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Old knob and tube wiring may be safe - or not - depending on its condition (C) InspectApedia.comDangers of Electrical Wiring Repair
Which electrical tasks are intended to be safe for owners/occupants?

  • POST a QUESTION or COMMENT about dangers of wiring repair and how to stay safe; what tasks are intended to be within the skill and safe capability of building occupants

Dangers of electrical wiring repair and advice on how to stay safe.

This article describes an overview of the most common dangers of wiring repair, advice on how to stay safe, not get killed or injured, and not start a fire.

This is not an exhaustive list that will prevent any dangerous condition from occurring. It does, however, provide a healthy dose of caution and advice that will hopefully prevent a foolish wiring repair attempt by someone who has not been trained, licensed, or certified to perform electrical work safely and correctly.

Page to photo: old knob-and-tube electrical wiring has often been improperly extended or modified by DIY electrical workers who didn't know that such extensions are prohibited and unsafe.

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- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?

Electrical Tasks Within Homeowner or Occupant Abilities?

Turn off the circuit breaker before working on the circuit (C) InspectApedia.com Daniel FriedmanIn many communities, building codes and regulations require that electrical work, both new wiring and repairs or modifications to the electrical system must, in those communities, be performed by a licensed electrician.

In other jurisdictions, it may be possible for you or a general contractor to perform your own electrical work.

Photo: turning off electrical power to a circuit before working on it is the first step in electrical safety. But in this Buenos Aires apartment electrical panel, there are more subtle but serious hazards to a novice: simply touching the exposed screw connectors to which live wires are connected risks a dangerous or even fatal electric shock.

[Click to enlarge any image]

Watch out: If you do not know how to perform electrical wiring and circuit tests safely, you could be shocked or killed or could start a building fire. If you're not trained and qualified to do electrical work, don't try it. Call a licensed electrician instead.

If you do consider yourself competent and are proceeding anyway, remember to turn off electrical power to the device, circuit, or panel before examining, modifying or adding to a building electrical circuit, switch, electrical receptacle ("outlet)" or other component.

Watch out: even when performed by a general contractor or building owner, electrical work must be inspected and passed by a local electrical inspector.

You may find that if your work does not pass inspection and the electrical inspector tells you that you need to bring in a licensed electrician, you'll be in more trouble than before.

The page-bottom electrical work and safety articles will be helpful. We welcome your follow-up questions or comments.

List of Tasks that a Building Occupant Should be Able to Perform

 

Example of Electrical Tasks that are Tempting but Should Not be Performed by an Untrained Homeowner


Additional Risk Factors when Evaluating Electrical Systems & Planning Electrical Repairs

Watch out: many of these conditions can not be seen by the naked eye without at least partial disassembly or opening of an electrical panel or junction box: NOT within the skill and training of most homeowners or other building occupants.

OSHA and NIOSH report these three most common sources of deaths from electrocution among workers. While electrical hazards in the home are a bit different, these workplace hazards are worth remembering, too.

  1. Touching overhead power lines

    - caused 42% of all on the job electrical deaths between 1992 and 2002.

    This hazard is less common at residential properties but still present such as for workers on roofs and for apartment dwellers who might try to steal electric power by connecting to power lines close to a window.
  2. Failing to turn off electrical power to equipment

    before working on it - was the second most common cause of death
  3. Touching an electrical component that was thought to be "off" but was actually live

    was the third most common cause of death. These accidents were often traced to mis-identified wires or improper electrical wiring. Those hazards are also common in the home.

 

References for DIY Electrical Wiring Safety

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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

On 2021-10-29 by inspectapedia.com.moderator - problem circuits need diagnosis

@James D,

That sounds like a wiring error or possibly, if we're lucky, simply a loose electrical connection somewhere on that circuit.

But

Watch out: such connections can be dangerous, causing arcing and overheating.

Best would be to get an experienced, licensed electrician to trace and diagnose the problem circuit.

Depending on what she finds, that in turn may be suggestive of inexpert workmanship; if so then further inspection of the home's wiring and electrical panel and devices would certainly be justified.

[Ed. note: this question and reply were originally posted at FLICKERING LIGHT DIAGNOSIS]

On 2021-10-29 by James D

I have a small LED night-light that is plugged into a wall socket in my bedroom. My question is when I use the TV remote (Fire TV) it makes the night light flicker. Also, when we turn off or on the ceiling fan/light switch, a small table side lamp (that can turn on and off when you touch the base) will turn on if the table lamp is off, and off if the table lamp is on.

I am worried about how our home was wired since the contractor was "El Cheap-o" on materials and labor. Any thoughts or suggestions?

On 2020-12-08 - by (mod) -

The entry mains, but

Watch out: If you're not trained and qualified to do electrical work, don't try it. You could be shocked or killed. Call a licensed electrician instead.

On 2020-12-07 by Preston

Witch 2 wires in the breaker box can u unhook and have no electricity

On 2020-10-11 - by (mod) -

Lisa

Often the problem is a loose or broken wire right at that wall receptacle.

Watch out: Don't try to do electrical repairs on your own if you're not trained in electrical work, as you could be shocked or killed.

On 2020-10-11 by Lisa

My double wide trailer has 1 wall outlets will not work. What could be the issue?

On 2020-01-19 by (mod) - low-voltage problem at the well pump

Bobby

That certainly sounds like a low-voltage problem. Often when a pump motor itself is failing it can draw high current and dim lights, but as you have a new pump I suspect the problem is in the wiring or panel or electrical service itself.

An electrician would

1. check supply voltage right at the electrical panel

2. check every wiring connection for looseness, overheating, arcing, corrosion, etc.

3. check circuit fusing and wire sizes and lengths

Watch out
: if you are not trained in safe electrical work you could be shocked or killed. Don't fool with it.

On 2020-01-19 by Bobby

There's low voltages going to my pump when the points are open when I close the points it gets higher voltage I have a light in well house so I can see when pump is running its dim with points open gets bright whe there closed what should I be looking for short or miss wiring I've change the pump all doing the same

On 2018-08-06 by (mod) - watch out for shorted pump wires that blow the fuse or breaker

If I understand the comment, Anon, the wires may be shorted together

Watch out: fatal shock hazards are present. Leave the circuit off until an electrician finds the short or the wires are replaced.

On 2018-08-06 by Anonymous

My submersible pump shows power supply through two wires when one is connected to power supply.
What is the problem

On 2015-11-23 by (mod) - when I touch the pump I get shocked

David

Watch out: Turn the circuit OFF immediately so that we don't kill someone.

IT sounds as if the wires are nicked or shorted.

With power off your electrician may disconnect the pump circuit at the control relay and then check the wires going to the pump to see if they're shorted together. An internal short in the pump is also possible but less likely.

On 2015-11-23 by David Kephart

My well deep well jet pump stopped working thought it was the pump so I replaced it. Put new pump in its not working either. Have power to pump but when I touch the pump I get shocked. My wires run from the house under ground to my pump house. Could I have a break in the wire??

 

 

 


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