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Electrical Wiring
Ask questions here about proper wiring and electrical installation here.
4,935 Questions
Will a wall switch kill power?
Not necessarily, it depends how it was wired, and IT IS VERY DANGEROUS to assume that any particular wall switch was wired to kill the power to whatever it controls. (Such as a light fixture or a socket outlet.)
The only safe way to kill the power supply in your home before you do any work on anything like a light fixture, a socket outlet, a kitchen range - or anything else! - is to switch off the big "main switch" on your home's breaker panel.
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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.
Can natural disasters be caused by any source of electricity?
No, natural disasters cannot be caused by any source of electricity. Natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods, are natural phenomena that are not influenced by electricity or human activities. However, electricity can play a role in responding to and recovering from natural disasters.
My AC fan don't work could this be the capacitor?
Yes. Or the motor has just burnt out! If there is no burnt smell from the motor's windings and you know the power supply to the fan is good, it is worth replacing the capacitor with an identical one. NOTE: It must not be a polarised electrolytic type, it must be non-polarised and rated at the peak mains supply voltage or higher. Such capacitors are usually sold as "AC Motor Start" or "AC Motor Run" capacitors. For a 120 Volts motor use a capacitor rated to operate at 170 Volts peak. Usually these are manufactured to handle at least 200 Volts Peak AC . For a 240 Volts motor use a capacitor rated to operate at 340 Volts peak. Usually these are manufactured to handle at least 400 Volts Peak AC. <><><>
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.
Do you put the green wire on the green screw?
Maybe, but we could probably give you a much better answer if you could also say what it is that you are trying to hook up...
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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.
A power supply receives 120 volts of power from a wall outlet and converts it to?
A power supply receives 120 volts of power from a wall outlet and converts it to a lower voltage output suitable for electronic devices. The conversion process typically involves transforming the voltage using transformers and regulating it with circuits to provide a stable power source for the connected devices.
How to wire a 230 volt outlet?
To wire a 230 volt outlet, first turn off power to the circuit. Connect the red and black wires to the brass screws on the outlet, the white wire to the silver screw, and the green or bare wire to the green screw. Make sure to follow all local electrical codes and consult a licensed electrician if needed.
Your electrician should be shot for even building such a thing. Buy a whole house unit or a manual switch that will take you completely off of the grid. You will be held liable for any deaths or damage you do. Lawyers will be camping out on your doorstep for years.
Another answer
If you needed an Electrician to fix up a "Backfeed Rig" you are probably not qualified to use it properly. The wire conflict between a 20 amp plug and a 30 amp plug is O.K.
What you should be worried about is who will get killed first, you or the lineman for the power company!
In our business we call that a "SUICIDE RIG" for a reason. If you can't afford an automated home stand-by system, at least install an open transition manual transfer switch!
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If you have any doubts about an answer that you get, check the answerer's bio by clicking on their name to check their qualifications.
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 white wire for in an electrical circuit?
The Black wire is the "Hot" wire.
The Green wire is the local "Ground "wire.
If you do any such work yourself, always turn off the power at the breaker box/fuse panel BEFORE you attempt to do any work AND always use a meter or voltage indicatorto insure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
IF YOU NOT ALREADY SURE YOU CAN DO SOME ELECTRICAL WORK
SAFELY AND COMPETENTLY
REFER THIS WORK TO QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS.
What process uses electricity to seperate organic compounds?
Electrolysis is a process that uses electricity to separate organic compounds by passing an electric current through a solution containing the compounds. This results in the compounds being broken down into their individual components based on their electrochemical properties.
What is the energy of electric charges called?
The energy of electric charges is called electrical energy. It is the energy associated with the movement of electrical charges through a conductor in an electric circuit. This energy can be converted into other forms of energy, such as light, heat, or mechanical energy.
What of the element below is a shiny element that conduct electricity and heat?
The element that fits this description is silver (Ag). Silver is a shiny metal that is an excellent conductor of both electricity and heat.
No, dry wood is not a good conductor of electricity as it has high resistance. This is because it contains very few free ions or electrons to carry electric current. Wet wood, on the other hand, can conduct electricity better due to the presence of moisture.
How much CO2 will be produced for every kwh?
On average, about 0.45 kg of CO2 is produced for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity generated in the United States. However, this value can vary depending on the fuel source used for electricity generation.
What kind of wire do you need to make a light bulb work a metal wire or a steel wire?
Steel wire is a metal wire. Copper wire is a metal wire. Aluminum wire is a metal wire.
Most electrical wiring is done using insulated Copper wire these days.
The question does not say what type and size of light bulb is to be hooked-up.
- If it is a light bulb designed to run on mains voltages, such as 120 volts or higher, then, for safety reasons, good quality insulated copper wire intended for that purpose should be used, and nothing else.
- If it is a low voltage bulb, such as 1.5 volt bulb for a flashlight, or a 12 volt bulb of the kind used in a car, then any type of insulated metal wire should be fine.
Note: Plain uninsulated metal wire would never be a good choice even for low voltages because the bare wires could easily short-out the circuit!
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 a meter or voltage indicator
to ensure the circuit is, in fact, de-energized.
Is it dangerous to put plugs in wall sockets when they are switched-on English sockets?
This question may be asking if it is safe to plug things into mains wall sockets if they have been left switched on with nothing plugged-in, and if it is safer to plug things in only after the sockets have been switched off? If, and only if, that is the meaning of this question, the answer is probably:
It should not be dangerous to plug something into a switched-on socket but it is always a good idea - and safer - to switch off any socket before you plug anything into it.
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The hazard is not in the plugging-in, but may arise from the appliance itself, if it starts unexpectedly.
An atom has the same amount of protons and electrons which makes it neutral unless disturbed. when an atom comes in contact with another atom one of them will be come (-) and one will be (+) creating and equal amount of (-)(+) atoms. the one that becomes negative received electrons from the other one, and since the other one now has less electrons then protons it becomes + charged it is a constant chain reaction.
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.
