complaints about false trips from devices used in other rooms than the bedrooms. ...
A/C Disconnect	10/18/2007
Q: I read a question about wiring an A/C disconnect. I have a similar problem. I have run a 10-3 wire ... A: You should have four connections, two for "Line" and two for "Load", and one ground lug. Your A/C ...
New electric heater	10/17/2007
Q: I purchased a new 4000 watt 240V portable electric heater. I have an existing run of 100' 10/3 with ... A: Sorry John, I found your question in the question pool and I am sorry I didn't find it faster. I ...
intermatic little black box	10/16/2007
Q: Brand new. Installed and worked perfectly for about 6 weeks. Suddenly stopped working. Manual over ... A: Intermatic makes many types of timers so I am not sure which one we are talking about here. But, as ...
megger testing	10/15/2007
Q: I was remodeling an older home. A friend (electrician) helped me to rrewire the home. I didn't ... A: Ah, the old Megger Test. To be honest I have not needed to use a Megger since I left the Navy. As an ...
New electric heater	10/14/2007
Q: I purchased a new 4000 watt 240V portable electric heater. I have an existing run of 100' 10/3 with ... A: No this is against code and you will overload the circuit and possibly create a dangerous situation. ...
2 wire 220v issue	10/14/2007
Q: Don, I have an old home in the mountains with no grounding. My water heater was hooked up with a 2 ... A: You should not use the ground wire to make up the neutral to your dryer, if that is what you are ...
3-prong dryer to 4-prong outlet	10/14/2007
Q: I was helping a friend install an old model Frigidaire washer/dryer combo stack in her new ... A: Erik, I have not heard of a convertor. But switching to a 4 prong plug is not hard. Instead of ...
220 volt: 3 wire plug, 4 wire outlet	10/13/2007
Q: On a temporary basis, I want to us a 220 welder in my garage that has a three prong plug by making ... A: The four prong dryer outlet has the ground and neutral separated. Your dryer needs a neutral because ...
wall outlet	10/11/2007
Q: outlet test for continuity, but still does not work with appliances, I have changed the outlet, 2 ... A: Ron, I can remember the first time I ran across a microwave that would not work but seemed like it ...
Light sensors	10/11/2007
Q: Is there such a thing as a combination motion sensor and timer light fixture or add on device? The ... A: Ted, This is what I would do; There are switches that have motion detectors built in, so I would ...
Sump pump & refrigerator on 15 amp circuit	10/11/2007
Q: I recently installed a standby generator. I have a 2nd backup sump pump on a 15 amp circuit and a ... A: Mike, Is your sump pump submersible or is it the pedestal variety? If it is the pedestal variety ...
Building A Job Site Power Distribution Box 220v to 110v	10/11/2007
Q: I have a 150 foot 220v extension cable i would like to use to run power from a 220v temporary power ... A: A couple of reasons you are frying the prongs could be a loose connection between the socket and ...
Mix Lighting & Receptacles On Same Circuit	10/10/2007
Q: I'm getting ready to add a few new electrical circuits to my home. My question has to do with the ... A: As long as it is all 12 gauge then you are fine. In the example of the lone bathroom the whole ...
oven wiring	10/10/2007
Q: I have a built-in oven and, while replacing the lower element had one of the wires slip back into ... A: Rod, Been there done that and it was no fun. Your best bet is to turn off the breaker and pull the ...
Mix Lighting & Receptacles On Same Circuit	10/10/2007
Q: I'm getting ready to add a few new electrical circuits to my home. My question has to do with the ... A: Stuart, I can find one exception right off the top of my head. If you only have one bathroom then ...
Outdoor Outlets and Lighting	10/9/2007
Q: we are putting in a electric gate and lighting about 150' away from the main panel of our home. We ... A: Mike, Good thinking. The first thing you want to do is determine if 220 volts will ever be needed ...
voltage across light fixture w/ switch in off position	10/9/2007
Q: I replaced some ceiling mounted light fixtures for a friend and noticed that with the power switch ... A: Ken, Pretty much most homes have stray voltage at one point or another. Causes range from reversed ...
Fixture keeps shorting out.	10/9/2007
Q: Hey there, I have a switched ceiling box in my basement with a fixture attached. The fixture ... A: These can be very tricky to find the problem. What else is on this circuit? Are you buying bulbs ...
Is neutral wire created at each home?	10/8/2007
Q: This question is more theoretical than practical. I work in the electrical department of a large ... A: If you step outside and look at your line coming from the utility pole you should see 3 wires. Two ...
gfci tripping	10/8/2007
Q: We have a Bay Marie unit outside of our commercial kitchen on a little table. The GFCI receptacle ... A: Angie, Replacing it with a regular outlet may be against code. Check with local code. There is ...
New lights on new breaker, lights are all dim	10/8/2007
Q: I installed a series of 3" can lights to light the perimeter of the main rooms in our house. These ... A: You wired the lights in series but they need to be wired in parallel. You have created a voltage ...
motion sensor wiring	10/8/2007
Q: I am stumped. Trying to wire a motion sensor. the box has black,white, red wires coming in from ... A: Dustin, Some motion sensors come pre-wired so you all have to do is wire black to black and white ...
Pull Chain Removal w/o room for wires	10/8/2007
Q: I live in an older building and of the 20 or so overhead lights in the apartment, 3 have pull ... A: Evan, You have two options; You can install "raceway" type conduit that is exposed or you can ...
leakage voltages?	10/7/2007
Q: I am measuring about 30 volts between the live wire of the 240v mains and the (disconnected) live ... A: Derek, Is this a 240 volt light? Check voltage across the light fixture with the wire disconnected ...
Connecting an American Dryer	10/7/2007
Q: I recently moved to Spain and brought our 220V dryer with us. Can I connect to a European outlet ... A: If your appliance says 50/60 hz and if you can get 110 volts from the 220 volts. Remember, your ...
Hampton Bay remote reciever installation	10/7/2007
Q: I just purchased a Hampton Bay Mediterranian ceiling fan. I was two steps away from finishing ... A: Gamal, They make those darn remotes almost too big to fit up there. What you have to do is get all ...
Neutral Line and voltage	10/6/2007
Q: My question is more on electrical theory. If the neutral line on a 120 volt circuit is the return ... A: Your answer is "voltage drop". If you study electrical theory you will understand how these three ...
EUROPEAN CHANDELIER	10/6/2007
Q: I have a european changelier that I bought from Chez and want to know can it be used in the US. I ... A: If this is a 110-120 volt light than it should work. Since this is ac current all we have to do is ...
service panel limits	10/6/2007
Q: I have a breaker box with a 200A main breaker and I am assuming it has a legit 200A service. Right ... A: Keith, This is a common question. The thing you have to remember is that just because a circuit is ...
disconnect	10/6/2007
Q: I have a few questions about a sub panel disconnect and I get different answers from different ... A: Craig, I am confused a bit, so humor me a minute. Why are you installing a 60 amp sub panel? Why ...
wiring a Hudson Bay fan	10/5/2007
Q: I wired a remote control Hudson Bay fan but not the kind that can reverse the fan blades. This ... A: One hot was for the fan, and one hot was for the light. Your remote now does the work of the two ...
electric furnace	10/5/2007
Q: I bought a used electric furnace to heat my garage. It was a temporary heat source for a home under ... A: Jeff, This is the correct way to ground your furnace. The circuit with #6 wire is for the elements ...
tv plug sparking	10/5/2007
Q: Television is turned off, but when I plug it into the wall receptacle it sparks, I've checked the ... A: A little know fact; most TVs draw power even with the switch off. There are circuits energized ...
Appliance Outlet Wiring	10/5/2007
Q: ...I recently changed my dryer cord from a 3 prong to a 4 prong. The dryer runs but does not heat ... A: It sounds like you are getting 120 volts instead of the 200 volts needed to power the elements. ...
disconnect	10/5/2007
Q: I have a few questions about a sub panel disconnect and I get different answers from different ... A: Craig, NEC states that there has to be a disconnect "in sight" of the A/C. Whether that disconnect ...
motion detectors floodlights	10/4/2007
Q: Is it possible to wire two motion detector floodlights to work together as one light? I would like ... A: Yes, you can do this. Make sure all the hots are on the same phase! Either detector turns on ...
plug gets hot to the touch.	10/4/2007
Q: I own a house that was built in 1942 and has most of its old wiring. I have gas heat on my main ... A: Mike, "Hot" is a relative term. Most plugs for heaters get warm because of the amount of amps for ...
Wire size for 150amp main box	10/3/2007
Q: I am looking at buying a hot tub and realized that it requires a 50amp single phase breaker. The ... A: The 600v just means that the wire is rated up to 600 volts. That has nothing to do with the ampacity ...
wiring on lights	10/2/2007
Q: we have track lights in our living room and they no longer work..the lights in our guest bathroom ... A: Go into the guest bathroom and look for the GFCI outlet (it has a button in between the upper and ...
installing switch in under counter flouresent?	10/2/2007
Q: I took out the old switch & got the wireing all confused. Now I don't know how to rewire & install ... A: A diagram won't help if you don't which wires are which. Basically, power gets connected to one ...
Wire size for A/C compressor	10/1/2007
Q: Grey, I am adding a sub-panel and happen to notice in my new house that was just built this ... A: You are correct in your concern. I would call the builder and explain the problem and ask to have it ...
wiring a switch/outlet	9/30/2007
Q: in wiring a switch/outlet, i ran into difficulty. i wired the 2 dark screws with the hot wire, i ... A: Your two dark screws should have a jumper between them. This is where your "hot" wires attach. The ...
voltage low in part of circuit	9/29/2007
Q: I have a circuit that feeds the lights and recetacles upstairs in my home. About 4 ceiling lights ... A: Assuming that your meter is working correctly and you were testing hot to neutral then my next step ...
