Keep wires and conduit straight
Not enough space for circuit breakers
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Keep wires and conduit straight |
Not enough space for circuit breakersHomeSearch waterheatertimer.org /
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 Test for power without touching connectors NEVER assume power is OFF Buy: Non-contact voltage tester Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test electric power is off |
Push
down 1" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breaker Buy single-pole: Choose from 15 to 60 amp Eaton CL series Siemens 15-60 amp Single-pole tandem breaker Tandem breakers |
Push
down 2" wide Push down breaker Plug-in breakers Buy double-pole: Choose from 15 to 125 amp Choose from 15 amp to 200 amp Eaton CL series circuit breaker Siemens circuit breaker Double pole GFCI |
 Breaker base 60 amp 4 breaker 125 amp 8 breaker Buy: 4 breaker spaces 8 breaker spaces |
| Use only 600 volt wire. Lamp cord, extension cords are not rated 600 volt. Use copper wire only. Aluminum wire is fire risk and should be avoided or installed by professional. 30 amp breaker use 10 gauge / 120-240 volt 30 amp outlet can be installed on 30 amp breaker only/ use 10 gauge wire ... cannot be connected to 15-20-40 amp breaker.  Orange/ #10 gauge wire, with ground ... 30 amp capacity. Safe maximum: 30 x 80% = 24 amps. Buy: 10-2 gauge/ 30 amp 10-3/ 30 amp Southwire electric tools |
Yellow
12 gauge 20 amp 120 volt 20 amp outlet can be installed on 20 amp breaker, but not 15 amp breaker/ use 12 ga wire. ... cannot be connected to 30-40 amp breaker.  Yellow/ #12 gauge wire, with ground ... 20 amp capacity. Safe maximum 16 amps. Buy: 12-2 gauge/ 20 amp 12-3/ 20 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground Rolls of stranded wire |
White
14 gauge 15 amp 120 volt 15 amp outlet, AFCI, GFCI, timer, switch etc can be installed on 15 or 20 amp breaker. Never connect 15 gauge wire to 20-30-40 amp breaker.  White/ #14 gauge wire, with ground ... 15 amp capacity. Safe maximum 12 amps. Buy: 14-2 gauge/ 15 amp 14-3/ 15 amp NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
| 50-60
amp breaker use 6 gauge / 240 volt 50 outlet can be installed on 50 amp breaker only  Buy: 6-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
40-50
amp breaker use 8 gauge / 240 volt 40 amp outlet can be installed on 40 or 50 amp breker only  Buy: 8-2 wire Southwire electric tools NMB is house wiring UF is underground |
  Copper ground wire. Every device, load, metal enclosure etc must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous throughout installation, never switched on-off, never used as a Neutral wire. Generally ... use same size as other wire in circuit Buy: 12 gauge copper ground wire Ground wire Green ground wire Ground pigtails Ground rods/ ground clamps at Amazon |
 Armored cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure. Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but does not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock. All conduit ...metal, plastic ... flexible and rigid ... must be attached to structure, and attached to enclosures, boxes. Movement, damage and deterioration are major cause of electrical failure. Buy: Armored cable Southwire armored cable cutter Non-metallic flexible conduit Power whip Pull boxes |
 Electrical tools must be insulated. Always best to disconnect power, but issues of insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems pose a risk to anyone working on electric power. Buy: Electrician tools kits Klein tools Tools kits |
 12 ga Stranded wire is good for conduit with multiple wires ... but stranded cannot be installed under screw terminals on outlets, switches, timers etc without risk ... of heat causing splayed strands ....that come loose ... and begin to arc. Connect stranded to short piect of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Buy: Rolls of stranded wire |
 Protect wiring from damage Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. -Code says: Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
  Electrically insulated tools When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances and heat on wire and creates possible weak point. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Utility knife at Amazon |
 Multimeters Voltage is tested across two separate wires. Ohms or resistance is tested across both ends of same wire. Amperage is tested along one or two points on same wire. Buy: Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line |
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 Absolute
electrocution danger..Main breaker terminals are still Hot when main breaker is turned off. ... unless meter is pulled How to pull meter If you are not familiar with safe electric practice, best not attempt project. |
