It was about time: Certifying electricians in the DR

[JD Jones]

When the engineer designed my installation, he placed the transformer in a location that was too far for any other houses to connect to, so at least there won't be any other connections.
I went from a nightmare connection to one of the best money can buy. After all is said and done, it was worth the effort.
I'd recommend the same for flgman, but an electrical connection transversing somebody else's property is a game changer.
There's no way I'd throw away money on that.

 

[RDKNIGHT]

When the engineer designed my installation, he placed the transformer in a location that was too far for any other houses to connect to, so at least there won't be any other connections.
I went from a nightmare connection to one of the best money can buy. After all is said and done, it was worth the effort.
I'd recommend the same for flgman, but an electrical connection transversing somebody else's property is a game changer.
There's no way I'd throw away money on that.

sounds like you out smarted them. congrats

 

[willd]

There is a guy named Larry in Sosua that is a licensed U.S. electrician living and working in Sosua,he is top notch. He does a lot of work on the north coast if anyone wants his business contact info I can try to dig it up. I and several friends have used him,he is a good guy but very busy as can be expected as these guys are rarer than hens teeth on the north coast and yes,he uses wire nuts.

Any chance you still have Larry's number? I have been through every electrician in rio san juan and each one has an 'answer' to my problem. And yet no one can seem to get my house to run 3 AC's and the water heater at the same time!

 

[reilleyp]

Any chance you still have Larry's number? I have been through every electrician in rio san juan and each one has an 'answer' to my problem. And yet no one can seem to get my house to run 3 AC's and the water heater at the same time!

What happens? Are they all on one circuit? What size wire do you have coming into your house?

 

[JD Jones]

What happens? Are they all on one circuit? What size wire do you have coming into your house?

And how many Breakers in your breaker box?

 

[willd]

And how many Breakers in your breaker box?

Hi - thanks for the reply. I have had one electrician tell me it is a voltage drop from the street ( ia about 1/4 mies off the road from the pole - wire is buried) and the last man said it is a wiring issue inside the house. Here is what one man said about the wire. I would prefer to eave it buried but everyone w ants to sell me telephone poles. And sorry no clue how many breakers and am in the states now.

 

[reilleyp]

The minimum size of wire for service entrance conductors is 6 AWG, unless it's a multiconductor cable, which must be at least 8 AWG.



The minimum wire size for service entrance cables also depends on the amperage of the service:

• 100-ampere service
  For residential temporary services, the entrance conductor should be at least #4 copper or #2 aluminum.
• 200-ampere service
  For residential temporary services, the entrance conductor should be at least 2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum.
  
  

If you don't use the correct wire size, your electrical panel might not get enough voltage to power your home.
Both of the people who looked at your problem could be correct. Your wires may be too small both inside and outside of your home. I know you said that the wires are buried but make sure you bury them in such a way that they are difficult to steal because a quarter-mile of large size wire is going to be a little bit expensive. not giving your electrical items a sufficient amount of electricity is making them work harder, it will shorten their lives and increase your electric bill.
Just a side note for those new to electricity, the smaller than Number the bigger the size of the electric wire. If you have three air conditioners and a hot water heater I do not think the number six will be big enough.

Google Image Result for https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wire-Gauge-Size-Wire-Ampacity-Table.png

 

[willd]

The minimum size of wire for service entrance conductors is 6 AWG, unless it's a multiconductor cable, which must be at least 8 AWG.



The minimum wire size for service entrance cables also depends on the amperage of the service:

• 100-ampere service
  For residential temporary services, the entrance conductor should be at least #4 copper or #2 aluminum.
• 200-ampere service
  For residential temporary services, the entrance conductor should be at least 2/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum.
  

If you don't use the correct wire size, your electrical panel might not get enough voltage to power your home.
Both of the people who looked at your problem could be correct. Your wires may be too small both inside and outside of your home. I know you said that the wires are buried but make sure you bury them in such a way that they are difficult to steal because a quarter-mile of large size wire is going to be a little bit expensive. not giving your electrical items a sufficient amount of electricity is making them work harder, it will shorten their lives and increase your electric bill.
Just a side note for those new to electricity, the smaller than Number the bigger the size of the electric wire. If you have three air conditioners and a hot water heater I do not think the number six will be big enough.

