ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Fire Hazard in my Attic!

This was a ceiling fan installation, Randy, a homeowner job, I'm sure. IMO the problem was pulling the short varnished-cambric covered wires into the box. Varnished-cambric is usually OK except in light fixtures where it gets brittle from the heat. I usually go in the attic and cut back to unheated wire, install boxes in the attic, and pull new wire to the ceiling fan. In this case I rewired the second floor with 3 circuits from the basement distribution panel.

I think the overcurrent protection was OK (since I did the service). I use QO because they pop the best, IMO. I think this one did a slow burn under 15 amps until it finally popped.

Dave

P.S. A dictionary near the PC can be useful.

I've been known to start a post, cut and paste into word halfway through, finish, and paste it back.

Randy: "or manufactured by Federal Pacific! " What about Zinsco! Seriously though, both these photos look a wee bit TOO homeownered.

PS: A dictionary ON the PC can also be helpful.
Ian A.

[This message has been edited by Theelectrikid (edited 08-10-2005).]

Oh...my...GAWD!!!! And this structure hasnt burned down?? Thank gawd you found this, sheesh.

Looks like that white cord might be the only wire entering that box!

Ian A.

Theelectrikid has just coined a new word for the dictionary and that word is "HOME-OWNERED". This word should appear in the dictionary next to the phrase "FIRESTARTER"

With that definition having the following:

"See also FPE and ZINSCO"

ROTFLMBO!

Ian A.

if it's not a DIY project, the electrician that did it should be shot. Not only is the box wrong for the application with the brace bar. The box wasn't fan rated.

From start to finish, this job was a rube goldberg.