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...

 

[teejk]

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.

Those little voltage "pens" come in handy also...not very accurate because they might beep when they shouldn't (stray voltage from even a telephone line) but I'd rather have it that way. Figure a decent wire stripper, multi-meter, one of those little plug-in testers and the "pen" might add up to $100. If you can't figure out a problem from there, "call Sparky".

 

[teejk]

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...

Awe c'mon! I built a house and shop not long ago and had my young son do the majority of the wiring (with a licensed electrician checking in from time to time). He "LOVED" it...he's out of the house now but still remembers most of the basics (calls once and awhile when things don't make sense, usually because as any property gets older things tend to get confusing...e.g. need a "hot" for a new fixture they "steal" from an existing one). It's not that difficult to do in most cases. There are books in your hardware store (mine is in the shop right now but I think it is "Simplified Wiring"...covers a lot of stuff that you'll never need like entrance requirements but they do also cover the things you need to know from a safety and code aspect.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Ok, have it your way. Good discussion.

Nice talking with ya.

 

[JPRambo]

2 electrical receptacles and 1 GFCI receptacle push the button marked reset

 

[s219]

Yeah, since it's a garage it's got to be wired GFI, so I bet one of the GFIs tripped and took out everything downstream. Sometimes they leak and trip for no reason, just need to reset them.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Probably the last owner tried to lick his fingers and trouble shoot electric. Let it dry out another 5 months or so. It will fix itself.

 

[grsthegreat]

Yeiks..... This is why i charge so much to fix the things that homeowners do to their houses. Lol

about a month ago. Had an ahole call me and pick my brain on why his garage wasnt working. I asked him if he checked his gfci recepticle, and he came unglued on me over the phone. Told me he wasnt an idiot...he knew how to check a gfci..bla bla bla,

so i made the 45 minute drive out there...ent into the garage and pressd the gfci reset. Power reset. Handed him the bill.

he couldnt even look me in the eye.

 

[k0ua]

Guys I was just kidding about licking your fingers and testing the electrical service.. If you have ever been shocked (and I have) you know it is nothing to look forward to. And getting bit with powder dry skin is one thing and with wet skin is a whole 'nuther smoke. Sometimes literally. Many years ago one of my co-workers was running telephone cable in of all places a hospital attic, and it was hot and he was sweaty, and his leg touched the HVAC duct which was and usually is grounded. when he pulled the metal pull chain of the brass lamp socket that someone had wired backward (neutral to center and hot to shell) well it burned a really nice hole in is finger and he just stood there on the ladder and shook. One of the other guys got him loose from it. He "went to the hospital" which was really convenient as he was already there. They treated him for free, and were really glad when he did not sue. It took months for his blackened nasty looking finger to heal up. So, yeah, electricity can be dangerous.

 

[murphy1244]

I thought using a freshly licked finger was a great way to check for power. Sure beats the old way of sticking your tongue in the socket.

 

[GPintheMitten]

I think we all knew you were kidding.