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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
Is a 230 volt motor cheaper to run than a 115 volt?
Yes, a 230 volt motor is generally more efficient and cheaper to run compared to a 115 volt motor. Higher voltage motors are more energy efficient because they draw less current, resulting in lower energy costs over time.
Why doesn't electricity travel down metal utility poles?
The wires that carry electricity are not in contact with the poles, isolated by insulated "bell" spacers and by physical separation.
The poles are conductive, as evidenced by lightning hitting them. But they are well grounded and sturdy enough to withstand the strikes. However, a bolt can create inductance that temporarily affects the current flowing through the wires.
Can you use the old ceiling fan?
It's best to evaluate the condition of the old ceiling fan before use. Check for any visible damage, ensure it is properly secured to the ceiling, and test the fan to see if it operates smoothly and quietly. If there are any concerns about safety or performance, it may be best to replace it.
Does electricity flow through iron?
Electromagnets are magnets that are powered by electric currents. An electromagnet is usually more powerful than a permanent magnet that does not use electricity because the strength of an electromagnet can be increased by adding additional material, such as more wire or a bigger core, and the magnetic field can be concentrated using wire coils around the core.
i hope this did help
How do you install a chandelier with 2 no color wires and the ceiling has red white and black?
If the situation is exactly as you described it, you call a licensed electrician! I'm totally serious.
As you describe the situation, you have 220 wiring from the ceiling, and a 110V chandelier. Get an electrician to sort that one out!
How do you run a 480 volt welder on a 230 volt hookup?
Yes. With SOME, you may need a motor-generator set, or an inverter, to convert the single-phase power to three-phase power....
Some more modern 3-phase welders will operate directly on single-phase, because they're inverter-type units already.
Many 'classic' transformer-based industrial welders can be made to operate easily off single phase power, at full output using the "Haas-Kamp Conversion". Do a web-search for Haas-Kamp and your welder's brand and model- if it's a popular welder, someone has probably already done it.
To calculate amperage, use the formula: Amperage = Wattage / Voltage. For a household appliance with a wattage of 720 and a standard voltage of 120 volts, the amperage would be 6 amps. (720 watts / 120 volts = 6 amps).
Why do bulb filament not burn?
The filament does not "burn", it just glows brightly. If some air were present in the bulb - as sometimes happens if a light bulb gets knocked and gets even a tiny crack in its glass bulb - then the oxygen present in ordinary air will quickly make the filament burn away.
For more information see the answer to the Related question sghown below.
How many terminals are in 3 phase?
There are usually 3 or 4 terminals. If only 3, then each wire is hot with respect to ground. If there are 4, then one wire is considered neutral.
Why use 3 wire plus ground home wiring?
Generally Black is considered L1. Red is considered L2. White is considered Neutral and Green is Ground.
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As always, if you are in doubt about what to do, the best advice anyone should give you is to call a licensed electrician to advise what work is needed.
Before you do any work yourself,
on electrical circuits, equipment or appliances,
always use a test meter to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
No, you cannot use an existing 8 3 wire hooked to a 30amp breaker for a heater that requires 10 2 wire. The wire gauge and breaker size need to match the specific requirements of the new heater to ensure safety and proper function. You will need to upgrade the wiring to accommodate the 10 2 wire needed for the 5000-watt 240-volt heater.
Why is silver not used in household wiring?
Silver is not commonly used in household wiring because it is more expensive than other metals like copper and aluminum. Additionally, silver has a higher resistance to corrosion, making it less practical for everyday applications. Copper and aluminum are preferred for their cost-effectiveness and reliable conductivity.
What common metals are used for electrical wiring?
Copper and aluminum (or copper clad with aluminum) are often used in wiring. New aluminum connection is now limited to use service-connections by some electrical codes and can no longer be installed for branch circuit wiring.
Does salt water flowing through a pipe constitute an electric current?
No, salt water flowing through a pipe by itself does not constitute an electric current. Electric current requires the movement of charged particles, such as electrons, in a closed circuit. Salt water can conduct electricity only if there are free ions present in the water to carry the charge.
How do you tell what gauge wire you have in your house?