Air Compressor Timer	9/28/2007
Q: I forgot to turn off the circuit breaker to my air compressor last night. Well, during the night it ... A: Does this need to hold pressure 24 hours? If not, I would wire up a switch to a timer that when the ...
amps	9/28/2007
Q: I have a 240V circuit that runs from 2- 120V, 20 amp breakers. Is the 240V circuit 20 amps or 40 ... A: You have 20 amps at 240 volts = 4800 watts You are limited by two factors: Wire size & Breaker ...
wiring a light switch	9/27/2007
Q: I want to connect a switch to control the outside light in my home. the source is at a three way ... A: You will need access to a hot and a neutral. See if you have both of these at the 3-way switch. If ...
Welder Hook Up	9/26/2007
Q: I recently purchased a Miller welder M-225P AC. Specs are: AC arc welder Volts 575 Ampers 15 ... A: The voltage seems odd, are you sure it is 575 volts? Sometimes you will read the max voltage and ...
fluorescent lights	9/25/2007
Q: My old ballast is a REB-4P32-SC but all I could find at Lowes was a ICN-4P32-SC and no one there ... A: The ICN means it is low profile and electronically designed to replace a wide range of ballasts. The ...
Multiple Cables Through Joists	9/25/2007
Q: Good Morning Greg, I'm remodeling a detached garage into a workshop/storage rooms. My service ... A: If you are running across the joists I would suggest running them on top and then protect them on ...
Titan Water heater (Tankless) SCR2-120	9/24/2007
Q: Installing Titan water heater model SCR2-120 tankless. Unit states to use 60 amp breaker with 220 ... A: If this unit does not require 120 volts you want to wire (from your 6-3) black to black on water ...
hottub wiring is popping the GCFI	9/22/2007
Q: The pump motor label says "connected for 115v" (there is an option for 240v - I guess internal ... A: It is possible that your GFCI tripped enough to cause internal failure so that it is no longer ...
Question on wiring switched outlet	9/22/2007
Q: I am replacing some of the old non-polorized 2-prong outlets in my home. Most of the wiring is ... A: One of the outlets of the duplex is hot all the time so you can plug a vacuum cleaner, stereo, tv, ...
water heater connections	9/21/2007
Q: My water heater quit and in the process of trying to figure out the problem, I noticed something I ... A: It really depends on the quality of your continuity tester. You will have a certain amount of ohm ...
water heater connections	9/21/2007
Q: My water heater quit and in the process of trying to figure out the problem, I noticed something I ... A: Bob, I know it sounds confusing with the 10-3 no ground to 10-2 with a ground. But is sounds like ...
Double Oven connection	9/20/2007
Q: I recently replaced a double wall oven with a new one. The old one had the neutral connected to the ... A: The whites get wirenutted together and you can only have one ground wire under a screw so you will ...
Double Oven connection	9/19/2007
Q: I recently replaced a double wall oven with a new one. The old one had the neutral connected to the ... A: Lou, It use to be acceptable to wire the ground and neutral together on 220 volt appliances. Code ...
wiring application leaving me stumped	9/19/2007
Q: About me, I came from the field (substation maintenance) into ITT 12 years ago so I have knowledge ... A: Randy, Both the "hot" and neutral carry current. In fact, a lot of times a ground is actually ...
Electrical problem with 2 circuits	9/19/2007
Q: A 52 inch plasma Samung Tv is on a 20 amp circuit. A 50 amp gfi 220v circuit is a seperate circuit ... A: In my area, you have to put the GFI Disconnect near the hot tub. So do you have one in the panel and ...
240 v wiring/ Concession Trailer	9/18/2007
Q: The plugs have four wires and I need to replace an outlet that has been moved I don't know which ... A: The best way to tell is with a voltmeter. The two wires that register 240 volts are the two hots, ...
Sub Panel	9/18/2007
Q: I would like to install a sub panel on the oposite side of my home for some new pool equipment and a ... A: Rick, Ah, that makes sense. I have to ask because 3 phase is a totally different beast. If you ...
Electrical problem with 2 circuits	9/18/2007
Q: A 52 inch plasma Samung Tv is on a 20 amp circuit. A 50 amp gfi 220v circuit is a seperate circuit ... A: Assuming all has been wired correctly and good grounds are present, it is tough to diagnose over ...
Wiring to home generator sub panel	9/17/2007
Q: I'm presently installing a proper manually switched 60 amp generator sub panel next to my main ... A: Of course the electrician is correct. The breaker and wire size must match the load. Otherwise your ...
Converting 15 amp to 30 amp	9/17/2007
Q: my wife has been taking our RV to horse shows where the are circuit panels with 15 amp receptacles. ... A: The thing you have to watch out for is accidently getting 220 volts. I am not sure I follow what ...
Wire Size	9/17/2007
Q: I am running 300' to a RV hookup coming off a 200amp panel. I want to set up a 100amp panel at the ... A: 6 AWG is not enough, and it is not close to being enough. I am assuming it will be just 120 volts, ...
bad circuit breaker or short?	9/17/2007
Q: My microwave oven recently shut off when I pressed the button. I plugged it into another outlet and ... A: Is your kitchen circuit GFCI protected? If so, look for a GFCI outlet tripped. In not, measure ...
Ceiling Fan Wiring	9/16/2007
Q: Why would one fan/light fixture exist on two circuits? Does this indicate a mistake somewhere? How ... A: Hopefully this was a mistake, because it is creates a dangerous situation. You will need to find the ...
Wall Oven Replacement	9/16/2007
Q: I'm replacing a microwave/wall oven combo unit with a separate wall oven and separate microwave, ... A: Yes, keep the 40 amp breaker in the main panel to feed the subpanel. In the subpanel you will have ...
open ground	9/16/2007
Q: My inspection failed because "open ground" in each room I have replaced all 3 prong outlets to two ... A: You are not required to ground those old two prong outlets. You are allowed to put those adapters ...
electrical wire to short	9/15/2007
Q: I am replacing my dead 120v Maytag dishwasher with a new 120v Maytag dishwasher. However, the ... A: Heather, Yes, you have three options: 1. Install a Junction Box in the wall behind the dishwasher ...
Service to detached garage	9/15/2007
Q: Hey Greg.First, I want to thank you for your time. Quick question. I am helping a friend ti install ... A: Unless the load of the house combined with the load of the garage is going to exceed the 200 amps I ...
Electric Furnace Wiring	9/14/2007
Q: I have a heat pump with a Bryant air handler/electric furnace. The unit has two shut-offs that look ... A: Joel, I believe your question keeps getting thrown into the "question pool" because you really need ...
Convert unused 3 prong dryer outlet to feed subpanel for attached garage addition	9/12/2007
Q: I have a unused 220 V 30 AMP dryer outlet that I plan on moving into our attached garage and ... A: Joe, Interesting dilemma. My first question is "will 30 amps be enough for the garage?" If so, ...
track lighting, cable	9/12/2007
Q: what is the reason you can't run flexible track lighting or cable lighting thru an interior wall. ... A: Maybe I misunderstood. Are you talking about running the track cable right up to the wall and then ...
third wire 220v outlet	9/11/2007
Q: I am installing a dryer. The dryer has a three wire plug and the house has a three wire outlet. I ... A: It sounds like your dryer is being fed from a subpanel, where the ground and neutral are not bonded, ...
Installation of combination switch/GFCI	9/11/2007
Q: I am trying to install a switch /gfci combo in the bathroom of my rented apartment. I want to ... A: The two wires are for the switch and they give you the choice of two scenarios: 1. No GFCI ...
Trying to identify old/odd outlet type.	9/10/2007
Q: while looking for houses to purchase I came across an odd outlet type, I've looked on the internet ... A: This is an old 110 volt non-grounded outlet used prior to the 1960's. Outlets have changed over ...
Dishwasher Ground (use of conduit)	9/10/2007
Q: I'm trying to install a new dishwasher and discovered that the old one had been hooked up via wiring ... A: Commercial buildings often use the conduit as ground. A j-box will need to be installed in the ...
track lighting, cable	9/10/2007
Q: what is the reason you can't run flexible track lighting or cable lighting thru an interior wall. ... A: It is a safety issue. As you are aware, it is physically possible but not a smart thing to do. It ...
GFI/REGULAR OUTLET	9/10/2007
Q: I have (8) GFI outlet on a 20 amp circuit. It is possible for me to change and outlet in the middle ... A: If each outlet is its own GFCI (not a common GFCI Breaker), then each outlet should have the "hot" ...
Upgrading circuit breaker from 15 to 20 amp	9/8/2007
Q: Can a circuit breaker be upgraded from 15AMP to 20AMP without having to rewire? I have not confirmed ... A: 12 gauge can be on a 15 or 20 amp breaker. 14 gauge can be on a 15 amp breaker only. In other ...
outdoor electric cable	9/8/2007
Q: i want to run a cable outside from the basement to the attic. I want to have a dedicated line to ... A: You can run 14/2 romex but it has to be in conduit if it is on the outside. If you are trying to ...
ge washing machine	9/8/2007
Q: i have a ge washing machine that is not holding water in the wash tub. when you fill the machine to ... A: Without your model number I can only tell you how the older models worked. Basically this is how ...
Voltage across two incoming lines to house	9/7/2007
Q: What is the rms voltage between two incoming lines L1 and L2 into my house? I see in simple ... A: Do you really have three phase to your house? Rarely do you ever see three phase in the U.S. to a ...
Installing a Subpanel	9/7/2007
Q: I would like to install a subpanel in the basement of my church for a new technology center they are ... A: "What kind of breaker (amperage) is needed in the existing first floor panel to power the basement ...
Meter and disconnect boxes	9/7/2007
Q: i have a 100a meter on my house right now. I'm looking to move to a meter outside on an h-post. And ... A: I hope I understood you correctly. If not, please send me more info. Depending on the distances it ...
