Is there any interest in a Electrical education thread?

[Industrial Toys]

Many years ago a friends father bought used florescent lights and put them in his basement. No connectors, just the insulated conductors out of the romex entering the k/o in the fixture.

The problem can be, is that if something works, the person is quite pleased with themselves and their new found abilities.

We always worked with stuff live when I was an apprentice. A few times I got a nice surprise when a DIYer didn't think switching live and neutral mattered, because, hey, it worked!

 

[mbohuntr]

I would welcome a place to ask questions. Had a uncle that was super sharp. Had some electrical in a back building that was three phase with a wild leg. Told me to shut the box and stay out of it. Was later corrected. Here is what I learned last year- if you have a problem call a electrician before calling the utility. Noticed smoke coming out of meter head box. They had installed new meter 2 years before. Three trucks respond and cut electric off at transformer. Turns out the meter box was mine. Had to go with county inspection and new everything on the pole. Two ground rods and other things. Went two months on generator.

In that case, I would have to refuse to offer advice on the internet, because your uncle probably saved your life. I think this thread idea will have to address this concern or else not happen...

 

[mbohuntr]

Many years ago a friends father bought used florescent lights and put them in his basement. No connectors, just the insulated conductors out of the romex entering the k/o in the fixture.

The problem can be, is that if something works, the person is quite pleased with themselves and their new found abilities.

We always worked with stuff live when I was an apprentice. A few times I got a nice surprise when a DIYer didn't think switching live and neutral mattered, because, hey, it worked!

That is one instance where someone should have been taught Black to Brass, White to silver. I never understood the importance of that until after I became an electrician.

 

[3Ts]

Fortunately, I think someone that is quite clueless isn't usually going to attempt electrical work. I'm sure there are exceptions. You know what they say about a little knowledge.

I was surprised to find out that someone that didn't know how a switch worked was going to rewire one of his rooms. He connected the black wire to one terminal and the white wire to the other and couldn't figure out why the breaker tripped. He also had a 3 way switch and couldn't figure out what to do with the 3rd terminal. So, I'm of mixed opinions:
- Those who don't know that they don't know would benefit from the education
- Those who only know a little and not willing to finish their education are dangerous
- An education thread would probably only provide a little basic information, therefore: see above comments.

I think it would be better to address individual problems as they come up. That way we can try to figure out what their skill and knowledge level is and would be more effective with a solution.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It always frustrates me when friends call me for electrical advice citing all kinds of wiring colors as if it's some kind of standard. Heck son, what do you think your working on, a bomb? Like I know what the purple wire does just because it's purple. European color codes also throw me off. And DC vs AC wiring schemes or audio distribution.

 

[MossRoad]

Always cut the red wire with 3 seconds left on the timer!!!

 

[pmsmechanic]

I have mixed feelings on this. I can wire farm buildings to code in my area but I'd rather see a licensed electrician do it. I am very fortunate that a local electrical company has the attitude that they would rather see wiring done safely than unsafely. Therefore they will sell you the materials and tell you exactly how the job needs to be done in order to pass inspection. The first house I wired needed a few changes but otherwise passed. Since then every wiring job I've done has passed inspection.

Years ago I built lights for the sanctuary of a church. The inspector passed them and told me not to go into the business of making lights.

 

[mbohuntr]

Lol, I was roughing in a new garage a few weeks ago and extended a existing outside house light circuit into a 3 way switch for the breezeway. Been a long time since i'd done one of those, and i might have been going from memory...

After the breaker popped, I took a look at the wires in the fixture...lesson...stop when your tired, and refresh your skills when doing an infrequently performed job.

 

[coldsteelva]

I tend to find that a simple back of the napkin drawing or even on a scrap of 2x is enough to let me 'see' where I may have faulty logic.

 

[mbohuntr]

It always frustrates me when friends call me for electrical advice citing all kinds of wiring colors as if it's some kind of standard. Heck son, what do you think your working on, a bomb? Like I know what the purple wire does just because it's purple. European color codes also throw me off. And DC vs AC wiring schemes or audio distribution.

That fella would flip out re-wiring a motor... We just replaced the feed on some wall lighting at the plant...Blue,Yellow, Green, and white:confused2: