These operate at elv (extra low voltages) between 3 and 12 V. The single bell, buzzer and many models of chimes are powered by dry batteries but the more powerful chimes and intricate bell systems have to operate from mains transformers. Usually a transformer is preferable for any bell or chimes. Where an illuminated bell push is used a mains transformer is essential as the lamp of the push would exhaust a battery in a day or so. Read the rest of this entry »
A wall light is fixed by its baseplate either to a box sunk into the wall or it is fixed direct to the wall. The box, termed ‘BESA’ box, is a termination box to contain the ends of the circuit wires from which the sheath is removed, and a flex connector which joints the wires to the flex of the fitting.
Only wall lights having a baseplate with 50 mm (2 in) fixing centres to match the lugs in the box can be mounted on this circular box. Most wall lights have other types of baseplate of which there are many shapes and sizes. Read the rest of this entry »
There are two principal methods of wiring a lighting circuit, the loop-in system and the joint box system. In practice a circuit is often a mixture of both methods, the principal sections being loop-in with some lighting points being wired in conjunction with joint boxes to save cable and to facilitate the wiring. For both methods twin-core and earth PVC sheathed cable is used.
In the loop-in system, ceiling roses combine the functions of ceiling rose and joint box as the circuit wires are jointed at the ceiling rose terminals. The flexible cord of the pendant is connected to the rose terminals. Read the rest of this entry »
Socket-outlets situated off the main route of the cable do not have to be connected to the actual ring cable. Instead they are usually supplied from spur cables branching off the ring. These spurs are wired in the same size cable as that used for the ring.
Fixed appliances which may be connected to a ring circuit include skirting heaters, wall heaters, small water heaters and any non-portable electrical appliances having individual loadings of not more than 3000 W(13 A approx.). Read the rest of this entry »
Of the two principal types of cooker control unit, the type incorporating a kettle socket-outlet is the more popular. Since, however, it is important that the kettle is not used on the cooker hob where its flex would trail over a switched-on boiling plate it is better to have the unit without a socket where it has to be fixed immediately above the cooker. Read the rest of this entry »
Joint boxes are usually circular and for part of the circuit wiring. They are fix permanently to the house structure are used principally in lighting circuits. Join boxes are available in 4- 5- and 6-terminal versions.
A 3-terminal joint box of 30 A current rating is used for ring circuits to connect spur cables to the ring cable, as shown the illustration. Read the rest of this entry »
Table lamps, floor standards, bedside lights and other portable lights can have dimmer control using any one of three methods. One method is a dimmer socket adaptor which plugs into the standard 13 A socket-outlet. This unit has two 2-pin sockets and is especially suitable for controlling two bedside lamps in a twin-bedded or a double-bedded room. The control knob on the adaptor dims both lamps at the same light intensity; they cannot be controlled independently.
Another method uses a line-cord dimmer which is wired into the flex of the lamp. The dimmer can be a standard wall type mounted on a plastic box and placed on the arm of the chair, table, desk, or any other chosen position. Alternatively, it can be a mini-dimmer switch resembling a torpedo table lamp switch. This type is especially suitable for the individual control of bedside lamps. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) When the dishwasher is turned ON, nothing happens. 2) When the dishwasher is turned ON a “buzzing” sound is heard.
To find the cause of this problem, first check to be sure the electricity is turned ON at the circuit breaker panel. Next, check to see that the dishwasher timer knob is pushed in or pulled out to the ON position when selecting a cycle. Read the rest of this entry »
