There have been many comments about light switches and this is “one light switch away from” electrifying or possibly electrocuting the user. We take modern wiring for granted, fumbling for a light switch in a dark room without the possibility of getting shocked. This is more like something Dracula would have used to terrify movie […]Read More about What Is “A Light Switch Away”……Electrocution?
Door Bell Transformer Identified
This funky and worrying thing with wires hanging out of it is often found in the oddest of places. They can be found on the wall in a closet, in the basement or in the ceiling joists, beside the breaker panel, just about anywhere in a home.Nervous buyers often stare at those wires with anxious […]Read More about Door Bell Transformer Identified
Don’t Be Stranded… Wires Connected to Breaker
When connecting stranded wiring (a wire that is made up of numerous smaller wires as opposed to a solid wire) all strands of the wire must be secured under the terminal screw. In this photo of a wire connected to a circuit breaker, there is less wire connected to one of the connections which means […]Read More about Don’t Be Stranded… Wires Connected to Breaker
Telephone Interface (a piece of history)
The telephone has just about disappeared from homes. Back when they were connected by wire to the telephone exchange there needed to be a connector inside the house that connected the home wiring to the phone company wiring.The connector is called a telephone interface which is the modern version of the connector in the photo. […]Read More about Telephone Interface (a piece of history)
Common or Shared Neutral Wiring at Breaker
Video shows connections. Where two electrical circuits are connected to a wire that has one hot black wire and one hot red wire, that shares the same neutral wire, the the red and black wires must be connected to two breakers beside each other and be joined with a common trip or a 220 volt […]Read More about Common or Shared Neutral Wiring at Breaker
Being Thorough Pays Off! Electrician was wrong
Recently we inspected a home in Yellow Springs, the house was built in 1920, our report being detailed identified that there was Knob & Tube wiring in the home. Our client was very diligent and immediately hired a licensed electrician to inspect the wiring and recommend if any rewiring would be necessary due to the […]Read More about Being Thorough Pays Off! Electrician was wrong
Fuse Box From “Times Less Safe & Long Gone”
These old fuse boxes in a beautifully built asbestos lined oak cabinet were a big step up from the single exposed wall mounted fuse. These boxes were the forerunner to the breaker panels of today. The asbestos lining was used to contain any sparks or fire in the fuse box. Those were the days before […]Read More about Fuse Box From “Times Less Safe & Long Gone”
Adding a Receptacle, What You Need to Know
Do You Have Space on Your Circuit for Adding a Receptacle? Wiring is basically simple if you are adding a receptacle. First, look at the circuit you want to add the receptacle to. There can only be a total of 10 receptacles on a 20 amp circuit that uses 12 gauge wire or 8 receptacles […]Read More about Adding a Receptacle, What You Need to Know
Telephone Technology in a Historic “1916” Home
Inspected this amazing home in Springfield built in1916, and located a few blocks from the Frank Lloyd house (see note below). The house originally had automated gates on the driveway. The original wood paneling and floor to ceiling trim in all the rooms was in perfect condition and beautiful to admire and be amazed at […]Read More about Telephone Technology in a Historic “1916” Home
Dual Ovens?…….no it’s
Honey did you say turn off the oven or turn off the power? It is actually legal to have the breaker panel this low?Yes it is legal. But the minimum recommended height requirement for installing a circuit breaker box is not less than four feet from the floor, the ideal height is between five and […]Read More about Dual Ovens?…….no it’s
Recycling at its best!
Would we “call” this “disadvantage home team”, found in an attic last week, quirky reuse of a tennis ball container as an electrical junction box. Yes it works, No its not permitted!
Is Your Incoming Electric Wiring Safe?
BEFORE YOU GO CLEANING GUTTERS and carrying ladders around you should perform a safety check. Look to see where your electrical service comes in. If it is to a roof mast or attached to the side of your home, take a look at the electrical connection between the power company wire and the wire from […]Read More about Is Your Incoming Electric Wiring Safe?
