Set #4Q&A - install, inspect, & troubleshoot building electrical systems, appliances, components.

This article series provides detailed inspection, troubleshooting, & repair information for building electrical systems and equipment including electrical service entry, electrical wiring, appliances, motors, receptacles, switches, lights, etc.

Building Electrical System FAQs-4

These questions & answers about building electrical systems, wiring, & components were posted originally at ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR - home - be sure to see the suggestions at that page.

On 2018-07-20 by (mod) - Star Commander electrical load controller - need IO Manual

Vince, unfortunately there are so many types of products using the name "commander" and "star commander" that I'm not having much success finding the exact IO manual for your load management controller.

I see on the panel door some identification of what home appliances are being managed.

Perhaps when you get some clear, sharp images of all of the markings, labels, wording that we can see in and on the device we can get somewhere.

On 2018-07-20 by Vince Clingenpeel.

Here's the best pic I have. I know it's dark.

On 2018-07-19 by (mod) - using a load controller at home

Vince

The term "load controller" is a bit broad, and I was not able to find Claw Industries as a supplier of electrical load controllers - still looking. Please use the "add image" button to show us (one per comment) photos of the device, whatever you can see of its wiring, and good photos of its labeling and I can give a more exact answer.

Meanwhile I am left GUESSING:

A rather specialized load controller used with solar systems is the RENOGY 60A Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller - described by the company (Renology in Ontario) as follows:
for off-grid solar applications. Itprotects the battery from being over-charged by the solar modules and over-dischargedby the loads.

The controller features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energyfrom the solar PV module(s) and charge the battery

ALTERNATIVELY

If your Star Commander is a Load Controller it may be working as follows:

A type of electrical load controller attempts to reduce electricity costs (often part of a "smart home" set-up to conserve energy) by monitoring electrical power usage in the home and by certain high-usage appliances, then adjusting power levels and usage during periods of peak demand to reduce electrical usage and thus costs. For example a load controller might turn off or turn down an electric water heater at certain times.

The controller might manage load by reducing voltage when that's permitted (without harming the appliance) or by introducing a turn-on delay such as slightly delaying the start-up of an air conditioner in response to a thermostat.

Currently a residential load controller will most-likely be connected to a local area network used to communicate with "smart" devices in the home.

Examples:

Schneider Electric's Wiser™ EER260LLCR Load Controls System - www2.schneider-electric.com/resources/sites/SCHNEIDER_ELECTRIC/content/live/FAQS/233000/FA233406/en_US/Large%20Load%20Controller%20S1A90300_en.pdf

Here is how the company describes the product we show below:

The Wiser Load Controller is a locally or remotely-controlled load management device for use in energy management systems. The controller can be used as a demand response device and as a simple metering device.

As a demand response device, the controller allows an energy service provider to monitor energy use over a secure ZigBee® network and issue requests for reduced consumption. At the service provider’s request, the controller automatically sheds the connected electrical load.

An Opt-Out feature allows users to disable load shedding for a day or for a longer term. As a simple metering device, the controller can measure energy consumption of 240 V and 120 V, up to 26 kW (60 A per phase).

Two field-installable current transformers are required for 240 V measurement and one is required for 120 V measurement.

The controller has a programmable HVAC anti-cycling feature that provides a three minute delay before the air conditioner comes on after a demand response event.

This helps protect the compressor from damage and energy-wasting On-Off cycling. The controller has a timer that automatically switches the connected load on and off at times programmed by the user.

A Wiser In-Home Display, reference EER20100, is required for programming the timer. For more information consult the In-Home Display User’s Guide, S1B14482.

On 2018-07-19 by Vince Clingenpeel.

I found a box connected to the main electric panel. It is labeled Star Commander by Claw Industries. Someone said load controller. Can you explain what this is and for what purpose?

On 2018-10-25 by (mod) - Immersion heaters

Using

Immersion heaters are sold in a wide range of sizes and wattages. They all work similarly: the heating element is inserted into a container of water and connected to an electrical power source.

Be sure that the heater you buy is properly sized and designed for your intended use - something unclear from your question.

For example, high-capacity commercial style immersion heaters that are simply dropped into a tank of water to be heated may be sold in various wattages from about 1000W to 12000 W and in 120VAC (smaller wattages only) and 240VAC designs

A 240VAC heater has to be connected to a 240V circuit of appropriate ampacity to support the total wattage load of your heater.

For example a 240VAC 6000W heater must be supported by a 25A 240VAC electrical circuit and similarly a 240VAC 12,000 W immersion heater will need a 50 Amp 240VAC circuit.

Watch out: all immersion heaters will require some minimum depth of water into which the heating element must be immersed. If you plug in an immersion heater out of water or in water that is too shallow it will burn up in moments, and also could risk a fire or electrical shock.

The Drum and Tank immersion heater we show below is available from Gamut, a Grainger subsidiary at https://www.gamut.com/
and sells for about $550. USD.

These more-sophisticated immersion heaters or drum heaters are sold in various models for different heating uses - discuss your needs with your supplier - and some include a thermostatic control that allows you to set the desired water (or otLoaher liquid) temperature.

