ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area DIY strikes again

Found this on the oldhouseweb.com bbs.

Hello, I have got a bank of 5 fuses in an upstairs cupboard. They appear to be in line with two wires going to each fuse.
I would like to swap them for circuit breakers. The CB's that I have seen have 3 or 4 connections. I was wondering what I would need to fit them.... An earth line perhaps?

Thanks

John

DIY strikes again. Some people seem to think they can do everything trial-and-error style.

Here is a new term for us to contemplate: An "earth line".

In all seriousness, I think John is about to open up a can (or cupboard, if you will) of worms. It seems that old electrical systems such as the one partially described here don't appear to have a rhyme, reason or standard to it. I know that we all seem to extoll the virtues of having a professional do the job, and I really believe it's warranted here. I think there is also a kind of communication breakdown going here, where we are talking about circuit breakers with three or four connections (double pole breakers perhaps...?), what John would need to fit them (fit them into the circuits in place of the fuses...?).

My thoughts. Maybe I'm trying to cloud the issue...

Mike (mamills)

I don't think I'd touch that with a hot stick!!

BTW:
I looked at the poster's profile, "Vienna, Austria"
Paul UK better check this one out!
Me thinks it's a put-on.

John

[This message has been edited by HotLine1 (edited 10-09-2002).]

When converting two wire fuses to four wire circuit breakers, you must add a double earth line. Twist them together to help hold the electrons in.

Don't discourage him...you're interfering with natural selection at work.

To clear any doubts: I AM from Vienna, Austria, and I'm actually living there. I just frequently go through several US forums like www.oldhouseweb.com (wouldn't be at the ECN otherwise). Usually there are no electrical issues there, couldn't resist quoting this one.

I can dig it maintenanceguy. Just in case there is a loss of electrons, I always install an insulated dip pan. Check it once a month, bag up any loose electrons, and turn 'em in to the poco for credit. So far all that they've given me is a hand full of confederate money.

One Riot, One Ranger,
Doc

Hey Doc
Sounds like you are feeling better. And I like that.

Otherwise they'd eventually dribble out and leave stains on the floor.
Also John indicated that this is happening at the 2nd floor, so there would be risk the electrons work their way through the ceiling and fall on someone's head.

Since we're on this general tangent...
I would STRONGLY recommend picking up loose electrons from the floor by using a wet/dry vacuum. The advantage of this...once you have picked up enough to make up a "starting charge", you can unplug the vac and it will continue to run all day on it's own...

Ranger: watch out for those 30 amp electrons...those greenies hurt when they hit ya...

Mike (mamills)

I see! They're heavier than the others!
The small 6 amp ones aren't nearly as dangerous! However, they tend to seep into floor gaps, build up in the crawl space until the load gets heavy enough to break down the ceiling. This could be really awful!
30 amp ones are in this way less harmful 'cause they're bigger. That's why you need the bigger wires for them!