Frequently Asked Questions

[Jim Katen]

So I'm considering putting together a Frequently Asked Questions topic in the Electrical Forum. I'd like help generating a list of such questions. Some easy ones that come to mind:

Are wire nuts allowed inside an electrical panel enclosure?

When are double taps allowed and not allowed?

Can you put a GFCI on an ungrounded circuit?

How are lightning arrestors supposed to be installed?

How are doorbell transformers supposed to be installed?

If you have a 240-volt circuit with two 30-amp breakers, is that a 30-amp circuit or a 60-amp circuit?

When do panel feeders need to have 4 wires and when can they only have 3 wires?

Are you allowed to have a 15-amp receptacles on a 20-amp circuit?

Please add to the list.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Richard Moore]

I got a report to write but a few quickly off the top of my head...

Can you use a double pole breaker for 120-volt circuits (1 or 2)?.

Why is it sometimes OK to have larger breakers than the wires are rated for? (AC compressors, etc)

Why can reverse polarity be dangerous?

I'll see if I can think of more tomorrow.

[Brandon Whitmore]

Is it ok to install breakers from one manufacturer into another maufacturers panel when not listed on that panel's label. (I'm still not 100% sure on this one).

How can homes wired with aluminum branch circuits be made safe.

What panels have a history of problems.

What are the allowed fixes for open grounded 3 prong receptacles.

Can extension cords be used as appliance cords.

[Chad Fabry]

Can extension cords be used as appliance cords.

Furtively pushes circular saw under bench

[Jerry Simon]

Will a heart defibrillator work on a Zombie?

[Neal Lewis]

The house has the original knob and tube wiring. Would you buy this house?

[asihi]

What is the defintition of bonding?

Can a sub-panel ever be bonded past the service equipment? Why or why not?

[Tom Raymond]

Transfer switches always seem to garner a great many different opinions when they come up. And as long as the zombie topic keeps popping up, there is a dead link to an article on two wire circuits in the library that could be reanimated.

Alternatives to 2-wire (ungrounded) Receptacles

This paper contains the 1999 NEC rules for alternatives to grounding using GFCI's

Tom

Downloads: 19

Posted: Jun 26 2007

[resqman]

How close to the meter does the ground wire have to be connected to the water pipe?

Is one ground rod OK or should there be two?

Can I replace the two prong receptacles with a GFCI?

Do receptacles within 6 feet of a water source have to be GFCI?

Can lights buried in insulation

Must a dedicated circuit for the fridge be GFCI (in kitchen or garage)

Do receptacles in the garage have to be 18 inches above the floor?

Can all the wires going into the panel enter through a single pipe?

[Terence McCann]

Why does my refrigerator need to be on a grounded outlet?

My home inspector said my automatic garage door opener should be on a grounded outlet. Is it OK to install a ground rod outside the garage and then just run a green wire into the garage?

[randynavarro]

How old is too old for electrical components?

[Les]

Will stray voltage, from the power lines, make my cows produce less milk?

[mthomas1]

Why did you get so so upset when I tried to reach into the box? I just wanted to point sometime out to you.

[Jim Morrison]

Is it legal to have more than one main disconnect to a service?

Do these jeans make my hips look big?

Is there a decent test for AFCI's?

[randynavarro]

Bump.

Searching for other information, I found this. . . .

Ever get the FAQ's answered, Jim?

[Jim Katen]

Bump.

Searching for other information, I found this. . . .

Ever get the FAQ's answered, Jim?

Nope. I still like the idea, but it ain't gonna happen as long as business keeps cranking along like this. . .