Google Image Result for https://www.electricaltechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Wire-Gauge-Size-Wire-Ampacity-Table.png

thanks for the info and the wire was already stolen twice. If you do know of anyone reliable with electric there i would definitely appreciate a referral. Its just disheartening to keep spending money to 'fix' the problem and several years later still be having the same issues. thanks again

 

[reilleyp]

thanks for the info and the wire was already stolen twice. If you do know of anyone reliable with electric there i would definitely appreciate a referral. Its just disheartening to keep spending money to 'fix' the problem and several years later still be having the same issues. thanks again

Where are you located? Most of my guys in Samana are clowns. The only guy I trust is from Santo Domingo area. If you are not too far away I will get you his number. He is super smart and knows what he is doing but only speaks Spanish.

 

[JD Jones]

For 1000 ft. I'm guessing it needs to be a primary line to the house with a transformer, hence the posts. I did everything under the sun for 500 ft. and finally threw in the towel and did it the right way. The peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.
Even if you go with aluminum to stop the theft they'll still steal it.
As far as generators are concerned, they should be for emergency use only. I had an FJ Wilson super silent which is pretty economical and it still consumed a little over a gallon an hour. Do the math.

 

[willd]

Where are you located? Most of my guys in Samana are clowns. The only guy I trust is from Santo Domingo area. If you are not too far away I will get you his number. He is super smart and knows what he is doing but only speaks Spanish.

Thanks really appreciate it but i am right in rio san juan. I have tried multiple people who were all 'electricians' and no luck. If you come across someone in that area you think might be good please let me know!

 

[USA DOC]

requisitos to become a certified electrician : 1 screwdriver and a roll of tapee......

or a timely payment to some one,,,,,,,,,,

 

[2020]

the last time we hired an "electrician" in Las Terrenas, he asked if he could borrow my tools

 

[jd426]

the last time we hired an "electrician" in Las Terrenas, he asked if he could borrow my tools

UNLESS his Tools were just very recently Stolen, ( which unfortunately does happen a Lot , when you have good tools in your Truck)
then that is NOT a good sign ..

 

[Notengo]

the last time we hired an "electrician" in Las Terrenas, he asked if he could borrow my tools

Last year I borrowed an adjustable bahco wrench from the guy installing our AC, when I gave it back he said it wasn’t his and I said no I borrowed it from you. When they were gone I found out I gave away my own tool that they grabbed from my toolbox!

 

[2020]

Last year I borrowed an adjustable bahco wrench from the guy installing our AC, when I gave it back he said it wasn’t his and I said no I borrowed it from you. When they were gone I found out I gave away my own tool that they grabbed from my toolbox!

it's the same with Telenorte - the cable company
The last time we had a problem they had nothing but a ladder. They were trying to dig underground with their bare hands

 

[reilleyp]

If you are 1000 feet from the road or more and you plan on being in this country for 10 or more years and you have relatively cool nights or you are content with a fan At Night then you are better off going with a solar system that is off grid, battery back up. Go with LiFePo batteries. You could run the air conditioner all night, but you will need about eight to $10,000 in batteries if you want to have your refrigerator, security, lighting and water pumps on, etc.

 

[JD Jones]

If you are 1000 feet from the road or more and you plan on being in this country for 10 or more years and you have relatively cool nights or you are content with a fan At Night then you are better off going with a solar system that is off grid, battery back up. Go with LiFePo batteries. You could run the air conditioner all night, but you will need about eight to $10,000 in batteries if you want to have your refrigerator, security, lighting and water pumps on, etc.

I'm gonna assume he has inverter A/C's.

 

[reilleyp]

I'm gonna assume he has inverter A/C's.

12,000 btu split unit.

 

[JD Jones]

12,000 btu split unit.

Are they inverter or regular units? When I switched to Inverter Split A/C's it cut my monthly invoice in half.