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
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
# posted by Bob @ 12:32 PM 
