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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
What is the color of a ground wire?
Answer for USA, Canada and other countries using similar 60Hz household electricity supplies "Ground or "earth" wire has green insulation or is just bare uninsulated copper wire. <><><> Answer for Europe and other countries using similar 50Hz household electricity supplies "Earth" or "ground" wire has green/yellow striped insulation or is just bare uninsulated copper wire which should always have a green/yellow striped insulation sleeve put over it when it comes into any terminal boxes or plugs.
What happens when you add electrons to an uncharged object?
When you add electrons to an uncharged object, the object becomes negatively charged. Electrons are negatively charged particles, so adding them increases the overall negative charge of the object. This can lead to the object exhibiting static electricity phenomena or being attracted to positively charged objects.
Can you show me a diagram for connecting a 240v generator to the breaker panel in a home?
A generator, whether portable or permanently installed, requires a transfer switch between it and your panel. The transfer switch is there to keep two power sources from being turned on at the same time (such as the generator and your incoming service). If you didn't have a transfer switch and both sources were connected to the panel at the same time, when the power grid came back up it would be connected to the generator, and that would cause fire and explosion. Also, when the grid was out and a lineman was trying to fix it, your generator would be 'backfeeding' power to the grid, either keeping linemen from working on it or worse, coming online after a worker has started repairing it. For these reasons a generator and transfer switch should be installed by a licensed electrician. If you want to do it yourself anyway, buy a transfer switch. It will come with installation instructions to put it between your generator and panel. DON'T put a 50 amp 'multipurpose receptacle' onto your panel and backfeed the panel. It's neither legal nor safe, and it can get people killed.
<><><> 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 electrician's 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.
Is a separate ground wire required for each circuit in a conduit?
No, a single ground wire can be used for multiple circuits in a conduit as long as it meets the sizing requirements based on the largest circuit conductor in the conduit. The ground wire provides a path for fault current to safely return to the source in case of a fault or short circuit.
How does current flow positive to negative or negative to positive?
In the discharge from a primary cell (direct current), electrons flow from the negative anode (releases electrons) to the positive cathode (receives electrons).
In alternating current, the flow reverses many times a second, so no positive or negative terminal applies.
What are things like batteries which provide energy called?
Devices like batteries that provide energy are generally known as power sources or energy sources. They convert stored energy into electrical energy that can be used to power various devices or systems.
What are the three wires of track lighting?
The three wires of track lighting are the hot wire (typically black or red), the neutral wire (typically white), and the ground wire (typically green or bare copper). The hot wire carries the electrical current, the neutral wire completes the circuit, and the ground wire provides safety by redirecting any excess electricity.
What causes my lights in a room to not turn on?
One very common reason why the lights in a room don't turn on when you flip the light switch is this: when an old light bulb fails - this usually happens just when you switch it on - the excess current causes the lighting circuit's circuit breaker to trip to shut off the current.
To get the other lights to come on you must locate the tripped breaker in your breaker box and turn it back on.
The old light bulb can then be replaced - but, before you unscrew the old bulb, always remember to switch off the lights off first!
<><><>
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.
Does every conductor resist the flow of electricity?
All conductors resist current flow to a certain degree. Even superconductors lead a few electrons astray. Really it is the energy flowing. Being transferred between atoms. The electrons hang around the local neighborhood while the energy imparted to the wire goes from place to place.
Where can I find a wiring diagram for an AIR WELL heat pump model SPG?
You can typically find wiring diagrams for specific heat pump models in the manufacturer's product documentation or on their website. If you are unable to locate it there, you may want to contact the manufacturer directly for assistance.
Why does your socket have a blue flash?
A socket should not make blue flashes. You may see one little blue flash when you first plug or unplug a device but anything more than that is not acceptable. The blue flash is called an electric arc. It is electricity jumping through the air. This spark is hot and is the reason for many house fires.
<><><>
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.
Should you install a heating device in the ceiling or near the door?
