Basic Electricity For Homeowners

[Worth1]

Here is the introduction to the electricity thread.
What I will try to do is explain some things about it and how it works.
The reason I say try is because I dont know it all.
What I will do is talk about some of the myths and the why's and why nots of things to do.
I will start from the pole to the house including the breaker panel and basic wiring.
We will discuss both AC and DC current.
Plus many other things to help folks out.
Worth

[ContainerTed]

Worth, this is a great idea. Some good info on what comes from the power poles could save a life or two, and greatly reduce home fires and other accidents.

Good on you, my friend.

[Worth1]

Thanks Ted.
Here is where I am today.
Have to remove my wire from the rest of this mess.
What a nightmare.
Worth
IMG_20170119_30107.jpg

[Gerardo]

Your pic reminded me of these types of setups.

Chronic problem down here.

diablitos.jpg

diablitos2.jpg

[GrowingCoastal]

Hi Worth. I hope you don't mind a question as simple as the one I have.

I have a two light unit (for plants) that I would like to add a ground wire to.
It has ceramic sockets and they now hold CFL bulbs. Works fine once I wired it up but I worry that there is no ground. Does it need one?

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by GrowingCoastal

Hi Worth. I hope you don't mind a question as simple as the one I have.

I have a two light unit (for plants) that I would like to add a ground wire to.
It has ceramic sockets and they now hold CFL bulbs. Works fine once I wired it up but I worry that there is no ground. Does it need one?

Many lights and lamps only have a ground connected to any metal that may be present.
I have 4 inch octagon boxes with the old round ceramic light fixtures.
Not really anyway you can get shocked unless the hot wire touches the box.
But I have that ground wire connected to each one.
Even then it would be hard because I would be on a fiberglass ladder.
My body would have to complete the circuit from hot to ground to get shocked.
No question is too simple.
Worth

[AlittleSalt]

Those wiring pictures.... WOW! (wow is more acceptable)

[NewWestGardener]

Thank you Worth for this. I will be following you closely. Good timing. I'm dry-walling my old basement which is full of wires and pipes, some of which need to be relocated when possible. I also need to replace a malfunctioning timer control (it keeps going and won't stop at "off") for a bath fan and just wondering how to do it after taking out the old timer switch. Then adding additional lights and outlets.

[Worth1]

I will start this weekend right now I have seen enough wire to drive anyone insane.
I sent my boss a pictuer of the place I was working and he was flabbergasted I could do anything at all.
The place looked like a bomb went off in it.
You could call it a hostile work environment.
This is the place I saved all of the glass from.
Worth
Here it is.
IMG_20170119_59396.jpg

[Cole_Robbie]

Wow, that's ridiculous, that whoever tore down the ceiling just left all their mess like that. It's dangerous, and shows a poorly managed job site.

[AKmark]

Originally Posted by Worth1

I will start this weekend right now I have seen enough wire to drive anyone insane.
I sent my boss a pictuer of the place I was working and he was flabbergasted I could do anything at all.
The place looked like a bomb went off in it.
You could call it a hostile work environment.
This is the place I saved all of the glass from.
Worth
Here it is.
Attachment 68942

What a mess, do you just start from scratch?

[ContainerTed]

Well now, Worth. I've seen something like those pictures before. But what I saw was "AFTER" the fire. Things were also a little bit smoked up.

[Worth1]

Yep it is a scheduled push and the GC is a young kid.
BUT I know more about him than any other person and he is starting to respect me.
He Likes to cook.
We will go in and completely remodel the place.
This used to be the Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel in Downtown Austin.
Every job site is a mad rush if you cant handle it get out of the fire.
What a change from the cant do nothing for safety reasons stuff on the slope.

Worth

[Rajun Gardener]

From my experience doing commercial electrical, all that mess comes down to the company wanting the cheapest price to run wires so the GC runs it on the ceiling grid instead of securing the wire to something. It looks worse than it is and when your GC sends a pic of this to corporate and they think it's a total mess the price goes up.

I love those jobs!!!!

[clkeiper]

Good grief Worth, I think you need a raise just for looking at it. or a medal of valor.