Electrical Wiring

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 01 May 2011 05:30:47 -08:00

The Home Electrical Wiring Resource for Installing and Repairing Electrical Wiring the Right Way

Appliance Testing

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:37:45 -08:00

I was trying to electrically test and tag a food processor without success. The item was not marked as being double insulated, so I made the assumption it was type one. The item was fully sealed so I was unable to attach the probe to exposed metal. Any advice? Tim

Installing 220V to a Spa

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:28:25 -08:00

I've heard more than once, that one must install a GFI Box, close to the spa, then it should run to the electrical panel box. What is your take on this, since I have to pump motors? Tony .

Switched Outlet Wiring Variations

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:20:48 -08:00

The switch I am replacing has two red wires plugged into the back and two black wires plugged into the one below. If I want to keep the same set up I can just connect the two red wires to the top brass screw and the two black wires to the bottom but must break the small brass tab between the screws not the plastic, correct? If I don't care to use the wall switch all I have to do is to cap off the red and connect one black wire to one brass screw and one to the other brass screw without removing the brass tab, correct?

Basics of Installing a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 02:16:50 -08:00

I just had a quick question about installing a bathroom fan. I currently have one light switch with a single outlet on it i want to install a bathroom fan. I just need to know how to go about running the electric for it and what kind of outlet I need.

I'm Trying to Get Into the Apprenticeship in NJ, Any Tips?

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:35:57 -08:00

Hello, I really want to join our local Electricians Union. I know you must first become an apprentice. Do you have any tips that might aid me in my quest. I turned 31 in Dec. I'm very dedicated and hard working. I do have a construction background, do you think that would help at all. I know its not just wiring, but rather a lot of hard work and sweating. Digging ditches, hot attics, etc. I'm more than comfortable with this. I'm just nervous about any math test that might be given. Its been years sense school. Any idea of what they might ask. Or where I should be caught up to. (School Wise) I've never felt so driven about anything and really want to make this happen. Any ideas or help will be much appreciated.

Electrical Career Seeker

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:31:30 -08:00

I'm 31 and considering becoming an electrical apprentice in the state of Washington. I have kids and want a career. I want to make the best decision possible. How do I chose a program to join? What do I look for? Is 31 an unusual age to become an apprentice? Any idea of the job outlook for the state of Washington? I live in Spokane. What starting pay should I expect as an apprentice? Any help comments or suggests are appreciated. Thank you

Replacing a Switch with a Dimmer Switch

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:24:18 -08:00

Hi i'm trying to wire in a dimmer switch. The dimmer has a turn switch and a normal switch. There are 2 loads and 2 lines with in this switch. The old dimmer only has 1 line and 1 load on it and there are only 2 wires in the wall red and blue. The new dimmer wont work properly when i connect and use jumpers, what am I doing wrong?

Apprenticeship Programs Outside the United States

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:18:50 -08:00

I'm interested in the apprenticeship program. But how can I join? I live far away in Nigeria.

Electrical Wire Connections to Switches and Outlets

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:09:43 -08:00

Do you recommend using push in type wire connectors? Also when using a dimmer in a 4 way switch circuit can you place the dimmer in any of the switch positions?

Who is the Best Electrician

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:04:40 -08:00

Who do you consider as a best electrician?

Wiring Lights and Switches

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:00:08 -08:00

I'm wiring a house. How do I wire 4 can lights in the ceiling to be on 1 single pole switch. I have installed 12-3 cable in the ceiling. Should the power source be coming from ceiling?

Disposal Wiring Made Easy

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:49:46 -08:00

Excellent article and diagram Dave. If I didn't know better I would think I was an electrician.