On 2018-10-25 by Using

How to use a heating element to drop inside a tank to heat the water

On 2018-10-15 by (mod) - size or gauge of electrical wire that you need for an electric oven or stove

Tony

The size or gauge of electrical wire that you need for an electric oven or stove hook up depends on the amperage or amps drawn by the specific appliance that you are installing.

Look at the instructions for the oven or stove you are installing. The specifications will tell you the amperage or amps or circuit size required for your particular Appliance.

Typically that might end up being a number 10 8 or 6 wire.

Take a look at the table of wire sizes versus amps shown in this article on wire size requiremets

ELECTRIC WIRE SIZE REQUIREMENTS

inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php

On 2018-10-15 by Tony

Wire gage needed for electric oven/stove

On 2018-07-20 by (mod) - Star Commander electrical load controller - need IO Manual

Vince, unfortunately there are so many types of products using the name "commander" and "star commander" that I'm not having much success finding the exact IO manual for your load management controller.

I see on the panel door some identification of what home appliances are being managed.

Perhaps when you get some clear, sharp images of all of the markings, labels, wording that we can see in and on the device we can get somewhere.

On 2018-07-20 by Vince Clingenpeel.

Here's the best pic I have. I know it's dark.

On 2018-07-19 by (mod) - using a load controller at home

Vince

The term "load controller" is a bit broad, and I was not able to find Claw Industries as a supplier of electrical load controllers - still looking. Please use the "add image" button to show us (one per comment) photos of the device, whatever you can see of its wiring, and good photos of its labeling and I can give a more exact answer.

Meanwhile I am left GUESSING:

A rather specialized load controller used with solar systems is the RENOGY 60A Maximum Power Point Tracking Solar Charge Controller - described by the company (Renology in Ontario) as follows:
for off-grid solar applications. Itprotects the battery from being over-charged by the solar modules and over-dischargedby the loads.

The controller features a smart tracking algorithm that maximizes the energyfrom the solar PV module(s) and charge the battery

ALTERNATIVELY

If your Star Commander is a Load Controller it may be working as follows:

A type of electrical load controller attempts to reduce electricity costs (often part of a "smart home" set-up to conserve energy) by monitoring electrical power usage in the home and by certain high-usage appliances, then adjusting power levels and usage during periods of peak demand to reduce electrical usage and thus costs. For example a load controller might turn off or turn down an electric water heater at certain times.

The controller might manage load by reducing voltage when that's permitted (without harming the appliance) or by introducing a turn-on delay such as slightly delaying the start-up of an air conditioner in response to a thermostat.

Currently a residential load controller will most-likely be connected to a local area network used to communicate with "smart" devices in the home.

Examples:

Schneider Electric's Wiser™ EER260LLCR Load Controls System - www2.schneider-electric.com/resources/sites/SCHNEIDER_ELECTRIC/content/live/FAQS/233000/FA233406/en_US/Large%20Load%20Controller%20S1A90300_en.pdf

Here is how the company describes the product we show below:

The Wiser Load Controller is a locally or remotely-controlled load management device for use in energy management systems. The controller can be used as a demand response device and as a simple metering device.

As a demand response device, the controller allows an energy service provider to monitor energy use over a secure ZigBee® network and issue requests for reduced consumption. At the service provider’s request, the controller automatically sheds the connected electrical load.

An Opt-Out feature allows users to disable load shedding for a day or for a longer term. As a simple metering device, the controller can measure energy consumption of 240 V and 120 V, up to 26 kW (60 A per phase).

Two field-installable current transformers are required for 240 V measurement and one is required for 120 V measurement.

The controller has a programmable HVAC anti-cycling feature that provides a three minute delay before the air conditioner comes on after a demand response event.

This helps protect the compressor from damage and energy-wasting On-Off cycling. The controller has a timer that automatically switches the connected load on and off at times programmed by the user.

A Wiser In-Home Display, reference EER20100, is required for programming the timer. For more information consult the In-Home Display User’s Guide, S1B14482.

On 2018-07-19 19:51:13.317486 by Vince Clingenpeel.

I found a box connected to the main electric panel. It is labeled Star Commander by Claw Industries. Someone said load controller. Can you explain what this is and for what purpose?

On 2018-07-19 by Vince Clingenpeel.

I found a box connected to the main electric panel. It is labeled Star Commander by Claw Industries. Someone said load controller. Can you explain what this is and for what purpose?

On 2018-07-03 by (mod) -

Sue, your question and our reply were posted on our article

on MOBILE HOME ELECTRICAL WIRING

On 2018-07-01 y Sue

I can't find my question

On 2018-05-06 by (mod) - I'm getting shocked when I crawl under 98 Redman double wide.

Brian,

Thst sounds very dangerous. If it were my home I'd shut off power to the home and ask for help from an electrician. Someone could be killed.

Please keep us posted on what you are told.

On 2018-05-05 by Brian

I'm getting shocked when I crawl under 98 Redman double wide.

