Master Index of Archived Threads


Electricity

Edgy DC Jul 30 2009 08:42 PM

Ms Edgy has a socket in the room that has been cutting out, resetting her alarm clock. She says the socket feels hot. I think she's a bit paranoid (she is but that don't make her wrong) and encourage her to call the landlord and plug her clock in elsewhere. She does these things and he says he'll be 'round tomorrow. Today, she hits an AC button and the wall goes down. Three non-contigous walls, in fact --- in different rooms, on different floors. But I got to the circuit breaker box and none of the switches are thrown. We texted the landlord. He'll be by with his buddy, the electric guy, yadda yadda, see you tomorrow. Is there a disaster sparking behind the wall waiting to torch us in our sleep?

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jul 30 2009 08:45 PM

Wish I could help but I'm scared of electricity.

Edgy DC Jul 30 2009 09:19 PM

The electrician is a Salvadoran-American former child soldier, and the lone survivor of a company that stumbled into a minefield. He can't, you know, father children. He was trained as an electrician by a NATO program for former soldiers like himself and, unlike you and I, is not afraid of electricity.

MFS62 Jul 30 2009 09:28 PM

No power and no circuit breakers off means trouble. They "break" when there is an overload (too much current). You have no power, which may mean there are some loose wires passing no current. But if loose, they could produce a spark or heat that ignites the insulation or wall material. The guy should have a meter that can test continuity from end to end of each circuit. And he should be using the wiring plan as his guide. This shouldn't be done by "his guy". This sounds like a job for a licensed electrician. Later

RealityChuck Jul 31 2009 07:29 AM

This seems appropriate: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HE32tcojArI&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HE32tcojArI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

seawolf17 Jul 31 2009 07:32 AM

No, this one: <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KuLgfePrids&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KuLgfePrids&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Edgy DC Jul 31 2009 08:02 AM

="MFS62":sokr59x9]No power and no circuit breakers off means trouble. They "break" when there is an overload (too much current). You have no power, which may mean there are some loose wires passing no current. But if loose, they could produce a spark or heat that ignites the insulation or wall material.[/quote:sokr59x9] That's what I'm thinking. I did, thankfully, survive the night. ="MFS62":sokr59x9]The guy should have a meter that can test continuity from end to end of each circuit. And he should be using the wiring plan as his guide. This shouldn't be done by "his guy". This sounds like a job for a licensed electrician.[/quote:sokr59x9] I believe he is. Thanks. RealityChuck Jul 31 2009 11:52 AM Sorry, but the Captain trumps all. Especially Schoolhouse Rock, which is the dictionary definition of [url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nostalgie%20de%20la%20boue:2ie04zir]nostalgie de la boue[/url:2ie04zir] MFS62 Jul 31 2009 12:15 PM Edgy, any update? Later Kong76 Jul 31 2009 02:03 PM EDC: Ms Edgy has a socket in the room that has been cutting out, resetting her alarm clock. She says the socket feels hot. I think she's a bit paranoid <<< Paranoid? The outlet and all plugs and wires coming out should feel the same as the wall. No heat, not even a smidgen. Sleep with one eye open until it gets resolved. Edgy DC Jul 31 2009 02:05 PM Generally a bit paranoid, but "that don't make her wrong" in this case. House is still standing. Electrician hasn't yet arrived. Farmer Ted Jul 31 2009 03:56 PM I saw the movie Back Draft. I wouldn't go near that thing, man. cooby Jul 31 2009 05:55 PM Scary! Wiring is just scary.... Edgy DC Jul 31 2009 06:24 PM Just come and gone, changing a handful of the sockets. Blamed it on cheapo Chinese craftsmanship. Says we were right to be afraid, but no mas peligro.