Is this an either/or question, or a "Should I do this or not" question? What would make the most sense would be to install your heat source as close to the floor and as far from the door as possible. Since the heat rises, this would provide the most efficient heating of the room while preventing the loss of heat from drafts by the doorway.
As a minimum you need to run #10-2 AWG or 10-3AWG. (The extra wire is a Neutral for 110 Volts). You may want to use #8 AWG to make up for voltage drop if you are using something power intensive and it is a long cable run. <><><> You should also install a Ground wire and a GFCI to help to protect persons using the kiln from electrocution.
Also ensure the correctly-sized circuit breakers are installed to protect the new circuit from catching on fire if there is a short circuit or some other type of current overload fault condition develops. <><><>
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 electrician's 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.
For countries in Europe and other world areas running a 50 Hz supply service.
The answer to your question is rather straightforward. The "Sw" connection is used for a "two-way switch" configuration. If you don't have another switch controlling the same light (as is usual on a staircase) then don't use this connection on the dimmer switch.
The "arrow with a wave" is the "Switched Live" connection. This provides live power service to your light fitting.
Since the dimmer switch doesn't require a connection to the "neutral" wire - nowadays a wire covered in blue-coloured pvc insulation - or, in old wiring, with black insulation - you must ensure that the circuit is completed by connecting the neutral wire from the incoming service to the neutral wire from your light fitting - nowadays a wire covered in blue-coloured pvc insulation - or, in old wiring, with black insulation . Ensure this is done correctly and safely using an insulated connector block.
BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO DO THIS WORK, ALWAYS SWITCH OFF THE LIGHTING CIRCUIT AT THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BOX OR, ON OLDER WIRING SYSTEMS, THE MAIN FUSE BOX!
1. For a 1-way installation: connect the live service wire - nowadays a brown insulated wire - or, in old wiring, a red wire - to the "L" (common) connection on the dimmer switch and the brown (or red) wire from the light fitting to the dimmer's "arrow with a wave" connection.
2. Ensure that the neutral connection (as described above) is correctly made.
3. Always connect the earth wire - nowadays a green/yellow wire - or just plain green in old wiring - to the brass earth terminal in the wall box, if there is one (but there may not be one in an old wiring system) and always be sure to connect any green/yellow (or plain green in old wiring) earth wire coming from the light fitting either into that earth terminal in the wall box or use a separate insulated connector block. Often the dimmer switch itself does not have any connection for an earth wire but, if it does, an insulated green/yellow earth wire should go to that as well.
It's as simple as that! Happy DIY'ing........
Warning
Because you needed to ask this question here, you do not have quite enough knowledge to be safe. Be aware that you are working with voltages that could injure or kill you if you don't know how to do this job safely!
Trying to answer this question without personally seeing what you are trying to describe is a recipe for disaster. There are too many things that could be misinterpreted.
<><><>
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 insulation contact recessed lighting?
Insulation contact recessed lighting refers to a type of light fixture that is designed to be in direct contact with insulation in the ceiling without creating a fire hazard. This type of lighting is specifically rated and tested to ensure that it can be safely installed in insulated ceiling spaces without causing overheating or fire risks.
When the off peak meter is on the off mode is there still power to it?
That will depend on your utility. Some off peak meters are on time switches and do not work at all during the day while other utilities just charge you more during peak times than they do during off-peak times.
Watts and amps measure different things, and they cannot be converted as asked. Watts measures power. Volts measures voltage and amps is a measure of current. The three electrical parameters are related by this formula: Power (watts) = volts times amps. If you know the voltage, then you can find the watt-to-amp ratio.
Can you connect a power socket to a light connection?
The answer is NO. A lighting circuit may not be able to supply the current draw of appliances which need to be plugged into a power socket.
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By asking this question you are probably not quite ready to take on this particular task.
You may or may not get lucky and receive some information in an answer here!
If you hope to get enough information on this site to be able to do this job properly and safely, please do not rely on getting accurate information about such a potentially dangerous subject.
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.
