Manufactured Home Devices

Question: I am working on a manufactured home I bought and I needed to put a GFCI in the kitchen. I found that the receptacle had romex? wired in and out of the plug, but they were not in a box and the plug and switch had wings on the sides so they worked like a reworked box when you tighten the screws on the corners. My question is, are these special receptacles and switches and wiring?   Answer: Manufactured home manufacturing companies commonly use the devices described above.    When AdenBecks must work on such devices we install an “old work” box and feed the wiring...

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Ground Wire Size

What size of ground wire do I need to run between two ground rods? Without getting into too many details and situations, generally, for a 200 Amp service, if you are only concerned about the wire between two ground rods, #6 Bare Stranded Copper wire will do just fine. There are some parameters to keep in mind.  #6 Bare Stranded Copper wire must be protected.  Usually, the wire should be under 1 foot of dirt cover, or protected by some form of construction. A #4 Bare Stranded Copper does not need the same protection and the extra money involved may be worth it if you are installing it in...

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Have you had the following happen?

• Flickering lights • Breakers that always trip • Fuses that always blow • A burning smell coming from appliances or in rooms • Discoloured wall outlets • Outlets that spark • Outlets and switches that are hot to the touch The attached article makes a strong case for regular and frequent checks of your electrical system. Read more: https://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Dangers+electrical+fires/7058494/story.html#ixzz25nNhZXdP

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Should I cover my electrical panel for safety?

Question: “I have read on the internet that electrical waves can come out of your electrical panel and promote tumors and ill health; especially if you sleep next to the panel area in a bedroom.  Is it true, and are their any special actions I can take to stop it? Answer: Do not believe everything you read on the internet.  Sometimes the information is skewed to present a personal belief in a specific light. There are no scientifically proven studies to support the idea that electricity can emanate from your electrical panel and cause health issues.  The reasons for this...

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Solar Energy

How many hours of solar energy are available for a solar array in my area?   That is an interesting question.  Certainly if you are interested in Solar power, you want to determine how effective and efficient solar will be for you. AdenBecks has been involved in the electrical installation of Solar arrays for several years.  However this particular question is more within the scope of John Wiley at Northwest Solar.  His phone number is 509 236-2249.

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Bathroom Receptacles

Customer Question:  Does the code allow a receptacle in a bathroom, between the vanity and the toilet, if it is 10 – 18 inches up from the floor.   Short answer: Yes. But keep in mind.  All receptacles in a bathroom must be GFI protected.  A receptacle is still required above the sink counter top.  Your local community, state or country may have building codes that also affect the location and placement of receptacles.

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