Question for you electricians....

[Mark42]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Please tell me that the 2 30amp breakers are tied together with a handle tie, or will trip together. That could be a problem.

Yep, there is a little bar connecting the two breakers. Maybe the installer never tightened them up tight to begin with.<br />

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Sounds like you have everything under control, Mark. You're probably right that the installer never tightened up the lugs correctly, but I didn't know if that was you. (j/k)

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

a year after any installation,, all breaker panel terminations should be re-tightened.. <br /><br />but better chance of singin' with elvis than to get the contractor back to do it..<br /><br />shut off the main MAIN that kills the whole panel.. <br /><br />get a screwdriver that fits tite in the screw slot i.e. proper size driver an go down on every screw.. even grounds & white wires.. <br /><br />also do the main lugs to.. but be careful ..!!! dem wires are live-hot.. <br /><br />insert screw driver,, an tighten.. or if allen key,, tape up good an do..<br /><br />MAKE SURE YOU GOT YOUR OTHER HAND IN YOUR POCKET.. AN OUTTA THE WAY.. <br /><br />two hands in panel working on a hot screw can be deadly..

 

[Mark42]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Crabbait,<br /><br />Why go through all that danger when working on live mains? Just yank the meter and be done with it! I never work on anything live other than a flashlight or walkman.<br /><br />And, no, I did not install the drier circuit (thank goodness). The pannel was done by the builders sub, and a very mediocre house wiring job it was. Called the sub back 3 times for non working fixtures. Every one was because they forgot to actually connect the wires in the box. Guy blamed it on that new apprentice he had. I told him I didn't think he did a good job of teaching/monitoring his apprentice.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

pull the meter if you want.. most house meters 'round here have brass keyed locks.. an the few that don't,, have sealed wire 'tags' on them.. have to cut off ..or pulled apart outta the plastic tag.. that never looks the same an the meter reader will report you.. the power co. will nail you to a cross to set an example..<br /><br />or stick a srcewdriver in the screws an tighten..<br /><br />the journeymen can't check on to much.. he has to wire the house in a days time.. A HOUSE A DAY..<br /><br />is most your problems up stairs or down stairs..??

 

[Mark42]

Re: Question for you electricians....

We just have a sealed wire tag. Many are missing. Power co doesn't do anything unless they suspect power theft. My tag has been missing since the house was built in '92, thanks to the electrician trying to figure out how water was getting into the circuit pannel.<br /><br />Most problems were upstairs. Install a switch, but don't connect it. Install the bath fan, but romex is just hanging in the housing, etc.<br /><br />If the guy has an apprentence, he is responsable for the apprentices work. Period. No if's, and's or but's. So for him to blame the apprentice for the problems (like it is to be expected and his hands were tied), is being irresponsable. After the second problem was discoverd, he should have taken the time to inspect ALL the work the apprentence did, not wait for me to report the problems piece-meal.<br /><br />If I had that attitude, then when a few million people didn't get their paycheck this week, I could just tell my boss "the new programmer screwed it up". Think he would be happy with that response? <br /><br />Gee... Guess I still have pent up anger about the electrician... LOL!

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Originally posted by crab bait:<br /> get IDEAL tan 'twisters' .. THE BEST NUT MADE..

No way!!! Ideal Wing Nuts are the BEST NUT MADE... <br /><br />Mark, you're fine. Allow for a min of 6" of wire inside the j-box. As mentioned, the 10g is good. I would double check on the need for the permit. Lots of cities allow homeowners to do repairs themself without a permit EXCEPT for any electrical work. Not having a permit if it is required can cause problems with insurance and in some cases (always in Calif!) it will impact the resell value of your home.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

i figured upstairs.. the helper does the upstairs always.. cause it's easier an less code infrations to know..<br /><br />...........................................<br /><br />what part of 'twisters' ain't a wing nut..??...??

 

[MichaelMullis]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Always! always! always! follow National Electrical Code. They state right in the beginning that they are only concerned with safety. Yours and all others.Electricity is a wonderfull thing as long as it is stays where it is supposed to be, when it dosn't you have fires and injuries/death. I know that a lot of people use wire nuts for all kinds of connection, but I would not use for anything over 20 amps. I have seen elect. jump from wire nuts that were not taped when high current motors were started. Go with split connectors or crimp connectors and insulate and wrap with super 33. The main thing is to be safe. <br />Michael

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

there's been many many many more accidents an fires with ole 'split bolts' an or 'crimps'.. <br /><br />anything that you GOTTA wrap tape as the primary insulation ,, such a these ,, are destined to fail over time.. especially by a rank ammeture/homeowner..<br /><br />SIDEBAR:::<br /><br />it kills me,, the advise that people who know,, give people who don't..<br /><br />instead of simplifing the advise an taking in consideration of the ammeture... <br /><br />they/you's try to impress the ammeture rather then help..<br /><br />it really kills me..

 

[dhammann]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Stick to wire nuts, they are the nec and UL approved method. This is what your insurance co would want. Use common sense, you want a good mechanical connection. Strip 1-1/2" and twist wires together with pliers, cut off excess (leave about an inch) and cap off with wire nut. Be sure to use junction box & cover. When you are finished go upstairs, open a beer and quit worrying!

 

[oddjob]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Crab bait<br /><br /><br />If I for one had known you were gonna arrive and save the day here I would have stayed out of it. Sorry, my bad. I think everyone else here is just trying to help not criticize one another. Try to have a good day.

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

never refering to you..but you didn't know that..<br /><br /> heck,, you even said your not sure.. an you even returned with update info that said wirenuts are fine..<br /><br /><br />it's the later posts that got me.. an the 'side bar',, i was really refering to all post on all subjects.. <br /><br />people should keep in mind that your tellin' info to people who don't know an are probably rank ammetures.. keep it simple an true..

 

[Mark42]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Hey,crab bait,<br /><br />I have been doing house wiring since I was 17 working for a contractor. I don't consider myself a "rank amateur". <br /><br />In fact, less than HALF of all the wireing jobs I have done were found to be the cause of the fire....

 

[oddjob]

Re: Question for you electricians....

er....nevermind..

 

[crab bait]

Re: Question for you electricians....

then why did you ask such a rank ammeture question..??

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Question for you electricians....

Now the problem will be that heavy washer full of water heading back to the basement from the second floor when the floor joist fail because someone used 2 inch nails when 3 1/2 were needed! (Just kidding)