Thursday, July 29, 2010

 

King in the Land of the Blind....

There is an old expression about a one-eyed man...
Heaven help him if he is altruistic and tries to help his fellow beings!

The truth is that, at best, the one-eyed man is an outcast in the land of the blind and likely to be considered mad and/or a liar.
The likely case is that they put out his eye.
I expect it is his best bet to keep his mouth shut and take advantage of the situation.
Hopefully he can get out of the way when the cart is rolling down on him, even if he can't help anyone else!

Call a professional electrician!

Question:
I uncovered a wall electrical box that has only one electrical cable in it, which was taped up. I have no idea what this cable is hooked to. When I test it with a neon tester, the tester glows bright when connected between the black and the bare ground, but glows dim when connected between the hot and white wires. There is no glow when connected between the white and bare ground. Does this indicate that the cable is a switch leg going to a lighting circuit, or what? This has me stumped.

Answer:
Why would your symptoms suggest that it is a switch leg? I see no evidence to suggest that this would be the case. Where did you get this idea from?
By "taped up" I take it that all three conductors, black, white and bare, were separated from each other.
All your readings show is that the black is energized and the ground is providing some clear return path. Did you happen to obtain a voltage reading or simply rely on the neon tester to suggest voltage? As to the dim white to black connection, it may suggest that the white is not intentionally terminated to provide a return path and only brushing against a grounded enclosure, that the white is damaged or any one of literally hundreds of possible scenarios.
Where is the box with this cable end located?
How high above the floor?
Is it in a location that would normally be serviced by a receptacle according to the building's existing wiring where there is an obvious lack of a receptacle?
When was the house built?
Has it had any substantial work performed at some point?
Was it rewired?
Is there evidence that a homeowner installed any wiring?
You say "uncovered." Explain what you mean by that. What was hiding the box?
How long have you lived at this house?
What were you doing that led to the discovery?
Why?
Where is the electrical service in relation to the problem outlet?
Where are other outlets in relation to this opening?
Any other problems?
Have you examined nearby outlets to attempt to develop a wiring schematic for the building?
Are you qualified to do this?
*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
Electricity is dangerous!
You can be injured or killed!
Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!
Are you qualified to do this work?
*
National Electrical Code definition, NFPA 70 2008 Article 100 I: Qualified Person. "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved."
*
Always check with the local “Authority Having Jurisdiction” for an official interpretation before making installation decisions.
*
In Philadelphia, it is unlawful for anyone except an individual licensed by the City of Philadelphia to install electrical equipment and wiring.
Homeowners are not allowed to install wiring.
The owner of any property wherein any such installation is discovered shall be issued a violation by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
The limited exceptions include replacing devices and fixtures at existing outlets.Contact the Department of Licenses and Inspections for more information.
*
You are more likely to be killed by 120 volts than any other voltage [120 volts creates the PERFECT fatal current through the human body's electrical resistance!]
TURN THE POWER OFF WHEN WORKING!
*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
This information is provided for the use of parties as they see fit!
I am not responsible for the application of this information by any party, including those lacking sufficient skill or knowledge to perform these steps safely and any hazard created is the SOLE responsibility of the user.
*

Robert Wilber
Licensed Philadelphia Electrician
Philadelphia License # 3516 - 16765

Sunday, July 25, 2010

 

Endless tales of woe from amateur wiring...

It seems to never end.
Tale after tale of problems and near disaster!