How to do this job depends entirely on the Wiring Codes or Regulations for the locality (Town/State) and on the exact location of the outlets you wish to install. If it is anywhere that is subject to water splashes or spray - such as in any room supplied with running water pipes, like a kitchen, bathroom, shower room, etc., or in a pool-side area - in many places nowadays it is actually illegal to attempt to do this kind of work unless you are already a licensed electrician.
If you don't want to go to your local library or bookstore - to find and read some books about electrical wiring and appliances and how to install them safely, and to find out about your local Wiring Codes and Regulations - then the best advice anyone should give to you is to call a licensed electrician either to do the job for you or to advise you what you may be allowed to do yourself.
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 electrician's test meter having metal-tipped probes
(not a simple proximity voltage indicator)
to insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
In most cases it doesn't matter, but some appliances like a light dimmer will not work correctly otherwise. If it is a electronic device it will have a capacitor between signal ground and neutral. Faulty wiring will make it possible to get small (non lethal) shocks by touching earth and signal ground or introduce hum in audio devices. So, important no, but wise.
What are the colors in a 240 Volt electrical circuit?
Flexible cords come in two basic insulation ratings 300 volts and 600 volts. Both insulation ratings have the same wire count and colours inside the outer jacket. Two of the most commonly used cords are, a three wire that has, black, white and green and a four wire that has black, red, white and green. Other flexible cords are manufactured for submersible pumps and the pump manufactures have their cords made to their specifications with multi colours for identification. Flexible cord is also known as "cab tire (tyre)". I was told that the name was associated from the rubber that was put on carriage wheels to quieten the steel rims on the cobble stone roads. The wheel rubber looks like the modern flexible electrical cords.
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A Green wire (or bare wire with no insulation) is normally the local "Ground" wire.
A White wire is normally the "Neutral" wire. It is common to both hot legs on a standard 240 Volt supply.
A Black wire can be one of the two "Hot" legs of a standard 240 Volt supply or it can be the single "Hot" wire of a standard 120 Volt supply.
A Red wire can be the other of the two "Hot" legs of a standard 240 Volt supply.
Answer for countries in Europe and other world areas running a 50 Hz supply service.
A Green/Yellow wire is normally the local "Earth" wire.
A Blue wire is normally the "Neutral" wire on a standard 230 Volt supply.
A Brown wire is normally the "Live" wire on a standard 230 Volt supply.
<><><>
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 creates the charge in an electrical current?
It requires a power source such as a battery, generator, or static electricity, (which is a form of a battery).
Can a 15 amp extension cord be plugged into a 20 amp breaker?
It is not recommended to plug a 15 amp extension cord into a 20 amp breaker because the extension cord may overheat and pose a fire hazard. It is safer to use a cord that matches the amp rating of the breaker to prevent potential electrical issues.
How can a breaker work on 60Hz and 50 Hz supplies?
A circuit breaker is like an automatic switch, designed to break a circuit if the current flowing (measured in amps) exceeds a predetermined maximum amount. The frequency at which the alternating current is changing is not relevant provided it is the normal one for which the circuit breaker has been designed to operate. In USA, Canada and other countries using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 60 Hz. In Europe and other world areas using similar power supply standards, that frequency is 50 Hz. A circuit breaker designed for use on 50 Hz or 60 Hz supplies should not be used to protect a circuit in a ship or aircraft running on a 400 Hz supply because its magnetic and capacitive components may not operate correctly. For such applications a circuit breaker designed to operate at 400 Hz must be used.
What size wire do you need for a 200 amp service?
200 amp service is the rating of electrical power available to your home. Older homes only had 60 amp service. Newer homes were updated to 100 or 150 amp service. The standard for most US homes today is 200 amp. You can find out what your service is by looking at the top breaker in your electrical box, it should be stamped on that.
A compass needle changes direction if the flow of electricity in the wire near it is reversed?
Yes, when the flow of electricity in a wire near a compass needle is reversed, the magnetic field generated by the current also changes direction. This change in magnetic field influences the orientation of the compass needle, causing it to change direction accordingly.
