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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
What type of light contains a filament?
All kinds of incandescent lamp, and all types of light bulb contains filament. But there are several kinds of filament applied each type of light bulb.
How do you use a 240 volt dryer in 120 volt wiring I do not want to use a converter box?
For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.
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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.
What is the electrical resistance of 18 awg copper wire?
18 AWG copper wire is equivalent to 0.75mm2 nominal. The resistance of a particular copper wire depends on a number of factors like ambient temperature, the type and number of strands of conductor, when plated, the type of plating metal (e.g. tin, silver), etc.
A good value to use for solid #18 AWG copper is 21.8 ohms/km.
Please see the useful Related Link link below.
Is direct electric current used in transformers?
no direct current is not used in transformers. the reason is that, if dc is used, there would be no counter emf to oppose it in the primary winding.
since the constant flux will be flowing in the dc, there would be no rate of change of flux. as a result, the total current will be applied at the primary winding only. this results in the burning of the total primary winding.
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The practical application is:
If transformer input is DC, transformer output is smoke.
What is the procedure in chasing an outlet?
I am assuming you are trying to find all outlets that are connected together in a circuit. The easiest way is to have a tone generator. They make a few different kinds. In one you plug in a tone generator that is built into a standard AC plug and you can put the receiver at the electric panel to locate the breaker that controls that outlet and you would do this for all outlets by "Toning Out" each outlet in question.
In another method you connect a tone generator to any outlet and then use the receiver to see which other outlets have the tone present. In this method you should turn off the power to the outlet you are using as the starting point.
If you have no tone generator you can turn off breaker for the outlet where you will start and use a volt meter to find all other outlets that are off.
You can get a good toner for $20 to $30.
Is it hazzardous to turn a light on and off by just loosening it from the socket?
Switching light on/off through loosening from socket is not advisable. Light bulb can reach at temperature between 200-260 degrees Celsius and it can be hazardous in physical contact.
What color is used for phasing medium voltage?
In the electrical trade, there is no such thing as "medium" voltage. Line voltage is broken down into "low" and "high". Low line voltage is 220/110 volt power. In a single phase supply the only required colors are white or grey for the neutral or grounded conductor and green or bare copper for the earth ground, or grounding conductor.
In three phase power supplies, low line voltage (220/110) is marked : Phase A -black, Phase B - red, Phase C - blue.
In three phase high line voltage (480/277) conductors are marked : A -brown, B - orange
C - yellow. Neutrals are still marked white or grey. White is normally used for low voltage neutrals and grey for high voltage neutrals.
In the trade, "low voltage" is considered circuits below 50 volt, such as 12 and 24 volt control circuits, fire alarm, etc.
Where can employees find information on health and safety while at work?
Ask your supervisor or manager, safety specialist, or human relations person. Also look at the Safety Data Sheets for the materials that are used in your workplace, and at the writen procedures that have been established by your employer with regard to safety in the workplace and safe work practices.
What precautions should you take when using mains electrical equipment?
As an electrician you definitely use precautions around electricity to avoid getting shocked or electrocuted. Here are some precautions I use:
- If at all possible make sure the power is turned off.
- When the circuit breaker is turned off put a 'lock' on the breaker box and warning note to keep others from turning the power back on.
- If you can't turn the power off, make sure you are not grounded. Use rubber covered tools. Rubber sole shoes.
- If you can't turn the power off, work on each electrical wire separately. Capping or tapping the wire you are not using while you work on the hot wire.
- If you have to pull a flat bladed fuse from a fuse box use a specially built 'fuse puller'.
- If you can't turn the power off, use a 'Electrical Tick Detector' to make sure there is no power in the wires.
- There is a 'Circuit Breaker' finder if you don't know which breaker to turn off. You plug the 3 pronged insert into the receptacle then use the electrical wand to locate the breaker.
- There is a device for checking GFCI receptacles to make sure they are working properly.
shutting up
If a motor has 3 red wires and 3 black wires coming from the windings what phase is it?
It would help to know the voltage of the motor. See related links below for motor connections.
What are the hazards when carrying out a Megger test?
On the whole megger testing is non destructive. What happens is a DC voltage is applied to the device or winding under test. It is an insulation test to see is the insulation has been injured in any way to cause a short circuit when normal power is applied to it. On my megger there are 3 ranges 300V, 750V, and 1000 volts. Applying the proper voltage is essential to not damaging the device you are testing. Working voltages up to 240 volts should use the 300 range. Working voltages up to 600 volts use the 750 volt range and working voltages above 600 use the 1000 volt range. As you can see if you used the 1000 volt range on a device that had a working voltage of say 24 volts you could damage the insulation just by testing it. So meggering a device is non destructive if you use the tester as its instructions tell you to.
How can i Obtain 3 phase secondary service from single phase primary from the utility?
