Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [wiring]

The installation of wire and/or electrical devices, to allow the transmission of electricity from one point to another.

Wiring can include installing wire for electrical distribution, and data communication. As well as installing outlet devices such as receptacles, light fixtures, switches, etc.

In most locations the installation of wires and devices is strictly regulated by safety and standards organizations, and can only be done by qualified licensed professionals.

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8039 questions
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Home electronics break daily and wiring is OK. Any ideas?

We have a very old house, circa 1850-1900. It seems that as often as every week we have had to replace an electronic device. In the past six months, we have had to in total, replace: 1 washing machine 1 refrigerator 1 PC motherboard (of my custom…
matthapkidokarate
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How do I wire an old house with Cat6?

I have a older home (build in the 50's) with 1/2" dry wall and then plaster on top. I would like to run Cat6 cable through most of the house (living room, kitchen, entertainment room,etc). So, I'm looking for pointers on how to do this. At first…
cbrulak
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Male plug installed in wall

Have a male plug installed into drywall about a foot above the baseboard level. Above that, at tv installation level, is a normal female outlet with a tv cable line. What would the male plug be used for?
Lani
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What's the cheapest way to wire these lights that are 400' away at the end of the driveway?

We recently built a house and added 3/4 conduit underground from outside the breaker box to the top of the driveway for a future project to add stone pillars with LED lights (example pictures below). The distance from the box to the top of the…
RetiredATC
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Does voltage play any role in choosing the appropriate wire gauge?

Online, most household wiring guides suggest 14 gauge wire for 15 amp circuits, 12 for 20 amps, and 10 for 30 amps. Do these assume the voltage is 120, or does voltage not come into play when choosing wire gauge? For example, I have an appliance…
trw
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2 answers

Help wiring a pendant light

I’m installing a pendant light. I took down the old light and I’m having trouble figuring out how to wire the new one. My ceiling has a white, black and copper ground wire. My pendant light has a copper wire, then a black, white and green wire. …
Rj0614
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Should an optical cable inside a house be run in conduit?

I am hoping to run a fibre optic cable from the office/study to the "server" room where I'll have my NAS. The idea is to use a 10 Gbit/s connection. We are building and are currently framing. Should I run conduit and put the fibre in it, or is it…
pookieman
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3-prong to 4-prong conversion - EXTRA MISLABELLED WIRES - Dryer cable upgrade and installation

Samsung dryer, model DV422EWHDWR/AA My Dryer has a 3-prong cable, I need to upgrade to 4-prong. I have TWO GREEN wires here, which is something I cannot find mentioned anywhere else. I reckon that one of these corresponds to the usual solid metal…
Shaun Miller
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Can I use SCH 40 for buried and above ground feeder wire?

I'm running 2" PVC from my house to a detached garage to run a 60 amp feeder. Looking at the NEC, it looks like I need to put it in SCH 40 below-ground. However, it looks like I have to use SCH 80 anywhere the PVC will be above the ground. Is…
Dustin
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Can a 20 amp circuit have a 14 gauge pigtail directly to one receptacle?

I'm rewiring a a small part of a wall and I'm confused about a combination of the NEC and the products that I'm able to find. I'm working on a 20 amp circuit (with 12g wire of course). I'm connecting 4 receptacles each in their own box, 15 amp…
andyortlieb
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Which wire is neutral and hot?

I have the following wires in a box for a switch. I'm trying to replace the switch with a smart switch but cant figure out which is neutral. I thought it was the white one, but when I unbundle the white white, the light no longer turns on when I…
ATG
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How to read the numbers on electrical wiring to run within walls

I am wondering how to read the numbers on electrical wiring separated by slashes such as 12/2. What do the numbers refer to? What other numbers should I watch out for when purchasing wires to be run within the walls and sockets of a…
Jimmy Joslington
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Is there a standard wiring scheme for AC/heater thermostats?

I have a project idea where I would really like to be able to make my own thermostat to control my home's AC and heater. I have just two questions Is there any standard wiring/color code? Are any of the wires supplying a high voltage or current?…
Earlz
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What is the easiest method to fish cable through the ceiling?

I need to fish some speaker wire through my ceiling downstairs to the lower part of the adjacent exterior wall. To compound the problem, the ceiling joists run perpendicular to the direction I need to run the cable. I have a feeling I already know…
Adam Robinson
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Am I supposed to pull part of the whole cable inside the box?

When installing an electrical box, am I supposed to pull part of whole Romex cable inside the box or I can remove the white insulation outside the box and insert only 3 wires (hot, neutral and ground) inside the box? Look at the picture. I have…
user2716454
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