DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum - Electrical http://www.diychatroom.com en Thu, 09 Sep 2010 07:04:16 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.diychatroom.com/images/misc/rss.jpg DIY Chatroom - DIY Home Improvement Forum - Electrical http://www.diychatroom.com <![CDATA[Ceiling fan won't stay at certain speed?]]> http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/ceiling-fan-wont-stay-certain-speed-80889/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:45:09 GMT I've got a Hampton Bay ceiling fan that has the white remotes you see at Home Depot. We usually keep it on "medium" speed however last night I noticed it was going pretty fast. I've tried putting it on low & medium and it keeps just going to the faster speed no matter what I have it set on.

Any ideas? New ceiling fan? Everything works on it lights and all so it would suck to have to buy a new one. ]]> Electrical imola ghost http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/ceiling-fan-wont-stay-certain-speed-80889/ light socket and plugs http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/light-socket-plugs-80888/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:41:11 GMT can you take wire and run it from the light socket to a wall plug can you take wire and run it from the light socket to a wall plug ]]> Electrical amandajohnson http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/light-socket-plugs-80888/ Electrical Questions from a Foreigner http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/electrical-questions-foreigner-80869/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:30:12 GMT Hi Guys

I moved to US a few years ago (from England). My wife and I recently (6 weeks ago) bought a house in Wilmette and are doing a bunch of renovations (new roof, 200A service, refinishing floors, etc.) - The last owner of 14 years seems to have done nothing.

I've done the floors (phew!). I have a licensed electrician doing the panel replacement and 200A upgrade next week, or week after. We have the inspector coming beforehand to tell us what else will have to be done (there's a lot of BX in the basement and the access around the panel isn't up to code - but there is plenty of room). I don't want to wait until he's finished (and I have no power) and the inspector then says I have to do X,Y and Z too.

I want to do the smaller interior jobs myself: I have to go and sit a test at the village hall to be able to get the permits.

There's a number of electrical related things I'd like clarification on.

The first on is about which code applies. I live in Wilmette, IL (North Shore of Chicago). Their village codes say this:

Quote:
For the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the installation, repair and alteration of electrical wiring and electrical devices, the village incorporates by reference as if fully set forth herein the National Electrical Code (NFPA No. 70-1993) recommended by the National Fire Prevention Association, 1993 Edition, except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended, three copies of which shall be kept on file in the office of the Village Clerk. The provisions of said electrical code shall be controlling in the construction, repair and alteration of all buildings and other structures therein contained within the corporate limits of the Village of Wilmette. Whenever the terms "authority having jurisdiction for enforcing the code," "governmental bodies exercising legal jurisdiction over electrical installations," "administrative authority," or similar terms are used in said electrical code, they shall be held to mean the Village of Wilmette
Am I reading this right? I just follow NEC except for the exceptions? (my main concern is that there aren't codes related to Chicago or Cook County that apply). Are there such a thing as county-level codes?

This brings me onto my next question. I'm locating all my AV gear in the basement (directly below the living room) and will be running network (Cat 6), HDMI and Speaker cables throught the walls (lathe an plaster). I planning to buy all CL2 rated cable. I went to Home Depot to buy low voltage old-work boxes and they don't sell them. They have metal low volatage mounting plates. I asked the guy why they don't have the blue plastic ones. He told me you can't use plastic in Cook County. Is this correct? The low voltage plates seem far inferior: I don't see them offering any kind of strain relief. This is probably fine for new construction, because the cables will be stapled to framing, but where they are just fished through existing walls, the entire weight of the cable will be on the connector.

Wilmette Code says:

Quote:
(c) The wiring method employed in all electrical installation, within the buildings in the Village of Wilmette, shall be in rigid conduit or electric metallic tubing except as hereinafter provided.
(1) Where necessary to pass wire through existing partitions, BX or flexible conduit may be used, not to extend more than three feet beyond said partitions.
(2) All low voltage wire must be in pipe through any partition, so that such wire may be replaced. All low voltage transformers must be grounded.
.

I have a couple of questions about this:

(1) I'm fishing wires so I assume that means it's an existing partition. So if I want to add new receptacles in say the living room, I'd run EMT to within 3 feet of where it will ego through the bottom plate and then use BX to the plate and inside the wall. Is this correct?
what constitues "low-voltage", as this requires a permit. Surely, I don't need a permit to run speaker cables between floors?

(2) Given I don't have to use pipe for fished 120v, I assume the same applies to low voltage, so is it OK just to run CL2 rated cable in the wall? never seen armored speaker cable (except for outdoor use).

I want to run new circuits in the kitchen and we're planning to remodel next year (very similar layout). So to fish the cable now I think I can use BX, but will I have to replace that with EMT when I put up drywall, or is the BX "grandfathered in" because it was already there?

