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Few very basic Electrical questions

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Few very basic Electrical questions SMF 06-15-2006
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Posted by SMF on June 17, 2006, 6:26 pm
On 17 Jun 2006 10:06:16 -0700, trader4@optonline.net wrote:


>Well, the OP, who's an obvious novice, doesn't have to listen to any of
>us. He can just do a simple google search for "replacing circuit
>breaker". There are plenty of websites with info. He can see what
>they recommend doing. And I'm sure he'll find that virtually every one
>of them has turning off the main breaker as the first step. Then he
>can decide what he thinks most people would do and make his own choice.

Hey I'm the newbie :-)

I really spent a number of hours on the computer looking up how to do
this. The pictures in addition to explanations never really spelled
it out as to is the wire connected to the breaker live or not after
you shut the breaker off and snap it out. I am assuming it is not,
but just want to be extra sure. (There are only two more breakers to
do and it seems silly to try and find someone new to do this)

This all began because a few months back I had an electrician (shortly
afterwards found out to be unlicensed) come to the house and was
swapping the breakers for ones which matched my panel brand which was
his advice and he did manage to get a small shock in the process, but
I was not clear exactly from what since he seemed to be following the
method suggested in the books that do not call for turning off the
main.

I personally don't mind resetting the clocks ect because I do not plan
anymore electrical in the house for anytime in the foreseeable future.
Besides, every time the power goes out in my area things need
resetting and I have it in a routine.

Thanks again for everyone who spent the time to help me out with these
things.

Steve



Posted by SMF on June 17, 2006, 8:08 am
One more quick question and thank you very much for those that
replied.

I bought a few ceramic ceiling fixtures (15amp) which I want to put in
my basement to replace old existing ceramic ones. They will fit onto
metal boxes. I bought the one which has a light socket with a single
three pronged single receptacle on the side. This will attach to 12/2
wire on a 20 breaker.

Is this ok to do because I read somewhere that it is ok to have 15amp
receptacles on a 20amp line once it is not a single (as opposed to
double) receptacle. Also that it is not a single double instead of a
series of doubles.

Thanks again,
Steve


>Hi,
>
>I bought a book plus spent a number of hours on the computer to
>research and I hope someone can help me with just a few very basic
>questions I still have:
>
>1. I have a 100 amp service. If I turn off the main circuit breaker
>can I change for instance a 20 amp breaker without worry of shock if I
>don't touch anything else other than the breaker and the wire that
>needs to be unscrewed? (I have a few that don't match my GE panel and
>I heard that they should)
>
>2. I had an electrician once run an extra outlet but in looking a few
>years later I see that he ran 14/2 cable after attaching this to 12/2
>running off a 20 amp breaker. This line either powers a treadmill
>(runs on a "115 vac dedicated 20 amp {15 amp] circuit") or a iron.
>The receptacle is 15amp which I believe is fine with either, but
>should I swap the cable to 12/2 for safety?
>
>3. I also have similar to question two above (14/2, connected to
>12/2) going to a GPF in a garage that the same guy did. Do they make
>a 20 amp GPF and should I switch the cable and the receptacle in this
>instance too?
>
>4. Can you run a series of five 15 amp receptacles for a workbench in
>an unfinished basement running on 12/2 on a 20 amp GPF breaker?
>
>I really appreciate all your help!!
>
>Best Regards,
>Steven                


Posted by Colbyt on June 17, 2006, 7:14 pm

> One more quick question and thank you very much for those that
> replied.
>
> I bought a few ceramic ceiling fixtures (15amp) which I want to put in
> my basement to replace old existing ceramic ones. They will fit onto
> metal boxes. I bought the one which has a light socket with a single
> three pronged single receptacle on the side. This will attach to 12/2
> wire on a 20 breaker.
>
> Is this ok to do because I read somewhere that it is ok to have 15amp
> receptacles on a 20amp line once it is not a single (as opposed to
> double) receptacle. Also that it is not a single double instead of a
> series of doubles.
>
> Thanks again,
> Steve
>


You should,be fine as long as there is a ground wire in the box for the
plug.



Posted by Tony Hwang on June 17, 2006, 1:38 pm
SMF wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I bought a book plus spent a number of hours on the computer to
> research and I hope someone can help me with just a few very basic
> questions I still have:
>
> 1. I have a 100 amp service. If I turn off the main circuit breaker
> can I change for instance a 20 amp breaker without worry of shock if I
> don't touch anything else other than the breaker and the wire that
> needs to be unscrewed? (I have a few that don't match my GE panel and
> I heard that they should)
>
> 2. I had an electrician once run an extra outlet but in looking a few
> years later I see that he ran 14/2 cable after attaching this to 12/2
> running off a 20 amp breaker. This line either powers a treadmill
> (runs on a "115 vac dedicated 20 amp {15 amp] circuit") or a iron.
> The receptacle is 15amp which I believe is fine with either, but
> should I swap the cable to 12/2 for safety?
>
> 3. I also have similar to question two above (14/2, connected to
> 12/2) going to a GPF in a garage that the same guy did. Do they make
> a 20 amp GPF and should I switch the cable and the receptacle in this
> instance too?
>
> 4. Can you run a series of five 15 amp receptacles for a workbench in
> an unfinished basement running on 12/2 on a 20 amp GPF breaker?
>
> I really appreciate all your help!!
>
> Best Regards,
> Steven                
Hi,
First, don't get caught up with numbers too much. How many times do you
think 15A outlet will draw full 15A constantly when a device is plugged
in? Breaker is safety device, when things are not right, it'll trip.
Electrician did the wiring few years ago, ever breaker tripped? Ever had
trouble? What does it say? Within the code, common sense prevaials.
Knowledge without experience is useless or even dangerous. Catch 22,
you gain experience by doing......

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