I just received this inquiry from a lady who lost her home 10 years ago [purportedly to an electrical fire]

It sounds like she is ready to have another!

http://www.wilberelectrical.com/FAQ.asp

Question:
i had a house fire in 2000 from a faulty electrical outlet in my daughters room. was told that there was too much plugged in to the outlet. fireman explained that in most of the older holmes they needed to be updated to the new specs which most are not and with a lot of the neww electronics out now its a fire waiting to happen because too much is plugged into the outlets. im guessing my hme is about 50 to 60ys old. ex-husband hired a contractor, wound up firiring him and decided he wanted to finished the work. he had some guy who said he was a electrician come in to do the wiring. when i finally moved back in almost after 2 years, the wiring of the house was still not complete. i have a 3 bedroom ranch style home, bath and half. my light in the hallway was not working. in my spare bedroom and part of the living room the plug in outlets along the side and front were not working. the dryer that i had placed in the garage was not properly hooked up and i had to unplug it because it was shocking me everytime i touched the doorhandle. have not used it since. in my daughters bedroom if i plugged something in the outlet along the front wall and plugged something in my bedroom along the back wall it would trip some of the outlets in my bedroom and this happen for a while until i just stop using the plug. one early morning around two or three, my fire alarms went off and would not shut off. there was nothing burning, i wind up calling the fire department they checked all outlets for hotpots came up with nothing and wind up having to disconnect 3 of the units because new standard have a alarm in all the bedrooms. my ex-husband back in 2009 came and rewired the socket in my daughters room. i was in my daughters room friday using my laptop, plugged the charger in another socket in her room, went to sleep, woke up the next morning smelt a funny odor, but i thought it was coming from outside because i had the windows up, around noonish when i was cleaning up the odor got stronger, still thinking it was coming from outside, i just happen for whatever reason to look at the charger battery that was plugged in and it was red hot and when i pulled the bed out the way discovered that it was just simmering and if i would have left out to go do something it could have very well possibly started anothe fire. well i panicked and found a pop sickle stick to try and disconnet the wires as not to stick my fingers there, i know this probably wasnt smart either, but it worked and it wind up knocking everything out in my bedroom. i tried to reset it at the breaker box but it did not come back on, so i left it alone. i already know because i was having all these other issues that this house is not properly wireand i also know that most electricians do not like going behind someoneelse. i honestly dont believe they brought my home up too code and have too much stuff on one circuit. am i looking at a whole house rewiring project? and what are the cost of something like this?

Answer:
Sympathies for your misfortune. I am glad everyone is OK.
It was kind of the fireman to advise you that the fire was caused because there was too much plugged into the outlet. I am sure he is a very nice man and meant well.

A properly installed electrical system of whatever age, if properly maintained, cannot, under normal conditions, have "too much plugged into the outlet." The reason for this is that the outlet is designed and intended to carry the full available circuit current, with limited exceptions. One such would be where the home has knob and tube wiring, in which case there may be devices rated for fifteen amps on a circuit protected with a twenty-amp circuit protective device. The other would be in the case of a twenty-amp circuit with multiple outlets, whereby it is allowed to install fifteen-amp devices at the outlets. In the event of a single outlet on a twenty-amp circuit, the device would be required to be rated for twenty amps.

It is possible that your advisor meant that connected components had effectively reduced the protection provided by the device rating by using extension devices rated for less current and used to connect multiple appliances, lamps, etc., thereby overloading the extension cord. It is imperative to always utilize a circuit extension that meets or exceeds either circuit capacity or the load connected to it.

"Up to Code" is a misnomer, in that a building's systems are installed according to the most recent version of standards [NEC is a three-year cycle] adopted by the local "authority having jurisdiction." Many municipalities continue to enforce older codes, rather than adopt the newest published codes. For example, the current 2008 National Electrical Code [NFPA 70] was only just implemented in Philadelphia in 2010. Up until this time, the city had enforced the last previous version from 2005. I have encountered instances in other locations in which 10 year old versions are being enforced.

If fifty years old, your house was built according to the locally adopted NEC code from 1957 or 1954. If pre-war [WW2] it may have had knob and tube wiring.

In any case, since the whole place was rewired since 2000, it probably should have been wired according to the 1996 or 1999 NEC, whichever was adopted in your area. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the work was done professionally, nothing against your ex.

I don't know for sure that your house needs to be rewired.