 Service panel,
or Breaker boxes can get fullUse tandem breakers and consolidate two 120 volt circuit into 1 breaker slot. Add two tandem breakers, and free up two slots needed for new 240 volt breaker, or a breaker used for whole house surge protection A single Tandem breaker will not supply 240 volt.... (US residential power is 120-240V) Tandem must be same brand as breaker box, or approved fit for that box. Buy from my affiliate links: Tandem breakers at Amazon  |
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 Install tandem breaker One breaker replaces two breakers Make space for additional double-pole breaker by installing two tandem breakers Combine circuits on one bus Combine two lightweight circuits such as bedroom and attic Each side of breaker operates separately from the other Buy from my affiliate links: Tandem breakers at Amazon Resource: How to wire whole house surge protector Figure Volts Amps Watts for water heater Color code for wire and breaker |
 Tandem breaker Inside main
service box, or breaker boxReplace single breakers with tandem and add capacity to breaker box. In this example, two tandems were added to make room for a new double breaker.  Working inside main panel is safe if main breaker is
off.BUT remember ... even if the main is off and all power below the main breaker is off and safe to work with ... the big wires that connect to the main breaker lugs will be HOT with death-defying 200 amps of power that will not release if touched... stay away from main breaker ... always re-install the breaker box cover and door when finished. |
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Caution Main breaker wires and lugs are HOT all the time, even when main breaker is OFF .... unless meter is pulled How to pull meter |
 General
instructions for replacing breaker:
Turn off electricity at main breaker > > loosen screw on breaker > remove wire from breaker using needle nose pliers > pull old breaker off busbar > to remove breaker, grab the switch on breaker and jiggle breaker back-and-forth sideways to loosen from busbar > or use flat tip screwdriver between breakers to gently pry up breaker > rotate breaker up from busbar > remove other end of breaker off cleat or bar or metal rod > buy matching brand breaker > check busbar for damage > if busbar is melted, scorched, it might be a bad choice to add another breaker to same bus > Connect wire to new breaker before installation > make sure no wire insulation is under the screw > Use solid copper wire only > install new breaker onto cleat or bar > rotate breaker down to busbar > push new breaker firmly onto busbar > double-tighten screw very tight against copper wire Resource: Detailed steps for replacing circuit breaker |
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> Connect wire first > Attach wire VERY firmly using correct size screwdriver > NO insulation under screw >Torque the screw down tight. Pull wire to see if it can come loose > attach rail end of breaker first > push or snap breaker down onto busbar |
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 Match breaker and wire size Use only 600 volt electric wire (never use extension cord) Use only solid copper wire Never use stranded wire for 14, 12, 10 gauge wiring Always connect the ground wire Resource: Color code for wire Safe electric wiring |
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When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or
put cuts on surface
of copper wire. Doing so increases resistance on wire and creates weak
point. Use wire stripper and not knife. Klein tools are top quality Buy tools from my affiliate links: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Pro linesman plier Needle nose pliers End cutting nippers at Amazon |
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Install
Tandem breakers This panel has several tandem breakers Each tandem fits over one busbar, and pulls double duty from each busbar. Do not expect breaker panel busbars to last as long under double load. You cannot draw 240 volt off of one tandem breaker.. But if two tandem breakers are side-by-side, then 240 Volt is possible. For 240Volt, select the inside terminals... one from each tandem breaker. Connect 240V wire to these two terminals. To meet code, notice there is a connector bar (color reddish) that physically joins the two switches |
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Code says: Use connected/
double-pole breaker Against code: Use 2 single breakers to supply 240 volt, unless the switches are connected and rated for same amps |
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If Tandem is not possible ... then install subpanelIf tandem breakers are not possible, then install subpanel to increase breaker box capacityResources: How to install subpanel |
