|
Posted by Joseph Meehan on February 7, 2005, 4:57 am
ASE wrote:
> Thanks, I should have made it clear that if this involves anything
> more than changing the switch or perhap a simple repair to the fixture
> itself I ain't touching it. That's why I put in the cha-ching, for
> having to pay someone to do major work involving ripping out plaster.
> I'm just trying to do a minimal amount of diagnostics myself.
>
> The real point of my post is, can I put any stock in my minimal wire
> testing? Does using the cheapie tester the way I did indicate there
> is no juice at either the switch or the fixture? And if that's the
> case, is the only option hiring someone who can try to find a problem
> somewhere in the wiring behind the walls?
The cheap tester is not at fault. The problem is there are far too many
different possible way it could be wired to allow me to provide
comprehensive instructions that would cover the possible code compliant and
code non-compliant possibilities. Sort of that, I would feel like I was
encouraging someone to try something that could get them injured or even
killed. I had a hold home once. It originally was a log cabin, then brick,
gas lighting added sometime along the way and at least three different
version of electric wiring. I ended up totally rewiring it over several
years. It had may non-compliant issues and many could have been dangerous
to anyone doing testing. It almost got me once when I turned pulled fuses
until I got that light to go out, while working on it I discovered that I
did not get the right fuse, the light had just gone out while I was pulling
another fuse.
>
> Joseph Meehan wrote:
>> ASE wrote:
>>> Ceiling light fixture was blinking in and out. Replaced the switch
>>> (single pole, no outlet or anything else in box). Now nothing at
>>> all. Old house, mostly old wiring (knob & tube). $2.00 little
>>> voltage tester, the kind with two prongs and little christmas tree
>>> bulb, shows no juice at switch (touch ends to the exposed wire
>>> ends) or at the fixture (again, touch ends of tester to exposed
>>> house wire in box). Have checked and turned off and on circuit
>>> breaker (upgraded panel), and no problems with anything else on
>>> that circuit. Do I need to try a better tester, or is everything
>>> fried somewhere in the line, leaving the choice of no more fixture
>>> or ripping apart plaster in old house(cha-ching cough cough)?
>>
>> There are many possible issues. I am going to suggest that from
>> the information you have provided, you are not really ready to go
>> about checking for this kind of problem.
>>
>> Are you familiar with the various ways a light and switch may be
>> wired? Have you tested the wires in a way that would account for all
>> those ways?
>>
>> I suggest that you may want to start by buying a good book at
>> the DIY store or book store and read the section on home wiring.
>> Learn it will before you start working on this project. Old homes
>> can have many surprises in the wring. Someone who does not really
>> understand what is going on may see something that may look OK but
>> it may be a dangerous situation unknown to them.
>>
>> You may want to call in a professional.
>>
>> I am sorry, but from the information you have provided I can't
>> offer specific advice on how to proceed safely in this kind of forum.
>>
>> --
>> Joseph Meehan
>>
>> 26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math
--
Joseph Meehan
26 + 6 = 1 It's Irish Math
| 
Yahoo! 
Google 
Windows Live 
del.icio.us 
digg 
Netscape 
XML Sitemap