GFI/REGULAR OUTLET	9/7/2007
Q: I have (8) GFI outlet on a 20 amp circuit. It is possible for me to change and outlet in the middle ... A: If each outlet is a GFCI, as opposed to being fed from a GFCI, it is physically possible. But, if ...
plug switch combo	9/6/2007
Q: can you please help me wire this plug switch combo I bought from home depot. I took the face plate ... A: One side should have two screws and one side should have one screw. The side with two screws gets ...
cutting a track lighting kit in half	9/6/2007
Q: Recently I purchased a track lighting kit, plus one extra transformer. The electrician cut the ... A: Most lighting transformers have a minimum load wattage, so I would contact the manufacture (if it ...
Clothes dryer installation	9/6/2007
Q: I have a 240v three wire socket for the clothes dryer, I tested it using the voltimeter and I get ... A: New doesn't always mean good. Many products are defective right out of the box. Your voltages are ...
pole to shop wires	9/5/2007
Q: It will have a 220 v.water heater,220v.air compressor ,220v. A/C, and a 220v.stick welder .The water ... A: #3 is not always easy to find, so I would go with #2. Plus your long run constitutes a significant ...
HVAC/Electrical	9/5/2007
Q: When the AC unit (whole house unit as opposed to a window unit) comes on the lights in the house ... A: Richard, First thing, check voltage from your utility company at the service panel. Then check to ...
pole to shop wires	9/5/2007
Q: It will have a 220 v.water heater,220v.air compressor ,220v. A/C, and a 220v.stick welder .The water ... A: It sounds like you will be best served by 100 amps. I never recommend aluminum. The properties of ...
lighting wiring	9/4/2007
Q: I'll try to explain this as best I can. I have two ceiling lights, two sets of under cabinet ... A: There is a way to have a main switch turn the power off to all of the individual dimmers and then ...
wiring 2 gang	9/4/2007
Q: I have two light switches in a 2 gang box that individually control 2 seperate lights. Power from ... A: All whites get connected together. The black from the panel goes to switch one and switch two. ...
electric main	9/3/2007
Q: My voltage changes as soon as I turn one breaker in the main box on. When all the breakers are off ... A: You need to get a qualified electrician out there asap. You most likely have a loose neutral at the ...
115V problem with fuse panel	9/3/2007
Q: I am trying to find out the best way to check INSIDE of my fuse panel. Main fuse box uses 15A fuses. ... A: Bad neutral somewhere. Get your panel updated to circuit breakers and have some circuits added. ...
Replacing bathroom light	9/3/2007
Q: I am about to replace a light fixture in the bathroom. The new fixture has a black, white and ... A: A quick peek at the wires on the switch should tell you if it is red or black. What did the old ...
lighting	9/2/2007
Q: I have installed some recessed lighting in an addition on my house. I installed 5 can type fixtures ... A: The wire size is okay (14 gauge = 15 amps), but your breaker is too large. You will need to change ...
Power surge throughout home.	9/2/2007
Q: I recently added new circuits to my home and replaced old wiring with grounded wiring. Now when I ... A: Chances are you have too many loads on a circuit(s). You should always do a load balance when ...
vanity light	9/1/2007
Q: I am replacing a vanity light in the bathroom. Currently there is one switch plate with two ... A: Lisa, In a pinch, some home owners and handymen will use the ground as neutral because they feel ...
spark when adjusting ceiling fan, then 0 power, no circuit breaker tripped	9/1/2007
Q: Happy Labor Day! While trying to correct a wobbling ceiling fan, I noticed the black bar that ... A: The first thing I would do is check the voltage at your circuit breakers. Tripped breakers can fool ...
String pull on/off	9/1/2007
Q: I have a light with string pull on/off. It has beaded wire like thing as string. It has come out of ... A: Usually the string comes loose from the switch or breaks at the switch. In my experience, ...
String pull on/off	9/1/2007
Q: I have a light with string pull on/off. It has beaded wire like thing as string. It has come out of ... A: Most likely the switch will need to be replaced. The power source must be removed before working ...
wiring a new fixing	9/1/2007
Q: I have changed light fittings before. Usually there are three wires: red (live), black (neutral) and ... A: Here in the U.S., the white wire is reserved as neutral and the green or bare wire is ground. The ...
mother inlaws dual ac systems going beserk	9/1/2007
Q: my mother in law has had this one ac company do her service for many years and lately they have not ... A: It is possible that the thermostat wires were nicked at one point and are shorting together. The ...
Upgrading Electric in home for a new furnance/AC	8/31/2007
Q: Okay here's my problem, I purchased a home last October that has a Federal Pacific Stab-Lok electric ... A: The best advise I can give you is to get a second opinion from another electrician in the area. His ...
breaker box issues	8/30/2007
Q: I apologize if my language use is incorrect - i am not incredibly well-versed in electricial ... A: 1. You need to have reasonable access to that panel. (since I am there you would need a local ...
home wiring	8/30/2007
Q: I am repairing some older homeowner additions to the house wiring. My question in a nutshell is how ... A: Typically, home wiring with 110 volts is unlike more sensitive wiring (audio, video, security) where ...
Splitting an exhaust and overhead light to 2 switches	8/29/2007
Q: I have one wall switch in the bathroom. It operates an overhead light and an exhaust fan. This is ... A: At this point you will probably have to run another cable from either your light or fan down to the ...
printer sending too much power to pc	8/29/2007
Q: I have had my pc and printers hooked up the same way for a few years. I had to get a new printer and ... A: Mary, This is more of a computer issue than a residential wiring question. And it sounds like a ...
Electrical wiring- blue spark	8/28/2007
Q: I recently had a light switch replaced. Sometimes when I use the light switch to turn the basement ... A: Heather, You may have a switch that is made of inferior material and workmanship. Almost all ...
Pool pump keeps tripping our GFI outlet	8/27/2007
Q: Our swimming pool pump has been running great for 2 years. Just yesterday we have it trip our GFI ... A: It is possible with that much rain at one time, parts of the pump got wet enough for the GFCI to ...
off/on main brkr & now no pwr from 1 fuse	8/27/2007
Q: I turned off the main breaker for the house (Toronto, Ontario, Canada). When I turned it back on ... A: Robert, It is possible that one of the phases is not being energized from your main breaker. This ...
Temp Power Svc, Connecting boxes to panel	8/25/2007
Q: ME: I'm to be wiring my own new house. Ph.D.E.E, but computer electronics, not power distribution. ... A: I have two suggestions for securing the boxes: 1. Use a piece of redwood or pressure treated wood ...
outdoor motion sensor light	8/25/2007
Q: I replaced the plastic joints where lights swivel, and went to rehang light. Lights stay on. Looked ... A: Connie, These instructions are typical and may not apply to your light. You should have a black ...
Pool pump keeps tripping our GFI outlet	8/25/2007
Q: Our swimming pool pump has been running great for 2 years. Just yesterday we have it trip our GFI ... A: In my experience, it is most likely a leaky seal in the pump that allows water to enter the motor ...
MasterCool Evap Cooler MC/64	8/24/2007
Q: In the installation manual it says this cooler can operate on 115 volt. Black/White/Green coming ... A: Charles, Black goes to PUMP. Black/Yellow is not used (cap it). White and White are connected ...
Ceiling Fan Prob	8/24/2007
Q: I have removed two working ceiling fans and have decided to install them on the porch together to ... A: Matt, Drop the 1st fan and remove the blades so you can work on it. Can you turn the motor by ...
Wire size	8/24/2007
Q: I am installing a small hot tub which requires a 50 amp gfci breaker so the pump and heater can run ... A: 50 amps seems a little high if this 220 volts. However, if you are going to use a 50 amp breaker ...
2 Fan/Light Combos on a 3-way circuit	8/23/2007
Q: This is new construction. I have power coming in at the 1st 3-way switch. I have 2 ceiling fans ... A: Mike, I agree with doing it the way that is diagramed at that site. It will be less confusing for ...
Attic Fan Thermostat	8/23/2007
Q: This morning I noticed the attic fan (gable mounted) did not cycle off and it was 60 deg outside so ... A: Adam, I am glad the mystery is solved. This is a little more advanced installation, but if you ...
camper	8/22/2007
Q: what is the correct breaker to wire this up to my service pole it has air cond it also has abox ... A: Rob, I am not sure how an A/C can be considered to be working great if it trips the breaker. You ...
Attic Fan Thermostat	8/22/2007
Q: This morning I noticed the attic fan (gable mounted) did not cycle off and it was 60 deg outside so ... A: Sometimes there is an "auto" and "manual" setting on a switch. The "manual" would bypass the ...
What Size service panel do I need?	8/22/2007
Q: Mr Hughes, I want to upgrade my electrical service to my detached garage. My plan is to have one ... A: I recommend putting each circuit on a 20 amp breaker using 12 gauge. The lighting can be on a 15 amp ...
AC WIRING	8/22/2007
Q: I CURRENTLY HAVE AN AMERICAN STANDARD HERITAGE 13 3.5 TON CONDENSOR, THE UNIT SAYS MINIMUM CURRENT ... A: Theodore, Looks like your "Caps Lock" button is pushed down, but I will answer anyway. The first ...
Attic Fan Thermostat	8/21/2007
Q: This morning I noticed the attic fan (gable mounted) did not cycle off and it was 60 deg outside so ... A: Adam, You should not have two circuits feeding this unless it is a 220 volt motor and it is being ...
circuit breaker switch popping	8/21/2007
Q: My A/C unit has it's own power switch outside next to unit on the exterior wall. Approx. one month ... A: Misti, I am confused on the terminology. There should be a disconnect right next to your condensing ...
Attic Fan Thermostat	8/21/2007
Q: This morning I noticed the attic fan (gable mounted) did not cycle off and it was 60 deg outside so ... A: Adam, There are several ways to wire an attic fan. Often, there is a double switch that has an ...
Wiring near plumbing vent stack	8/4/2007
Q: I am in Texas and our city uses the 2002 NEC and the 2003 IBC. We would like to place switches for ... A: Kirsten, I am confused. Is there room between the stud and vent pipe for a box? If so, can you ...
