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How to wire Arc Fault breaker |
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 |
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 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 |
Ordinary 120Volt Breaker Ordinary non-protected breaker |
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120Volt arc fault breaker Hot and Neutral connect to arc fault breaker White wire from breaker connects to Neutral busbar Maximum 12 boxes per circuit breaker Don't use two protection devices on same circuit. When installing Arc Fault breaker (or GFCI breaker), then remove all other GFCI outlets and combo devices that are on same circuit. Buy: Arc fault breakers at Amazon |
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Buy: Arc fault breakers at Amazon |
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Install
arc fault breaker How is arc fault different from GFCI? Wiring is same for both. Arc fault does same thing as GFCI: tripping when there is a short to ground But arc fault also trips when there is a spark or loose wire |
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Arc
fault breaker wiring Arc fault breaker trips when there is short to ground (same as GFCI) but it also trips when a spark is detected on the line Spark from loose wire will trip breaker... this will signal that wire is loose under the screw plate, or there is a ground fault on the line Only one GFCI-protection device per circuit... so you cannot have both GFCI and Arc fault on same circuit... you cannot have 2 GFCIs on same circuit.... two devices will cause tripping You can have ordinary circuit breaker and GFCI -or- ordinary breaker and ACI on same circuit... plus you can add surge protection to same circuit It is OK to have more than one ordinary breaker or fuse per circuit, but only one GFCI or AFCI per circuit For example ordinary breaker at the main panel, and ACI located at the swimming pool subpanel Resources: Intermatic pool panels How to wire pool panels How to wire surge protection How to wire subpanel |
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Loose
connections cause arc / or spark Install arc fault breaker and the breaker will trip when spark or arc is detected |
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Do
not use stranded wire under screw plates Frequently, outdoor pool equipment and other wiring is done with stranded wire Stranded wire will cause fire if wire comes loose under the screw plate Do not use stranded wire under screw plate on timer, contactor, relay, outlet, switch or any electrical device Heat from amperage can loosen wire and eventually cause arcing and fire |
Fire
caused by stranded wire Arc fault breaker would most likely prevent this from occurring Resource: Timer caught fire |
Keep wires straight Use solid copper wire If wiring terminal or end of wire are covered with green, use emery board to clean terminal and sandpaper to clean wire. |
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Both wires MUST be same
gauge Straighten each wire If wire is corroded or overheated, clean the end with sandpaper and wipe with cloth. If wire has been melted, cut back and reattach, or replace wire. Tighten screw very tight against copper wire |
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Use wire connector |
Use push-on wire connectors |
3
wires/ or different gauge wires Join wires with wire connector or push-on connector Run jumper to screw terminal. Buy: Push on wire connectors at Amazon Red 3P connector (shown) for 10-14 gauge wire Connector assortment Resource: How to select and install wire connector |
Fire safety/ Do not put stranded
wire under screw plate Do not install stranded wire under screw. Problem1: picture shows 2 different gauge wires under screw plate Problem2: Stranded wire will expand and contract and come loose under screw plate, even if it is the only wire under the screw plate Attach stranded wire and solid wire with wire connector, and run solid copper jumper wire to screw terminal Take photo of wires before starting. Resources: Timer caught fire Load ratings for Intermatic timers/ pdf |
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12 Ga |
10 gauge or 12 gauge? Compare your wire with short pieces of 10 and 12 gauge wire from local box store 10 gauge for 30 amp breaker. 10 gauge wire can have black-white and sometimes black-red 12 gauge for 20 amp breaker 12 gauge will have black and white wires . Resources: Match color code and amp rating for wire Basic house wiring |
Add black tape when White wire
carries voltage (applies to 208 and 240V
circuits) With 120 and 277 Volt circuits, White wire is Neutral, and Black is Hot With 208 and 240 circuits, both wires are Hot, and both wires carry voltage Black tape on White wire identifies wire is Hot and not Neutral |
What is 3-phase electric: power plant to end
user Difference between contactor and relay Add another thermostat to water heater |
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 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 |
TerminalsBuy:Crimping tool kit Blue for 16-14 wire Yellow for 12-10 wire Ratcheting Crimper Resource: How to install terminal |
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 |
Buy Electronic parts Industrial supplies Tools and home improvement Home and garden Hayward pool Pentair pool Southwire electric |
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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 |
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Resource: Compare box timers DPDT timers Intermatic Control water heater w/ Z-wave |
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Resource: Intermatic control centers: and parts Digital control centers and parts Tork control centers and parts Subpanels All control centers and parts Enclosures |
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Resource: Programmable timers Countdown timers Off delay timers On delay timers Timer modules Din rail Twin & one-shot Woods Intermatic Tork |
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Recirculation systems |
Buy
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