Electrical questions, post em here!
- Thread starter tokenchokenpassnsmoke
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Maccabee
Well-Known Member
Yeah, I only have one on each of the branches of the circuit.
I looked into the AFCIs and it seems that currently the only kind available on the consumer market is an AFCI breaker. I don't think it's safe to stick one of those in a gang box, and the AFCI outlet receptacles and the plug-in AFCIs seem to still be vapor-ware.
So I suppose for now I'll have to stick to a master on/off with a total load meter and GFCI for all the attached subsystems, and then another switch and meter for each subsystem.
Does hot have to pass *through* the meter, or can I run a short lead from the hot wire to the meter? Looking at the back of thing or a wiring diagram would probably answer my question, but they don't have one online and every search I run for 120 vac panel meter wiring on google gets me info on working on a main panel and a power meter(as in a circuit breaker panel).
I looked into the AFCIs and it seems that currently the only kind available on the consumer market is an AFCI breaker. I don't think it's safe to stick one of those in a gang box, and the AFCI outlet receptacles and the plug-in AFCIs seem to still be vapor-ware.
So I suppose for now I'll have to stick to a master on/off with a total load meter and GFCI for all the attached subsystems, and then another switch and meter for each subsystem.
Does hot have to pass *through* the meter, or can I run a short lead from the hot wire to the meter? Looking at the back of thing or a wiring diagram would probably answer my question, but they don't have one online and every search I run for 120 vac panel meter wiring on google gets me info on working on a main panel and a power meter(as in a circuit breaker panel).
jimmyspaz
Well-Known Member
And I don't think I want to try to put it back together either. I'm hip tothe caps though,I've worked on guitar amps for years, that's why I have that big old meter.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't use that meter. That style is a series version. I would MUCH prefer an induction style. Just clamps around the load wire, and reads magnetically the current draw. No wiring involved. You should be able to get a cheap clamp meter and just use that. (just only clamp it around the load wire, not the load and neut/ground.
Extech Instruments: Clamp-on Meters: AC Clamp Meters: EX710
They also have version that will do DC amps, voltage, temp, etc.
(I do like All Electronics, I've used them a lot)
jimmyspaz
Well-Known Member
I thought the idea was a series meter wired in inline.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
Yes, I guess. I'm just saying its kinda a bad idea. The meter goes out, no power getting through. (depending on how it goes out)
Series is more accurate, but the induction is fine for this use.
I also feel the induction is safer. Plus less connections.
And its a 15amp meter. Just get a Kill-a-watt. $30 and gives amps voltage, watts, KWHs, freq, and something else that slips my mind. The Kill-A-Watt is good to 15amps too. And its UL listed.
BigBudBalls
Well-Known Member
Nothing wrong in telling the better way to do it. He was looking at a $15 surplus meter. (though it would look SO sexy in the pannel)BBB Iwould personally agree. I use a clamp meter myself,but I was answering his question about that particular meter installation.
I still think the killAwatt is the way to go.
no no no!, for the love of god people, do not use the, quick, backstabs on outlets and switches. take the extra 10 secoands to properly loop the ware and wrap it around the screw. backstabbing with a large load, will lead to heat, which leads to loose connection, archiing, thousanmd degree temperatures, and fire,, not worth it
jimmyspaz
Well-Known Member
Yeah I was taught to always attach wires to terminal screws . the backstab is for lazy builders and DYI types I guess. When I wired in my 20 amp circuits I used nylon insulated wire in case of heat buildup too. My elect. inspector Buddies wouldn't pass a residential 20 amp circuit wired any other way.(Not that I had my work inspected,but it would pass). This is life and death stuff here people ,please be careful!
jimmyspaz
Well-Known Member
Step away from the wireing you have something seriously wrong.Pics??
pterzw
Well-Known Member
soo, which one is better? Volt or Ampere?anyways post your electrical questions here
toke][on
Sorry, stoned person here...
Maccabee
Well-Known Member
Voltage is a measure of electrical potential--think of it as water pressure in a system of plumbing (an imperfect analogy, but decent for this purpose.) Amps is a measure of current, or the speed with which electricity is moving through a circuit at the specified voltage. When resistance is constant (i.e. all the pipe is the same), amps rise with voltage: the more pressure in the pipe, the faster water moves and so the faster a given volume of water passes through a particular section or the more water passes a given point in a specified time interval.
This usage of power over time is expressed in watts (a watt being the consumption of one joule per second, and the joule representing the amount energy used by a force of one Newton moving in an established direction, to take it all the way back.)
So which is better essentially depends on what you want to know: how much electrical force is available on a circuit? How much current is in use? How much power is being consumed? Different units for different measurements.
This usage of power over time is expressed in watts (a watt being the consumption of one joule per second, and the joule representing the amount energy used by a force of one Newton moving in an established direction, to take it all the way back.)
So which is better essentially depends on what you want to know: how much electrical force is available on a circuit? How much current is in use? How much power is being consumed? Different units for different measurements.
jimmyspaz
Well-Known Member
Joke right? Or see last post.
soo, which one is better? Volt or Ampere?
Sorry, stoned person here...
ACSCorp
Well-Known Member
Define backstabbing please. All the connections I am doing are 20 amp plugs and sockets with the screws (properly looped on the screw, insulated with liquid electical tape (great sfuff) and then reinsulated with reqular electical tape).
Is backstabbing those plugs with the pins that pierce the insulation and make the connection? I never have used those, they scare me!
pterzw
Well-Known Member
Wow. Thanks. I get it.