I recently converted a switched outlet to always live (did the bypass inthe attic, taped off the dead leads in the hallway box and removed the switch). Went from a bank of 4 to 3. I can replace the cover with a 3 switch but that leaves the hole where the 4th was. the switches are in a single horizontal metal gang box (1960s). I really don't want to mess with digging into the wall and the attendant wiring to swap the 4box for a 3box. I've been pushing off the issue for a while now... Read more ..read more

In my garage there was 240V L6-20R, 20Amps Locking Receptacle. The 1-gang electrical box is not anchored to any stud, and the wall is all covered with pegboard panels (there seems to be some black panels behind the pegboard panels). The 1-gang box looks different, maybe a type that does not need a stud. The thing is that I want to install a nema 14-50 receptacle there flushed with the wall. The wires coming from above seemed to be 20amps cable (yellow jack) with two hots (white wire used as... Read more ..read more

I am adding a point of use water heater under my kitchen sink because it takes over a minute of running water to get hot water to the faucet. There is currently a pair of unused 12 ga white-black conductors wired to the main panel with a 20 amp breaker. There is a separate ground wire running to the dead-ended box where the unused circuit terminates. It was apparently intended for some future use, but is not pulled through a conduit, so I cannot replace it. -> is it permissible by code... Read more ..read more

Hello Folks, My house came with an old 200amps Cutler-Hammer circuit breaker panel. The breakers are of the tan variety. Amongst the breakers there is a 15amp GFCI breaker with a red test button, and upon pressing the test button nothing happened; so, I went ahead and tested the outlets connected to the circuit with a gfic outlet tester and low and behold the breaker did trip. Problem be that now the breaker simply does not work any longer: by switching the breaker to the ON position... Read more ..read more

Hello Folks, Recently I bought a house whose garages ceiling is populated by old t12 fluorescent light – about 12 40watts bulbs. Was in the process of replacing them with t12 led equivalent (type a) bulbs which a plug and play (no need to worry about shunt, no shunt, or bypass the ballast). But so far, it seems to be have been the wrong approach. There are different types of ballast which can be a problem and they are weak point of failure and another load on the circuit consuming... Read more ..read more

Not sure this is the right place but couldn't find a section on electric motors. I have a small tabletop water fountain that runs on batteries but also has a place to plug in an electric cord. I found one that fits and operates the motor but it spins is too fast. Is there an easy way to put something inline on the cord to slow the motor down? Like a dimmer switch or something similar ..read more

Greetings, I am adding a switch and an outlet to a kitchen wall where there is currently none. After cutting the hole in the wall for the outlet box I noticed a drain pipe for the upstairs bathroom shower and sink. It is a drain pipe, it is not supplying water anywhere. I'll obviously have to cut the outlet box so it's shallower (no big deal, I have done this in tight spots before) and there is room for the outlet (GFCI) to clear the pipe but just barely. Is it ok to have a metal pipe... Read more ..read more

Finally, replaced a 4-circuit 15A Transfer Switch with a 10-circuit 30A Transfer Switch for a 9000W generator. My issue is the 2-240 dbl breakers that take up 4 of the 10 circuits; one is for the well and 1 for the septic. The septic is gravity flow and 100' + 30' below the home, and there's only 2 of us, so those 2 lines to the septic could be used elsewhere for a couple of days. Also, beyond those 2 lines, I would like to switch a couple other lines in the house if the power is out for... Read more ..read more

Does anyone know an electrician who will perform a few small, residential repairs? Wire a range hood. Diagnose the problem in the power line to outbuilding. Replace the plug/cord for two 230v pumps. Commercial electricians won’t even return calls these days for such a small job ..read more

We are having issues with the GFCI outlet box that was installed as part of a new 20A circuit for lighting the underdeck. I have attached the photos that give a better picture than the explanation provided below. The weatherproof 2-gang outlet box (pic 1) is full and it is accommodating a WR GFCI with four 12/2 wire runs inside. One run is for incoming power to GFCI and the other three are spliced inside and pigtailed to supply power to other runs. The other outlet box below (pic 2) has the... Read more ..read more