GFCI on an induction range?

Based on my reading, NEC2023 says that if a stove is within 6 feet of the edge of a kitchen sink then the stove needs to be GFCI protected. Modern induction ranges pull 50 amps and (usually) need their own, dedicated, circuit out of the electric panel in the house. This dedicated circuit comes with a dedicated outlet and dedicated power wire. My kitchen isn't big enough to move a freestanding range more than 6 feet away from the edge of the sink. Is it accurate, then, that that the only proper way to install the wiring to power an ind . . . [More]

GFCI on an induction range?

Based on my reading, NEC2023 says that if a stove is within 6 feet of the edge of a kitchen sink then the stove needs to be GFCI protected. Modern induction ranges pull 50 amps and (usually) need their own, dedicated, circuit out of the electric panel in the house. This dedicated circuit comes with a dedicated outlet and dedicated power wire. My kitchen isn't big enough to move a freestanding range more than 6 feet away from the edge of the sink. Is it accurate, then, that that the only proper way to install the wiring to power an ind . . . [More]

Off Grid Solar System - 250 amps of Inverter capacity - What load center do I use?

I have four Sol-Ark 15k inverters (Although I'd like to size things so that I have room to add more in the future if needed). Each inverter can supply up to 62.5 amps of continuous power. So 62.5 multiplied by 4 inverters = 250 amps of total continuous output. Also keep in mind we'd like to size things such that we might add an additional inverter in the future, which would push total output to 312.5 continuous amps. (Effectively 400 amp service). This power needs to be divided among a few different buildings: A house, a shop, and a . . . [More]

Off Grid Solar System - 250 amps of Inverter capacity - What load center do I use?

I have four Sol-Ark 15k inverters (Although I'd like to size things so that I have room to add more in the future if needed). Each inverter can supply up to 62.5 amps of continuous power. So 62.5 multiplied by 4 inverters = 250 amps of total continuous output. Also keep in mind we'd like to size things such that we might add an additional inverter in the future, which would push total output to 312.5 continuous amps. (Effectively 400 amp service). This power needs to be divided among a few different buildings: A house, a shop, and a . . . [More]

Honeywell T6360 wiring - follow installation wiring guide positions or numbers?

I have a question about a Honeywell T6360 Room Thermostat wiring connections. They are numbered in the order 2 3 4 1 5 6. The Installation Instructions that accompany this unit, contains the wiring diagram below. In this diagram, the connections are numbered in the order 1 2 3 4. This is very confusing and I'm not sure if I should copy the positioning from the installation guide or connect to the marked numbers (even though they are out of position). What is the correct way to proceed? Question from user bentayloruk at stackex . . . [More]

Honeywell T6360 wiring - follow installation wiring guide positions or numbers?

I have a question about a Honeywell T6360 Room Thermostat wiring connections. They are numbered in the order 2 3 4 1 5 6. The Installation Instructions that accompany this unit, contains the wiring diagram below. In this diagram, the connections are numbered in the order 1 2 3 4. This is very confusing and I'm not sure if I should copy the positioning from the installation guide or connect to the marked numbers (even though they are out of position). What is the correct way to proceed? Question from user bentayloruk at stackex . . . [More]

What will cause my main breaker to trip?

It’s totally random, sometimes the dryer running will throw the breaker. Sometimes it will be a hot shower, sometimes it’s washing our hands in the sink. It’s unpredictable what will throw the breaker. I replaced the main breaker about 3 years ago but we still encounter this problem, especially around winter time. Running all of the air conditioners all summer alongside all of the appliances is never a problem. As soon as we boot up the furnace in the fall all hell breaks loose. We have shut off each individual breaker to e . . . [More]

What will cause my main breaker to trip?

It’s totally random, sometimes the dryer running will throw the breaker. Sometimes it will be a hot shower, sometimes it’s washing our hands in the sink. It’s unpredictable what will throw the breaker. I replaced the main breaker about 3 years ago but we still encounter this problem, especially around winter time. Running all of the air conditioners all summer alongside all of the appliances is never a problem. As soon as we boot up the furnace in the fall all hell breaks loose. We have shut off each individual breaker to e . . . [More]

How does one adjust a fence gate when its gravity latch scrapes the house?

I bought a house which has a side fence gate with a latch scratching the side of the house. The damage was already there. It's not that bad, but I'd like to adjust the latch to prevent the damage from getting worse since the latch still scratches the house wall and thus continues to dig in. I think that the only way is to unscrew the latch and screw it back on "at the correct location". I think that's doable because it is currently too low anyway. However, I think that the screw on the right, for the latch to be at the . . . [More]

How does one adjust a fence gate when its gravity latch scrapes the house?

I bought a house which has a side fence gate with a latch scratching the side of the house. The damage was already there. It's not that bad, but I'd like to adjust the latch to prevent the damage from getting worse since the latch still scratches the house wall and thus continues to dig in. I think that the only way is to unscrew the latch and screw it back on "at the correct location". I think that's doable because it is currently too low anyway. However, I think that the screw on the right, for the latch to be at the . . . [More]

How can I shut off these water valves that won't turn?