Wiring Mess - Switching Outlets

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:44:53 -08:00

I live in an apt complex; the guys that fix things do not really know what they are doing, so I usually just do my own repairs. There is a light switch that operates all four plugs on two different outlets. How can I make the switch only control one plug or even just one outlet. Thank you

Different Types of 4-Way Switches

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:36:30 -08:00

Hi, I was replacing a 4-way switch that seemed to be burned out on one pole and still had problems. After using your web sight and thinking through my problem, I realized that the old 4-way switches (about 23 years old) did not conform to current standards. The inputs and outputs were side to side, respectively, in stead of top and bottom as you show and how my new switch is designed. The old switch was labeled line 1 on one side to help with orientation. You can see the confusion this creates when you try to wire both an old style and new style switch in the same circuit. I eventually got it right! I thought you might want to make a comment somewhere on the page mentioning the different versions of these switches. Unrelated, but also annoying was that who ever wired the house used 14/2 instead of 14/3 travelers so they substituted the ground for neutral and the neutral for the red line just to confuse me more (the inspector must have been sleeping on the job unless this was allowed in the past). Thanks for maintaining this site. It saved me.

Wiring for Recessed Lighting

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:28:36 -08:00

I want to put recessed lighting in my living room. I currently have a light plugged into the outlet where the top plug of outlet is controlled by the wall switch and the bottom has constant power. For the wiring of the recessed lights (4-6 of them), am I able to connect the wiring to the top portion of the outlet or do I need to take it from the wall switch?

Electrical Circuit Troubleshooting

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:55:27 -08:00

I have a circuit that is out. We were sitting down watching TV when our dining room ceiling fan/light flickered and went out. The line comes up from the electrical box to a bedroom, and that ceiling light works, but everything from there out does not, yet the switches and ceiling lights have power. We tested them with a meter and they all beeped showing there was power going to them. The only weird thing that happened is after the lights went out a couple of days later a smoke detector that is hard wired to the same line started going off. It would give a couple of beeps, then speed up and beep loudly and after a few seconds the beeping continued but the sound level would get much quieter. We had to disconnect it to stop it-none of the other detectors went off (not hard wired)and we checked for any sign of fire-there was none. Help! Any ideas? Why would the lines show power going to them if the fixtures do not work?

4 Romex Wires in One Ceiling Junction Box

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:10:18 -08:00

I replaced a junction box in my kitchen ceiling. It has 4 Romex wires going into it. Which wires should be wired together and which ones should connect to a ceiling fan/light?

Troubleshooting Old Electrical Wiring

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:54:26 -08:00

I Came in to help a friend. Old existing 12 gauge wire, appears it goes directly to the panel and a 20 amp breaker. I wired up some GFI outlets(1st time, but sure its right), light on outlet comes on, 220V showing on my meter, plugged in fan, nothing. The breaker at panel does not trip. Working on other wiring in the attic, I noticed some of the same old wiring had been cut out, (small pieces under staple). Any idea? Of course I'd rather replace the wiring entirely, but low pitch of roof and drywall is up. Feeling dumb, Thank You for your time.

Troubleshooting Kitchen Range Wiring

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:28:47 -08:00

I'm hooking up an electric range using a 3 prong cord. The terminal block is just as shown in the above drawing and I hooked it up with the cord as shown. I can get power to the range eyes but not to the oven or control circuit for the oven. The range has three wires hooked on the red terminal (two are connected to a single connector) and one single red wire. The black and white wires and ground tab are just like the drawing. The black wire terminal, white wire terminal and the two mounting block screws all seem to be connected as I can get a circuit path when testing with a meter. I don't get a circuit between the red terminal and any other point I try. I have checked the receptacle and power cord and they are both ok. Do you have any other suggestions as to what is wrong. Thanks, BC

Kitchen Disposal Wiring

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:11:15 -08:00

Thanks, You saved me a lot of headache!

Wiring Connections for a 240 Volt Oven

dave@ask-the-electrician (Dave Rongey) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 01:00:27 -08:00

I have a 1980's Home, with a 3-wire 240 volt circuit which is Aluminum. I would like to know how to connect his cable to my new stove. The Cable Wires are: 1-black insulation, 1-black with 2 red lines insulation and a bare ground. Does the black wire with red lines go to red on stove? Does it matter if the 2 hot are switched?