Is there any interest in a Electrical education thread?

[pmsmechanic]

I tend to find that a simple back of the napkin drawing or even on a scrap of 2x is enough to let me 'see' where I may have faulty logic.

I do that lots too. Especially for three and four way switches.

 

[GregbkH]

Being an electrician I get asked for advice quite often. What I really hate is when I give advice on the correct way of doing things, they argue with me and go and do it their way even though it is wrong!

 

[teg]

...Black to Brass, White to silver...

Thanks for that tidbit... Also, I'm one of those that's being "talked" about here and may have been over my head a time or three. So, yes I have interest!!

 

[Looking4new]

Wayyy back in the late '60s I apprenticed with a master electrician. Until the day I saw him lose his temper and drive a fairly large screwdriver into the live panel he was working on...Melted the screwdriver, I quit that day and never went back to it. I do most of my own switches and outlets in this house, but NEVER for anyone else. I don't know enough to give advice, I only know enough to be dangerous. 220v is something I never work on, PERIOD. I might come across as being somewhat insecure, but I am still alive and this house hasn't burned down, yet.

 

[podagrower]

That is one instance where someone should have been taught Black to Brass, White to silver. I never understood the importance of that until after I became an electrician.

Which is an awesome rule to remember, until you are mindlessly trimming out the 10,000th outlet of your career and some body puts the screws in the wrong side at the factory.

 

[CobyRupert]

Always cut the red wire with 3 seconds left on the timer!!!

"No! No! Cut the green wire!"

(Yeah, like most electrical threads, it would probably would just end up with people bickering....)

 

[mbohuntr]

Todays work.. I am putting a 4' baseboard heater in my entryway... I sized it at 1000 watts, and will run it on 240 volts.

The math... W=VxA, so 1000watts / 240 volts = 4.16 amps. 14 guage wire is plenty as even derated at 80%, it is still plenty big enough, and is on it's own circuit.
15 amp 2 pole breaker, 14-3 wire, and good to go. Understand and follow the electrical code!

 

[/pine]

That is one instance where someone should have been taught Black to Brass, White to silver. I never understood the importance of that until after I became an electrician.

The powers that be (industry) have tried to make some things stupid proof and taken measures by polarizing the plugs on most devices like light fixtures etc...If the switch/receptacle is wired correctly and the switch is off...you can stick your finger in a bulb socket and you won't get bit...

 

[mbohuntr]

"No! No! Cut the green wire!"

(Yeah, like most electrical threads, it would probably would just end up with people bickering....)

I think I just spit my coffee out....

 

[Dadnatron]

I am all for it.

I know that I always appreciate a Professional view on things, especially things which I am very likely to do myself.

There are too many times when I have to do something and I wing it simply because I don't have the time to wait for someone to come do it... or the job is 'small' but not in my realm of expertise.

Despite what 'should' happen... we all end up doing what 'needs' to be done. Having someone to bounce issues off and learn from would be a BOON in my world. I'll hire out wiring the barn... but there is a good chance I'll be putting in the lights, an outlet, etc etc etc.