How can I shut off these water valves that won’t turn? They connect to my washer, which I am trying to fix. I have sprayed the valves with WD-40 and partially unscrewed the screws, but that has not helped, so I’d welcome any ideas. Question from user Matt F at stackexchange Answer: Before doing anything - turn off the water further up the line - at the mains if needed. Those levers are probably plastic, so to eliminate the problem when they break, remove the screws, and there will be a spigot of some shape that they . . . [More]

How can I shut off these water valves that won't turn?

How can I shut off these water valves that won’t turn? They connect to my washer, which I am trying to fix. I have sprayed the valves with WD-40 and partially unscrewed the screws, but that has not helped, so I’d welcome any ideas. Question from user Matt F at stackexchange Answer: Before doing anything - turn off the water further up the line - at the mains if needed. Those levers are probably plastic, so to eliminate the problem when they break, remove the screws, and there will be a spigot of some shape that they . . . [More]

When should I not use WD-40?

Looks like WD-40 can be used for lubricating just about any metal parts. Are there non-obvious cases where using WD-40 will be harmful to the stuff lubricated? Question from user sharptooth at stackexchange Answer: Firearms - you should never use WD-40 to clean or maintain firearms. . Drive chains of any type - because WD-40 isn't a lubricant it really will not work well on Drive chains of any type. Gears of any type - WD-40 doesn't have enough lubrication effect to be useful on any type of gearing. Only specified gear . . . [More]

When should I not use WD-40?

Looks like WD-40 can be used for lubricating just about any metal parts. Are there non-obvious cases where using WD-40 will be harmful to the stuff lubricated? Question from user sharptooth at stackexchange Answer: Firearms - you should never use WD-40 to clean or maintain firearms. . Drive chains of any type - because WD-40 isn't a lubricant it really will not work well on Drive chains of any type. Gears of any type - WD-40 doesn't have enough lubrication effect to be useful on any type of gearing. Only specified gear . . . [More]

How best to air seal kitchen pantry ceiling

We just moved in and had an energy audit done by a professional, and they flagged that we were losing a ton of air through the ceiling in our kitchen pantry/ closet. The ceiling itself is a weird hodgepodge of wood scraps, pipes, etc. What is the best way to air seal this to improve efficiency? Question from user noc at stackexchange Answer: I see two choices for the large gaps:. Continue to piece-meal it with whatever scraps of lumber/plywood/OSB you may have laying around. Remove the random bits stuck in there and cover it w . . . [More]

How best to air seal kitchen pantry ceiling

We just moved in and had an energy audit done by a professional, and they flagged that we were losing a ton of air through the ceiling in our kitchen pantry/ closet. The ceiling itself is a weird hodgepodge of wood scraps, pipes, etc. What is the best way to air seal this to improve efficiency? Question from user noc at stackexchange Answer: I see two choices for the large gaps:. Continue to piece-meal it with whatever scraps of lumber/plywood/OSB you may have laying around. Remove the random bits stuck in there and cover it w . . . [More]

Can I pour a concrete foundation in multiple pieces?

I'm building a 25-meter (65 foot) block retaining wall. The engineering specifications require a concrete foundation for the block wall equal to about 4 cubic metres (141 cubic feet) of concrete, with reinforcing bar/mesh throughout. This includes 10% waste. Due to access problems on our (rural) property, the premix concrete supplier will need to make multiple deliveries with a small truck. However, they won’t guarantee the deliveries will all arrive within a particular time window, or even on the same day. I don’t want to ge . . . [More]

Can I pour a concrete foundation in multiple pieces?

I'm building a 25-meter (65 foot) block retaining wall. The engineering specifications require a concrete foundation for the block wall equal to about 4 cubic metres (141 cubic feet) of concrete, with reinforcing bar/mesh throughout. This includes 10% waste. Due to access problems on our (rural) property, the premix concrete supplier will need to make multiple deliveries with a small truck. However, they won’t guarantee the deliveries will all arrive within a particular time window, or even on the same day. I don’t want to ge . . . [More]

How do I find the (2018) IBC spacing requirement for floor ledger bolts?

I simply want to know how many bolts I need to put in per foot, and how they're spaced. The ledgers for each house floor are 2x8s with joists every 1'. Question from user hamstar at stackexchange Answer: Unless you're talking about a deck (where you can find details on ledger fastening in the International Residential Code), you hire an approved source as defined by a building official with jurisdiction over your project. The approved source would need the specifics of your structures, old and new, and he would follow th . . . [More]

How do I find the (2018) IBC spacing requirement for floor ledger bolts?

I simply want to know how many bolts I need to put in per foot, and how they're spaced. The ledgers for each house floor are 2x8s with joists every 1'. Question from user hamstar at stackexchange Answer: Unless you're talking about a deck (where you can find details on ledger fastening in the International Residential Code), you hire an approved source as defined by a building official with jurisdiction over your project. The approved source would need the specifics of your structures, old and new, and he would follow th . . . [More]