Any Electricians out there?

[Mace Canute]

Thanks everyone, but like I said...I have eight years of college...math, science and the law...and 50 years experience, but I am no electrician. I wouldn't know a GFCI from a UFO. I can tell you that the line to the shop was run from the house in an underground cable, and I have a 220 outlet because I thought I might want an AC or use a welder. The plug-ins (junction boxes?) are all industrial quality and not the cheap plastic stuff you find in a house. I have an off/on switch at the house.

There are two lines in the shop; one goes to the overhead lights and the North side of the shop, the other goes to the South side...and that gentlemen is the extent of my knowledge. Should I make up a double male ended extension cord and run it from North to the South? (Just kidding! I did see a PhD Chemist try this in the laboratory that I worked in...don't know how he made out; the safety committee cut him off at the knees). I do know some folks who know about electromotricity, guess I better just call one of them. I hate being shocked as much as finding a spider crawling on my neck.

Start at the source and check for voltage on each hot leg. Every time you come to a switch or breaker check both the line and load sides of it. Good ones will show voltage both sides (when in the on position of course) while a failed on will only show voltage on the line side when in the on position.

Sometimes the breaker contact will become oxidized and corroded and will fail but will reconnect after several off/on cycles because of a built in wiping action. If this happens it's still bad but might get you by a short bit of time and will of course need replacing ASAP.

 

[GPintheMitten]

8 years of college, math, science and law. Well you have proven that you can learn.

You don't have to learn how to become an electrician. But you have to learn something to fix this. Dont just get a multimeter and poke around. It would take about 10 minutes at the low end and 30-45 minutes at the higher end watching the correct YouTube videos to learn how to check AC voltage. Then you can go buy a digital multimeter for $10-$50 bucks and trouble shoot this.

So many people are scared and if they don't know, they need to be scared or at least respectful for what could happen. But you solve this by learning.

 

[Xfaxman]

Have you turned the main breaker off and back on? You could lose one leg there.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Have you turned the main breaker off and back on? You could lose one leg there.

Well, I have turned the main breaker in the shop off and on, but not the one to the house. The line to the shop is connected to the breaker box at the house.

 

[k0ua]

I am no electrician either, but I wish I was there to help you. I bet we could find the problem in a few minutes.

Now, you can get by without a meter by using your fingers to test for voltages. Start by wetting your first two fingers by sticking them in your mouth, then to test for 120 volts place them across the suspected source, and if it just rattles your teeth and hurts really really bad, and you have trouble letting go and your heart is going like a chipmunks, it is 120 volts. If it burns the ends off of your fingers and throws you back up against the opposite wall it was 240. Oh, some guys don't survive these improvised tests. Just kidding... don't do this at home kids.

 

[teejk]

I am no electrician either, but I wish I was there to help you. I bet we could find the problem in a few minutes.

Now, you can get by without a meter by using your fingers to test for voltages. Start by wetting your first two fingers by sticking them in your mouth, then to test for 120 volts place them across the suspected source, and if it just rattles your teeth and hurts really really bad, and you have trouble letting go and your heart is going like a chipmunks, it is 120 volts. If it burns the ends off of your fingers and throws you back up against the opposite wall it was 240. Oh, some guys don't survive these improvised tests. Just kidding... don't do this at home kids.

Can't recognize a GFCI outlet...you really should be ashamed at that post. You'll kill him. Dunno how you teach people about how easy it is to work with electricity in most common situations...I figured it out so anybody should be able to do it. I do need to refer to my little $8 book from time to time to figure out permissible box and wire sizes (and those 3/4 way switches) but other than that it's not rocket surgery or brain science.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Ha ha. This tread is advancing to the absurd sooner than most.

But that's ok. All threads do eventually.

 

[farmer2009]

I am no electrician either, but I wish I was there to help you. I bet we could find the problem in a few minutes. Now, you can get by without a meter by using your fingers to test for voltages. Start by wetting your first two fingers by sticking them in your mouth, then to test for 120 volts place them across the suspected source, and if it just rattles your teeth and hurts really really bad, and you have trouble letting go and your heart is going like a chipmunks, it is 120 volts. If it burns the ends off of your fingers and throws you back up against the opposite wall it was 240. Oh, some guys don't survive these improvised tests. Just kidding... don't do this at home kids.

That's a good one. Really nothing to add. But I have a good friend that his electrical schooling involved his dad and this phrase. "All you need to know about electricity is if you touch it it'll kill you. Now call an electrician."

But I'm also like you. Bet I could find it if I was there. A multi meter will be your best friend and when you find it you'll pay for the multi meter.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I am no electrician either, but I wish I was there to help you. I bet we could find the problem in a few minutes.

Now, you can get by without a meter by using your fingers to test for voltages. Start by wetting your first two fingers by sticking them in your mouth, then to test for 120 volts place them across the suspected source, and if it just rattles your teeth and hurts really really bad, and you have trouble letting go and your heart is going like a chipmunks, it is 120 volts. If it burns the ends off of your fingers and throws you back up against the opposite wall it was 240. Oh, some guys don't survive these improvised tests. Just kidding... don't do this at home kids.

I tried all of that, but nothing happened. My pacemaker did do some weird things, and I began hearing AC/DC through the filling in my first molar. I remember my Dad telling me that 440 could melt the first two inches off a big screwdriver, so I'm glad I only have 220 and 110.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I really didn't need to say that twice. I will add that you guys have been most helpful; and I mean that sincerely. One thing I learned a long time ago, is that there are some things you can't fake...and hunting and pecking with electricity is not something I want to wing. I envy those of you who can do your own wiring and such, but wiring will have to remain one of the mysteries of my life. Thanks again and God bless...