Finally a curiosity. I've seen a few DIY shows where an drawer in a bathroom, bedroom or kitchen has a receptacle in the back, so you could for example plug-in a shaver to charge and have it concealed in the drawer. I'd liek to do this. How could this be done within code? Would you just put a box on the wall behind the furniture and run BX to the back of the drawer?

I'm sure I'll have many other questions :)

Thanks in advance

Mark ]]> Electrical mark_anderson_u http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/electrical-questions-foreigner-80869/ Joists, Acoustic Tiles and Romex - is this OK? http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/joists-acoustic-tiles-romex-ok-80859/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 20:08:23 GMT Hi,
I am fixing my basement. I'll be installing acoustic tiles (i.e. hanging ceiling) from the ceiling joists. I'll also be installing receded lights (i.e. cans),type IC. For the lights I was planning to use regular Romex and staple it across the bottoms ( lenght-wise or cross-wise as required) of the ceiling joists, just above the tiles; instead of drilling the joists and passing the wires through the holes. Would this be OK? Or would I be contravening code? ]]> Electrical globus999 http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/joists-acoustic-tiles-romex-ok-80859/ Grounded Electrical Outlet? http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/grounded-electrical-outlet-80846/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:01:44 GMT Hi everyone, I am a homeowner trying to save some money by doing the work myself. I am new to wiring, but I am trying to swap out my two prong electrical outlets with three prong outlets. I have tested the outlets with a voltage meter and I have found that the receptacle boxes on my main... Hi everyone,
I am a homeowner trying to save some money by doing the work myself. I am new to wiring, but I am trying to swap out my two prong electrical outlets with three prong outlets. I have tested the outlets with a voltage meter and I have found that the receptacle boxes on my main floor are grounded, which made it easy to replace with self grounding outlets.
In my basement, however, I am not getting a ground reading when testing the boxes. I looked inside, however, and I saw that they were wired with the three wires, including the ground wire. Just to test the ground I installed a three prong outlet and attached the ground wire to the green screw. But When I tested with the voltage meter I got only a tiny reading (5-15 volts). Everything I read says that I should get 120 volts when testing for ground.
I was going to just install GFCI outlets to be safe, but my receptacle boxes are not deep enough, meaning I would have to replace all the boxes to install the GFCI outlets. I'll do that if I have to, but before I do I want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong. I really don't want to run new ground wires to each box.
My question is, if I have a ground wire included in my electrical wiring, is it possible that the wire doesn't actually act as ground? Has anyone encountered a situation like this or can they provide any advice? Thank you in advance for your help. ]]> Electrical jaymank21 http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/grounded-electrical-outlet-80846/ electrical arc between the nail and the hammer http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/electrical-arc-between-nail-hammer-80832/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:57:45 GMT As I was about to pull an aluminum nail from the doorway, (nail in corner bead) there was an electrical arch between the nail and the hammer. I believe it is metal stud construction. How can I track down the source? Check recepticles, ground to stud? Shut breakers off to try to isolate?... As I was about to pull an aluminum nail from the doorway, (nail in corner bead)
there was an electrical arch between the nail and the hammer.
I believe it is metal stud construction.
How can I track down the source? Check recepticles, ground to stud?
Shut breakers off to try to isolate? Hopefully there is not a damaged wire
in the middle of a wall. ]]> Electrical ghouchin http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/electrical-arc-between-nail-hammer-80832/ Does this KWH meter measure in multiples of 10. http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/does-kwh-meter-measure-multiples-10-a-80816/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:23:55 GMT Do some Older home KWH meters measure by multiples of 10. My manager rents us a house but has the garage. He has a fridge, 2 tv's Air conditioner. Assortment of lights. and some other stuff and gas heater. All this stuff is on our electric. He has a KWH meter and gas meter. He says to read the KWH meter every month, but its old and i feel like he uses more power than what it says. Does this one go by multiples of ones or tenths. our bill says we use 1500 to 2000. KWH a month. In summer. On the meter in the ones place, it dont move and has a picture of a zero. but rest of numbers move. looks like this. (1 6 8 7 0). The zero place dont move. The rest do. Its a spinning disc type. I think when the 7 moves to 8 it would = 10 KWH. Not = 1 KWH.It also moves slow.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version Name: 224206.jpg Views: N/A Size: 66.8 KB ID: 24610  
]]> Electrical edwardhart1980 http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/does-kwh-meter-measure-multiples-10-a-80816/ How much conductor inside J-box? http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/how-much-conductor-inside-j-box-80813/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 06:02:56 GMT This is probably a tired topic for some people, but I've heard different things and hoping to settle this.

As far as I know, NEC code states 6 to 8" of conductor in a J-Box. But measured from where? From where the sheathing ends inside the box? Measuring 0.25 to 0.5 inches of sheathing inside the box is easy enough, but do I measure the 6 to 8" of conductor from where the sheathing ends? Or from the edge of the box? For example, if the box is 3" deep, and I want to leave 7" of conductor, does that mean I have a TOTAL of 10" of conductor (7" extending beyond the edge of the box), or just 7" measured from where the sheathing ends inside the box?

