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Electrical Questions:

Electrical Outlet Placement:

Question:

How far apart do electrical outlets have to be to meet code?

Answer:

At this time I believe that the current code mandates outlets every ten (10) feet in livable areas of a residence and at least one per running wall if less than 10 feet in length. I personally believe that you can't have enough outlets, because inevitably we all seem to have an endless supply of power strips to accommodate all our gadgets. I just completed a large remodel for myself and I ran out lets every 5 feet. Remember, all bedrooms have to be protected by Arch Protection breakers now. Gordon

Running Wires for outlets:

Question:

What is the recommended height for running electric wires through studs? The outlet should be about 14-16 inches above floor but at what height should the wires be run?

 Answer:

The standard rule of thumb in running wire is at least 6 inches higher than the box for outlets located near grade. This allows ample space to staple the Romex within 4 inches of the box. This is a good run of thumb for all boxes, whether they are for switches, lighting or outlets. You don't what to waste wire but you also want have a little extra cost at hand in case you have left yourself a little short for final make up of the box. It easier to loosen a staple, than to re-pull wire if it’s to short. The only exception would be in a garage where the wire might be exposed to children and or to damage; I would run high and then drop down to the box then loop back up. This uses a little more wire but is safer. I hope this is helpful. Thank you, Gordon

Electrical outlets 2 prong to 3:

Question:

All the outlets are old and are 2 prong with no ground. Is there an adapter I can use to make 3 prong plugs work?

 Answer:

There are self grounding plugs on the market, which can be used if you have metal boxes in the wall, I would also recommend installing a jumper wire from the ground screw on the outlet to a ground screw in the back of the box. Unfortunately you are only grounding the outlet to the box where it is housed not to the panel where proper grounding can be accessed. The only way to get a true ground is to re-wire the box with Romex wire containing a ground and run it to the panel. I hope this will help, Gordon

Combo Air Conditioner wiring and fusing:

Question:

I am installing an 18000 BTU air conditioner with inside and outside units. The outdoor unit calls for 230/208 voltage, rated amps 8.6/9.5, minimum circuit amperage is 15, and maximum over current protection is 20. It suggests 14-3 wiring with a 20 amp breaker. Can I do this and what type of wire is required? I have been told that I shouldn't use a 20 amp breaker with 14-3 wiring. The overall wiring will consist of both indoor and outdoor sections and I would like to know what I would have to use on the outside section. From the point of where it will exit the house there will be approximately 3m of wiring required to a disconnect box and then a short distance to the unit. I am hoping to run this inside a plastic covering designed to cosmetically cover the refrigeration lines. What type of wire is required outside the house  Does it have to be a special type such as shielded or anything different from the inside wire ?

Answer:

I would suggest that with the listed amperage rating of the over current protection of twenty amps using 12/3 wire. Indoor sections that are under the house or in the walls can be Romex type (plastic shielded) from the main panel with a two pole 20 amp breaker installed. From the surface mounted disconnect with another two pole 20 amp circuit breaker near the unit outside, your need to run THHN wire or similar inside Seal Tite or similar plastic coated flexible conduit with the appropriate connectors installed. Make sure this work is all done to code as the units warranty could be voided if not. Thanks for your question, Gordon

GFIC Outlets:

Question:

How do I reset GFIC outlets?

Answer:

Typically there is a re-set button on the actual GFIC outlet, but if it doesn't reset from there then it is most likely faulty and need of replacement. As I'm sure you are aware of all outside plugs, bathroom, and garage and kitchen receptacles, near the sink are required to be Ground Fault protected. Typically you may have one in the master bath that controls the other bath, one in the kitchen supporting the kitchen circuit, one in the garage that protects the others in the garage and perhaps the outside outlets as well depending on the wiring plan. Outlets are relatively easy to replace just isolate the circuit at the panel, turn it off and replace the suspect outlet, putting the wires back exactly as you found them. Thanks for your question. Gordon

Removing Electrical Outlet:

Question:

I am putting a service bar/window in wall that separates the kitchen from the living area. There is an electrical outlet that I would like to be removed/capped so that the window can be larger. Is there a way to remove the outlet/wiring or cap it off in a safe way?

 Answer:

When terminating an electrical circuit you must do it in an approved box. Therefore you will need to turn off the breaker in the panel, open up the box nearest the window area, isolate the wires that are passing through the space, then clip the exposed copper, put wire nuts (yellow) over the ends separately, get a blank cover for the box if you are losing the outlet. Remember if there are more than one set of wires in the box, one set is the line side (from the power source) and the other or others are the load side. If you cap off the out let then you might lose outlets down stream that are being fed by it. All terminations, splices etc.. must be done in a box, period. Thanks for your question and remember when in doubt, hire a professional, piece of mind is priceless. Gordon

 Motion and light Sensors:

Question:

What am I doing wrong or what kind of maintenance should I be doing? I have installed the sensor floodlights around my house and I have installed some sensor light switches in my stairwells. They quit working in a couple months. I like them but they are expensive to replace all the time. Help!!!

 Answer:

In the recent years the market has been flooded with numerous motion and photo cell flood etc.. I have installed several brands with little success. It seems like they work for several months then give it up. Perhaps instead of the Home depot, Wal-Mart etc. brands which I am guilty of buying in the past try here http://www.residential-landscape-lighting-design.com , they are expensive but they work. Thanks for your question, Gordon

Ceiling fan hums:

Question:

We have installed a ceiling fan in a main floor bedroom, one that is directly below the Master bedroom. When the fan runs there is constant hum in the Master bedroom. The fan does not wobble it runs fine. Is there anything I can do to reduce or eliminate the humming?.

 Answer:

Unfortunately there is no easy way to deaden the humming, the only suggestion is to buy a more expensive fan, the higher end ones don't vibrate as much? The floor and ceiling are close to each other and the fan motor vibrates the joist causing the problem. Gordon

Electrical outlets don’t work:

Question:

All my outlets in the bathroom stopped working. The breaker is on and they don’t seem to be gfi, so I am confused.  Help, I am new to owning a house, thank you very much.

Answer:

Typically when a house is wired and has two bathroom, the master bath has a GFIC outlet that protects both bathrooms. The kitchen has one that protects the other plugs close to the sink and there is typically one in the garage that protects the outlets there and perhaps the outside plugs as well. Often times the GFIC outlet will go bad or is faulty, affecting the other plugs down stream as it were. Hope this helps, Gordon

Wiring Through a beam:

Question:

I am wanting to put some pendent lights over a bar area there is a beam just over head and wanting to know if it is possible to drill through the beam and run the Romex down through the beam to the lights.

Answer:

Good Evening Chris, Absolutely, You will not effect the structural integrity of the beam by drilling a hole through it. Don't make it giant but give yourself some room to push the Romex through. You probably want to use a 3/0 metal pancake box so your lights pendant cover has a firm connection and you always want to "make up" your connections in an approved box. Gordon