I think you should hire a competent electrician to inspect your wiring.
Call your local municipal office. Ask if permits and inspections are required for electrical work. Get two lists from them, licensed electricians and electrical inspection agencies [unless the town inspects themselves]. Call the inspection agencies and find out if they are members of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors. Are they licensed and insured? [You don't want a home inspector.] Tell them you are looking for an electrical inspector.

When you get to talk to the inspectors, tell them you need a good electrician. Tell them you know they inspect for electricians and you want to know who they would call to work on their own house. Explain that you understand that they will be inspecting any work this electrician does, since they are recommending him because they know his work because they inspect him now.

The battery had nothing to do with your house wiring. The other problems you need to have someone look at.

Let me know how it works out, or if you need more help.

Friday, July 23, 2010

 

Electricity is FIRE IN A BOX!

OMG! It is like being the FBI on "Criminal Minds!"
I just got an e-mail from "Handy Jack" himself!


Robert Wilber
Licensed Philadelphia Electrician
Philadelphia License # 3516 - 16765

*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
Electricity is dangerous!
You can be injured or killed!
Improper installations can cause fire, injury and death!
Are you qualified to do this work?
*
National Electrical Code definition, NFPA 70 2008 Article 100 I: Qualified Person. "One who has skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of the electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to recognize and avoid the hazards involved."
*
Always check with the local “Authority Having Jurisdiction” for an official interpretation before making installation decisions.
*
In Philadelphia, it is unlawful for anyone except an individual licensed by the City of Philadelphia to install electrical equipment and wiring.
Homeowners are not allowed to install wiring.
The owner of any property wherein any such installation is discovered shall be issued a violation by the Department of Licenses and Inspections.
The limited exceptions include replacing devices and fixtures at existing outlets.
Contact the Department of Licenses and Inspections for more information.
*
You are more likely to be killed by 120 volts than any other voltage [120 volts creates the PERFECT fatal current through the human body's electrical resistance!]
TURN THE POWER OFF WHEN WORKING!
*
LIFE SAFETY WARNING! [disclaimer]
This information is provided for the use of parties as they see fit!
I am not responsible for the application of this information by any party, including those lacking sufficient skill or knowledge to perform these steps safely and any hazard created is the SOLE responsibility of the user.
*
Question:
hi, how much of the outside wiring can I do myself? I want to upgrade my service. right now I have 60 amp coming to the house. can I call the electric company and ask them to " shut me down " at the pole for a few hours while I run new #4 wire from the drop on the top of the house down to a new Meter Socket box and then to my box inside. I already changed this to a 125amp box a few years ago myself. Also does the power Co. run new wire to my drop for FREE??. I'm just a homeowner.

Answer:
1. Congratulations on your great good fortune. The cable from a 60 amp service will not adequately support 125 amps and probably should have burned off the wall. I expect that you didn't actually increase your load, however, if all you did was change the panel. Lucky you.
2. Four gauge won't carry 125 amps either.
3. You may not be allowed to perform the work you propose. Either the local "authority having jurisdiction" or the utility may not allow installations by unlicensed parties.
4. I don't know where you are located, so cannot speak to utility disconnection practices. There are many places where nobody but the utility is allowed to interfere with service connections. Sometimes the utility is local government. Where I am located, the contractor cuts the service away and makes the reintroduction to energized utility lines. Ask your utility.
5. I have no concept of your mechanical skills level. I hope it exceeds your knowledge level, which is revealed as nominal by your prior actions.
6. I know you didn't have your work inspected, because it was done improperly.

7. I make a living fixing work installed by amateurs. You will want to move one day and I don't think it fair to help you saddle an unsuspecting soul with the dangerous installation you will leave behind.
8. Electricity is fire in a box.
9. If you insist on doing this yourself, buy extra smoke detectors, make sure your fire insurance is paid up and don't sleep in the house.
10. CALL A PROFESSIONAL ELECTRICIAN!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

 

Homeowner frightfest: Handy Jack Strikes again...

I am endlessly amazed at the messes people get into because someone hires a hack to do their electrical work!

Electricity KILLS! IT IS FIRE IN A BOX!

