Zap Zach

Zap Zach Hi I'm Zap Zach, currently an Instructor at UEI in the Electrician Technician program. Remember we learn & grow from our mistakes.

With over twenty years experience in lighting for the Entertainment Industry it was time to broaden my electrical knowledge.

09/25/2025

Zap Zach Presents: Time Relay with a Limit Switch wired to a Single Phase Motor: Lights, switch, action! The time relay runs the show with two signals, then the limit switch cues the motor to roll.

08/21/2025

Zap Zach Presents: 2 Time Relay with 2 Red & 2 Warm Indicator Lights & 2 Motors: Dial in delay like a pro—two motors sequenced with four indicator lights so status is crystal clear. Clean timing, clean wiring.

07/18/2025

Zap Zach Presents: Transformer’s From 480v Delta to 208v WYE — Zap Zach Brings the Voltage You Need! Zzzzap! Welcome back, techno-freaks and robo-geeks — it’s your host with the most volts, Zap Zach! And today… we’re transforming your brain with one of the most explosive, shape-shifting devices of all time: THE TRANSFORMERS!

07/10/2025

Honored to deliver the Valedictorian Speech for the Electrical Technician Program at UEI. Grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the bright future ahead. This is just the beginning ⚡️🎓

07/03/2025

Zap Zach Presents 6 - 4s J Boxes Makeup. With a 120v. Pigtail powering up one GFCI with an outlet out of the load side, one constant hot outlet and two three way switches controlling one keyless light fixture. Let’s check it out!

06/27/2025

Zap Zach Presents Residential Main Service Panel Makeup with a 10 circuit layout. Ran with a mix of 14/3 & 14/2 Romex. With a mixture of Single Pole Circuit Breakers & Two Pole (Tandem) Circuit Breakers. Let’s Check It Out!

NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations
NEC Article 230 Services
NEC Article 250 Grounding & Bonding
NEC Article 334 NM Cable
NEC Article 408 Switchboards, Switchgear and Panelboards

06/26/2025

Zap Zach Presents One Doorbell to a Chimer powered by a step down transformer from 120VAC to 16VDC. From the MSP (Main Service Panel) we have 14/2 AWG running from a 15A circuit breaker through the studs and strapped down with staples. Per NEC Article 334.30 (Securing & Strapping) Romex, (NM cable) needs to be supported every 12” from any enclosure: outlet boxes, junction boxes, cabinets or fittings and secured every 4 1/2” intervals. The Romex is aligned in the center of the studs to prevent any damage from the drywall screws once it is mounted to the framing. The Romex terminates into a 4D J-box. It then connects to the Primary leads, 120VAC, on the Step Down Transformer. From the Secondary output, 16VDC, of the Transformer 18/2 AWG (Fire Alarm Cable) is ran through 1/2” EMT with 90 degree stubs and strapped down with 1/2” single hole straps. Also centered on the studs. PER NEC Article 358.30 (A), EMT shall be securely fastened in place at intervals not exceed 10’. In addition each EMT run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 3’ of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body or other tubing termination. The Transformers lead (Red Conductor) is then attached to the ‘Transformer Terminal’ on the chime. The Black Conductor is spliced and ran to the Doorbell terminal, thus powering it and allowing the illumination of the Doorbell. From the Doorbell the red wire is then ran to the ‘Front’ designated terminal on the chime. This specific Chime has terminals for ‘Front’ & ‘Back’ doorbells. We only installed one doorbell. Per NEC Article 300.3 (C)(1)): Conductors of Different Systems: 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less: Conductor of AC and DC circuits, rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less, shall be permitted to occupy the same equipment wiring enclosure, cable, or race-way. All conductor shall have an insulation rating equal to at least the maximum circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the enclosure, cable, or raceway… Thus we are able to combine AC & DC circuits in the same junction box.

