primitives discuss house electrical wiring

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/11582336

Oh my.

Greybnk48 (5,234 posts)   Tue Aug 13, 2013, 03:57 PM

I have a question about home wiring.

We have a porch light and a front lamp post, both are turned on by the same switch. The lamp post light no longer lights, but the fixture is not broken. Where might the trouble be? Any hints. My husband took the inside switchplate off and he can't figure out the wiring.
 
This seems like too small job for an electrician.

Wilms (20,869 posts)    Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:04 PM

1. Good chance...

...that the cable going to the lamppost is broken. If it's piped, a new cable can be pulled through. If it's buried, get out a shovel.

Greybnk48 (5,234 posts)    Thu Aug 15, 2013, 09:14 AM

9. Well, I'll tell you one thing Wilms

If it is the wire that's buried, it will have a pipe around it this time thanks to you!

lumberjack_jeff (25,118 posts)    Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:44 PM

2. 1) turn off the breaker
2) Remove the fasteners securing the porch light.
3) Verify that there are no loose insulated conductors, then tighten any wire nuts you find in the box.

90% odds this fixes the problem.

4) unscrew the lamp post fixture and tighten the wire nuts you find here. If that doesn't solve the problem, the buried wire is probably broken.

Greybnk48 (5,234 posts)    Thu Aug 15, 2013, 09:09 AM

6. We'll be gone until Monday, then we will try your suggestions.

We've already done part of what you've said but REALLY appreciate the input. I just hate that lamp not working in the winter when it gets dark so early. I have a hunch we may have to dig.

Don't dig; call a union-card-carrying electrician.

shireen (7,497 posts)    Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:46 PM

3. don't forget to turn off the circuit breaker when you're trying to diagnose the problem. Please post when you figure out what happened.

Ugly finally butts in:

Warpy (70,741 posts)    Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:53 PM

4. Better, get a cheap electrical tester

I hit the breaker and then use that to verify there's no juice in the line.

My house was wired by a crazy person.

[Aristotelian]

Warpy (70,741 posts)    Tue Aug 13, 2013, 04:53 PM

4. Better, get a cheap electrical tester

I hit the breaker and then use that to verify there's no juice in the line.

My house was wired by a crazy person.

Why would Warpy wire her own house?

[jukin]

My advice to the DUche is to use its tongue on any suspected hot wires while holding on to something very well grounded. Just like testing 9 volt battery. That way you can tell if just a little bit of electricity is getting through.

I'm just a knuckle dragging neanderthal but did the super genius DUchebag ever think to check for a burnt out lamp? Lord save us from the people that think they are smart.

[JohnnyReb]

My advice to the DUche is to use its tongue on any suspected hot wires while holding on to something very well grounded. Just like testing 9 volt battery. That way you can tell if just a little bit of electricity is getting through.

I'm just a knuckle dragging neanderthal but did the super genius DUchebag ever think to check for a burnt out lamp? Lord save us from the people that think they are smart.

If it taste like chicken and you smell sulfur.....you're home free.

[Skul]

My advice to the DUche is to use its tongue on any suspected hot wires while holding on to something very well grounded. Just like testing 9 volt battery. That way you can tell if just a little bit of electricity is getting through.

I'm just a knuckle dragging neanderthal but did the super genius DUchebag ever think to check for a burnt out lamp? Lord save us from the people that think they are smart.

My first thought, then it went to the testing you suggested. 
 

[67 Rover]

Just remember that Black is always ground so that wire is safe to touch.

[GOBUCKS]

It's a burned-out bulb.

I wonder how many times welfare DUmmies have called in union electricians for a dead light bulb.

Of course, being union electricians, they'll install a new breaker box in addition to a new bulb.

[NHSparky]

Just remember that Black is always ground so that wire is safe to touch.

According to Warpy, it is.

[freedumb2003b]

According to Warpy, it is.

There are many now-zombie candidates who misunderstood the distance between "always" and "ought to be."

[obumazombie]

There are many now-zombie candidates who misunderstood the distance between "always" and "ought to be."

You rang...

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=an_by5r8EUc[/youtube]

???

This sounds like a job for an electrolyte.

[98ZJUSMC]

Just remember that Black is always ground so that wire is safe to touch.

 

It's a burned-out bulb.

I wonder how many times welfare DUmmies have called in union electricians for a dead light bulb.

Of course, being union electricians, they'll install a new breaker box in addition to a new bulb.

That was my first thought, as the moron didn't mention it.  I figure checking an underground cable for continuity is a little too advanced.

[DefiantSix]

 

That was my first thought, as the moron didn't mention it.  I figure checking an underground cable for continuity is a little too advanced.

So's opening the circuit breaker, to the below average DUmmy. I still don't see the down side to encouraging the nitwit to try it anyway.

[diesel driver]

So's opening the circuit breaker, to the below average DUmmy. I still don't see the down side to encouraging the nitwit to try it anyway.

Me neither.  Could be a win-win all around.

It's a burned-out bulb.

Always the first place to start, DUmmies.

Probably has one of those CFL's in it, and thinks that because it says "lasts 5 years" on the box, it can't possibly be the bulb.

I HAD about 10 of those damned things in my house a couple of years ago, as they blew, I replaced them with "conventional" bulbs.  Today, I have 1 CFL that still works (sort of). 

BTW, I threw mine in the trash.  Easy peasy, no HazMat cleanup crew used, needed, or wanted.