Often the advantages of three-phase power for motors and other 3 phase equipment make it worthwhile to convert single-phase to three phase power. Rural business or farm properties, and urban residential area power consumers, may not have access to a 3 phase supply, or may not want to pay for the extra cost of a 3 phase service, but may still wish to use three-phase equipment. Some of such 3 phase converters may also allow the frequency (see also frequency converters) to be varied allowing for different equipment frequency requirements (50Hz, 60Hz, 400Hz, etc.) and also for motor speed control (VFDs). Some locomotives are driven by 3-phase motors with 3 phase converters converted from the incoming supply of either DC or 1 phase AC. The two main types of 1 phase to 3 phase converters are Rotary Phase Converters and Static Phase Converters. Read below for more about 3 phase converters.
There is a big difference between phase converter types available on the market today. Most 3 phase converterssold by companies today do not produce actual balanced 3 phase power. This is why is very important to select a 3 phase generating phase converter which will run on single phase power and generate true balanced smooth 3 phase power. Below is a comparison of several technologies available today.
3 Phase Converter Types and Comparison Good old fashioned research will help guide you to make sure that you are able to get the proper product to give you balanced 3 phase power. The US Phase Converter Standards Organization has some excellent guides to help choose the appropriate technology for your need comparing them side by side. Check out their Phase Converter Type Comparison Chart to read about the strengths and weaknesses of each type side by side with their ratings on quality, durability, safety, and 3 phase power quality produced.
on the line side.
Answer for countries in Europe and other world areas running a 50 Hz supply service.
A 3 phase service allows three times the power to be supplied for a given conductor (cable) size. Each phase is at 230V to earth/neutral and 400V between phases. Common single phase standard domestic installations rated at 100 amps provide a total aailable power of 100A x 230V = 23,000 watts. (23 kilowatts)
Using the same size cable, a 100A three-phase installation has three service lines, each rated at 100A, making a total of 300A, at the same voltage, meaning that the total power available is 300A x 230 v = 69,000 watts. (69 kW) .
Alternatively the three-phase load can be connected between the live wires (delta connection), with 400 v across the lines. With the same 100 amp current in the supply lines, the current in each of the three loads is now 58 amps and the maximum power remains 69 kW.
This amount of power is often required for industrial and/or commercial installations, or perhaps domestic installations where a heavy load is connected.
It should be noted that the current carrying capacity of wire depends only on its size and is the same for all voltages and phases.
What does wired in series mean?
when you hook two batteries together and keep the same voltage by connecting the POS post of batt #1 to POS post of batt #2 and the NEG post of batt #1 to the NEG post of batt #2. this will give you 12 volts of power for a longer duration.
The same thing happened to mine so I took it apart and figured out it was the gear so that's what I think it is.
Q=CV, with Q=(5x10) = 50 Coulombs, and C=5x10^-6 Farads,
therefore: 50 = 5x10^-6 x V
V = 50 / (5x10^-6) = 10,000,000 Volts.
Seems like rather a lot! Maybe there's a typo in the question? Either way, use Q=CV to give the right answer.
is this right seems rather high to (50 volts?)
What does the National Electric Code - NEC - say about socket outlets under a window?
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 and to advise you what you may be allowed to do yourself. 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.
How do you wire a 220 volt two speed pump?
In certain cities specifically - and in many countries generally - any work on circuits carrying mains service voltages as high as 220V to 240V is considered to be unsafe to do unless you are a licensed electrician.
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Not only unsafe but also it is illegal in all states of Australia.
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If you're asking this question you shouldn't be installing an electrical service.
This type of question usually means you aren't ready to do this yourself. Study some electrical training material and the National Electrical Code or call a professional electrician.
If someone were to give you a more detailed answer here, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing, and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or their life.
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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.
If you do this work yourself, always turn off the power
at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work
AND
always use an electricians test meter having metal-tipped probes
(not a simple proximity voltage indicator)
to insure 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.
What is the required panel space clearance as per the National Electrical Code NEC?
By asking this question you probably aren't quite ready to take on this particular task. If you do get an answer here, you might attempt to do something you shouldn't be doing and that may cost someone a shock, a home fire, or even their life. Really, don't do this one yourself. Electricity is far too dangerous to handle if you have not been trained how to do this work. If you put just one wire in the wrong place you risk being killed by electrocution or you could even start a house fire. <><><> Find and read some books about electrical wiring and appliances and how to install them safely, and find out about your local Wiring Codes and Regulations. 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 and if you would be allowed to do it yourself.
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.
Who is responsible for using electricity?
TESLA, but EDISON took the credit for it because he had financial support before TESLA
What does 'cross phase' mean for a 3-phase electrical supply?
The following is pretty colorful but in reality you will see nothing as the safety equipment stipulated by the electrical code trips the circuit open before any serious damage is done. On a circuit that has tripped on a ground or phase fault the first thing to be done is isolate the circuit using lock out procedure. The trouble shooting equipment used is a megger. Once the fault is located and repaired, the circuit is re fused or the breaker reset, power turned on and an amperage reading is taken. If all the equipment is within the manufactures specifications the circuit is signed of as operational. To quote Billy Mays "KABOOM!". For any two or more phases to make mechanical contact in a three phase electrical system creates the ultimate dead short. This results in an immediate explosion with an arc flash brighter than the surface of the sun and a complete meltdown of the conductors and equipment. Simply put, you don't want to cross phases or allow them to make contact in any single or three phase system. This is the worst thing any electrician can do.
