Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [wire]

Questions about wires, usually seen in electrical applications. Questions with this tag are typically about sizing wires appropriately for the projected usage, but could also be about properties of or problems with a wire.

A wire is a long, thin piece of (insulated) metal used to carry electricity between two points. Questions with this tag are typically about sizing wires appropriately, but may also be about properties of wire or specific problems with a wire.

Consider some related tags instead or in addition to this one:

  • if your question is about installing wires
  • if your question is about electrical systems in general
  • or if your question is about electrical panels
  • if your question is about wire shelving
342 questions
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Is this 230V steampunk metal robot lamp safe?

I bough a steampunk robot lamp from ebay. It is made out of (painted) metal fittings. After receiving it, I was a little concerned regarding safety and disassembled it. The plug suggests that this is a class II appliance, but the individual wires…
someonr
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Do I really have to fasten interior-wall electrical wire to a stud to keep it from moving?

I am fresh out of cable staples and would rather not go all the way to Lowe's just to get a box. What are the implications of not fastening loose electrical wires to a stud? It's not like there's going to be that much vibration in my house. Edit:…
oscilatingcretin
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7 answers

Why does Tesla recommend such a small gauge wire for their chargers compared to this chart I found online?

We are looking to install two NEMA 14-50 outlets for our kids to charge their electric cars, and I'm confused about wire choice. I thought I understood the correct wire to use, but then ran across a Tesla document that said something completely…
Nicholas
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14
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5 answers

Safe to screw on a paper towel holder way above socket?

I'm probably overthinking it, but I'm trying to mount the SimpleHuman horizontal paper towel holder. It turns out that the best place for it is in the middle of the inner wall (5.1 inch wide) but above a socket which is located on the bottom of the…
Zhanwen Chen
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12
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4 answers

Mysterious cord running from wall. Safe?

My wife and I are preparing to sell our home and are discovering some weird things. Our home was built in 1958, so it is older. We found this in a corner that had some furniture in front of it. We are wondering What kind of wiring is this? Is it…
Josh Slate
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10
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Want to switch to tankless, but can I use my existing wiring?

The tankless water heaters I am looking at require 8 AWG wire but the existing wiring is 12 AWG. Can I do this without having to rerun new wire?
Meg
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8
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How can I secure NM cable to a metal stud?

I use NM staples to secure NM cable to wood studs but I am unfamiliar with the options to secure NM cable directly to metal studs despite trying a number of different search terms. Would it be okay to substitute metal screws in place of the nails…
statueuphemism
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What is this lamp base wire clip and how do I remove the wire without breaking the clip?

I'm trying to replace the socket in an old desk lamp, and I need to pull the wire through. However, the wire is secured tightly by a black plastic clip at the base. I'm wondering what this clip is called, and how to remove the wire without…
user3112401
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4 answers

Options for lubricating wires for conduit?

I am trying to pull four #8 stranded wires through a flexible PVC conduit that is 25 feet long. I can get the wires just a few feet into the conduit before they bind. I know there is a commercially available wire lube, but I do not have any. Can I…
Posted by another Tim
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Repair frayed electrical wire with strain-relief stopper

I am shocked at the condition of this wire on a Crane humidifier. Would like to repair the wire to return the device to being 100% safe. With there being plenty of "spare" wire in the 6ft length, I am thinking to cut the wire at the fray, and then…
sonyisda1
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Can I use #8 wire in a 15 or 20A circuit?

I have a customer with a detached garage/shed unit that wants to install a few outlets and light fixtures/recessed lighting - common residential use, meaning no heavy power tools, washers/dryers, etc. The CLOSEST power supply to the unit is 8 AWG…
tresstylez
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7
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Is this exposed wire dangerous?

I have this wire some of the inner part of which is exposed. My friend claims that this is highly dangerous, but I don't think that touching it would be lethal, and in the worst case scenario there might be a short circuit, though the plug is…
Academiphile
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4 answers

Will my breaker accept #10 wire even though the chart lists #14?

I am hooking up a disconnect for heating air unit. The instructions state use a 25 amp 2 pole breaker with 10-2 wire. The breaker says wire size 14-2. It is an Eaton BR225 beaker. Will it work with 10-2?
Ed Hardison
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3 answers

Can I extend an electrical ground wire with a copper wire crimp?

I am working with an electrical socket and I need extra length on the ground wire. It doesn't seem unreasonable that I can attach an extra three inches to the existing one and attach it with a copper wire crimp. Does anyone see a problem with…
oscilatingcretin
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Do metal junction boxes used solely as pull boxes need to be grounded?

I am planning to pull three sets of four conductors (3 AWG wire) through 2" EMT conduit for a 30' length that is common to all three sets of wires, and then branch off at a listed metal junction box (10"x10"x4") to three 1 1/4" EMT conduits. I am…
statueuphemism
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