Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic doorbells

[Guest guest]

Hi, Marc,

 

Interesting!  Apparently here (Pa) it is different because the electrician knows

of only one grade of residential outlet.  (I am not doubting your word, just

trying to understand the discrepancy.)  I asked him about this and the grade of

wiring in light fixtures.  Both he and Spark B. gave me the same answers:  the

same grade of wire is in the cheapest to the most expensive fixtures and

residential outlets now, because they all must meet the code.  Maybe that is

it--codes are higher now for these products than when you rewired your outlets? 

Back in the day, we used to buy lamps, etc, with a UL label or seal attrached to

know we were getting a safe and quality electrical product.  Maybe today they

all have a UL seal attached (meet the code)???  Anyway, apparently now all

residential outlets are the same here and all cost about $1.  Thanks for helping

me understand this, Marc. 

 

I was told by Spark and my electrician when I asked, that all lighting fixtures

meet code now.  So I asked my electrician why you can go to Lowe's and see

virtually the same light for $20 and $200.  He told me the difference is the

materials used--plastics instead of glass; resin instead of brass....  Do all of

you agree with this statement?  So any fixture would be as good ES wise?  Or are

there other considerations I am missing?  Should I stay away from metals?

 

On a different note...  are electronic doorbells ok?  The house came with one

which is broken at the button on the door.  I would ordinarily not add one, but

all my neighbors who stop by keep asking when I am going to get it fixed!  lol 

(I don't expect them to understand this is a very low priority on my radar.) 

 

Thanks for all the help. 

Diane

From: Marc <marc@...>

Subject: Re: electrical outlets and exhaust fans and more

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 9:32 AM

 

> But when I told him about

> your experience, he said there are also " isolated ground " outlets and

> perhaps you were talking about using these to help?

I think the new outlets I used were residential grade. You have to

understand, there is a variance in residental grade outlets -- some

cost about 25 cents, while other cost $2. I think all I did was

replace a 25 cent outlet with a $2 outlet!

I've seen outlets that sell for $50 a piece, but I've never tried

those, understandably enough... :-)

Marc

[Guest guest]

> Anyway, apparently now

> all residential outlets are the same here and all cost about $1.

Maybe that is true at your electrician's supply store, but when

I went to the local hardware mega-store (Home Depot, Lowes), there

were different outlets at different prices, with the more expensive

outlets supposedly better built.

Marc

[Guest guest]

> So any

> fixture would be as good ES wise?  Or are there other considerations I am

> missing? 

As long as the fixture isn't too cheaply made (so that the electrical contacts

are all secure), and as long as it doesn't have any dimming features, and

as long as it uses a regular incandescent bulb, it should be okay...

> On a different note...  are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the

ultra-sensitive...

Marc

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 30/09/2009 13:39:43 GMT Daylight Time,

lessemf@... writes:

On a different note... are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the

ultra-sensitive.ul

Marc

UK REPLIES - I have a wireless door bell and get not problem from

this, I have had people question me given my ES wether it is advisable but

unless they can press that bell 217 a second I dont have any problems, lets

face it its a very small fleeting signal, I would rather this type than a

wired type that could conduct dirty power etc, why noy go for a direct battery

power one if there is a worry either way.

puk

[Guest guest]

Wired doorbells ALWAYS have a transformer (they work on low voltage). So the

transformer should be located well away form living spaces.

Emil

Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic

doorbells

> So any

> fixture would be as good ES wise? Or are there other considerations I am

> missing?

As long as the fixture isn't too cheaply made (so that the electrical

contacts

are all secure), and as long as it doesn't have any dimming features, and

as long as it uses a regular incandescent bulb, it should be okay...

> On a different note... are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the

ultra-sensitive...

Marc

[Guest guest]

Hi Marc,

 

Hmmm, I will check that out at our Lowe's and see if it is the same here.  You

are likely right that what my electrician would be using is a standard item from

an electrical supply store.  What surprises me tho is that neither my

electrician or Spark B knew these other outlets exist!  Thanks, Marc. 

 

Diane

From: Marc <marc@...>

Subject: Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic doorbells

Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2009, 9:33 PM

 

> Anyway, apparently now

> all residential outlets are the same here and all cost about $1.

Maybe that is true at your electrician' s supply store, but when

I went to the local hardware mega-store (Home Depot, Lowes), there

were different outlets at different prices, with the more expensive

outlets supposedly better built.

Marc

[Guest guest]

Thanks again, Marc,

 

I was told by Spark no dimmers are to be used and only incandescents.  (Which I

already knew, but forgot others here might not know.)  I had NOT thought about

the secure electrical connections.  Thanks for pointing that out. 

 

Re the door bell.... the current one is wired and I was just trying to decide

whether to keep it.  I guess I will; if it bothers me later I will deal with it

then.

 

Thanks again for the info,

Diane

From: Marc <marc@...>

Subject: Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic doorbells

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 1:23 AM

 

> So any

> fixture would be as good ES wise?  Or are there other considerations I am

> missing? 

As long as the fixture isn't too cheaply made (so that the electrical contacts

are all secure), and as long as it doesn't have any dimming features, and

as long as it uses a regular incandescent bulb, it should be okay...

> On a different note...  are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the ultra-sensitive.

...

Marc

[Guest guest]

Hi, Emil,

 

Thanks for the info!  I did not know this.  Okay; bell coming out.  lol

 

Thanks so much,

Diane

From: lessemf.com <lessemf@...>

Subject: Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic doorbells

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 8:37 AM

 

Wired doorbells ALWAYS have a transformer (they work on low voltage). So the

transformer should be located well away form living spaces.

Emil

Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic

doorbells

> So any

> fixture would be as good ES wise? Or are there other considerations I am

> missing?

As long as the fixture isn't too cheaply made (so that the electrical

contacts

are all secure), and as long as it doesn't have any dimming features, and

as long as it uses a regular incandescent bulb, it should be okay...

> On a different note... are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the

ultra-sensitive. ..

Marc

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your input, .  I think I will opt for no bell.  I will look into

the battery one later.

 

Hope things are going well with you,

Diane

From: paulpjc@... <paulpjc@...>

Subject: Re: electrical outlets, lighting fixtures, electronic doorbells

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 8:44 AM

 

In a message dated 30/09/2009 13:39:43 GMT Daylight Time,

lessemflessemf (DOT) com writes:

On a different note... are electronic doorbells ok?

Seems like a wired doorbell should be okay... maybe not for the

ultra-sensitive. ul

Marc

UK REPLIES - I have a wireless door bell and get not problem from

this, I have had people question me given my ES wether it is advisable but

unless they can press that bell 217 a second I dont have any problems, lets

face it its a very small fleeting signal, I would rather this type than a

wired type that could conduct dirty power etc, why noy go for a direct battery

power one if there is a worry either way.

puk