[I_B_Perky]

Just remember that Black is always ground so that wire is safe to touch.

 

H5 67 Rover! You made me laugh!

[I_B_Perky]

Me neither.  Could be a win-win all around.

Always the first place to start, DUmmies.

Probably has one of those CFL's in it, and thinks that because it says "lasts 5 years" on the box, it can't possibly be the bulb.

I HAD about 10 of those damned things in my house a couple of years ago, as they blew, I replaced them with "conventional" bulbs.  Today, I have 1 CFL that still works (sort of). 

BTW, I threw mine in the trash.  Easy peasy, no HazMat cleanup crew used, needed, or wanted.

Me too DD. And they can catch on fire too! Had one do that. I keep the CFL's in the chandelier in the kitchen cause if they catch on fire, they are far enough from the ceiling, and enclosed in glass, they won't catch the house on fire. They never last 5 years either. And when they burn out, I toss them in the trash along with everything else and take it to the curb on trash day.

The rest is regular bulbs. I bought like 800 bulbs before they took them off the market so I am good for the next 20 or 30 years!

[Delmar]

Greybnk48 (5,234 posts)   Tue Aug 13, 2013, 03:57 PM

I have a question about home wiring.

We have a porch light and a front lamp post, both are turned on by the same switch. The lamp post light no longer lights, but the fixture is not broken. Where might the trouble be? Any hints. My husband took the inside switchplate off and he can't figure out the wiring.
 
This seems like too small job for an electrician.

First. give the circuit the knife test.

[GOBUCKS]

Probably has one of those CFL's in it, and thinks that because it says "lasts 5 years" on the box, it can't possibly be the bulb.

My experience with CFLs is that they will not work unless they're mounted base-down, with unimpeded air flow around them.

If they're base-up, or with any type of globe or cover or diffuser, they have only a small a fraction of the life of a normal incandescent bulb.

Used bare and base down, they may last a long time, but how many bulb applications are like that? Then they're okay, as long as you don't mind very dim light for a few minutes while they warm up.

Yet CFLs are a wonder of modern science compared to the new EPA gasoline cans.

[diesel driver]

My experience with CFLs is that they will not work unless they're mounted base-down, with unimpeded air flow around them.

If they're base-up, or with any type of globe or cover or diffuser, they have only a small a fraction of the life of a normal incandescent bulb.

Used bare and base down, they may last a long time, but how many bulb applications are like that? Then they're okay, as long as you don't mind very dim light for a few minutes while they warm up.

Yet CFLs are a wonder of modern science compared to the new EPA gasoline cans.

GOD, how I HATE those things!!!!   

All because some DUmbass got burned pouring gasoline from a regular jug, now we have these WHATTHE**** spouts on gas cans that require 3 hands and a spotter to put gas in your F****** lawnmower!!!!

Not to mention the price went up from about $5 for a 5 gallon can to over $15.   

[I_B_Perky]

All because some DUmbass got burned pouring gasoline from a regular jug, now we have these WHATTHE**** spouts on gas cans that require 3 hands and a spotter to put gas in your F****** lawnmower!!!!

Not to mention the price went up from about $5 for a 5 gallon can to over $15.   

Oh hell yes DD!!!  I went to Kmart to buy a couple 5 gallon gas cans the other day and they was like 18 freaking dollars each!!!  Last one I bought was like 5 bucks.

So I bought only one. What a fustercluck!!!!  Those things are daggone worthless.  I finally got pissed off and drilled a small hole in the other side so the daggone gas would come out and put a golf tee in the hole.   

[diesel driver]

Oh hell yes DD!!!  I went to Kmart to buy a couple 5 gallon gas cans the other day and they was like 18 freaking dollars each!!!  Last one I bought was like 5 bucks.

So I bought only one. What a fustercluck!!!!  Those things are daggone worthless.  I finally got pissed off and drilled a small hole in the other side so the daggone gas would come out and put a golf tee in the hole.   

Can't beat good ol' redneck engineering!   

I still got a 5 gallon plastic jug from when I raced motorcycles, back in the 80's!  It's a Blitz, and it's so damned old, it faded from red, past pink, to almost white!  No cracks, no leaks, and it's the first one of the 4 jugs I reach for when fueling the lawnmower.

I also use it to take gas from here to where my mail car is parked.  I can get gas here at Flying J for 10-20 cents/gallon cheaper than in Radford, VA.

[67 Rover]

Mil surplus Jerry Cans  20,10 or 5 Liter Green and the best part is the Jerry can spout fits all three. Cheap and sturdy.

Unfortunately for those of you on the West coast.
"California law prevents the sale of Jerry cans to California residents."

[98ZJUSMC]

Yet CFLs are a wonder of modern science compared to the new EPA gasoline cans.

They can take those things and shove them.  They consistently spill more fuel than anything I have ever seen.  Complete crap.

[obumazombie]

They can take those things and shove them.  They consistently spill more fuel than anything I have ever seen.  Complete crap.

Many libs already do.

[diesel driver]

Many libs already do.

Many libs, especially the ones that mandated and designed these POS's, need to let ME shove one of those cans up their asses.

We'd have the good ol' fashioned ones back in no time.   

[obumazombie]

Many libs, especially the ones that mandated and designed these POS's, need to let ME shove one of those cans up their asses.

We'd have the good ol' fashioned ones back in no time.   

I see your point.
I would hate to be the one that feels it.