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1500 questions
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Safely hang a mirror that does not have hooks

I would like to safely secure a mirror to the drywall. The mirror itself is pretty light (probably under 5kg), the weight is not an issue. However, its back surface does not have any hooks or anything that can be used to secure it. I was going to…
slava-kohut
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How much power do LED smart bulb wireless control systems consume when the light is turned off?

I've been shifting to LED light bulbs due to the energy savings but I've a question about the new smart bulbs that are controllable via Alexa etc. These need to be kept "on" via the switch for them to respond to Alexa / Google etc. So what's the…
curious_cat
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How can I fix a framing mistake so I can drywall?

I’m demoing a kitchen and discovered that the top plate sticks into the room a half inch farther than the studs. The current drywall is attached to the studs and therefore is even with this top plate which leaves the problem of how to drywall the…
Rob Sampson
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How often do septic tanks typically need to be pumped?

At the risk of potentially asking an off-topic question, I'd like to better understand the maintenance of a septic tank. I've never had one before and am unfamiliar with how to manage one. My primary question is: how often do septic tanks need to…
Mike B
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Why did my leaking pool light trip the circuit breaker, but not the GFCI?

This is, I am sure, an extremely naive question. I hope that's okay (and I hope it can be answered at a level I'll understand). The background: My swimming pool has underwater light fixtures, on GFCI circuits. I recently replaced the bulb in one…
WillO
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4 answers

Loss of power when I remove item from the outlet

I have this unusual electrical issue in our master bedroom. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. We have this $3 LED night light in our bedroom and when we take it out, the power/lights go out. Other things also trip it up (It…
Vipul Mistry
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Can I use 220 V outlets on a 15 ampere breaker and wire it up as 110 V?

I purchased a 220 V outlet and didn't realize it. My circuit is 15 amperes. I wanted to hook up a series of normal 15 ampere 110 V outlets. When I look at the outlet it looks exactly like a regular 15 ampere 110 V one?...but it has a red, blue, and…
Steve
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Are pressure-treated posts that have been submerged for a few days ruined?

I dug holes for four 8' 4x4 posts, and had the posts positioned and plumbed vertically in the holes, but had to leave for a couple days before I could concrete them in. In the meantime, storms came and filled the holes. The ends of the posts have…
Kerry Thomas
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How do I make this wiring inside cabinet safer?

tl;dr: How do I make this wiring meet code, or at least safer? The pic below is inside one of my kitchen cabinets. Once upon a time the stove was located below these cabinets, and that wire must have run to an exhaust fan (note the metal vent in the…
BradDaBug
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Are my wires in this junction box too short?

This my first attempt at a junction box . I am kind of worried the wires are too short. They are all in the push connectors. Is this safe?
Dyielectric12
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When wiring a switch, should I break the neutral or power wire?

My husband has always wired a switch to break the neutral wire to turn a light on and off. I can remember for 40 years he has said to "break the neutral". However, our son worked as an electrician for 2 years and he said you always "break" the…
Peggy
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What type of bulb is this?

This bulb is found inside a fancy light fixture, I haven’t seen one before and it doesn’t have any markings on it. I need to order replacements. More images showing the context of where I found this bulb.
jason
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How do outdoor mist-cooling A\C units fare in real-world usage?

I live in Phoenix where summer outdoor temperatures regularly exceed 110°F and humidity around 15% or lower is not uncommon. In this environment a mist system can easily pull the temperature down 20 to 30 or even 40 degrees in some cases. I've been…
tylerl
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How can I unscrew this nut with little clearance?

I am trying to replace my kitchen faucet and have encountered a nut that I don’t know how to get at. As you can see the nut is bounded by counter (green) on one side and sink (red) on the other. I’ve tried various wrenches but can’t seem to get them…
BinaryTox1n
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6 answers

Why would there be a 50 amp plug on a 30 amp appliance?

I have an old conveyor dryer, which my office purchased used some time ago, just sitting in storage. The dryer is for silk screen t-shirts and has a large heating element and a variable speed conveyor that runs underneath, rather like a small pizza…
DavGarcia
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