Posts Tagged ‘Faults’

Do you live in an older home? 2 wire outlets can be replaced with a similar outlet or they can be upgraded. National electric Code doesn’t allow you to change a two wire ( old ) receptacle to a 3 wire ( new ) receptacle. But there is a answer to this problem. I like to recommend changing them to a ground fault circuit interrupter frequently called a GFCI or GFI. It is the easiest way to replace a 2 wire receptacle with a 3 wire receptacle.

Before you do anything, always switch off the electricity to that receptacle or group of receptacles you will be working on or changing out. You can test a receptacle with a metering device or merely use a lamp. Make sure that the receptacle is off before trying to change.

The white wire should be hooked up to what is called the line side of the GFCI on the silver screw. There could be more than one white wire. Attach them both to this silver screw. Screws should be color coated to understand which ones to use for which side ( white and black ). Some GFCI might be marked white for the white wire as electricians refer to it as the ‘grounded conductor.’ In some receptacles, you could have more than one wire as it may feed other receptacles from those wires. White wires should be on the side of the receptacle with silver screws.

Black wires should be on the gold screws. If there are two black wires, attach both of them to the gold screws. This is easy to recollect. Black to gold : white to silver. This is vital because it’s what electricians call ‘keeping your polarity correct.’ This means white wire on the outlet is the wider part of the prong. The white wire is the widest part of the wire called the ‘grounded conductor.’

GFCI monitor a circuit or current flow within itself. That is why it is possible to replace a two wire receptacle with a GFCI. You can not just replace with a 3 prong receptacle because it doesn’t have a grounding conductor. If you have hardware that faults or fails, it will go through to its nearest path that might be you. Be safety sensible, it’s best.

Any one considering electric do-it-yourself would be well advised to reconsider undertaking such a role because there are numerous pitfalls that will have terrible implications – and it is illegal. Is your life, or your folks’s lives, worth the few greenbacks you may save?

And if you do manage to install two power points, or rewire the patio, you will have difficulty selling your house if you don’t have certificates of compliance for all electrical work finished. Then you’ll have to use an electrician to rewire what you have tried, doubtless even costing you more if it’s a botched job.

And if it’s a botched job your place and everybody’s safety is seriously threatened by potential electrical shocks and fire. Don’t expect your insurance company to remunerate you for any loss or damage to your property, or life, a certificate of compliance.

Quite regularly electricians are called out when people think that there’s a difficulty with the wiring when in fact they have a minor electrical problem causes by something else such as a light or appliance. a light or appliance. This may be simply fixed by the householder, saving you the price of an electrician, and saving the electrician’s time as well.

Some common electric issues that are simply fixed include:

• A light doesn’t work: Check the light world hasn’t blown or wants replacing.

Regularly it is found that the appliance is the problem and not the powerpoint.

• Electricity goes out when an appliance is turned on, or the circuit breaker is continually tripped meaning you need to go to the switchboard to turn the electricity back on. This is frequently due to a faulty electrical appliance as well.

Tip : When checking faulty electrical appliances folk regularly forget the stove and oven. These regularly use electric starters which are often the causes of faults.

Note: If you are uncertain about any of the above or don’t feel safe, please contact an electrical contractor. Or if the circuit breaker keeps switching itself off then it’s a sign to call in the pros. Always select safety first.