Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [electrical-distribution]

This is a generic tag that can be used for both indoor and outdoor runs, whether individual or aggregate. It implies issues of max current, routing methods such as conduits, and the like.

88 questions
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why is a service neutral grounded but not the subpanel-neutral?

I know it's code (refer to NEC 250.24(A)5 and 250.32), but I don't understand why you can't use a bonding jumper to connect the ground bus and neutral bus in the subpanel? I've been told it's because then you'd have current on the grounding…
Ben Welborn
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Is it acceptable to have two circuits with a shared hot but different neutrals?

I am working on cataloguing the hodge podge electrical system in my old house. There is an old fuse box that was converted to a junction box when they put the breaker box in. Inside this box there is one hot coming from the breaker panel that is…
Murenrb
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Can I wire 3-way switches so that when they are both in the same orientation the light will be off?

I replaced my 3-way switches. Is it possible to have either switch shut the light off, by pulling down on the toggles Either switch does shut the light off, but then one toggle is up, and the other is down. I want both to be down after shutting…
andre
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6 answers

Are power outlets in a home out of phase with each other?

I'm working on a science project and there's one aspect of home wiring I need to find out (don't worry, I'm not messing with wiring - this is all on paper). Since 120V outlets in a home can be wired to either of the two 120V legs that come in from…
Michael Baker
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4 answers

What is the danger of a bootleg ground on a 110 outlet wired from a 3 wire 240 circuit?

This is not a question about whether it is in code, or safe to wire a 110 outlet with its neutral to the ground of a 240 circuit. I accept that it is unsafe, and it's certainly not up to code, I'm trying to get my head around what makes it unsafe.…
Greg Taylor
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During a lightning storm, what causes the lights to temporary cut off and on?

I know it is pretty common during a lightning storm for lights to temporary cut off and on, but where and how and why is this occurring? Is the transformer temporally shutting off power to prevent a surge from affecting the mains power? Or is this…
Kris
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What are "termination points" and why do I need them on my electrical supply?

An inspection of my electric supply service on the outside of my home in Maryland said I need 3 termination points and two grounding rods. The grounding rods I can get but I have no clue about these termination points. Can you explain?
buzzed out
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How should I route my Romex and Network cables and can I safely drill another hole through this joist?

I am trying to run a bunch of network cables from my network switch in the basement into the attic so that I can disperse them throughout the second floor bedrooms. At the same time, I needed to repair some Romex cables that squirrels bit and chewed…
Hooplator15
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What cable size do I need to feed a 100 amp sub panel that is 550 ft

I'm building a barn that is 550' away from my house and need to power it. I would like to have 100 amp service from my main house board (200 amp). My house is fed with the typical 2 conductors. I am in Ontario, Canada. I would like to stick the…
KA.Barn
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Incorrect voltage at light sockets

Light bulbs on our kitchen lighting circuit need frequent replacing (lasting only a few months.) All other circuits in the house behave normally. There are three switch legs on this circuit: 6 recessed lights, on a 3-way switch, with LED bulbs.…
Mike Chale
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Are barrier terminal blocks or bus bars inside a junction or weather-proof box up to NEC code?

I'm going to be adding some Particle Photon relay control to some receptacles so I can remotely turn on and off appliances and lighting. I'm going to house the Photon board and relay in a weather-proof PVC box (the gray stuff at home depot). To…
user208145
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Troubleshooting dropped phase in 240 volt line

A 60 amp breaker in our circuit breaker box serves a sub-panel in our barn. That panel serves 5 120 volt lighting and convenience circuits. The sub-panel has two bus bars, each attached to one phase of the buried 240 volt cable from the house,…
user13781
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GFCI Kitchen Circuit(s)

I understand that all wall receptacles (including counters) must be GFCI protected in a kitchen with a combined dining area but how about a separate dining area/room receptacles (separated from kitchen by partition wall including breakfast bar in…
KULTULZ
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Bank of wall outlets not working

I have a bank of wall outlets that are not working. I have checked the fuses and found all of them check ok at 120 v ac. I then replaced all three outlets with new ones and still have no power. I did check the power on all of the lines to each…
Chadwick Buchanan
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Unused electrical duplex box, soon to be hidden behind a bookcase?

I'm getting ready to install bookcases for my home office (SouthWest USA). One wall floor to ceiling consisting of four units screwed together. In one place there is a duplex outlet right behind the joint between two bookcase units... If the…
zipzit
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