Maytag Electric Dryer	8/4/2007
Q: Greg: Perhaps you may have some insight into my problem. I have a Maytag Dryer Model DE612, that has ... A: There is a thermal fuse because I looked it up in the parts list for that model. Infinity means ...
wall oven installation	8/3/2007
Q: Greg - I am replacing a wall oven/microwave combination with a convection/speed (convection plus ... A: David, First, no you cannot put a larger breaker on wire that is rated for 40 amps. If your wire is ...
Maytag Electric Dryer	8/3/2007
Q: Greg: Perhaps you may have some insight into my problem. I have a Maytag Dryer Model DE612, that has ... A: Nick, After establishing the correct voltage (which you did) I would look at the "thermal fuse". It ...
changing old 2-prong outlet to a grounded 3-prong	8/2/2007
Q: I just moved into an old house and would like to change a few of the old outlets so I can protect ... A: Adam, That is essentially what needs to be done. I am glad you are making the upgrade, and I ...
lights wired in series	8/2/2007
Q: and want them to all be turned on/off by a switch at the end of the run. I have them wired in ... A: John, To start with, they are not and should not be wired in series. I have heard the term "wired ...
New duplex wiring	8/2/2007
Q: I would like to "piggy-back" a 15 amp duplex receptacle outlet off of another 15 amp duplex from my ... A: Peter, It depends on how many amps your washing machine is using and how much your power tool is ...
switch wiring	8/1/2007
Q: I removed a broken switch and can't figure out how to replace- the old one had 2 wires pushed into ... A: Sue, First turn off the power. You need to take another black wire and wire nut the two black ...
6 =3 or 6 =2	7/31/2007
Q: my question is which wire do i need? 6-2 or 6-3 it will be run between the power co, meter box into ... A: With the 6-3 you will have 220 volts available and that is mostly good because you will have two 110 ...
Breaker box sizing	7/31/2007
Q: I have a 225A breaker box in my house. It is currently full and I'd like to finish my basement. ... A: Erik, I don't know if there is a load calc worksheet online or not. Basically you start with your ...
Breaker box sizing	7/30/2007
Q: I have a 225A breaker box in my house. It is currently full and I'd like to finish my basement. ... A: Erik, A common mistake is to simply "add up" the breaker values in a breaker box. This is in error ...
Sub panel wire size.	7/30/2007
Q: Sir. Installing a 100amp sub-panel to a new garage addition in my home. Running from a 200amp main ... A: David, I would go with #2 copper for the hots and neutral and #6 for the ground. You could probably ...
220 LINE	7/29/2007
Q: I HAVE A 220 PLUG IN THE LIVING ROOM THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY USED FOR A AIR CONDITION BY THE FORMER ... A: If you are on a raised foundation you simply crawl under and drill a hole under the existing box and ...
GFCI installation problem	7/29/2007
Q: New house wiring. Leviton 7599-W GFCI. Line in 110v measured at the line in screws. Green LED is ... A: Try a regular outlet and see if you get your 110 volts. Are you measuring from black to white, and ...
Low voltage	7/28/2007
Q: Since we moved into our house we have one outlet that measures 5.6 volts (not a misprint)on my ... A: More likely you have an "open" not a "short". The main culprit would be a broken wire. Are you ...
wiring a new electric oven	7/28/2007
Q: Can you advise me what size of wire and breaker should be installed for a new electric oven and hob ... A: I can't speak for the codes in France, and I do not know what a "hob" is. Typically here in the ...
Range is hard wired	7/28/2007
Q: My oven/range is hard wired. I recently bought an oven/range that requires a 240 V electrical ... A: As long as the wire is the correct gauge for your new oven then you can do one of two things: ...
neutral wire between two GFCI receptacles	7/27/2007
Q: The ground and neutral wires are making contact somewhere on the jumper line between two kitchen ... A: It is not uncommon for a nail to puncture the romex and short wires, and it sounds like this might ...
110 interruption	7/8/2007
Q: Just installed a 110 light socket with a switch. Whenever I put in the light bulb, I no longer have ... A: I am assuming that the light is not working. This is typical of an open or loose neutral. Look for ...
Bathroom wiring	7/8/2007
Q: Greg, After a nearby lightning strike, the double outlets in both bathrooms are dead. This leads me ... A: Rexford, Bathroom outlets are suppose to be GFCI protected, according to the NEC. This is ...
old lighting fixture	7/7/2007
Q: I have an older light fixture pair in a bathroom. When removing the older light fixtures some of ... A: Turn the power off and pull the switch out far enough to look at the wires. What do those wires ...
Home Amperage	7/7/2007
Q: Is the Amount of Amperage a builder put in a home based on the sq. ft of the home? And does each ... A: The sq. feet is one part of the equation. A load calculation should be done that will give a more ...
power surges	7/6/2007
Q: I had an electrician replace my main panel. Ever since I have been getting power surger! Now they ... A: My second question is why was the main changed? Then my comments are these: You need to establish ...
300 or 400 amp service	7/5/2007
Q: I have a 200 amp service with a Cutler-Hammer 40 slot box and have six empty slots. I have an ... A: I would contact the utility company to see if your meter and service will support a 225 amp panel. ...
Dryer Outlet??	7/5/2007
Q: We just bought a new Dryer. I checked to make sure before we left whether the outlet was a 3 or 4 ... A: Nick, Technically you cannot have a 50 amp outlet on a 30 amp circuit breaker with 10 gauge. Make ...
Well Pump Wiring Problem	7/3/2007
Q: Here it is - this one is weird. I am re-wiring my old sprinkler system to convert it from ... A: Dennis, It sounds like we need to clear up some terminology. May I assume that when you say relay ...
300 or 400 amp service	7/3/2007
Q: I have a 200 amp service with a Cutler-Hammer 40 slot box and have six empty slots. I have an ... A: Jim, There is a chance you will have voltage drop problems if you do not upgrade or add another ...
GFCI Circuit	7/3/2007
Q: I have a GFCI circuit that does not work. The GFCI receptacle does not work as well as three other ... A: They are probably being fed from another GFCI outlet that is tripped. Once it took me awhile to ...
Flickering Bulb	7/2/2007
Q: Hey how are you? Just a small question.... When i turn on my closet switch the light flickers, so i ... A: Most likely the switch needs to be replaced. The power has to be turned off to replace it. I would ...
Spa Issue	7/2/2007
Q: I am looking for troubleshooting assistance. I have a Leisure Bay spa that seems to keep having ... A: Chad, Check for water residue on the control panel. Once, after installing the wiring for a spa I ...
GFI outlets issue	7/2/2007
Q: My GFI outlet in my yard shed would not "test" nor is there power on it. I replaced the GFI outlet ... A: There are two ways to wire a second outlet from a GFCI outlet. One is to wire it in parallel, ...
Dead Wall Socket???	7/1/2007
Q: Turned the air conditioner on (tv shared other socket). Circuit breaker didn't trip. Tripped main ... A: Without having a voltmeter it is hard for you to tell what is going on. First, make sure you turn ...
220V 30 amp A/C	6/15/2007
Q: I am replacing a 220V AC with 20 amp plug with a 220V 30 amp plug Unit. (badge says 230V 14.4amp- it ... A: It is all one "unit" but it serves two 220 volt circuits independent of each other. Basically it is ...
Electric Water Heater in Mobile Home	6/15/2007
Q: I purchased a water heater, Whirlpool,30 gal, from a friend. I have replaced both heating elements.I ... A: Cindy, I am sorry about your problems. Mobilehomes are different beasts than regular homes and ...
220V 30 amp A/C	6/15/2007
Q: I am replacing a 220V AC with 20 amp plug with a 220V 30 amp plug Unit. (badge says 230V 14.4amp- it ... A: Brian, What you are telling me is that the two double poles are tied together so that four breakers ...
lighting	6/14/2007
Q: I have 3 can lights in my bathroom I would like to replace. Can I replace with hanging pendants or ... A: Debra, Supposing that the lights are all in acceptable areas, there are lights that fit right over ...
How do I know that my house is safe	6/14/2007
Q: Recently, a downed powerline struck the ground wire that led to my home. It backfed into the ... A: I am sorry that this horrible event happened to you, but I am glad no one was hurt. You are right ...
European espresso maker	6/13/2007
Q: You answered a previous question on a Nespresso machine from France, but the solution did not work ... A: Charlie, Coffee machines use heating elements to create steam and it is the pressure that moves it, ...
remodel garage	6/13/2007
Q: A friend and I are converting a two car garage into two bedrooms and a hallway / entrance. Currently ... A: The answer is yes, 8 general purpose outlets are fine. One thing to consider is what will be ...
Flourscent light	6/13/2007
Q: I believe that the new code for kitchen is now to have a flourcscent light - I do not want to ... A: What type of "holder" do you have now? These type of lights are made to fit most incandescent ...
SERVICE TO FIREWORKS STANDS	6/13/2007
Q: I'm getting started on running electric service to 2 fire works stands from a main panel behind a ... A: Dean, Your lighting load is 10 x 60 watts = 600 watts 600 watts / 115 volts = 5.2 amps However, you ...
SERVICE TO FIREWORKS STANDS	6/12/2007
Q: I'm getting started on running electric service to 2 fire works stands from a main panel behind a ... A: Dean, Stop. There are some problems here we need to work through. You will have to answer some ...
Circuit Breaker	6/12/2007
Q: How do you test to see if a circuit breaker is able to break? I tried shutting off 1 breaker at a ... A: Steve, As an electrician, I would hook up my device that finds breakers for certain circuits. If ...
50 hz and 60 hz cycles.	6/12/2007
Q: i bought some electronic items (plasma tv) in australia with 220-240volt 50hz, i will be bringing ... A: rhoneil, Most likely you will experience problems. 50hz moves at a different speed than 60hz, so ...
a/c outlet 220 volts 15amp wiring	6/11/2007
Q: Greg, my question is about installing a new thru wall air conditioning. Most of the a/c I see for ... A: Elm, If your A/C pulls 15 amps then 14 gauge, which is rated for 15 amps, would be right on the ...
