Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Electric outlet fails; tell me what to do and I'll do it (carefully)

15 July 2014

Re: [DIY] Electric outlet fails; tell me what to do and I'll do it (carefully)

I mean not on the same circuit. Lights are a set load for the most part, but the plug load can vary a lot.
If one plugs in a big vacuum cleaner, iron, or space heater on a circuit with the lights, the circuit could trip and leave one in the dark. Also, I don't like the effects of a big load causing dimming (flickering) of the lights.

On 7/15/2014 8:53 AM, Ron Johnson l0c0l0b0@hotmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] wrote:

Do you mean lights and plug on the same run or the same circuit? I would agree with not mixing on the same run, though I've seen I don't know how many cases where the homeowner runs an new outlet from an existing light.

Our city code says 14 ga wire can only be used for lights only up to 200 watts, which is pretty small, when you think of it. You know that some people will put 100watt bulbs in light fixtures, even though that burns up the wire in most light fixtures.

To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2014 07:39:19 -0500
Subject: Re: [DIY] Electric outlet fails; tell me what to do and I'll do it (carefully)

Individual cities can alter their code from the NEC. In North Texas, one city does not allow 14 ga. while all others do.
I never use 14 on plugs, but always do on lighting circuits (I never put lights and plugs together).

On 7/15/2014 6:48 AM, Ron Johnson l0c0l0b0@hotmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] wrote:

Sorry, I forgot. In this area we are not allowed to used 15A circuits. Wish we could.

To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2014 19:57:19 -0700
Subject: Re: [DIY] Electric outlet fails; tell me what to do and I'll do it (carefully)

14ga copper is standard for a 15 amp circuit. It's building code. 12ga is used for 20 amp circuits.

KrazyKyngeKorny (Krazy, not stupid)

On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 4:37 PM, Ron Johnson l0c0l0b0@hotmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

What's a 14 gauge wire doing connected to an outlet? It should be 12 gauge, which doesn't fit in the back connections and can only be wrapped around the screw.