Thanks in advance. ]]> Electrical deko http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/how-much-conductor-inside-j-box-80813/ How do I install Outdoor Junction Box. http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/how-do-i-install-outdoor-junction-box-80810/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:36:31 GMT I am running an new circuit to supply 2 new runs of 110volt lines... I already ran the lines using the UF outdoor cable 21 inches under ground.... and under my new patio. I have the runs come up conduit nex to the house. what type of box do i use to make the junction of the 2... dont want a outlet... I am running an new circuit to supply 2 new runs of 110volt lines... I already ran the lines using the UF outdoor cable 21 inches under ground.... and under my new patio. I have the runs come up conduit nex to the house. what type of box do i use to make the junction of the 2... dont want a outlet here just a junction... I am having trouble finding the right box .. I THINK? I found a plastic carlon weather proof box to accomodate my 2 runs electrical (inside conduit). but there is no hole in the back to go into my house. can i drill a hole and hook conduit (run this into my house) then caulk it? Is this code? whats code and can u give me suggestions. also can i run romex from in house just to the box to connect to the outside UF cable runs?

thanks. ]]> Electrical luweee http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/how-do-i-install-outdoor-junction-box-80810/ 3 prong to 4 prong dryer cord http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/3-prong-4-prong-dryer-cord-80798/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:57:23 GMT i have a 3 prong dryer that i need th change to 4 prong but the 4 prong is color coded dark green yellow red and light green and the 3 prong is not color coded so how do i hook it up? i have a 3 prong dryer that i need th change to 4 prong but the 4 prong is color coded dark green yellow red and light green and the 3 prong is not color coded so how do i hook it up? ]]> Electrical nwilson1987 http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/3-prong-4-prong-dryer-cord-80798/ Neutrals Question... http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/neutrals-question-80797/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:55:44 GMT I just got 2 deep fryers for the pool deck. They are 110v. I realized late that the amp draw for them would be too much for a single duplex outlet on a 20 amp circuit. I was able to break the tab on the outlet and use a spare conductor to have two 110v 20a circuits, one to top and one to bottom of... I just got 2 deep fryers for the pool deck. They are 110v. I realized late that the amp draw for them would be too much for a single duplex outlet on a 20 amp circuit. I was able to break the tab on the outlet and use a spare conductor to have two 110v 20a circuits, one to top and one to bottom of outlet. My question is this... I only have the one neutral in the j-box. will it be overloaded or will it be fine. I hate to have to bring another neutral to the box as it will require wall demolition and that includes some nice tile work. Currently (no pun intended) I have one neutral going to combined/adjoined side of the duplex, and 2 conductors going to the 2 hot screws with the 2 outlets separated on the hot side only.


Brent ]]> Electrical hogdogs http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/neutrals-question-80797/ GFCI outlet http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/gfci-outlet-80794/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 01:19:28 GMT I want to put a GFCI outlet in series with other outlets so they will be protected also, does the GFCI outlet have to be the first in the series for them to be protected or can it be anywhere in the series? Thanks I want to put a GFCI outlet in series with other outlets so they will be protected also, does the GFCI outlet have to be the first in the series for them to be protected or can it be anywhere in the series?

Thanks ]]> Electrical rlaurent79 http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/gfci-outlet-80794/ Double Gang Receptacle http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/double-gang-receptacle-80792/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:40:47 GMT How do I wire a double gang receptacle where the wire goes on to power another receptacle. How do I wire a double gang receptacle where the wire goes on to power another receptacle. ]]> Electrical cleanmchn http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/double-gang-receptacle-80792/ TV power cord extention requirement http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/tv-power-cord-extention-requirement-80791/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:33:20 GMT I just purchased and hung a new samsung flat screen tv. The power cord does not reach the nearest outlet. The power cord is labeled 10A 125V. I need to know what extention cord size is safe to use. Any help will be appreciated. I just purchased and hung a new samsung flat screen tv. The power cord does not reach the nearest outlet. The power cord is labeled 10A 125V.
I need to know what extention cord size is safe to use. Any help will be appreciated. ]]> Electrical cece http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/tv-power-cord-extention-requirement-80791/ generator battery trickle charger http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/generator-battery-trickle-charger-80790/ Wed, 08 Sep 2010 00:29:48 GMT I had a 715kva generator with 24vdc battery trickle charger and battery is getting dry most of the time , time and again i had to fill battery water and think the battery charger is not cut off when 24vdc is attain in battery, please could you help me identify the cause and also how to repair. I had a 715kva generator with 24vdc battery trickle charger and battery is getting dry most of the time , time and again i had to fill battery water and think the battery charger is not cut off when 24vdc is attain in battery, please could you help me identify the cause and also how to repair. ]]> Electrical veretiL http://www.diychatroom.com/f18/generator-battery-trickle-charger-80790/