On 2018-04-22 by (mod) - 210' run of 2" schd 80 pvc.

Tim

see SE CABLE & BRANCH CIRCUIT WIRE SIZES vs AMPS https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_SEC_Sizes_Amps.php

On 2018-04-20 by Tim

Ive got a 210' run of 2" schd 80 pvc. Trenched down 40" or so. At 210' long, what size conductors +ground will I need for standard 200 amp service. Also what type of jacket is required for underground in pipe conductors? Thanks for the help

On 2018-04-16 by (mod) - There is not an absolute receptacle height in the codes.

Kevin,

There is not an absolute receptacle height in the codes.

Most of the sources we have reviewed for details about the required height of electrical receptacles above the floor (see Mike Holt's Forum for example) assert that there is no National Electrical Code (NEC) specification of the height of wall-mounted electrical receptacles in homes.

After all, we regularly install a ceiling-mounted receptacle to power garage door operators. One electrician cited 5'6" maximum above floor level for receptacles meeting the 6' horizontal spacing rule (NEC 210-52)

Switch box heights for light switches are similarly not specified in the U.S. NEC (you didn't mention your country or city)

There are common conventions, such as putting the bottom of the room light switch box 48" above the surface of the finished floor. That seems to work well as it's about where most people swipe their hand when feeling for a light switch when entering a dark room.

YOu can open the INDEX to RELATED ARTICLES: ARTICLE INDEX to ELECTRICAL INSPECTION & TESTING
(live link just above) to find a number of articles on electrical inspection, installation, and installation details including the following.

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE HEIGHT & CLEARANCES - start at - https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Outlet_Height.php
and in that article series also see

ELECTRICAL OUTLET HEIGHT ABOVE FLOOR

ELECTRICAL WIRE CLEARANCE FROM DUCTS & PIPES

ELECTRICAL RECEPTACLE POSITION: WHICH WAY UP

ELECTRICAL BOX RECESSED DEPTH IN WALLS

ELECTRICAL BOX RELOCATION WIRING

ELECTRICAL BOX FIRE SEPARATION DISTANCES

and see

LIGHT SWITCH WIRING DETAILS

On 2018-04-15 by Kevin

Rough in new construction placement of wall outlets n switch nail on boxes. Hight of both

On 2018-04-08 by (mod) - The safety of an electrical panel depends at the very least on several independent conditions:

Judy,

The safety of an electrical panel depends at the very least on several independent conditions:

1. The specific electrical panel and circuit breaker brand and model - some circuit breakers and the panels in which they reside have notably higher failure rates than others - see CIRCUIT BREAKER FAILURE RATES at https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Circuit_Breaker_Failures.php

2. The installation of the electrical panel: a panel that is improperly selected or that was not installed in compliance with electrical codes is more-likely to be unsafe -

see ELECTRIC PANEL INSPECTION at https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Panel_Inspection.php

3. The exposure of the electrical panel and its circuit breakers to conditions that cause damage or deterioration such as exposure to flooding or high indoor moisture or water leaks, or exposure to fire, mechanical damage or other troublesome site conditions - see

CORROSION in ELECTRICAL PANELS at https://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Panel_Rust.php

On 2018-03-26 by Judy - What's the safest electrical panel?

What's the safest electrical panel?

On 2018-03-10 by (mod) -

Vonnie

I apologize but I don't understand the situation you describe except enough to say that if the apartment has flooded, wetting electrical wiring, receptacles, switches, appliances, etc. the electrical system and those appliances could well be unsafe, risking fire, shock, injury or worse.

Un-plugging appliances when they are not in use does not fix unsafe wiring, receptacles, switches, or appliances that were wet by flooding as they may be corroded or damaged internally.

Instead a licensed electrician is most-likely what's needed. She can examine the apartment's wiring for evidence of flood damage.

You are welcome to print and pass on this warning that what you have described sounds unsafe, with the risks I've named, and that a qualified expert is needed.

On 2018-03-10 by Vonnie

I live In an old apt building and my electricity has been running runner and winter months the same daily kilowatts 1400 t0 1800 one bedroom 1 occupant working ac/ELECTRIC stove and refrigerater/New washer and dryer gas heat can

the KCPL has checked the meters and run test from pole and it's working okay this place has flooded twice 3 yrs ago and again in August 2017.

Could the problem be the electrical system wiring etc. It was suggested by someone from KCPL thanks for your attention to my problem.

I am a senior citizen and the bills are running more than I can handle. I WAS TOLD BY MGTS ELECTRICIAN THAT I SHOULD JUST UNPLUG EVERYTHING WHEN NOT IN USE. HELP ME PLEASE

On 2018-02-12 by (mod) - maximum size for main circuit breaker

Terri,

the main breaker ampacity can be no larger than the ampacity that matches the size of the service entry conductors, and the rated maximum amperage permitted by the panel itself. Because of those variables I can't give you a single right answer number

On 2018-02-10 by Terri

What size should the main breaker be that's feeding my 14x70 mobile home?

...

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