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Circuit breaker resourcesWater heater is tripping breakerHow to replace circuit breaker How to wire gfci Can AC breaker be used for DC breaker How to reset circuit breaker Not enough space for circuit breakers Circuit breakers How to install subpanel Why you need ground wire Match breaker and wire size How to wire subpanel See inside breaker box How to wire safety switch How to wire whole house surge protector Figure volts amps and watts Figure correct wire and breaker |
Multimeter Test for breaks in wire/ Test for voltage Most appliance require 80% rated voltage to function correctly Buy Analog multimeter Multimeters at Amazon Klein multimeter Electric testers at Amazon Clampmeter for testing amp flow on line Resource: How to test and replace element How to test thermocouple Element tests for 120 volts How to test wire |
Safety
when testing wires:
Never touch wet or previously flooded appliance. Never stand on wet surface when working on electric. Never stand on bare soil, put down dry boards. Tape tester leads to wood sticks to keep hands away from power. Use non-contact voltage tester before touching wires. Never touch or lean into any made of metal. Remove metal objects from pockets. Do not use oxygen or fuel accelerants in same room as electrical repairs Resource: Basic house wiring |
Non-contact voltage tester Test for power without touching connectors NEVER assume power is OFF Buy: Non-contact voltage tester Amazon Electric testers at Amazon Resource: How to test electric power is off |
 120 volt 15 amp devices
including GFCI, timers, switches, plugs, wifi controls etc can be
installed on 15 or 20
amp
breaker.120 volt GFCI, outlet, receptacle that is rated 20 amp can be installed on 20 amp breaker only, but NOT on 15 amp breaker. Buy 15 amp GFCI 20 amp GFCI |
Buy Basic electric book Home plumbing/ electrical codes  Or learn about basic household electricity... use and search my site/ Resource Safe electric wiring Basic house wiring |
 Use outlet tester to check for correct wiring on any 120 volt straight-blade outlet. Buy: Klein testers Outlet tester Circuit breaker finder Electric usage monitor |
Twist-on wire connector assortmentsDo not reuse old connectorsTwist wire connector very tight. Pull wires to ensure they will not come loose. Cover all bare copper. Buy: Connector assortment at Amazon Connector assortment at Amazon Resource How to select and install twist-on wire connectors |
Weatherproof wire connectorConnector cavity is full of siliconeBuilt-in cover keeps silicone in place Protect from water, dust etc Buy from my affiliate links Weatherproof size 14 to 6 Amazon Weatherproof size 22 to 8 Amazon Resource How to select and install connectors |
Connect wire to screw terminal Use only 600 volt solid copper wire. Do not use stranded wire or extension cord. Do not use solder anywhere on residential 120-240 volt wiring. Attach electric installation to structure. Tighten screws very tight against wire.  Buy: NEC books Dewalt plumbing/ electrical codes Basic electric book National electric code guide/ illustrated Resources: How to twist wire How to select and install twist-on wire connectors |
 Insulated
lever switch on outdoor lightsOperate outdoor toggle switch safely ... and easily Replaces outdoor cover. Install over top of ordinary toggle switch. Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc. Buy: Best choice: Cantex lever switch Outdoor lever switches at Amazon |
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Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectorsBuy:Push on wire connectors Amazon Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon |
Use nipper instead of pliers or screwdriver for removing staples (and nails). Do not damage cable or wires inside cable. Code -Cable SHALL BE secured without damage to the outer covering. NEC sec. 336-15 Buy End cutting nippers at Amazon |
 When removing insulation from wire, do NOT score or put cuts on surface of copper wire. Doing so increases resistances on wire and creates weak point. Buy tools: Wire strippers at Amazon Linesman pliers Pro linesman plier Needle nose pliers End cutting nippers at Amazon |
 Weather resistant plastic box for outdoor extension cord connections, Christmas lights, outdoor power strip etc . Not for connecting wires with wire nutsŪ, or in-wall wiring, but can be used indoors to organize extension cords, power strips etc. Weather resistant is not weatherproof or watertight. Use enclosures rated IP65 and IP67 for waterproof. Extension cords cannot be used for permanent wiring. Buy: Large-medium-small electric cord box Socketbox Raintight enclosures Water-tight cord lock Resource: Enclosures and boxes |
 Contactors/ relays |
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