Where/how can I learn these electrical questions

16 years ago

I posted this on the Remodeling Forum, and they suggested I try here. I'm trying to get outlets and switches replaced in two rooms. Sorry for the long saga, but...

How do I know if I have "one post" or "two post" outlets and light switches?

How do I replace old two-prong outlets with a new three-prong outlets?

I'm battling a 1960s house. It's horrid.

Right now I need to replace seven outlets and four light switches in the laundry/mudroom and master bedroom. A licensed electrician did wire in new outlet boxes on either side of where my bed will be, but I've not seen him since. I need to install the outlets so I can move into the bedroom. All the other outlets need to be upgraded to three-prongs. The boxes and wires around them are filled with drywall dust and sawdust from the remodeling work.

I bought seven 15-amp outlets, but then read that my washing machine must have a 20-amp outlet. How do I know if the wiring is correct for a 20-amp outlet? I also found out two of my light switches are "three-way" because they have other switches that control the same lights.

Is there a good site that can walk me through installing these 11 items? I've got to get my rooms set up and start living in this place. These rooms have been torn apart since July.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

Light Switches...

One light switch controls the overhead light in the bedroom.

One controls the overhead light in the laundry room; there's another switch for it in the kitchen.

One controls the two outside garage lights; there's another switch for them in the garage.

One controls the motion-detector light near the laundry/mud room door. Sometimes it works; sometimes it doesn't.

Outlets...

One is for the washing machine. The dryer had a new outlet that was moved up from the floor and re-installed by the electrician.

One is one a blank wall near the laundry tub. It will be used mostly for a boot dryer, ironing, and the vacuum.

The other five are spread around the walls of the bedroom. They will power lamps, clocks, apnea machines, etc.

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Comments (7)

Ron Natalie
16 years ago
How do I know if I have "one post" or "two post" outlets and light switches?

I have no idea what you mean by this or why you care.
What are you talking about?

How do I replace old two-prong outlets with a new three-prong outlets?
You either install three prongs on non-grounded circuits by either extending a grounding wire to them or by installing a GFCI and marking the receptacles "no equipment ground."

I bought seven 15-amp outlets, but then read that my washing machine must have a 20-amp outlet. How do I know if the wiring is correct for a 20-amp outlet?
Find the circuit breaker that controls that receptacle. If it is 20A then it can support a 20A outlet.

Is there a good site that can walk me through installing these 11 items?
There are good books available with pictures that will help. Try "Wiring Simplied" (you can get it at Amazon and a lot of stores).
davidandkasie
16 years ago
look at the plug on your washer. do the 2 blade pins go the same direction, or are they perpendicular to each other. if theey go the same way it will fit a 15 amp recp. if they are perpendicular, then you must use a 20A outlet.

for the light switches, are you asking how to tell if you need regular or 3 or 4 way switches? if only 1 switch controls a device then you buy a regular switch. if you can control a light or other device from more than one locaiton then you buy a 3 or 4 way switch.
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joed
16 years ago
THIS SITE has some excellent wirng diagrams. There are many different ways to wire switches. You need to assess the wiring and determine which method you wiring uses.
michaelpwalton1
16 years ago
"How do I know if I have "one post" or "two post" outlets and light switches? " ...

People are being a little tough on you. I believe that you mean to be saying [ one or two POLE outlets and switches ].

If your home was built in the 60s, odds are that the outlets and switches have a grounding wire attached to the screw in the back of the box. There should also be a threaded hole in the metal box (10-32). Buy grounding pigtails from Home Depot, Lowes or a supply house and they come with a 10-32 screw attached. Screw the pigtail into the threaded hole and attach the stripped end to the new 3 prong outlet or new single pole switch. As for the 3 way switches, better do a bit more reading on changing them before you start something that can get involved. If you do change them, do only one at a time and be sure that they work properly with the existing switches first, then replace only one at a time before moving on to the next one. As for the 20 amp circuit or outlet for the washer, Check which breaker controls the outlet. If it is a 15 amp breaker, then install a 15 amp GFI outlet (following installation instructions included with the outlet). If it has a 20 amp breaker, then use a 20 Amp GFI outlet. The book that Ronnatalie suggested above is a good starting point. Once again, you can find this book and others at the Big Box stores, supply houses and Sears to name a few.
caroline94535
Original Author
16 years ago
Hey Michael! Thanks for the kind input. Yes, as soon as I posted I knew I should have said "pole" not "post". All the old outlets and switches have grounding wires. I've spent a lot of time today just looking at the different configurations and "thinking" about them.

My contractor's assistant was here today, but he was as stumped as I was. We took a vote and decided to not touch anything. I'll find an electrician if I have to bring one up from Fargo. The washer's outlet was installed by the electrician and it's on a 20 amp circuit. It's very hard to push/pull plugs in and out of it. I thought it might be faulty, but it does work.

I do appreciate the ideas I was given, and I am going to get the B&D book. I'm a USAF veteran; I build furniture, and I worked in a 1,200-inmate jail facility in CA for 7 years. I certainly hope I'm capable learning how to swap out a few outlets without zapping myself!

I've been reading a lot of the posts here. I would have never imagined wiring in a house could be so complicated. I have a whole new outlook everytime I flip a switch now.
radioguy4ever
16 years ago
caroline, this is pretty simple. *IF* your outlets have 3 wires (black, white, bare copper) then you cane easily and safely install outlets.

first, make sure the breaker is off for that circuit. if there are no outlets installed right now, chances are it is. Do you know how to strip a wire? if not, then i definatly suggest you hire another electrican. but if do know how, then you can save some money. just remember, black to brass, white to silver and ground (bare copper) to green.

as for the 3 way switches, they can be wired several different ways, so without knowing how they are wired, i cannot explain how to hook them up.

as for your washer, code says that you can use a 15 AMP receptacle on a 20 AMP circuit, as long as there is more than 1 receptacle. a duplex counts for that, as there are 2 plugs in it. as long as your washer isnt a true 20 amp, requiring a special plug. you will know right away if you can use that receptacle. if the plug fits, you can use it.

good luck.
davidandkasie
16 years ago
to add to what radioguy said, if you have 2 neutral (white) wires going to an outlet, turn off ALL breakers. there is a SLIM chance that you could have a multi-wire circuit with a shared neutral. if you do, and you disconnect that neutral, then you can become the return path. these are not as common in homes in some areas as in others, but they do happen. there is nothing wrong with a shared neutral if it is installed correctly, but that is way over what you are worrying about right now!

Where/how can I learn these electrical questions

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Ron Natalie

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Where/how can I learn these electrical questions

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Ron Natalie

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