Detached Workshop	6/11/2007
Q: With apologies for what might be a stupid question. I'm thinking or running power to my workshop ... A: Hmmm, how to describe a pigtail? A pigtail is a wire added to a circuit to connect the circuit to ...
lighting	6/11/2007
Q: We had a house built two years ago - didn't realize till it was move in ready that there were no ... A: Karen, There are two ways to do this: Run romex from the ceiling (in the attic) down the wall to ...
Detached Workshop	6/10/2007
Q: With apologies for what might be a stupid question. I'm thinking or running power to my workshop ... A: No apologies required, and this is not a stupid question. At first, it would seem to reason that two ...
a/c outlet 220 volts 15amp wiring	6/10/2007
Q: Greg, my question is about installing a new thru wall air conditioning. Most of the a/c I see for ... A: I am not familiar with the codes in your region, but here is what you have to do to comply with the ...
Electric dryer	6/10/2007
Q: How do I wire my home up for an electric dryer? It is just a regular household recepticle right ... A: It sounds like there was a gas dryer hookup and now you want to change it to electric. If this is ...
220v to 110v	6/9/2007
Q: I installed a new, built oven/microwave unit. The old unit had a 110v plug in for the microwave that ... A: If they are two separate units then they each have to have there own disconnect means. The code ...
Standby Generator	6/8/2007
Q: I have a 5500 watt portable standby generator to use during the not too frequent power outages that ... A: I would not back feed your circuits without the proper transfer equipment. Like you mentioned, it is ...
A/C DISCONNECT SWITCH	6/8/2007
Q: IS A FUSED DISCONNECT SWITCH REQUIRED AT THE CONDENSER ON A SPLIT SYSTEM 3 TON... IT HAS A HVCR ... A: The National Electric Code requires that a disconnect be present within site and within 50 feet. In ...
Appliance Surge Protection	6/7/2007
Q: Just purchased new washer/dryer set, and was wondering what sort of protection would be appropriate ... A: Art, I am not familiar with anyone using a surge protector for a washer/dryer set. We use the ...
separate control of light and fan	6/7/2007
Q: I had two light fixtures in the same room. Decided to change one with a hunter fan w/ lights. Works ... A: Maria, You would need to run another wire from the switch to the fan to be able to operate the fan ...
110v outlet from 220v supply	6/7/2007
Q: 220v AC sytem is our standard. I have a 110v computer controlled air conditioner from Japan. It runs ... A: Jess, How many amps does your A/C draw? If you have 110 volts and a 1500 watt transformer then, ...
flickering lights and brief power outage	6/6/2007
Q: We've noticed flickering lights on some of our electrical circuits for several weeks (single family ... A: It seems that the only thing these all have in common is the breaker box. Since no breakers were ...
10-3 plug to 10-4 recepticle	6/6/2007
Q: I have a 220v three prong recepticle that I am connecting a long 10 guage extention cord to so that ... A: The reason you have a 4 wire cord is because it is carrying 110 volts, along with 220 volts. If you ...
Bathroom fan	6/5/2007
Q: Here's the setup... I have 2 lights, an exhaust fan and 2 (special time delay) switches. Each switch ... A: Interesting. I see what you are doing and it is very simple. Just run a relay in parallel with ...
making a part of a gfi outlet switched an the other part unswitched	6/5/2007
Q: I have a GFI located about 12 feet on my outside wall. I have an awning pluged into one receptacle ... A: The answer is "no" there is no tab to break away. A gfci outlet is totally different than a regular ...
changing a double plug to a plug/switch	6/5/2007
Q: I have a light to a sports court with a plug on the side of the post. I want to use the plug to run ... A: My first impression is that you should get an electrician to do this for you. You indicate that the ...
main circuit breaker	6/4/2007
Q: One of the two main outside circuit breaker keeps tripping, usually during late afternoon/evening ... A: Doubtful it is a short. I am curious when you say one of two main circuit breakers outside. To me ...
Converting a 20 amp 125/240 4 pronged outlet to a 3 pronged	6/3/2007
Q: I have a generator that comes with a 20 amp 125/240 4 pronged receptacle. I want to run a table saw ... A: Lets discuss the difference between a 4 pronged and 3 pronged receptacle and then it will be clearer ...
installing chandelier	6/2/2007
Q: I BOUGHT CHANDELIER WHICH GOT 3 WHITE WIRES N,L E AND ONE GREEN WIRE.IN JUNCTION BOX ON CEILING I'VE ... A: Sara, Do the instructions indicate what the "E" wire is for? To me it sounds like the "N" is ...
new breaker box in shop	6/2/2007
Q: We recently bought a house tha has a 24 x 24 shop but no power to it. Closest power is a 110 outdoor ... A: You supposed right about the outlet not carrying a 125 amp panel. 125 amps sounds like a little ...
10-3 plug to 10-4 recepticle	6/2/2007
Q: I have a 220v three prong recepticle that I am connecting a long 10 guage extention cord to so that ... A: Chad, When you say 10-3 extension cord, are you talking about black, white, and ground? When we ...
200 amps not enough?	6/1/2007
Q: This is new construction with my husband and I finishing the electrical (done to rough in by ... A: How did this happen? Poor planning. How do you proceed? With better planning. Do you need addt'l ...
AC disonnect	6/1/2007
Q: how do I hook up a AC disconnect with a dual pole breaker to a single pole AConditioner? Hope it ... A: A single pole A/C indicates a 120 volt A/C, in which case you would not need a double pole ...
I can't turn the light off!	5/31/2007
Q: Yesterday my husband and I hung a new door in our laundry, and we also changed (lowered the ... A: It is possible that this a simple coincident. The light may be broken in the "on" position even if ...
220v, 20a A/C Receptical	5/30/2007
Q: I am running a dedicated 220/240 line for my A/C, using recommended 12/3 w/ground, and the ... A: I am curious to find out who recommended 12/3 w/ground. If you truly need 12/3 w/ground, that means ...
Bathroom fixture	5/29/2007
Q: I'm replacing an old bathroom light fixture that includes a receptacle. The way this old fixture ... A: The codes are pretty much for new work because the costs of bringing older homes up to new codes ...
electrical	5/28/2007
Q: I have a 3 wire coming from a ceiling fan/light combination Red,black,white and green ground.. It ... A: Either the black or red was for the light, and the other was for the fan. The white is neutral, and ...
Sub Panel Circuit Breaker wiring to outlet	5/26/2007
Q: I've added a circuit breaker to the sub panel and connected the black wire (not the white yet.) ... A: This is an interesting problem. Let me ask you a few questions. How old is the subpanel? Are the ...
wiring color conventions	5/25/2007
Q: I am installing three way switches and have run 14/3 wire with red, black and white wires (plus ... A: Bob, I would wire the hot to the black screw on one 3-way switch. Then I would make red and white ...
wire size	5/24/2007
Q: if i wanted to run a 65 amp load center to my garage 100 ft away from the main panel what size romex ... A: Terry, Is this an attached or detached garage? Have you changed your mind from the 65 amp load ...
wiring color conventions	5/24/2007
Q: I am installing three way switches and have run 14/3 wire with red, black and white wires (plus ... A: There are no rules for the colors and a lot depends on where the power is coming it at. Let me ...
How to make outlets flat with the backsplash?	5/24/2007
Q: We are installing kitchen countertop and a backsplash (about 1" thick) and we know that it will ... A: There are extensions available for the existing boxes. Just check with your local home center and ...
Kitchen Wiring	5/23/2007
Q: I live in MA and we're looking to update the electrical wiring in our kitchen during an upcomming ... A: I love that state and have visited it several times. However, I live on the other side of the ...
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: Where are the smoke alarms located in regards to your kitchen? How large is the condo? Does your ...
Service Entrance Wire Size	5/23/2007
Q: I am building an new home with 400 amp underground service. The electric company will not mount the ... A: (drooling) Nice! 400 amps, everyman's dream. I have a question. How exactly do you plan on ...
wiring length	5/23/2007
Q: Hey.. I want to put a pump at the back of my pond. Ive already put one at the front.From my shop I ... A: You can run a single span, but you will want a disconnect or gfci real close by. The size of wire ...
whirlpool wiring	5/22/2007
Q: I am replacing a whirlpool tub where another was...the new tub specs say it requires two 15 map ... A: Good question. You will need to contact the manufacture or service department from where you bought ...
lighting	5/22/2007
Q: We have 3 identical light fixtures in the 1984 home we just purchased. One in a hallway, kitchen, ... A: A couple of things could be the problem; Your light bulbs are the wrong type, Your light bulbs are ...
wiring fluorescent fixture	5/22/2007
Q: I have two four-tube fluorescent fixtures that I was given from a commercial store that was changing ... A: All of your black wires and all of your red wires should be hooked up to the hot wire from your ...
residential electrical problem	5/22/2007
Q: I have a house in the middle Georgia area that was constructed in 2005. Since we moved in in ... A: Actually, most clothes irons draw somewhere between 10 and 12 amps. So it may be small in size, but ...
adding a second breaker box	5/22/2007
Q: I am having a problem adding a second beaker box to accommodate more power being added for a ... A: Remove the wires from the breakers and see if the breakers still trips. If it doesn't trip, ...
sub panel	5/22/2007
Q: i installed a 200 amp main breaker sub panel in my house next to the main panel, but i am only ... A: There is not enough information to be decisive. How far away is the pool, how far away is the well ...
220 Dryer Outlet	5/21/2007
Q: I have a 220 outlet that recently blew as I was replugging the dryer into it. It knew it tripped the ... A: It sounds like something is either miswired, or you have a wire that is shorted. Please give the ...
