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Resource: safe electric wiring
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How
to control motor with two switches Resource: safe electric wiring |
| 30 amp switches | 30 amp double-pole | 30 amp DPDT | Ordinary 15-20 amp switches | 15 amp pilot light switch |
 Single-pole/ 2-pole on-off switches Buy: 30 amp 2-pole switch 30 amp industrial grade |
 Heavy duty double-pole switches to turn off both hot wires in 240 volt circuit Buy: 30 amp motor switch 40 amp motor switch Leviton motor switch |
 Buy: 30 amp DPDT switch Resource: Use this switch to toggle water heater between 120-240 volt |
 Ordinary 15-20 amp toggle switch Buy: 15 amp switch 20 amp switch |
 Indicator light shows when Load is ON Buy: Pilot light switch Resource: How to wire pilot light switch |
| 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  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  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 |
 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 |
 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 |
 600 volt 12 ga Stranded wire ot THHN 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 piece of solid copper wire, and attach solid to screw terminal. Do not solder residential or commercial wiring. Project wire, extension cords, thermostat, bell and automotive wire are not rated for residential or commercial wiring. Only wire maked 600 volt can be used for permanent household wiring. Buy: Southwire 600 volt stranded wire Rolls of stranded wire 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 |
 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 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 |
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3-way switches control
240Volt motor No Neutral wire needed Ground wire not shown Wiring applies to any 240Volt load  Buy: Contactor ANL fuseholder Buy fuseholders at Amazon Resources: Fuseholder Contactors Terminals Wire and breaker size chart More motor resources |
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3-way switches control
240Volt water heater Use ordinary 15 amp 3-way switches from hardware store Must add busman fuseholder with 15 amp fuse. This will protect line and switches from over-amp and fire. 240Volt coil on DPDT contactor. Buy: Contactor ANL fuseholder Buy fuseholders at Amazon Resources: Contactors Fuseholder |
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For your 3-way switches ... each switch is rated by
voltage... Cheapo box store 3-ways are rated 120V (embossed in the metal on switch) and are not suited for project. Better switches are rated 120-270 .... and these are rated for 120-208-240-277 volt ... but not higher voltages like 415, 480 etc Get a couple 3 way switches ... the common screw will be a different color like black ... don't let the location of the common screw confuse you. The other two screws will be brass color ... just run two wires across and connect those screws ... then forget em... After that is done, connect a wire to the dark screw or common screw and run it over to your contactor. Then connect aother wire to the other common screw and run it over to the contactor. |
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2-pole 40 amp contactor With removable dust cover on top. Contactors. Select voltage needed to control coil. Buy 2-Pole 40A resistive 120Volt coil At Amazon 240Volt coil At Amazon 24 volt coil at Amazon Mars 2-pole and 3-pole contactors at Amazon Resource: Fasco info sheet |
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What is a contactor? Contactor is a switch. It is rated for high amp loads. High amp causes heat. Heat will damage regular electrical parts. Timers and Buy Metal Bud industries 6x6x4 Nema 3R Outdoor box Hinged door/ 6x8x4 Polycarbonite enclosure Bud industries boxes at Amazon Arlington boxes at Amazon wall switches can be damaged by high amperage. Each switch and timer has amp rating. Contactors are rated for more amps than ordinary wall switch or timer. The electrical circuit lasts longer when a contactor is used because contact points on a contactor are designed to switch high amp loads without melting or being damaged by heat. The electromagnetic coil can be switched on-off using ordinary wall switch or timer. When voltage is applied to coil, then contact points close, and heavy amp circuit turns on. This lets you control heavy amp loads using ordinary wall switch or timer. |
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Use correct size large screwdriver or #3 square head
driver. Use T handle driver instead of cordelss tool for best torque without damage Cordless driver can sometimes crack apart circuit breaker, outlet, switch etc, and might slip from screw before wires are firmly attached. Buy: Square drive set T handle nut driver Ratchet screwdriver Resources: Safe electric wiring Color code wire Extension cord code |
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2-pole 40 amp contactor in 6x6x4 enclosure Using #8-32 x 3/4" bolts Install contactor at angle leaves room for wire This is DPST contactor Double pole, single throw. So the contactor is 2-pole. It can turn off 2 wires. And single throw because both poles are on-off at same time. So you can switch both wires in 240 volt circuit. Buy Metal Bud industries 6x6x4 Nema 3R Outdoor box Hinged door/ 6x8x4 Polycarbonite enclosure Bud industries boxes at Amazon Arlington boxes at Amazon Resources:  How to wire contactor for water heater Enclosures |
