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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
Is it OK illegal or dangerous to connect the neutral to ground to make the circuit work?
If you have to connect the neutral to ground to make the circuit work then you have an open neutral in your circuit. Be careful in handling the neutral as there can be voltage potential on the neutral if a load is connected. In a properly wired home that has been inspected by the local electrical inspector the neutral should be bonded to the ground at the main service distribution point. There will be a green screw that projects through the neutral bus and is threaded into the back of the electrical panel. This should be the one and only place in the whole electrical system where this neutral to ground connection takes place. Dangerous!!!!! The ground is the safety to prevent you from getting shocked due to a malfunctioning piece of equipment. By using the ground for a neutral you will be energizing the entire ground system of you house or business. Thus anything with metal on it and a ground wire going to it will be electrified if the ground fails at the breaker box or building ground rod. Do you want to take this risk? Not I..........
Can you run a 208 volt oven on 220?
Yes. This is the same standard. The terms 208 and 220 mean the same thing, much like household voltage is sometimes called 110 or 120.
Do black lights use more electricity than regular bulbs?
Black lights typically use the same amount of electricity as regular bulbs of the same wattage. The difference is in the type of light they emit: black lights emit ultraviolet (UV) light, which is not visible to the human eye but can make certain materials glow.
What size ground wire for a 200 amp service panel to the water meter?
For a 200 amp service panel to the water meter, it is recommended to use a 4 AWG copper wire or 2 AWG aluminum wire as the ground wire. This will provide sufficient grounding capacity for the service panel and meet code requirements. Be sure to check local electrical codes for specific requirements in your area.
How do you add another porch light to an existing switch?
Piggyback off the box for the existing light. Run a wire from the existing junction box to a new junction box (which is placed wherever you want the new fixture). Then, in the existing box, connect the wire coming from the switch, the wire for the existing fixture, and the wire for the new fixture together using wire nuts. Wire up the new fixture, and presto, you have two fixtures on a switch where there was only one before.
In a 3 phase 3 wire system what is the polarity of each conductor?
In a 3-phase 3-wire system, each conductor does not have a fixed polarity. The phase relationship between the conductors determines the direction of current flow, which can change over time as the phases alternate.
What is is the formula for calculating the full load current of 23KVA generator?
to calculate the motor full load current one should know motor power factor, supply voltage and phase of supply. Assuming your motor is with 0.85 pf and 3 phase, 415V source then P = (Sqrt3)*V*I*pf 18500 = 1.732*415*0.85*I hence I = 30.2A
How do you stop a buzzing 12 volt transformer?
To stop a buzzing 12-volt transformer, check if it's properly grounded and that all connections are secure. Consider installing vibration-dampening materials or isolating the transformer from other components to reduce the noise. If the buzzing persists, it may indicate a faulty transformer that should be replaced.
What are the color codes and pin connections for the wires in electrical extension cords?
In a cord or flex for a small electrical appliance there is always a "Hot" or "Live wire, a "Neutral" wire and maybe also a "Ground" or "Earth" wire.
The "Hot" or "Live" wire is colored:
* Black in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.
* Brown in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC
power system.
The "Neutral wire is colored:
* White in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.
* Blue in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power
system.
The "Grounding" or "Earth" wire is colored:
* Green in a cord or flex in the US, Canada and other countries using a similar 60 Hz household AC power system.
* Green and Yellow in Europe and other countries using a similar 50 Hz household AC power system.
For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.
Answer for USA, Canada and countries running a 60 Hz supply service.
If you are constructing an extension cord make sure that the ends go on the right end of the cable. Match the wire end when looking at it, to the proper pin configuration of the plug. Looking at the plug from the blade side directly on you should see a larger blade (silver) on the right, smaller (brass) blade on the left and a U shaped ground blade on the bottom. The white wire connects under the right (silver) coloured screw, the black wire connects under the left (brass) coloured screw and the green wire under the green ground screw. Looking at the end of the cable it should be matched to this configuration. If it doesn't, look at the other end of the cable. No wires should cross when connecting to the blades on the plug, if they do you have the wrong end of the cable.
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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.
How high above ground should wires be installed?
At least 14ft and above. Consider the height of the garbage truck.
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The following refers to supply service conductors. No attachment point shall exceed 30 feet. Across highways, streets, lanes and alleys not less than 18 feet. Across driveways to residential garages not less than 14 feet. Across driveways to commercial and industrial premises not less than 16 feet. And across ground accessible to pedestrians only not less than 11 feet. Primary conductors clearances are; 2.5 to 23 Kv clearance is 20 feet, 34.5 Kv clearance is 22 feet, 46 Kv clearance is 23 feet, and 69 KV clearance is 25 feet.
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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.
How many watts does a light bulb need to be to make eggs hatch?
You need an hen to hatch the egg not the bulb. Jokes apart if you want simulate warm condition suitable for an egg to hatch, you need to first know the right temperature required to hatch an egg. Then you need to get a suitable incandscent bulb of suitable wattage. It may be little higher than the body temperature of the hen.
How do you wire 6 batteries together to make 9 volts?
It depends on what you want to do with the batteries. They can be connected in series to give you a total of 12 VDC. In a series connection a jumper is required between battery one's negative post to battery number two's positive post. If you want to increase the amp hours delivered at 6VDC they can be connected in parallel. In a parallel connection two jumpers are required. Battery one's negative post to battery two's negative post. Likewise the same procedure with the positive posts.
