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12 / 24 Volt AC or DC photo eye
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. 1

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
HOOK UP Wires
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
6-2 wire
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 breaker only
6-2 wire
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
Non metallic flexible cables must carry ground wire, but do not have hazard of short circuit causing injury from shock.

Armored steel cable can be used as a grounded connection, and will protect wires from damage. Metal can be energized from an insulation failure.

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:
Non-metallic flexible conduit
Power whip
Armored cable
Southwire armored cable cutter
Pull boxes
Southwire armored cable cutter
Electrical tools must be insulated.
Always best to disconnect power, but insulation failure, lack of proper grounding, grounded neutral, lack of GFCI, out-of-code wiring, generator operating without transfer switch, and other problems still pose a risk to anyone working on electric power ... even when breaker is off.

Buy:
Electrician tools kits
KLEIN TOOLS
Tools kits
IRWIN tools
KNIPEX

Telephone cable knife
Low Voltage Mounting Bracket for Telephone
Push on wire connectors

Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors

Buy:
Push on wire connectors Amazon
Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire
Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon
HOOK UP Wires

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 resistance and heat on wire and creates possible weak point.
Buy tools:
KLEIN TOOLS
Wire strippers at Amazon
Electric Wire Stripping Machine
Linesman pliers
Utility knife at Amazon
multimeter
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

GFCI circuit breaker
A GFCI circuit breaker will protect all boxes on circuit.

Circuit must be grounded. Ground wire must be continuous and connected to each piece of equipment.

White wire on circuit breaker must be connected to Neutral busbar inside the breaker panel.

Buy
GFCI circuit breakers
Push down
single-pole breaker
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
double-pole breaker
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
12 volt AC-DC photocell 12 Volt AC/DC photocell/ coil rated for 12 volt DC
10 amp

Incoming black Hot wire connects to Black wire on photoeye.
Outgoing Load wire (to light etc) connects to red wire.
Incoming white Neutral wire and Load Neutral connect to White wire on photoeye
Buy::
12 V DC-AC photocell at Amazon
12 V DC mighty mule photo eye
All 12 VDC photocells
12 Volt DC products at Amazon


12 volt AC-DC photocell 12 Volt DC photocell for 12 VDC car battery

Incoming black Hot wire connects to Black wire on photoeye.
Outgoing Load wire (to light etc) connects to red wire.
Incoming white Neutral wire and Load Neutral connect to White wire on photoeye

Buy::
12 V DC photocell at Amazon
All 12 VDC photocells
12 Volt DC products at Amazon 
Resource:
Reverse photocell so it turns off at night and on at day

12 volt transformer Transformer
ST01C           
          Larger image              

CR2 battery  ST01 uses CR2 battery
6-12-24 volt photo eye/ AC or DC
ST01/ battery-operated/ dawn-to-dusk or dusk-to-dawn/ astronomic or programmable timer/ works with 12-28 Volt AC or DC/ requires no power to operate timer except internal CR2 battery
Use dawn-dusk programming.
Connect 24V DC to Black and Blue wires

To reverse operation so load is ON during the day... connect blue and red wires together

ST01 and Ei600 timers are battery operated 
These timers do NOT require connection to 120 Volt power
Free standing timer, replaceable CR2 battery
DC Loads 4A 12V dc, 2A 28V dc
Buy:
Intermatic ST01c timer/ 1 year warranty
ST01a almond
Intermatic ST01K combination timer
Ei600 5-year warranty timer 
CR2 replacement battery 

Resources:
Load ratings for Intermatic timers/ pdf
Load rating for ST01 timer: 120V ac, 6A, 208-277V ac; DC Loads 4A 12V dc, 2A 28V dc; Motors 1HP 120VAC, 2HP
240V ac, Ballast 16A 120V ac, 208-277V ac; Resistive 20A 120-277Vac.
ST01 timer
Red-Blue-Black-green wires
LED display is not illuminated
Incoming black Hot wire connects to Black wire on photoeye.
Outgoing Load wire (to light etc) connects to Blue wire. Red wire is capped off.
Incoming white Neutral wire is not connected to battery-operated ST01 timer.
Load Neutral connect to White wire on photoeye
Why is this timer a photo eye?
Because it can operate dawn-to-dusk or dusk-to-dawn.
The timer automatically adjusts for time zone. The dawn dusk setting can be adjusted slightly longer or shorter.
The timer can be connected to delay timer to turn off earlier than dusk or dawn
Choose dawn-to-dusk by connecting blue and red wire together.
Choose dusk-to-dawn by capping red wire

Why is this timer 24 Volt DC
Because the timer is battery-operated. Battery lasts 2-3 years.
Because the timer does not need to be connected to 120 Volt AC or 240 Volt AC power to operate. Just the battery is needed
Timer can be located inside electric box, anywhere outdoors-or-indoors. Can be located in shaded or dark location without affecting operation.
ST01 timer is rated DC Loads 4A 12V dc, 2A 28V dc
Resources:
How to program and wire ST01 timer
24 volt photo eye ST01 ON at night/ OFF in day
Cap off timer red wire
Use contactor or relay if load exceeds 4 Amp AC, 2 amp DC

Buy:
Contactors
Photoeyes
24 volt transformer
12 volt transformer
Contactors
24 volt relay
12 volt relay
24 volt photo eye ST01 OFF at night/ ON in day
Connect timer blue wire and timer red wire
Use contactor or relay if load exceeds 4 Amp AC, 2 amp DC

