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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
Which wires are hot for 240 volt AC household power supplies?
The Red wire is one phase leg "hot" and the Black wire is the other phase leg "hot" for standard 240 Volt household power supplies.
Using a voltmeter to measure ac (alternating current) voltage, from the Red "hot" wire to the White (Neutral) wire should measure about 120 Volts and from the Black "hot" wire to the White (Neutral) wire should also measure about 120 Volts. From Red to Black should measure about 240 Volts. A Green-insulated or Bare copper wire is the protective Ground wire. <><><>
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.
Can you wire your water heater and dryer to the same breaker?
Under no circumstances should you do this.. for one they probably have different power requirements, but also they are high current devices, and by code MUST be put on separate branch circuits
HAARP stands for The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program. The goal of this program is to further advance our knowledge of the physical and electrical properties of the Earth's ionosphere which can affect our military and civilian communication and navigation systems. The HAARP program operates a world-class ionospheric research facility located in Gakona, Alaska.
How does an electrical insulator work?
Electrical insulators work by preventing the flow of electric current through them. They are materials with high resistance to the flow of electricity, which keeps the current from passing through them to avoid short circuits or electrical shocks. Insulators can be found in materials such as rubber, glass, and plastic.
What is primary and secondary source?
A primary source is a firsthand account or original source of information created at the time of the event being studied. Examples include diaries, letters, and photographs. A secondary source interprets or analyzes primary sources, providing commentary, analysis, or interpretation. Examples include textbooks, articles, and biographies.
What is an insulator you can see through?
A glass window is an example of an insulator that you can see through. Glass is a good insulator because it does not conduct heat or electricity well, making it commonly used in windows to help maintain indoor temperature.
What word means giving off sparks when struck like a flint?
The word you are looking for is "pyrotechnic."
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A dryer outlet is only safe to use for one purpose: to power a dryer.
Obviously you can attempt to use it for something else, such as a hot tub, but it is NOT SAFE to do it!
You could drive on the wrong side of the road but it is NOT SAFE to do it!
You could put your hand into a fire and hold it there but it is NOT SAFE to do it!
In general the reasons for saying it is not safe to use something other than a dryer on a dryer outlet are all about being sure that the circuit you will use for the hot tub has:
- the right size of wires to carry the current and
- the right size of breakers on the main supply panel to protect the hot tub - and the wiring to it - from catching fire if there is ever a malfunction.
Hot tubs are quite different to dryers: hot tubs contain water! That means you have to be sure you wire them up correctly and safely to avoid there being any kind of risk of anyone getting electrocuted. That is one reason why the hot tub has a built-in GFCI, but that cannot be relied on to protect the house from a house fire if there is a malfunction in the hot tub but the circuit breakers on the main supply panel - or the wiring feeding it - are the wrong size. The circuit breakers on the main supply panel - and the wiring feeding the outlet for the hot tub - must all be properly sized and correctly and safely installed.
As you asked this question here, the best thing you can do to be able to use your hot tub with no worries is to ask a licensed electrician for his advice. He can also quote you for installation of the correct type of outlet, wiring and 240 Volt breakers on the main supply panel to power your new hot tub safely.
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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 equipment 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.
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.
For more information please see the Related Questionsshown 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 a residual current detector?
It is another name for a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) which is the name used in North America for an RCD (Residual Current Device) as it is known in Europe and elsewhere in the World.
For more information take a look at the page reached by the Related Link - and the answers to the Related Questions - which are shown below.
What is the electrical impedance of air?
Electical impedance of air is just under 377 Ohms. It depends on humidity and other factors. Dry air is close to free space.
Scroll down to related links and look at "Characteristic impedance of free space ".
Your dishwasher every time you plug it in and turn it on it trips the gfci circuit?
There could be a a ground-to-neutral fault somewhere in the appliance, its cord or its plug. For more information click on the Related Question link below.
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The breaker is not ampere rated high enough for the dishwasher. The dishwasher is miswired. There is a problem in the dishwasher electricals that told the GFCI to save your life.
What is a Reverse current relay?
A reverse current relay prevents a generator from discharging the battery when generator output is less than battery voltage. When generator output is greater than battery voltage, the reverse current relay closes and connects generator to electrical bus.
How to fit a new light switch to old wiring in the kitchen?
MAKE SURE FUSE IS REMOVED OR CIRCUIT BREAKER TRIPPED! This is quite simple. Unscrew and remove the template. Unscrew and PULL OUT the switch. As long as this NOT a 3-way switch, Unscrew, UNCURL, and remove wire wrapped around BOTH screws, then unscrew, uncurl and remove grounding screw (bare wire) and remove old light switch. Fully unscrew bolts on new switch until they stop. Strip both covered wires to reveal 1" of bare wire. Bend bare wires (all) to look like a hook. With completely bare grounding wire, wrap hooked end around the green screw with the wire end sticking out on the lower right side. Do this with the rest of the wires. Fully tighten all screws. Push excess wires back into outlet and firmly secure switch to outlet. Replace and secure template. Replace fuse/flip circuit breaker back on. Try switch. Light should respond WITHOUT FLICKERING. If light flickers, turn off power and check for loose connections on the switch. Resume power AFTER problem is solved. <><><>
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 for a 15 amp fuse?