The wire sheathing itself is usually marked. e.g. 14 CU 2 or 14/2 CU will indicate 14 gauge 2-wire (+ ground) copper (CU being the symbol for copper on the periodic table). For 15amp circuits you will likely has 14 gauge wire with most of that being 14/2 (Usually white, black, and bare copper).
Can you wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit?
No, you cannot wire a 120 volt ballast to a 347 volt circuit. The ballast is designed to operate at a specific voltage, in this case 120 volts, and connecting it to a higher voltage circuit like 347 volts can damage the ballast and pose a safety hazard. It is important to match the voltage rating of the ballast to the circuit it will be connected to.
When a circuit breaker trips in what position will you find the operating handle?
The operating handle will be found in mid throw. On smaller type electrical breakers there is a small trip indicator window and a red flag will be visible when the breaker has tripped. On larger physical size breakers you will definitely see that the handle is not in the off or on position. To reset any size breaker move the handle to the full off position. You might hear a click but you will definitely feel the internal mechanism re-latch to the off position. This has reset the breaker, move the handle to the on position and normal electrical power will have been restored. If you get an instantaneous trip after a reset do not try and reset the breaker again. Find the cause of the short circuit and get it repaired. Constant and repetitive resetting will destroy the breaker and increase the temperature of the short circuit. If the short circuit is in a highly combustive area this is not good. Find the problem and get it repaired.
How much electrical wiring is copper?
Most electrical wiring is made of copper due to its high conductivity and flexibility. Copper is preferred for electrical wiring as it can efficiently carry electricity while being durable and resistant to corrosion. However, there are also some electrical wiring products made from aluminum, which is a less expensive alternative with slightly different properties.
What effect would occur if the intermediate switch were replaced by a double-pole switch?
This looks like a question that has come out of the middle of a conversation. Us poor guys trying to answer the question don't have any context. We don't know what the intermediate switch is; or anything else about the system. You can always use just one side of a two pole switch to replace a single pole switch.
Can lithium batteries be recharged?
Yes, lithium batteries can be recharged multiple times. The process involves connecting the battery to a charging device that provides the necessary electrical energy to reverse the chemical reactions that occur during discharge, thereby restoring the battery's energy capacity for future use.
Where does earthing current go?
Earthing current flows through the earth to provide a safe path for electrical faults to return to the ground. This helps stabilize the electrical system and prevents the risk of electric shocks or fires by ensuring excess current does not flow through people or equipment.
What are advantages of three phase ac and a single phase ac?
In a typical 3 phase system you have multiple voltages and configurations that can be used in either single phase or 3 phase, depending on how the circuit is designed. A single phase system is just single phase. You can have multiple voltages but it is always single phase.
For example, in a typical 277/480v 3 phase system you can power 277v single phase lighting or equipment, 480v single phase lighting or equipment (which uses 2 legs of the 3 phase system but operates like any other single phase circuit), or 480v 3 phase motors.
When comparing motors, a 3 phase motor will be substantially smaller than a single phase motor of the same horsepower. You can also reverse a 3 phase motor by switching any 2 leads. A single phase AC motor runs in one direction regardless of how the leads are connected.
AnswerFor a given load, a three-phase transmission system requires less volume of copper in terms of conductor size, compared to single phase, so it is more economical to use three-phase.
Is there a ground wire connected to the fan controller relay?
This question cannot be answered without further information.
Please ask this question again and be sure to say where the fan controller relay is fitted: is it in a car or other vehicle? It in a home? What make is it?
If ceiling box has grey purple and yellow wires Which is 'black'and Which is 'white'?
Be careful. Grey and yellow wires are typically used on 277/480v systems. Confirm you have the right voltages before connecting your equipment.
If wired in a typical manner, the yellow wire is your hot (black) and grey is your neutral (white). The purple may be a hot or may be a switch leg or serve some other purpose. I suggest if you can't confirm this information you hire someone to do it for you. You might get yourself hurt or dead or start a fire.
Why the neutral cable takes high current than the phase lines in three phase installation?
In a balanced three-phase system, the current in the neutral wire should ideally be minimal as the three phase conductors carry equal and opposite currents that cancel out in the neutral wire. However, if the loads are unbalanced, the neutral wire may have higher current due to the uneven distribution of power among the phases. This can happen when loads on each phase are different or when single-phase loads are connected between a phase and neutral, leading to increased neutral current.
