Convert electrical from ungrounded two to three
guessandcheck discovery
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (7)
Related Discussions
Do I need a permit for converting electrical to gas cooktop?
Comments (11)Technically, you can probably get away with not getting a permit *but* if you don't, you might run into problems if there is ever a fire or you try to sell the house. Insurance companies are notorious for finding ways to get out of paying and construction or utility work, gas and electric in particular, done without permit is a definite reason they could use to reject your claim if there were to be a fire. That said, I personally don't think the inspection by the city/county really adds that much to actual safety. I've never seen an inspector go under the house or check any junctions for leaks etc. They come out, make sure your pipes are of a minimum size and make sure they are sealed with fire chalk and then leave. Yes, it does prevent a plumber from doing a hack job but you would do better finding a good plumber to begin with. So, I would suggest getting a permit just to make sure you don't have problems down the line *but* make sure you find a good plumber with plenty of good references....See MoreConvert solar lights to electrical with transformer?
Comments (20)Good advice, Ron. With traditional plastic package LEDs, a safe nominal current value is usually 20 milliamps. Many of the high brightness type will take more, but 20 ma is unlikely to damage any LED you find. I don't have enough experience with SMD types to even guess, let alone COB. The safest method is to measure the current they use in the original application, and either calculate an appropriate series resistance to maintain that current, or determine it by experimenting with different series resistance values while watching with your meter. Don't forget that if you change the device's heat sinking, you may not be able to maintain the same current. I add, however, that the typical $3 dollar store solar garden light has no current regulation at all. It doesn't need any, because it uses a single 1.25 volt cell (usually nickel cadmium of about 300-400 mah) driving an LED with a nominal forward voltage of a bit over 3 volts. Hey, what did you think you were going to get for $3? You can also use a regulator IC as a constant current LED source, but that's more effort than something like this is probably worth. A sidebar. I've read that the reason you see so many cheap Chinese made products assembled with lots of screws - and even with hand-soldered circuits inside - is that labor is cheaper than machinery in China. Tesla electric vehicles are built largely by robots. Geely and BYD EVs from China are probably mostly, if not entirely, hand-made....See MoreTwo-prong to three-prong and GFCI
Comments (8)You may want to find another electrician though... I can't imagine any qualified electrician suggesting that the ground be connected to the neutral. Here's why that's a hugely bad idea: in the event that the neutral wire would break or have a bad connection, all of the metal surfaces of an appliance, for example, would become energized. Depending on where the break happened, it could potentially energize all of the "grounded" surfaces including faceplates, metal surfaces, etc on anything plugged into the entire circuit. This type of grounding is known as a "bootleg ground". It's done to fool home inspectors. No legitimate electrician would suggest doing it - even with a GFCI (which can fail)....See MoreUngrounded shed
Comments (5)If the shed is not attached to the house in any way (structural or any metallic connection except the wiring feeding it power) it is treated as a separate structure. It will require a grounding electrode system even if fed with a four wire service. The grounding electrode system is not for personnel safety but for lightening and pole transformer high voltage leakage. The earth rarely has a low enough impedance to trip even a 15 amp breaker if a 120 V hot line is connected to the earth. The now banned 'Worm Getter' relied on this. Two electrodes were driven into the earth a few feet apart, then connected to 120 V. The electricity irritated the earth worms and they fled to the surface to be collected. The problem is that people trying to gather the worms often failed to disconnect the electrodes and got electrocuted trying to pick them up. Sub-panels in separate structures look a lot more like a main panel, since that is what they actually are FOR THAT STRUCTURE....See Moreguessandcheck discovery
8 years agolast modified: 8 years ago
Related Stories
LIVING ROOMSHow to Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace
Learn about inserts and other options for switching your fireplace from wood to gas or electric
Full StoryLOFTS5 Innovative Ideas From a Live-Work Space in a Converted Toy Factory
Driven by a tight budget, architects get creative in transforming a couple’s work-focused loft in downtown Los Angeles
Full StoryBASEMENTSBasement of the Week: Modern Style Converts an Empty Concrete Box
From raw wasteland to fab living, sleeping and storage space, this snazzy basement now covers all the angles
Full StoryMODERN STYLEHouzz Tour: Three Apartments Now a Three-Story Home
A grand new staircase unifies a sophisticated, industrial-tinged London townhouse
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNConvert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Fixtures-Shopping Phase
Step 2 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Determine your mechanical needs and buy quality fixtures
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Open-Plan Living in a Converted Shoe-Factory Condo
International furnishings and artwork bring flair to a serene and neutral 1-bedroom in Quebec
Full StoryHOUZZ TOURSMy Houzz: Rustic Meets Refined in a Converted Ohio Barn
Intelligent reuse and innovative engineering create a modern family home that’s anything but typical
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNConvert Your Tub Space to a Shower — the Planning Phase
Step 1 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Get all the remodel details down on paper
Full StoryBATHROOM DESIGNConvert Your Tub Space Into a Shower — Waterproofing and Drainage
Step 4 in swapping your tub for a sleek new shower: Pick your waterproofing materials and drain, and don't forget to test
Full StoryECLECTIC HOMESHouzz Tour: Family-Friendly Apartment in a Converted School
A reconfigured London home goes from cool couple’s hangout to fun family home
Full StorySponsored
randy427