That depends on the voltage you use. If there are 120 volts, the power equals voltage times amperage. 120 volts times 15 amps = 1800 watts. Cheers ebs
Cu is the chemical symbol for the element copper. Copper is a ductile metal with high thermal and electrical conductivity, commonly used in electrical wiring, plumbing, and construction materials. It also has antimicrobial properties and is an essential nutrient for humans.
Physically you won't be able to cut this wire that is in place, insert a box and re-splice it. To make a legal splice in an electrical box you have to have 6 inches of wire protruding from the box. This extra wire allows you enough length to splice with wire-nuts and add pigtails to accommodate the switch. Remember all splices in electrical wire have to be made in a junction box. Most electrical fires are started at poor connections and that is why junction boxes are used to contain a fire if it starts. <><><> As you asked this question here, the best advice anyone can give you is to check with a local licensed electrician or your local electrical safety authority to find out for sure what the wiring code in your locality (town/state) says about doing this change to your household AC wiring.
The wiring codes and regulations are much stricter in many countries these days - some codes make it illegal to do this kind of work if you are not a licensed electrician in any room area or space which is likely to get water spray or splashes, such as a bathroom, shower room, laundry, pool area or similar. : 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.
How do you read breaker box amps?
The main breaker will have marking indicating size of electrical service, or if it is a fuse system....the fuses will have current ratings. If it is a subpanel, it might not have a main breaker. In this case you would have to look in the panel that the feed is coming from and find the size of the breaker that is feeding it. In either case you must look for the manufacturer's label that will have the maximum current the panel can handle, make sure the breaker feeding the panel doesn't exceed this rating.
Why a current wire deflects a magnetic needle placed near it?
A current wire deflects a magnetic needle placed near it because the current wire is creating an electric field. If the current is supplied from an AC (alternating current source as opposed to DC which is direct current- AC would be from a wall socket, DC from a battery), then the current is constantly changing, so the electric field is constantly changing.
A changing electric field results in a magnetic field perpendicular (90 degrees) to it. It is actually the magnetic field that is changing the needle direction, because that needle is trying to follow the magnetic field lines (similar to those that you see when you put iron filing near a magnet).
How do you make a light bulb light up using a 1.5 volt battery?
If it is a 1.5 volt bulb you can connect it through a series circuit directly to your battery.
If the bulb is not made to run on 1.5 volts and needs another voltage, it may not light up!
What gas is used inside a light bulb?
Argon gas is commonly used inside incandescent light bulbs to prevent the filament from oxidizing and burning out. It helps to prolong the life of the bulb by reducing the evaporation of the filament material.
Which color is a ground or earth cable i.e. is it brown blue yellow red green or black?
The answer depends on the electrical wiring standards of the country you are asking about.
Answer for USA, Canada and countries using similar 60Hz household electricity supplies: the ground or "earth" cable is just bare wire or has green insulation.
Answer for countries in Europe and in other world areas which use similar 50Hz household electricity supplies: the earth or "ground" cable has yellow/green striped insulation. (Older earth wiring in the UK may still have bare wire or green insulation.)
For more information see the answers to the Related Questions shown below.
The best advice anyone can give you is to call a licensed Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning technician to discuss exactly why you think it might make sense to convert this air conditioner unit to run on 240 volts instead of 110 Volts.
He or she would also ask you about the make, model and power of the particular unit which is the subject of this question, and discuss the idea with you.
Without having those details this question is impossible to answer.
For more information please click on the Related Questionshown below.
What is Indian electricity rule for earthing?
The Indian Electricity Rules mandate that all electrical appliances and equipment must be grounded to ensure safety. The earthing system should comply with established standards to prevent electric shocks and to protect against power surges and faults. Regular inspections and maintenance of the earthing system are required to ensure its effectiveness.
Geothermal energy is the energy source that transforms heat energy from the Earth into mechanical and electrical energy. This process involves harnessing heat from beneath the Earth's surface to generate power through the use of geothermal power plants.
What type of current comes from the outlets in your home?
Alternating Current (AC), which means it changes from positive to negative at a frequency of 50 or 60 cycles per second. In USA, Canada and other countries which use similar standards for mains electricity supply, the voltage coming into the house is usually an average of 240 Volts AC. This is split into two, with a common neutral wire, so that 120 Volts AC is the voltage supplied from most ordinary socket outlets. Some high powered appliances, such as kitchen stoves or ranges, water heaters and dryers, run at the full 240 Volts. In Europe and many other countries the alternating current changes from positive to negative at a frequency of 50 cycles per second. The voltage coming into the house is usually an average of 230 Volts AC and that is what is supplied from most ordinary socket outlets. As in the US system, high powered appliances, such as kitchen stoves or ranges, water heaters and dryers, also run at 230 Volts.