NEC Article 300.3 (C)(1)): Conductors of Different Systems: 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less
NEC Article 334 NM Cable
NEC Article 358 EMT (Electric Metallic Tubing)

06/20/2025

Zap Zach Presents: One solder less Bread Board powered by a 9 volt battery. Using Resistors & LED diodes I am able to operate the LED’s when I energize the board. Determining the Resistance for each LED diode I use this formula: Source Voltage (9v) MINUS LED Voltage (2-3V) DIVIDED by Amps (Milliamps for LED Diodes, 20mA = .02A) = 300 - 350 OHMS. So a 300 or 350 OHMS Resistor is needed to properly power these LED’s with out blowing them. Keeping the jumpers tight & clean allows for a smoother build on the board. The LED has two leads to it. The longer lead is the Anode (Positive) & the shorter lead is the Cathode (Negative). Understanding the polarity is crucial for proper operation.

06/19/2025

Zap Zach Presents: One 120volt pigtail is powering a Step Down Transformer from 120v to 24v and also powering a 120v Time Relay. From the Secondary output of the Step Down Transformer it is sending current to a 600volt terminal block. From the terminal block it powers a Thermostat with the Rc wire (usually the red wire). Thermostats require 24v to operate. Once the designated option on the Thermostat (Heat, Fan or Cool) is activated it sends a current to one side of the coil on the 24v Relay. The other conductor from the Secondary output of the Step Down Transformer is sent to the other side of the coil on the 24v Relay. Thus closing the Armature on the 24v Relay and making it a Normally Closed Contact. Thus sending the 120v from the Timed Relay to an Indicator light (the Load) which notifies me that the HVAC system is operational. Either Heating, Cooling or operating the Fan.

*NOTE: The Contractor is actually a Relay. It handles lower voltage and lower current.

NEC Article 110 Requirements for Electrical Installations
NEC Article 440.5 Air-Conditioning & Refrigerating Equipment
NEC Article 450 Transformers
NEC Article 720 Circuits & Equipment Operating @ Less than 50 Volts

06/13/2025

Zap Zach Presents: Main Service Panel installed with one three pole 15amp Breaker (circuits 2-6) and one single pole 15amp breaker (circuit 1). Circuit one provides power to the push button control which then activates the Contactor** inside the 8”x 8” J-box (Junction Box). The Contactor is mounted to a din rail. When the coil is activated by the armature in the contactor it then transformers from a Normal Open Contact to a Normally Closed Contract. Thus allowing the three phase power from circuits 2, 4 & 6 (Black, Red & Blue (Neutral ran as the third phase in this exercise, the Ungrounded Conductors) to pass through the contractor to operate the three phase motor. The conductors are through 14/3 & 14/2 Metal-Clad Cable (MC). Per the wiring in the Start/Stop push button the Black HOT Line 14 AWG lines are installed onto 13 NO, 14 NO & A1 slots on the contactor. The A1 slot powers the contactor. The A2 slot is for the Neutral. The 4/4 MC is ran from the panel to the contactor in slots L1, L2 & L3. Thus transferred through to slots T1, T2 & T3 and ran to the three phase motor. From the 8” Splice Box the 4/4 is ran through LFMC* (Liquidtight Flexile Metal Conduit: outdoor use for moisture) to the three phase motor.

*NOTE: I misspoke and called the Liquidtight Flexile Metal Conduit accidentally PVC, my apologies. Also you would use a Flexible Liquidtight Connector (Outdoors) or Flexible Flex (Indoors) when securing your raceway to the motor, due to its vibration.

NEC Article 314.28 Pull & Junction Boxes & Conduit Bodies
NEC Article 330 MC Cable
NEC Article 350 Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit: LFMC
NEC Article 430 Motors
NEC Article 430.40: Overload Relays

**A CONTACTOR is a device that allows the activation of loads that require a higher current. Used to activate distant loads, for example three phase motors. It can also provide the equipment protection preventing overloads.

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Los Angeles, CA

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