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#201919 07/02/11 11:46 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
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I had a service call to check why some lights were not working. After a few routine checks I ended up in the attic. Boy was I surprised.

The wire you see and the insulation was pulled out of the attic. The man that use to live here done some DIY work. The best I remember, he had oversized the breaker on this piece of 14/3 romex. You can't see it clearly, but the romex had melted together for about 10 feet or so. It had already scorched the insulation bad and smoked part of the rafter just before it went down into the wall. Of course I pulled new wire and fused it correctly.

I showed the homeowner, which was the son of who I think done this. Very amazing that it was that close to being a terrible fire. Why the breaker didn't trip before this happened, I don't know, unless it had a bad breaker... etc.. Just thought I'd share it as a trophy for Do it Yourselfers:)

Also attached is the electrical panel that this wire came out of. It was a total mess also as you can see. Some people need to know their limitations:)

sparkync (Steve)

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]

[Linked Image from electrical-photos.com]


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Admin #201920 07/03/11 01:42 AM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
N
Member
Excellent quality panel, ruined by garbage work. Just plain scary. mad

Admin #201925 07/04/11 11:58 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
Hey Boss! Let me try that! I once saw it done on TV!


Another excellent job done by a DIY'r

Admin #201927 07/04/11 02:42 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
Likes: 7
Member
Another fine example that DIY is the same no matter what 'state' it occurs in!



John
Admin #201928 07/04/11 04:13 PM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,273
T
Member
That's a smokin' hot install.


Tesla
Admin #201930 07/04/11 06:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 613
M
Member
This type of fault rarely trips breakers. Normal arc fault current from line to line is usually less than 5 amps. It is an arcing fault and the reason AFCI were invented. Now make the wires a good maechanical connection and the current rises high enough to trip the breaker. Even a fault has to have good conenctions.

Admin #201963 07/06/11 07:08 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 110
T
Member
(Sig disabled for shame)
My parents' house has a lot of the same problems - redone in '82 with no permit and they are paying for it now. Things make no sense - near everything is #14, even the 20A CB's. Circuits are on two ends of the (90' long) house, or on two floors. Both panels are tough to get to, one is above a clothes washer, the other kind of behind the water heater; one panel was REUSED from a gas station (the old schedule can still be read). There's more, but I already hijacked the thread too much...

trobb #201976 07/07/11 02:04 AM
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 830
S
Member
trobb, I would tell them to watch out for blinking lights, and for burning smells. If I remember right on the pictures above, the homeowner had a 30 amp breaker on the 14/3 romex that melted in the attic. Electricity is not a hobby in my opinion, it is a profession, not something to play around with. A person's life is worth more than the cost it would be to do something right, and I'm sure you agree. Give them my regards and I hope they stay safe.

Admin #202112 07/18/11 09:52 AM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,233
H
Member
John,


That work was done in the "State of Delusion"! The DIY THOUGHT he could do electrical work. I just bought a house for my son and I found a ton of violations. I was trying to send them in (and I think I screwed up again) frown However I will try again.


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