Buy:
Intermatic ST01c timer 
Intermatic ST01 timer
Ei600 5-year warranty timer
Contactors
24 volt relay
12 volt relay
solar water heater
Larger image
ST01 timer controls PV solar panels
Concept illustration.
Not tested as drawn with solar panels.
Following information about ST01 timer is tested:
ST01 timer is rated 4A 12V dc, 2A 28V dc
Install 2 amp fuse as shown
When ST01 timer red-and-blue wires are connected, then programming is reversed. Dusk-to-Dawn become Dawn-to-Dusk
Buy:
DC-DC heavy amp relay with 12-24 Volt DC coil, contacts rated 250 VDC 26 amp
DC-DC heavy amp relay with 12-24 Volt DC coil, contacts rated 400 VDC 200 amp
Intermatic ST01c timer 
solar water heater
Larger image
Use DC timer to control solar water heater
How it works:
When water inside tank is cold, then lower thermostat turns ON
12-24 Volt power supply provides electricity to lower thermostat
Thermostat turns ON, then DC relay turns ON, letting solar power flow to lower element.
At same time, power is sent to ST01 timer, waiting for timer programs to activate
ST01 is battery powered, and keeps time and will operate relays even is 12-24 VDC does not arrive from lower thermostat.
With this specific illustration, the lower thermostat must be ON before 12-24 VDC travels to ST01 timer
When timer is ON, and lower thermostat is ON, then timer turns ON upper element

When solar power is not full strength, then you want to activate lower watt, higher-resistance element to maximize solar output.
In this illustration, the lower watt element is the upper element on water heater
Set timer so it is ON from 6 AM to 10 AM
Set timer so it is OFF from 10 AM to 3 PM

Set timer so it is ON from 3 PM to 9 PM

Resources:
Convert AC water heater to DC water heater
Buy:
12 Volt DC products at Amazon
12 volt DC power supply 12-24 volt DC power supply for 2-pin LED lights
60 watt
120 volt AC to 12 volt DC

Buy::
12 V DC 60 watt power supply
12V DC 10A power supply
IP67 LED driver
All 12 volt DC power supplies


To wire this as a photoeye, connect ordinary 120 volt AC photoeye to the electric cord going to power supply.

Buy:
120 volt Photo eyes


12 Volt DC photoeye
12 volt DC photoeye


Buy:
12 volt DC photoeye

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
GFCI receptacle120 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
Basic electric book
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
wire connector assortment

Twist-on wire connector assortments

Do not reuse old connectors
Twist 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 connector

Weatherproof wire connector

Connector cavity is full of silicone
Built-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
Lever switchWeatherproof lever switch on outdoor lights
Safely operate outdoor toggle switch
Replaces outdoor cover
Install over top of ordinary switch
Works with single-pole, double-pole, 3PST, 3-way, 4-way switches etc
Use weatherproof box for outdoor
Can be used indoor or outdoor

Buy:
Best choice: Cantex lever switch
Outdoor lever switches at Amazon
Lever switches

Resource
Cantex-toggle-switch-covers.pdf
Cantex-PVC-junction-boxes.pdf

Treminals

Terminals

Buy:
Terminal kit
Blue for 16-14 wire
Yellow for 12-10 wire

Resource:
How to install terminal
Push on wire connectors

Push-on wire connectors in place of twist-on connectors

Buy:
Push on wire connectors Amazon
Red 3P connector for 10-14 gauge wire
Lever connectors for stranded wire at Amazon
remove cable staple
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

 
linesman pliers

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
Support the economy:
Buy water heaters from my associate links:

50 gallon Gas water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon gas water heaters at Amazon
50 gallon Electric water heaters at Amazon
40 gallon electric water heaters at Amazon
Hybrid / heat pump/ water heaters at Amazon

Resources:
How to install gas water heater
How to install electric water heater
Troubleshoot gas water heater
Troubleshoot electric water heater
Point of use water heaters
Resources:
Troubleshoot Gas valves with manuals
Icon gas valve

How to replace water heater element Waste King disposal
How to wire tankless electric


Install point of use water heater
Titan tankless

Contactors/ relays
Type 1 and type 2 surge protection surge protection
Programmable timers

Woods timers
surge protection
Anode rods anode rods
Recirculation system

Tankless recirculation
Point of use water heater
Install and troubleshoot garbage disposal Waste King disposal
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Electronic parts

Industrial supplies

Tools and home improvement

Home and garden

Hayward pool
Pentair pool

Southwire electric
Buy
Tools
DEWALT
Black and Decker
Stanley
SKIL
Makita
Porter-Cable
Bosch

Irwin Hand tools
Klein hand tools
Fluke electrical testing
Dremel hobby tools

Campbell Hausfeld air powered
Tekton automotive

Powerbuilt automotive
Saws and saw blades
box timers Resource:
Compare box timers
DPDT timers
Intermatic
Control water heater w/ Z-wave
Intermatic control centers Resource:
Intermatic control centers: and parts
Digital control centers and parts
Tork control centers and parts
Subpanels
All control centers and parts
Enclosures
programmable timer Resource:
Programmable timers
Countdown timers
Off delay timers
On delay timers
Timer modules
Din rail
Twin & one-shot
Woods
Intermatic
Tork
Low voltage power packs Recirculation systems
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