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The emperor has no clothes
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« on: August 03, 2022, 12:08:00 AM » |
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I’ve been working a little with electricity here lately. I’m definitely no electrician though. It always seemed kind of mystical the way it works, to me. In the past I’ve only done pretty simple jobs and repairs. This was over my pay grade for sure. From clearing a right of way, to wiring main and sub panels. Putting in RV 50 and 30 amp services. Along with wiring for a well pump and other regular outlets. I learned a few things and some I already knew. Government bureaucracies run at their own pace. Maybe 2 months isn’t unusual. I’ve never done this before. I had no idea grounds and neutrals were bonded at the main panel. I was stumped when it didn’t have a separate neutral bar. YouTube is pretty amazing for learning new things. The magic has been demystified just a scoash. (Sp) We be living in tall cotton. Phones at full charge. No more generator noise. Ice sales at the Speedy Mart are going to plummet. I was especially happy that we had no explosions with the turning on of the breakers.  |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16775
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: August 03, 2022, 03:15:31 AM » |
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I was especially happy that we had no explosions with the turning on of the breakers.
That's precisely what I think is going to happen. Every time.
-Mike
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Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
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« Reply #2 on: August 03, 2022, 04:53:29 AM » |
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Keep all the smoke inside the wires and it'll be fine.
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Rams
Member
Posts: 16180
So many colors to choose from yet so few stand out
Covington, TN
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« Reply #3 on: August 03, 2022, 06:40:23 AM » |
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While some may think I'm stupid, my past would indicate otherwise and yet, when it comes to electricity I'm constantly in a state of wonderment. Was always told that electricity flows like water. Well, electricity flows up hill, water doesn't. So, that doesn't help me. That's why (except for the simplest of issues, I get someone qualified to solve the problem/task. BTW, have similar issues with computers and "Smart Phones" but, I know an 8 year old that can help me out.  Rams  |
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VRCC# 29981
Learning the majority of life's lessons the hard way.
Every trip is an adventure, enjoy it while it lasts.
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h13man
Member
Posts: 1746
To everything there is an exception.
Indiana NW Central Flatlands
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« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2022, 07:16:43 AM » |
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I've been fortunate that my high school had a 2 yr. Practical Electricity courses offering and my BF was a heating, electrical, and plumbing retailer for 35 yrs. with a EE background. He told me the ground wire is basically a back up to the neutral wire if something goes wrong. Most older wire was non grounded/2 wires. AC electricity flows one way just like water in theory. I suggest checking all circuit screws in the main and all auxiliary box's for tightness every year and when aluminium wire is used, ALWAYS Thoroughly coat with approved dielectric grease at all connections to avoid corrosion otherwise aluminium wire is very safe and a hell of a lot cheaper than copper.
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John Schmidt
Member
Posts: 15207
a/k/a Stuffy. '99 I/S Valk Roadsmith Trike
De Pere, WI (Green Bay)
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« Reply #5 on: August 03, 2022, 07:35:51 AM » |
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My lady friend asked if I could run new service to her garage. I gave her the number of a well known electrician that does work on the side, told her I wouldn't touch it after looking at what's there now. Her house/garage was built in 1927 & in an area of lovely old homes in Green Bay. I want to keep it that way.  |
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Wizzard
Member
Posts: 4043
Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
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« Reply #6 on: August 03, 2022, 07:36:48 AM » |
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I've been fortunate that my high school had a 2 yr. Practical Electricity courses offering and my BF was a heating, electrical, and plumbing retailer for 35 yrs. with a EE background. He told me the ground wire is basically a back up to the neutral wire if something goes wrong. Most older wire was non grounded/2 wires. AC electricity flows one way just like water in theory. I suggest checking all circuit screws in the main and all auxiliary box's for tightness every year and when aluminium wire is used, ALWAYS Thoroughly coat with approved dielectric grease at all connections to avoid corrosion otherwise aluminium wire is very safe and a hell of a lot cheaper than copper.
You can't even use aluminum wire in most places. Code will not approve it. On top of that,some insurance companies will not insure a home if it is wired aluminum Rob, sounds like you did great research. Congrats on a job well done. |
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« Last Edit: August 03, 2022, 07:44:35 AM by Wizzard »
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 VRCC # 24157 |
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16775
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2022, 07:48:27 AM » |
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I've been fortunate that my high school had a 2 yr. Practical Electricity courses offering and my BF was a heating, electrical, and plumbing retailer for 35 yrs. with a EE background. He told me the ground wire is basically a back up to the neutral wire if something goes wrong. Most older wire was non grounded/2 wires. AC electricity flows one way just like water in theory. I suggest checking all circuit screws in the main and all auxiliary box's for tightness every year and when aluminium wire is used, ALWAYS Thoroughly coat with approved dielectric grease at all connections to avoid corrosion otherwise aluminium wire is very safe and a hell of a lot cheaper than copper.
You can't even use aluminum wire in most places. Code will not approve it. On top of that,some insurance companies will not insure a home if it is wired aluminum My main wires (the ones that connect my main panel to the meter box) are aluminum. I gooped them up real well with noalox. 20 years ago or so... recently the power company came out to install smart meters. I watched so I could see my connections. They were all still pristine...  -Mike "code is fine with it many places..." |
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Wizzard
Member
Posts: 4043
Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
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« Reply #8 on: August 03, 2022, 08:16:20 AM » |
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I've been fortunate that my high school had a 2 yr. Practical Electricity courses offering and my BF was a heating, electrical, and plumbing retailer for 35 yrs. with a EE background. He told me the ground wire is basically a back up to the neutral wire if something goes wrong. Most older wire was non grounded/2 wires. AC electricity flows one way just like water in theory. I suggest checking all circuit screws in the main and all auxiliary box's for tightness every year and when aluminium wire is used, ALWAYS Thoroughly coat with approved dielectric grease at all connections to avoid corrosion otherwise aluminium wire is very safe and a hell of a lot cheaper than copper.
You can't even use aluminum wire in most places. Code will not approve it. On top of that,some insurance companies will not insure a home if it is wired aluminum My main wires (the ones that connect my main panel to the meter box) are aluminum. I gooped them up real well with noalox. 20 years ago or so... recently the power company came out to install smart meters. I watched so I could see my connections. They were all still pristine... -Mike "code is fine with it many places..." I should clarify that my comments were about indoor wiring only. Some places still use aluminum for entrance |
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VRCC # 24157 |
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Serk
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« Reply #9 on: August 03, 2022, 09:44:33 AM » |
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I don't get what the big deal is, it's really pretty easy... I just wired up a new drop to the garden shed, everything works great so far!  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Avanti
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« Reply #10 on: August 03, 2022, 02:58:09 PM » |
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That looks like an electric chair for a mouse.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #11 on: August 03, 2022, 04:34:13 PM » |
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It looks like a big spider hotel.  |
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