Ceiling Fan instilation	5/21/2007
Q: I am trying to replace a ceiling fan/light fixture where one was already located. When the original ... A: This sounds correct. The only way to know for sure is to test for power with a volt tester. My best ...
how to wire a 240v switch	5/20/2007
Q: I replacing a 240v 30-amp double pole single throw switch. There are no instructions on where to ... A: Thom, There should be 5 screws. One is a ground and is green. Here is a diagram of how most DPST ...
wiring problem	5/20/2007
Q: "Okay, we are mystified. GFI circuit in bath worked fine until I used a hair dryer for a length of ... A: What I would do at this point is find where you are losing power. Start at the breaker. If the ...
troubleshooting ghost power and undervolt in flourescent light circuit	5/19/2007
Q: I had a bad short in a wall receptacle in my workshop that wouldn't throw the breaker and arced for ... A: I have been working with florescent lights since 1979, and I can't wait for them to be replaced with ...
remodeling with non-IC recessed cans	5/19/2007
Q: My wife selected some recessed lights that are really cool. They have them in remodel vs new ... A: I am guessing that if you have an earthquake large enough to move your insulation in the attic then ...
gfi's	5/19/2007
Q: the load wires have power until I connect gfi-the line wires prior to connecting to the gfi have no ... A: Your power is connected to the "line" screws. If you have other loads (outlets usually) that you ...
Hot tub GFCI	5/19/2007
Q: would you consider answering a hot tub wiring question? Here it is. I am replacing an older 220V ... A: This is a good question. Your old Hot Tub did not have a ground? The rest of your hook up sounds ...
Circuit breaker box	5/19/2007
Q: During a recent storm, water ran in to the panel box down a main wire. It filled the bottom of the ... A: Ah, but where do you plug in the hair dryer with the power off? Yes, you should be concerned. I do ...
Recessed lights BX cable or Romex?	5/19/2007
Q: I would like to install recessed ceiling lights in my kitchen. After reviewing several basic wiring ... A: BX is used in areas that are exposed, are in an area of danger to the wires, or in a commercial ...
switch a 4way	5/18/2007
Q: is it possible to pull a HR to a 4 way switch, how do u cut it in... also can u switch a 4 way ... A: In a 4-way circuit you can pull the power in at any spot in the circuit. So yes, you can pull it to ...
wiring problem	5/18/2007
Q: "Okay, we are mystified. GFI circuit in bath worked fine until I used a hair dryer for a length of ... A: Just so I understand, are the outlets regular outlets that are on a GFCI circuit breaker in the ...
3-way /4-way switches and continued circuit	5/18/2007
Q: The web page didn't have a follow-up button so I am continuing our discussion here. Your second ... A: Ah, there you are Shirley. Okay, we have beat this! I posted a new diagram of what you need to do ...
Vacuum Cleaner	5/18/2007
Q: Buying something 1400 watt or amp, What is the difference? What is a stronger power and why? A: This is a good question. A lot of people are confused over this, especially when comparing 220 ...
ceiling fan cabling	5/18/2007
Q: Greg, my fan box has 4 cables: black, white, red and green. I did not use the red on at all and now ... A: What kind of wall switch are you using to control the fan? Have you checked the power from red to ...
changing to 110	5/17/2007
Q: I just had a screen porch built and want to put in a ceiling fan. There is a box inside the porch ... A: Your black wires should be the hot wires, the white wires are your neutrals, and the bare wires are ...
14/3 wiring	5/17/2007
Q: I have had a new circuit added to our panel. The electrician used 8/3 wiring on a 120V 40A GFI to ... A: Craig, I am glad it now works. And I am sorry that you had to go through all of this. Notice I said ...
3-way /4-way switches and continued circuit	5/17/2007
Q: I would like to install 3 can lights in the hallway of my unfinished basement. There is a 3-way ... A: Okay, no problem. I think we are getting there. I am sure this is entertaining for all of those ...
power to an out building	5/17/2007
Q: "I want to run power to an outbuilding. I was going to use a double 30 amp breaker in my main box so ... A: Ah, good question. Many people get confused over this double pole breaker thingy. What you see ...
14/3 wiring	5/17/2007
Q: I have had a new circuit added to our panel. The electrician used 8/3 wiring on a 120V 40A GFI to ... A: . Craig, I believe I understand. There are a few things wrong here and it would be in your best ...
Old 220 to garage subpanel?	5/16/2007
Q: Greg! My house has 100a service. I have an electric dryer that I want to replace with natural gas. ... A: Good question. I don't know how far your dryer is from your main panel, and that is going to be the ...
14/3 wiring	5/16/2007
Q: I have had a new circuit added to our panel. The electrician used 8/3 wiring on a 120V 40A GFI to ... A: I may be a little confused so please bear with me. Your subject states 14/3 and your question is ...
Rewire plug	5/16/2007
Q: I am replacing a plug on an older cord that has white, green, and black wires. I assume the black ... A: The black is the "hot" wire and connects to the smaller terminal (usually gold or black), the white ...
Overloading an outlet	5/16/2007
Q: I have an outlet with a surge protector connected to a PC/Monitor+printer. I am getting a second ... A: I am sitting at my computer and I have two plugged into the same surge protector. Sometimes I have ...
3-way /4-way switches and continued circuit	5/16/2007
Q: I would like to install 3 can lights in the hallway of my unfinished basement. There is a 3-way ... A: . Shirley, Okay I see. Yes this is a little deep and made me think a little bit. We can do this. ...
changing 240 to two 120's	5/15/2007
Q: I live in the country and have built a shop 110 feet from my house and I want to run a buried cable ... A: Rylan, If you notice on your main panel the neutral bar is "bonded" to the case of the panel, or to ...
3-way /4-way switches and continued circuit	5/15/2007
Q: I would like to install 3 can lights in the hallway of my unfinished basement. There is a 3-way ... A: Let me make sure I understand what you want to do. Where is the fixture you want to get rid of? The ...
New Sears Convection Stove	5/15/2007
Q: Replacing 20 year old drop in stove with new Sears Convection stove. Old cooktop stove had 4 wires ... A: The appliance companies have not fully switched over to the NEC's decision about 4 wire instead of 3 ...
changing 240 to two 120's	5/15/2007
Q: I live in the country and have built a shop 110 feet from my house and I want to run a buried cable ... A: You do not need to run 220 volts, but it is highly recommended in case you add more loads out there. ...
two-way light switch	5/15/2007
Q: First, forgive me if I am using incorrect terminology...I am quite the amateur! We have a light at ... A: I would replace both switches because they are most likely the same age. When you go to purchase ...
Doorbell transformer	5/14/2007
Q: How long do hard-wired doorbell transformers typically last? A: This is a difficult question to answer. But I will tell you that I have replaced very few just ...
Switch Ratings	5/14/2007
Q: I am wiring my brother's bathroom. I have installed a dedicated 20 amp circuit for this. I have used ... A: This is a good question. Much like an outlet, the amperage rating of a switch is directly related ...
wiring to a window air conditioner	5/14/2007
Q: I have a dryer receptacle that goes to a sub box to two 30amp breakers together. If I wire my 250v ... A: Okay, I understand now. You will have to change the breaker to a double pole 20 amp breaker. If ...
converting my table saw to 220	5/13/2007
Q: I installed a 220 outlet to run my Rockwell Delta table saw. I have 110 on both legs of the ... A: James, Is the switch a double pole/single throw? Or are you just wiring both legs to the same screw ...
home electrical interference	5/13/2007
Q: Every time any large electrical appliance is used in my house, like AC, vacuum or the disposal we ... A: This is a good question. When I worked for WP and GE on their major appliances I received this ...
Subpanels	5/13/2007
Q: I'm sure this has been covered, but I could not find an answer. Here goes. I moved into a newly ... A: Good question. I am not a huge fan of Square D and this is one reason why. Square D makes grounding ...
bad power bill	5/12/2007
Q: We had a unusally high bill last month. We did have a breaker that needed to be replaced with one ... A: . Hi Cindy, I am assuming by "bad ground" he means that it doesn't exist or there is a poor ...
Wall Heater	5/12/2007
Q: I purchased a 220 wall heater. The unit only has two wires and a ground screw. I ran 10-3 with ... A: It sounds like this unit does not need a neutral. Your water heater is a good example of a 220 volt ...
one light fixture not working	5/11/2007
Q: Suddenly my outside porch light is out. Changed bulb. Changed fixture(wanted to do this anyway), ... A: The only way to troubleshoot this problem will be to get a voltage tester. Most home centers sell ...
Three-way switch to recessed lights configuration	5/11/2007
Q: Mr. Hughes: I'm replacing the old kitchen lights in my house with nine recessed lights. I have ... A: Aaron, Okay, with this additional information I can see that it will not work with the wires ran. ...
dryer wiring	5/11/2007
Q: Greg, I want to rewire a dryer for a sweet elderly Grandma who is raising 3 gandchildren. She just ... A: Okay, you guys have shamed into telling you how some people recommend you doing this. Waiver: I do ...
Connecting Sub- Panel	5/11/2007
Q: I need to connect a sub panel to Main power panel. The run is 80 feet, will be run outside on side ... A: Larry, You can pull more than the 70 amps at a given time so I would go up in size. You should run ...
wiring a 4 way dimmer	5/11/2007
Q: I have a light in my dining room that is controlled by 4 way switches (3 switches). I want to put a ... A: Wayne, A 4-way is made up of two 3-way switches and one 4-way switch. So you will need to find the ...
Three-way switch to recessed lights configuration	5/10/2007
Q: Mr. Hughes: I'm replacing the old kitchen lights in my house with nine recessed lights. I have ... A: Aaron, There was an easier way, but we should be able to do it with your existing wires now. Let ...
Fan on range hood - wiring issue	5/10/2007
Q: I have an old range hood and need replace the fan motor. The old fan motor has three wires (Black, ... A: The red and black are for two different speeds and have nothing to do with rotation. You have the ...
changing dryer from 3 wire to 4 wire plug	5/10/2007
Q: My new home requires a 4 wire plug. My dryer has a 3 wire plug. I have bought the new plug, but am ... A: I believe it will be easy. The difference between a 4 plug dryer and a 3 plug dryer is the 3 plug ...
4 prong dryer outlet	5/10/2007
Q: My dryer is a newer 4 prong model. My old outlet is only 3 prong. I bought a 4 prong outlet. But ... A: Matthew, There are websites that describe how to convert your dryer from a 4 prong to a 3 prong. I ...