Question:
While doing some remodel in the attic I came across a thick wire that I needed to reroute just a few inches. When I pulled on it to see how much give it had, it came loose from behind the wall. I think it's part of the old electrical system. I followed the part that came loose to the attic crawl space where it is split, partly into an old style tube & knob system. The house definitely has new wiring so I think this old stuff is not hot. But I'm concerned that there is something hot behind the wall where it pulled a apart and I have no way of reaching. What's the likelihood of there being an old hot wire that is now loose? I think that they just didn't take the old stuff out when they put the new wiring in and I just pulled out some old loose not hot connection. But now I'm worried about that there might be a hot wire that I pulled loose. DO I have reason to worry?

Answer:
Whether you have any reason to worry is a reasonable question under the circumstances.
You won't like the answer, but yes ..... and no.

Yes, because there is always the possibility that the conductor may be part of an active system and your action may have exposed some hitherto inert wiring as a hazard.
No, because your observation that the house has been largely rewired makes this unlikely.

Never the less, you have a job of work ahead of you. You get the fun task left to you by my favorite worker, Handy Jack. "Handy Jack" is my less than affectionate moniker for the representative of that class of morons who think that they have "discovered" a newer simpler solution to an electrical condition that is so much more reasonable than the process followed by the literally millions of obvious idiots working in the electrical trades, including construction, engineering, design and manufacturing and possessing the combined knowledge derived from tens, if not hundreds, of BILLIONS [I am an electrician, not a mathematician. There are roughly 600,000 electricians who clock 2,000 to 3,000 working hours each year and have, in increasing numbers, for the past 100 years!] of hours of exposure to, and contemplation of, the safe and useful application of electrical energy as we understand it.
Jack, of course, can see clearly where we have all overlooked the apparent, simple solution....

[BTW-Handy Jack also does plumbing, carpentry, roofing and siding, replacement window installation, auto repairs and brain surgery...]

Now, to YOUR problem.
The likely condition is that the lazy louts who modified your wiring elected to simply abandon the existing knob and tube components and leave it in place, even though the National Electrical Code requires abandoned conductors and equipment to be removed where accessible. The attic wiring was accessible and should have been demolished if it had been abandoned. This would have caused the tail you found to be removed.

Is the outer covering of this "thick wire" composed of fabric [called loom] and does it have a single cloth and/or rubber insulated conductor, like the exposed K&T wiring, inside?
If so, what you describe sounds like standard K&T wiring.
If you care to learn about knob and tube wiring methods, you will find that it was allowable to transition to this method for an extension to a device like a switch or receptacle, and that the loom material was used to protect the conductor all the way into the device box. This being the case, the likely scenario is that my friend Jack probably just eliminated the old device and left the loom and conductor floating in the wall when he ran new wire. [If you consider the length of the free conductor you discovered, you may find that it would just about reach the location of some newer device]
You are now paying what the cheapskate saved when he hired Jack to rewire his house. You see, people never understand why a competent electrician wants so much money when they can get the job done for half the price, or why they should pay for a permit and an electrical inspection. Jack just didn't include the labor cost to complete the job properly in his bargain price and wasn't going to work for free.
What is true is that this wiring method is not the kind of installation to be interfered with and disabled by such a casual manipulation of a component as you describe.
This is the good news, and the most likely case.

The bad news is that you don't know that for certain.
Is there anything which has stopped working? You know the probable cause.
No problems? Great! You now just have to prove to your satisfaction that the K&T components you discovered were inert before your "accident."
Make sure the K&T segment you discovered attached to the whip is not active and supplied from anywhere, or serving as the neutral for something.
Make sure the whip didn't reach anything that could have been providing a hot or neutral path.

If you are not sufficiently skilled to undertake the process of alleviating your concerns about the discovered wiring, hire a professional electrician to resolve the matter .... or buy extra smoke detectors and make sure your fire insurance is paid up. I am not concerned about your safety, because I sure wouldn't sleep well until I knew what the story was ... and I doubt you will either.

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