 For certainty, always Test switch terminals using continuity tester before wiring. 24 amp safe maximum Practical wiring diagram Wire diagram |
Toggle
water heater between 120Volt and 240Volt Max 4500 watt non-simultaneous water heater Use 240Volt during times when electric prices are lower, and faster recovery is needed. Use 120Volt during peak prices when less hot water is used Bring 120Volt from nearby outlet that has 12 gauge wire, or install lower watt elements if wire is only 14 gauge. Using 30 amp Double Pole Double Throw switch Ordinary 3-way switch will do same job, but without center off Also called: 30 amp 2 pole DPDT switch Buy double-pole double throw 30 amp 2 DPDT switch with center off at Amazon 2 DPDT switch with center off at Amazon Connect 120Volt wires as Hot and Neutral. Black connects to 120Volt circuit breaker and White connects to neutral busbar. Connect 240Volt wires as Hot1 and Hot2. Both wires connect to 240Volt breaker. Resources: How to wire water heater for 120 volts Select correct wire and breaker Figure volts amps watts for water heater See inside main breaker box Two water heaters 30 amp maximum current/ safe limit 80% = 24 amps Over-amped switch will feel warm/ hot How to control water heater with ordinary switches |
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Buy: Leviton 3-way 30 amp switch Leviton 3033 at Amazon 30 amp 3-way switches at Amazon Buy Double-pole switches Leviton 3032-2w double pole 30 amp at Amazon Leviton MS302-DS 30 amp double-pole switch at Amazon 2-pole 30 amp non-fusable safety switch/ power cut-off 30 amp switches at Amazon Buy double-pole double throw 30 amp 2 DPDT switch with center off at Amazon Resources: Twisting wires wire connector basics Rated 25 amps, max 5500 watt water heater 5500 Watt elements draw 23 Amps 4500 Watt elements draw 19 Amps Resources: Figure volts amps watts for water heater Read label on water heater |
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240V
water
heater can be controlled directly with a
30-amp double-pole switch Rated 25 amp Turn off both Hot wires. Not necessary, since turning off 1 hot wire works fine. Read above Buy double pole. single throw, 30 amp switches: Leviton 3032-2w double pole 30 amp at Amazon Leviton MS302-DS 30 amp double-pole switch at Amazon 2-pole 30 amp non-fusable safety switch/ power cut-off 30 amp switches at Amazon Resources: Twisting wires wire connector basics |
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Control
277 volt motor or pump or water heater with timer No Neutral wire needed for timer Buy: Intermatic ST01c timer at Amazon/ 1 year warranty Ei600 5-year warranty timer at Amazon CR2 replacement battery at Amazon Resources: How to program and wire ST01 timer 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. Buy: Contactor ANL fuseholder Buy fuseholders at Amazon Resources: Fuseholder Contactors Terminals How to install timer: Project More wiring for ST01C Same wiring applies to Intermatic Ei600 Intermatic timers and manuals |
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 | Fused
safety switch Cuts power to one or both legs of 240V circuit. Rated for indoor. -3 Hp motor, 17 amps, use 30-60 amp safety switch -30 amp water heater, use 30-60 amp Since water heater is on a breaker, then either fusible or non-fusible is fine Buy from my affiliate links: L211N 30 Amp 120/240-Volt/ 30A /one plug fuse L221N 30 Amp 240-Volt/ 30A/ two plug fuses As illustrated
2-pole outdoor / 60 amp/ non-fusible2-pole outdoor / 30 amp/ non-fusible 2-pole indoor / 30 amp/ fusible 2-pole indoor / 30 amp/ fusible Heavy duty safety switches at Amazon Resource: L111N specs Single pole 30 amp 120 volt w neutral/ indoor L211N specs Double pole 30 amp 120/240 volt w neutral |  L211N Fusible Larger image Larger image2 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
 Weatherproof
lever switch on outdoor lightsSafely 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 |
Buy: |
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 |
 6" Pull box Junction boxes for conduit and wiring Buy: Bud industries 6x6x4 best value/ no KO Raco 6x6x4 metal pull box Wiegman 6x6x4 pull box Hoffman 6x6x4 pull box Adamax raintight enclosure Raintight 6x6x4 box Pull boxes Buy: Pull boxes Polycarbonite boxes Resource: Enclosures and boxes |
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Resource: Electricity: The grid is defined by three parts: transmission, distribution and end user. The following links show how it works Power plant to end user power pole Power pole to residential breaker box Power pole to commercial breaker box How to wire residential electric How to wire commercial 3-phase Why you need ground wire How to wire 3-phase timer 3-phase water heater |
 Contactors/ relays |
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from my affiliate links every time/ thanks: Amazon As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Enter Amazon from any link on my site, fill cart with any item ... purchases pay small commission E-mail: geno03245w@gmail.com My response might end up in spam folder, check email folders Waterheatertimer on Twitter Message thru facebook |