4 prong dryer outlet	5/10/2007
Q: My dryer is a newer 4 prong model. My old outlet is only 3 prong. I bought a 4 prong outlet. But ... A: You are one of the many that got caught in the changes the NEC made to homes. Many people don't ...
Connecting Sub- Panel	5/9/2007
Q: I need to connect a sub panel to Main power panel. The run is 80 feet, will be run outside on side ... A: I think we can solve this. But I hate guessing. Let me know what the main panel will be feeding and ...
Triple Light Switch	5/9/2007
Q: I had a double light switch in my hallway. This switch powered a light at the top of the stairs and ... A: Darson, I like diagrams. But I got the picture on this. First thing we need to establish is do you ...
power cords	5/9/2007
Q: Is the smooth side of a power cord for lamps, appliances etc the hot or neutral wire? A: Good question. This gives me a chance to elaborate a little on light sockets for incandescent ...
Triple Light Switch	5/9/2007
Q: I had a double light switch in my hallway. This switch powered a light at the top of the stairs and ... A: So let me see if I understand. One switch is for the light in the stairway. One switch is for the ...
Electric box	5/8/2007
Q: How close can I install my water heater to my breaker panel? Is there any code problem if I do so? I ... A: I cannot find any problem with the NEC in locating it near a water heater. The NEC states that is ...
220 receptacle	5/8/2007
Q: On a 220 receptacle is the center the ground ? If so why is it marked with white ? A: Long story short, the center can be either neutral or ground. If you have three wires, ...
Electric range connection	5/7/2007
Q: I have an old electric range that is diectly wired to the AC. Do I need to install a receptacle? 240 ... A: If you are installing a new range, then you should install a receptacle. You want to match it up ...
wiring baseboard heaters	5/7/2007
Q: I am installing baseboard heaters in a new room built in the back of my garage. They include one ... A: If I understand your wattage correctly do not use the 30 amp breaker, and do not use the 12/2. ...
circuit breaker/hot water heater	5/7/2007
Q: Greg, My circuit breaker for the hot water heater trips when the air conditioner is running, other ... A: It sounds like your water heater and A/C are on the same circuit which is not good. If both wires ...
Still power with lightswitch switched off	5/7/2007
Q: After replacing a Halogen lamp in GU10 fitting for a LED version (from Philips) I noticed that the ... A: Doubtful it is induction from the wiring in the tube. But it sounds like you might be in another ...
receptacle in bathroom isn't working	5/7/2007
Q: now you must bear with me because I am a womman! The receptacle in the bathroom where I plug in my ... A: I was waiting to hear you roar. (okay, terrible joke about the song). The moisture is most likely ...
Hot Tub Install	5/6/2007
Q: My wife and I are purchasing an above-ground (portable) hot tub. the ElecSpecs call for a dedicated ... A: Most of the times it is that "simple". Of course running the conduit and bending it may or may not ...
hot tub wiring	5/6/2007
Q: We've got a hot tub in the back yard, about 60 feet away from our breaker box. We had it hard ... A: Make sure to thank your friend for me. Taking that extension cord back was probably the best thing ...
Gang box repair - replace	5/6/2007
Q: I have a plastic single gang box that has a cracked thread hole for fastening the outlet to it. Is ... A: Yes there is a well, somewhat quick fix. I am assuming this is not a remodel box to start with. How ...
Electric range cooktop	5/6/2007
Q: We have Frigidaire Electric range with Ceramic cooktop. Two weeks back as we put on one of the ... A: If this is still under the manufacture warranty you need to talk to the service manager and explain ...
main breaker in panel	5/6/2007
Q: I recently looked at a new construction town home in Seattle, WA. I checked the main panel and ... A: Good questions Doug, Question #1, yes there has to be a main disconnect for the whole panel. Look ...
Conversion of electric cooktop tro gas cooktop	5/5/2007
Q: I have currently a 30 inch jennair downdraft electric cooktop. I would like to change to natural gas ... A: I found this in the "question pool" and this question has been in the question pool for a few days ...
light fixture installation	5/5/2007
Q: I have a 4ft. fluorescent 2 tube light fixture in my kitchen. It's ugly and I hate it and want to ... A: Patti, That is a pretty good sign that there may not be a box up there. But you won't know for sure ...
light fixture installation	5/5/2007
Q: I have a 4ft. fluorescent 2 tube light fixture in my kitchen. It's ugly and I hate it and want to ... A: Glad to help. It is likely that the box is in the ceiling above that quarter size hole. From the ...
intermittent drops ni two circuits	5/5/2007
Q: Kitchen lights have been flickering infrequently for the past few weeks. Recently it has gone from a ... A: . Hi Dan, I would start at the circuit breaker panel. Turn off the main breaker and tighten the ...
Wiring a new switch	5/4/2007
Q: .. I am wiring new recessed low voltage lights. I used 12/2 wire for the installation on the ... A: Here is the rule to remember; The wire size can be bigger than the breaker size, but the breaker ...
Short in Gas Stove?	5/4/2007
Q: We recently moved into an older home and installed a used gas stove that we purchased from a used ... A: Aren't older homes fun? They certainly do have a lot of character and many, many mysteries. It is ...
oven wiring	5/4/2007
Q: I have purchased an older Norge Wall oven with no wiring diagram. Problem: I have four wires and ... A: Brent, Awesome, I am glad it all works for you now. Those old stoves are nice. I cannot think of ...
Replacing an electrical outlet with direct wire	5/4/2007
Q: I have a powered air exchanger mounted high on the wall of one of the rooms of my home. It is ... A: Corey, I noted that fact, and no it does not count as a "disconnect". And I do not know of a way ...
sharing nuetrals	5/4/2007
Q: out of a 120/208 panel if i had three circuits sharing a nuetral and each one of those circuits ... A: Let me see if I understand what you are asking, do mean you have three circuits each with their own ...
Replacing an electrical outlet with direct wire	5/3/2007
Q: I have a powered air exchanger mounted high on the wall of one of the rooms of my home. It is ... A: No, this idea is not good. Here is why. Any removable appliance must have a way to disconnect it ...
Generator hookup not to house circuit	5/3/2007
Q: I am interested in mounting a receptacle box on the porch and running conduit through the wall to a ... A: The first question I have is how will you keep the refrigerator and sump pump from operating at the ...
Trouble with New Thermostat	5/3/2007
Q: I recently had a new thermostat installed for my 1st floor zone. We have 2 zone oil fired baseboard ... A: Andrew, Your t-stat is basically just a switch. There is power at one of the two wires. When the ...
110 to 2220 upstep transformer	5/2/2007
Q: On my boat I have a 110 volt 12kw generator. My wife would like to add a four burner stove top. All ... A: I found this question in the question pool. The transformer you listed is rated at 5kW. So a total ...
120 wiring	5/2/2007
Q: Greg, When I run a 120v line does it all have to be the same size by code? I needed to run a new ... A: Will an inspector bust you for this? Probably not. Here is the code: A bathroom light and outlet ...
Doorbell capacitor	5/2/2007
Q: My electrician installed a new 8-tone doorbell in my new home. Pushing the doorbell button only ... A: Is your new doorbell "wired" or "wireless"? Is your new doorbell electronic or electro-mechanical? ...
oven wiring	5/2/2007
Q: I have purchased an older Norge Wall oven with no wiring diagram. Problem: I have four wires and ... A: Brent, Yes, that is what I am thinking. It may be the power to some 110 volt components. Instead ...
spa sub panel	5/2/2007
Q: I am wiring a 2-pole 50 amp gfci breaker sub panel for a sundance spa. I only have 3 wires coming ... A: Okay Kevin, Yes, to work correctly you will need 4 wires from your main panel. The neutral is ...
3 prong outlet, 4 prong dryer plug	5/2/2007
Q: I just bought a used, but fairly new electric dryer. When I got it home, I noticed that while the ... A: Yahoo, no more laundromat! Your house was built during the time the "powers that be" decided that ...
spa sub panel	5/2/2007
Q: I am wiring a 2-pole 50 amp gfci breaker sub panel for a sundance spa. I only have 3 wires coming ... A: The last spa I wired up I had to run 4 wires from the main box. You said the wiring diagram shows a ...
power loss in mobile home	5/1/2007
Q: My son loss all power to his mobile home which is butted up against ours my husband was still in the ... A: This sounds like you have some serious wiring troubles inside of the mobile home. It is very likely ...
Adding additional circuit	5/1/2007
Q: I have 150amp service and want to add a hot tub which needs 240 50A dual pole, I already have a 240 ... A: I load calculation needs to be done on your house to make sure you are not overloading the main. As ...
electrical	5/1/2007
Q: how many plugs and or switches can be on a 15amp and a 20amp breaker and why A: . Hi Darren, The answer lies in the question "what are these plugs and switches feeding". For ...
swimming pool pump, heater, lights	4/30/2007
Q: The 1.5 HP pump for my inground pool stopped working. At the same time the underwater pool lights ... A: You right, it sounds like an electrical problem to me too. It is possible that you lost one leg of ...
Rooftp Antenna Cable	4/30/2007
Q: Real quick and easy question. (I hope) I was trying to hook up my rooftop antenna and discovered ... A: There are different types of wire depending on your antenna. If there is a small piece left at the ...
room receptacles and lights	4/30/2007
Q: The power to one room in my double wide mobile home went out.No breaker was tripped.Replaced all ... A: You say you got two outlets to work. Are they the two that show voltage but will not operate ...
two outlets, one switch	4/30/2007
Q: Just purchased an older home. At the front door there are two switches. One switch is for the porch ... A: It is becoming clearer. So let me see if I understand now. You have two switches next to each ...
room receptacles and lights	4/30/2007
Q: The power to one room in my double wide mobile home went out.No breaker was tripped.Replaced all ... A: It is not uncommon to find broken wires in the walls of mobile homes. This sounds like the classic ...
can i use a single pole switch with a three way switch	4/29/2007
Q: I have a power source going into box #1 from there it lights the fan and a second switch a light. ... A: Let me see if I understand what you have. You have a light switch that is turning on/off a ...
