New Electrical Work

If you have any question about the functionality of your GFCI, you should have it replaced. You can certainly verify that the GFCI is still functioning by using the test button, but the light gives added assurance that the circuit is functioning properly.

Hi, I am sort of stuck on the same thing, I think from my research thus far . Its : .038 Amps Hope that helps, I am trying to work out 150Mah to amps which i think is : .150 Amps

It is not required for a microwave to be plugged into a GFCI outlet, but it is recommended for safety reasons, especially in locations like kitchens or bathrooms where there may be water present. GFCI outlets help protect against electrical shocks in wet environments.

There should be two outputs on the 30 A breaker. You will need 10 AWG wire with 3-conductors and ground. Typically the wire colors will be Black, Red, White and (Green or bare). Connect black to one output of breaker and red to other output. Connect white to the white buss bar in main panel and green/bare to ground buss bar. At heater end connect the red and black to the 240 V leads, white to white and green/bare to the heater case.

No, in a sub-panel of an outbuilding, the neutral and ground should be kept separate and not bonded together. This is to prevent the potential for ground loops and to ensure proper functioning of the grounding system.

Yes, you can plug a power strip or surge protector into the GFCI outlet and then plug the fans into the strip. Just ensure that the total load of the fans does not exceed the capacity of the GFCI outlet to prevent overheating or tripping the circuit.

Yes as long as the load is compatible with the wiring size and breaker protecting the circuit. Usually the lighting and outlets are separate just as a best practice, and new work may require separation depending on the locale.

This is relatively easy if you are careful. However, you could kill yourself if you are not careful. Safety gear such as insulated rubber gloves, eye protection and rubber sole shoes all provide a margin of safety. Also have someone standing by to drag you away from a live circuit if you happen to get in trouble. Tie a rope to your belt for example. Now turn off breaker you are replacing. remove front panel of electric panel taking care not to touch anything inside panel. Once the panel is removed you expose live surfaces and wires. Make sure breaker is off. If in doubt check output with a volt meter. Put one hand behind your back and with a screwdriver in your other hand unscrew the screw holding in the black wire. Pull the black wire away from the breaker and make sure you don't touch it to any live black wires or the hot buss bar. Usually the breaker will pull out from the side away from the center of the electric panel. Usually there is a "c-shaped" clamp that clamps onto a retaining bar and another clamp on the hot buss bar. Lift breaker away from box. Insert new breaker and reconnect hot. Make sure breaker is off while re-inserting hot wire.

The American Wire Gauge (AWG) system is a measurement of wire diameter, not capacity. The maximum amperage capacity of a 12 AWG wire will depend on factors such as the insulation type, ambient temperature, and installation conditions. For typical household wiring applications, a 12 AWG wire can generally handle around 20-25 amps.

The main circuit breaker is typically mounted to the meter base, and is usually outside, where the electrical service comes into the house.

Siemens is a large manufacturer of electrical components. You should be able to find Siemens equipment at several electrical supply wholesalers in your area.

Note that many of the electrical wholesalers will NOT sell to the public; you may need to find an electrician or other contractor to purchase Siemens equipment.

For a 100 watt 12 volt lamp, you should use a wire gauge size of at least 18 AWG to ensure it can handle the current without overheating. It's always best to refer to the manufacturer's recommendations for the specific lamp you are using.

The scale of each meter manufacturer will be different. You'll need to refer to the owners manual to determine the proper setting.

Remember that an ammeter is used INLINE with the electrical device to determine current draw. Do NOT put the test leads of an ammeter across the two leads of the service voltage.

Find the Hot side of the switch (Where there is voltage regardless of position of toggle on switch). Tie in new Black wire to GFCI. On wire nut with white wire tie in new white wire to GFCI. Do the same for the bare ground wire, if there is one.

No, a mercury vapor bulb cannot be used in a metal halide fixture. They have different operating specifications and using the incorrect type of bulb could result in damage to the fixture or even pose a safety hazard. It is important to use the correct type of bulb recommended for the fixture.

The National Electrical Code (US) allows up to thirteen 20 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit.

120V x 20A = 2400 VA

each duplex receptacle is calculated at 180 VA

2400 / 180 = 13.3333 receptacles, since you can't put a third of a receptacle in, you have to round down to 13.

First, lets say this: GFCI stands for Ground-Fault Circuit Interupter. This is NOT an over-current device, and NOT an over-load device. This device stop the flow at 6mA (6/1000 of an amp) of leakage current - current leaking to ground from either the hot or neutral wire.

Do you mean a GFCI breaker or a GFCI receptacle??

GFCI receptacles do not "trip on overload". Period. The only over-current protection on a receptacle is provided by the circuit breaker protecting that branch circuit.

GFCI breakers are ALSO over-current devices just like normal breakers. And yes, they DO get weak, just like standard breakers do from repeated tripping. They basically have a metal strip inside that gets bent and straightened each time you trip & reset the breaker. All metal gets weak when it gets bent & straightened repeatedly. It is called "metal fatigue".

According to http://www.engineersedge.com/copper_wire.htm

a single strand of solid copper wire weighs 19.8 pounds/1000 Ft or 1.98 pounds per 100 Ft That would result in about 1 pound per 50 Ft, or 1/50 pound per ft.

1000/19.8=50.505' = 50' 6 5/8" (rounded to an eighth)

The critical element is if they match the connectors in the electric panel and you use the correct amperage breaker for the wiring of the circuit. Connectors to the electric panel must match exactly because you don't want to force the replacement breaker or have it not fit when the panel cover is reinstalled.

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The above stated matters to an extent but not really the issue. It is much deeper to the extent that if not UL rated for that panel or a direct replacement via corporate buy out over the years it can become A. an issue and fail inspection B. a hazard well beyond amp rating of the breaker or "fitting correctly when panel cover reinstalled" C. without being UL rated or an acceptable replacement it can become an insurance issue, that could fall on homeowner or inspector or whomever last worked inside the panel. I just grazed the surface. Some breakers are well made, some manufacturers deceive even to get UL rating when in fact they tested improperly etc...

Yes some breakers can replace challenger breakers. Often falling in line with which company bought out challenger or the rights. Read tag on load center to find out what breaker types are acceptable. Then proceed to search which manufacturers make breakers that are acceptable within that panel. wash. rinse. repeat. keep digging.

You could have a short or it could just be that you are reading through a load. Take a lamp and check for continuity at the plug, with a bulb in the lamp you will get continuity, take the bulb out if you still have continuity then you have a short in the wire or the lamp. Same thing happens in the wiring of your house on a larger scale.

To install two motion-activated switches on a 3-way circuit, you will need to replace both existing switches with motion-activated switches. Make sure to install the switches according to the manufacturer's instructions, typically connecting the common wire, traveler wires, and ground wire. Ensure that the motion sensors are compatible with a 3-way circuit before installing.

In general, you should never use a breaker larger than 20 Amps on a #12 AWG (American Wire Gauge) copper wire.

It is a potential safety problem where an extension cord could be easily damaged since it is out in the open. Also, in the future a new person might replace the extension cable with a smaller gauge wire and cause a potential fire hazard. The Fire Marshall is looking out for your safety. Listen to him or her.