What causes an aircraft to build up a static electrical charge?
As the aircraft travels at high speeds through the air, friction between the air and the body of the aircraft create charge. This is why aircraft's have special rubber wheels which contain a conducting material, to release the charge into the ground when they land.
Will circuit breaker cause voltage drop in outlet?
A breaker is a current activated device.
New to these forums so, not sure on the etiquette of improving the answer above. I didn't see a button to provide a second answer. That being said;
While the breaker reacts to current and not Voltage, Voltage drop to a motor load will cause that motor to draw more current, which can trip the breaker. The higher current draw will also create more Voltage drop, etc. Your best bet is just to stay within the industry standard of 3% drop for feeders, 5% for branch circuits. If this question doesn't involve motors, then Voltage drop outside tolerance will eventually cause the device to malfunction, depending on the severity of the drop, but won't effect the circuit breaker.
What happens when incoming 3 phase line is reduced to 1 or 2 phase?
Reducing a 3-phase line to 1 or 2 phases can lead to unbalanced voltages and currents in the system, potentially causing issues such as overheating of equipment, reduced power quality, and inefficient operation of three-phase motors. It can also result in uneven distribution of power among the phases, which may affect the overall performance and stability of the electrical system.
Yes, in most cases, the ribbed wire is the neutral wire for appliances with non-color coded wires. However, it is always best to consult the installation manual for your specific dishwasher to confirm which wire is the neutral wire before making any connections. If you have doubts, consider contacting a professional electrician for assistance.
What causes the voltage to drop at your light switch to 105v?
when you turn on a switch, you unbalance the circuit momentairly, thus dropping the voltage. it should recover in a few seconds. if not you might consider putting that switch and it's connected load on a separate circuit. if the switch and connected load are a good distance from it's power source, the voltage may be lower than at the source. the longer the wire, the lower the voltage
What is the red wire in a 4 wire electric cord?
there is 1 black, 1 red, 1 white and 1 green in a 4 wire cord. the black and red are "hot wires"they carry power to the appliance. white wire returns unused electricity to the source. the green wire is the ground, most important wire in the cable. make very sure it's properly connected. if your cord has other colors than the above, THROW IT AWAY
What is the difference between 208 volt and 220 volt power?
The main difference between the two voltages is that the 208 volts is a three phase voltage and 220 volts in North America is a single phase voltage. If you operate a 220 volt motor on 208 volts the current will be 5% higher that the motor's nameplate rating. If the load is resistive and you operate a 220 volt baseboard heater on 208 volts the true heater wattage will not be reached because of Ohm's law. Current is directly proportional to the applied voltage and inversely proportional to the resistance in the circuit. The following statement is not true as many motors will have the two voltages on the motor's nameplate.
You can operate a 208 volt motor or appliance on 240 volt, but that will decrease life expectancy by 50%.
Yes, a 6 gauge 4 conductor wire is suitable for installing a 240V 50A hot tub more than 50 ft away from the main panel. The heavier gauge wire is necessary to minimize voltage drop over longer distances and ensure the proper power supply for the hot tub. Be sure to follow local electrical codes and consult with a professional electrician for a safe installation.
How do you convert a one phase outlet to a three phase outlet to run my 3phase stove?
A three-phase service comprises three separate single phases. If you have a new branch circuit installed it can be connected to any one of the 3-phase lines and the neutral bus bar. That would be a single phase circuit and would have its own correctly-sized breaker, wiring and outlet(s).
IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO THIS JOB
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS. 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
to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
How do you convert a 4 prong GE dryer power cord to a 3 prong dryer power cord?
There were very important safety reasons why 4 prong outlets were brought in instead of the old-fashioned 3 prong outlets, which had neutral connected directly to ground at the appliance.
The only safe place to connect the neutral wires in a building to the safety ground wires is upstream of all the circuit breakers and fuses, which means it should only be done inside your main breaker panel, nowhere else.
So you can connect your new dryer as safely as possible, the preferred method is to get your existing 3 prong outlet converted to an up-to-date 4 prong outlet which has two hot prongs and a neutral prong plus a separate ground prong.
Connect the green and white wires together on the center connection. The black and red wires are connected to the same outside connecters as the 4 wire configuration.
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For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.
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 can you do to connect an old dryer with 3 wires to a new house 4 wire outlet?
You can replace the old 3-wire cord on the dryer with a new 4-wire cord that matches the outlet in the new house. This involves connecting the green ground wire to the dryer's chassis, the neutral wire to the center terminal, and the two hot wires to the outer terminals. Make sure to follow all safety guidelines and, if in doubt, consult a professional electrician.
What is the amp rating for a 3 wire?
The amperage rating of any wire or conductor is determined by its size or gauge. It has nothing to do with whether it is a two, three or four conductor wire. For example, in basic residential wiring, a 14 gauge wire is rated at 15 amps, a 12 gauge wire is rated at 20 amps, a # 10 is rated for 30A and so forth.
In a 120V 24A circuit what amp fuse is needed to protect it?
A 30A fuse would be appropriate to protect a 120V 24A circuit, as fuses are typically chosen to be slightly higher than the circuit load to prevent nuisance tripping.