Add Ceiling Fan outlet to existing light switch	4/29/2007
Q: I have an existing circuit that controls a wall light. I would like to add a new run off of this ... A: This sounds like good news for you. What we need to do is establish what wire is hot all the time. ...
Wiring Exhaust Fan	4/29/2007
Q: I have a question regarding wiring a Panasonic FV-08VKS1 Exhaust fan that I just purchased. I tried ... A: As I understand you, there are three wires on your exhaust fan. Black, Red, and White. Does the ...
Pool Pump	4/29/2007
Q: I am in the process of buying an 18' above ground ground pool. They offer a 1.5 HP motor or a 1.0 ... A: Here are some of the answers to your questions: 1. Voltage supplied varies from region to region. ...
clicking sound from recessed lights	4/29/2007
Q: Our house was built two years ago. Towards the end of the building process, while I painting murals ... A: I am sorry, but I just laughed out loud at your last paragraph. Okay, the grounding is a serious ...
Wierd Problem - Please Read	4/29/2007
Q: I have a mobile home, '78 model. All at once, weird things started happening. I tested and found the ... A: Just to clarify, your whole system is single phase as opposed to three phase. But I understand what ...
two outlets, one switch	4/29/2007
Q: Just purchased an older home. At the front door there are two switches. One switch is for the porch ... A: I found this question in the question pool and thought I would give a stab at it. Right off the bat ...
Adding circuit for A/Cwith Heat	4/28/2007
Q: I am considering addng Air conditioning with a 15kw/240v heater coil. I currently have a single ... A: Rich, I would need to run a load calc on your house to be sure, but it sounds like your 125 amp ...
GFCI Circuit	4/28/2007
Q: I have a GFCI circuit that does not work. The GFCI receptacle does not work as well as three other ... A: Does the circuit with the GFCI protection have a GFCI breaker (in the circuit breaker panel), or ...
clicking sound from recessed lights	4/28/2007
Q: Our house was built two years ago. Towards the end of the building process, while I painting murals ... A: First off let me apologize on behalf of the brotherhood of electricians for the trouble and comments ...
Trouble with New Thermostat	4/28/2007
Q: I recently had a new thermostat installed for my 1st floor zone. We have 2 zone oil fired ... A: I love these kind of problems and wish I could be there to do it person. Right now I live on the ...
oven wiring	4/27/2007
Q: I have purchased an older Norge Wall oven with no wiring diagram. Problem: I have four wires and ... A: Okay, That eliminates the blue as ground. Some of the old ovens used a bluish/green for ground. ...
Questionable ground in three-prong outlets?	4/27/2007
Q: Greg, A house I'm renting has a mix of two- and three-prong outlets. All but one of the ... A: Chris, Yes, this is a possible safety hazard. It sounds like the ground wire has either come loose ...
220Volt-related question	4/27/2007
Q: I'm traveling to Europe, where they have 220V standard. All my electrical items are dual-voltage, ... A: Mike, it was Greg that answered. I found the question in the "question pool" and decided to answer. ...
Add Ceiling Fan outlet to existing light switch	4/27/2007
Q: I have an existing circuit that controls a wall light. I would like to add a new run off of this ... A: The first thing we need to do is find out what wires are present in the box that your switch is ...
400 amp or 2 200 amp	4/27/2007
Q: I currently have an upgraded 200 amp surface mount panel and meter, I was looking to upgrade to a ... A: I found this question in the question pool, and I have a few answers and a few questions. That 3500 ...
220Volt-related question	4/26/2007
Q: I'm traveling to Europe, where they have 220V standard. All my electrical items are dual-voltage, ... A: I found this question in the question pool and I applaud you for your understanding of electricity. ...
oven wiring	4/26/2007
Q: I have purchased an older Norge Wall oven with no wiring diagram. Problem: I have four wires and ... A: Wow, Norge takes me back a ways. I use to install those a looong time ago. Nowadays, the standard ...
Lighting Fixture	4/26/2007
Q: I just moved into a newly built condominium and am having trouble attaching a lighting fixture to ... A: Okay Cliff, You are welcome for the assistance. It looks like the orange wire in your ceiling box ...
Panelboxes	4/26/2007
Q: Panelboxes I am purchasing a house that was once two apartments, and need to convert back to one ... A: Dan, Your utility company should be involved in this because each meter has a limit on the ...
Panelboxes	4/26/2007
Q: Panelboxes I am purchasing a house that was once two apartments, and need to convert back to one ... A: Good question. First of all you will need to get the utility company involved in this. They will be ...
Furnace Wiring	4/26/2007
Q: Greg, Should my gas furnace be wired on its own circuit? Currently it has been wired on a circuit ... A: Well, technically yes all HVAC equipment need to be on individual branch circuits. Here is the ...
Lighting Fixture	4/26/2007
Q: I just moved into a newly built condominium and am having trouble attaching a lighting fixture to ... A: Awesome photos. I love technology. Okay, I have a good idea of what is going on but to make sure I ...
Non grounded outlets	4/26/2007
Q: I am buying a home built in 1945. The inspection revealed several non grounded outlets, several ... A: This is a question that is really hard to answer because there are so many factors that we cannot ...
chandelier wiring	4/25/2007
Q: I am trying to build a 5-bulb chandelier on an old metal wagon wheel for a rustic cabin I am ... A: I found this question in the "question pool" and thought I would at least give you a few tips. ...
Fridge circuit	4/25/2007
Q: Do I need to have a seperate circuit put in to add a refridgerator in my garage or can I use what is ... A: This depends on the circuit size and what you have on that circuit. I do not recommend having your ...
3-Way and 4-way switches	4/25/2007
Q: Ok, my lights at the top of my stairs have 3 switches for them.... two 3-way switches, and one 4-way ... A: This type of switching arrangement is awesome, until something goes wrong and then it can be very ...
installing a ceiling fan	4/25/2007
Q: I want to install a ceiling fan/light in a bedroom where no light fixture currently exists. There ... A: Karen, This is good news! The two black wires at the bottom of your switch are the "hot" wires. ...
3 way switch	4/25/2007
Q: My light on a three way quit working both switches. If one switch was bad would the other work? Or ... A: It is possible for one of your 3-way switches to go bad and the other switch could still work. But ...
Dual fuel stove	4/25/2007
Q: I have four wires from my new stove. Red, Black,White, Green Green is a ground, the Black & White go ... A: Joe, Another great question and I am glad I get the chance to address the whole 4 wire versus the 3 ...
feed capacity for detached garage	4/24/2007
Q: I want to add a sub feed to a new detached garage which is 30 feet from an existing 200 amp mobile ... A: Fred, Ah, power and lots of it in the garage; every man's dream. Your information generates too ...
installing a ceiling fan	4/24/2007
Q: I want to install a ceiling fan/light in a bedroom where no light fixture currently exists. There ... A: Karen, Good question. This is really a personal choice on whether to install another switch or use ...
Dead outlets	4/24/2007
Q: Last fall ran a new line out to my deck, this came from a box in my basement. The line out went to ... A: Marilyn, Great answers! This sounds like it was done correct except we need to put that outside ...
Dead outlets	4/24/2007
Q: Last fall ran a new line out to my deck, this came from a box in my basement. The line out went to ... A: I am sorry for your loss and I will do my best to help. First question I have is did you install a ...
home wiring	4/24/2007
Q: Four years ago we added on to our house and also redid our existing kitchen. The company who did ... A: This problem is more common than you might think. In my experience the number one cause of this is ...
electrical conduit in a pre-exisiting concrt. sub floor	4/23/2007
Q: We are installing an island in our kitchen and will need to get power to it in order to be within ... A: I found this question in the question pool and didn't want to leave you hanging. Yes, there is a ...
Clarification on Correct Grounding	4/22/2007
Q: I am building a new home, 200amp service, all underground with a meter pedestal. The electric ... A: How far is the pedestal from the house? Your neutral is bonded to ground at the main service panel. ...
Switching out light switches?	4/21/2007
Q: I just replaced my upstairs hall light switch with a new one and hooked it up exactly how it was ... A: Ah, you have just ran into a problem that plagues many DIY'ers trying to replace 3-way switches. ...
connecting internet	4/21/2007
Q: how could a person to connect Internet from home by using a telephone A: Your telephone line plugs into a modem that either plugs into your computer from the outside, or it ...
upgrade	4/19/2007
Q: an electric tanklesss water heater requires 200amp service. i just recently had my electric panel ... A: You can have two service panels from one meter. They must be right next to each other. Correct me ...
Residential New Construction - max # circuits	4/17/2007
Q: I am building a home (could eventually be 8000 sf+) and doing the electrical work myself, but I am ... A: Mike, I agree that dividing up 200 circuits can be a headache. But I strongly advise that you get a ...
3 vs. 4 wire 220 v. range duel fuel bosch	4/16/2007
Q: I have a gas range in 14 year old house. There is a 110 outlet behind stove for electric controls ... A: Todd, The safest thing to do in this situation would be to run new copper wiring to the oven. #8 ...
wiring 230V cooler with 3 wire connect from 2 wire source	4/16/2007
Q: I have a new walk in cooler that is 230V. the junction box has 3 wire connect, (red , black , ... A: This is a good question Mike. You say that you only have 2 wires available. Is there a ground ...
wiring 220v to shop	4/15/2007
Q: I have had a 12x24' shop version bldng brought in.It is prewired,for 220v with one 220v outlet,and ... A: I just read this post and see it is a few days old. The reason they leave the bonding strap on the ...
Wiring Installation	4/14/2007
Q: I have a Jenn Air downdraft cooktop, model 8430. There are four wires connecting to the cooktop: ... A: I found this question in the "question pool" and I see it is a little old. I am not sure if you have ...
Replaced a thermostat	4/10/2007
Q: Hey Don, I am looking to replace an analog thermostat with a digital one. I went to Lowe's and ... A: I found this question in the question pool and even though it is older it is a good chance to ...

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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