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#217907 01/02/17 06:46 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,498
T
Member
Today this DIY instruction video was brought to my attention after it made its way through the internet all the way to Germany. It tells US DIYers how easy it is to replace a switch with a new switch or dimmer.

Unfortunately I would say it contains several serious flaws. I am sure you will spot them immediately! The full video is at the bottom of the page.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/pierceaber...er-switch?utm_term=.saq7BllYO#.noDrdVVoJ

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,380
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OK, check the mounting screws for voltage??
Use your voltage twister??
Electrical tape as a choice for EGC splicing??

A white and black device combo?? (Only bad taste)



John
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,335
S
Member
Better safe than sorry. I've replaced single pole switchesthat were installed as a 3-way so one can guess where the third wire wound up at....


"Live Awesome!" - Kevin Carosa
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
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I can relate, Kevin. Years ago, my mother complained of being shocked in the milk house at my family's dairy farm. Turns out, some farm hands replaced a single pole grounded switch with an ungrounded three-way in a box with a false ground downstream. When the grain room light was off, the rest of the circuit downstream had a hot ground at 120V. Needless to say, I was upset.

Last edited by sparky66wv; 01/03/17 02:47 AM.

-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,498
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And on top of that installing an earth wire from a box with what looks like two NM cables without any visible earth.

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 984
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The only good advice on that site is the first step.

1. Go to your breaker box and turn off the switch for the light/outlet and the wall switch.

Step 2 should be to call someone who knows what they're doing.


Ghost307
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 264
Member
The top termination is a little sloppy:

[Linked Image from i68.tinypic.com]

Voltage twister...I hope that was a typo smile


A malfunction at the junction
--------------------------------------
Dwayne

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