Me and my father were running a UF cable for our new Window/wall A/C today, drilled a hole through the siding, no big deal, just need some caulk. However, there are two inactived 115VAC/15Amp receptacles, both with "push and pray" connected wires. However, one cable is a stranded 14AWG extension cord! The two grounding wires are connected under one screw. Okay, just need some wire nuts and blank plates. So, we go into the crawlspace to drill through the sill plate into the wall (without further damaging the siding) and I find the rotted, split, whatever you call it rubber insulated cord, with a Hubbell 30amp, 240VAC (Not 120/240) cap on it. We can get continuity between this plug and the interior outlets! Now, where does that plug plug in it? A matching Hubbell twist-lock 30amp 240VAC receptacle. There was a notch in the skirting that the cord went through years ago (my family never has and NEVER WILL use it.) The cable from the receptacle is a 10/3 w/ ground piece of NM, above the insulation, so it's not on the ground or in mid-air. The 10/3 went into our old panel, but to no breaker, yet the ground and neutral were connected. Those aren't connected in our new panel. In our old panel, the main breaker was replaced once before, so I wonder if: The original HOs plugged that cable in, turned on the breaker, plugged something in, and wound up having to replace a main breaker and remove the 30amp breaker. Or, did they replace that 30 and when they sold this place, did the inspector turn it down and have it removed? Well, I told my parents: "If those were actived at one time, and left active, it's a miracle this place is still standing."
My question is: Why in the world were two 15AMP 115VAC recepts. conneected to a 30 amp, 240VAC circuit? Was the home manufacture insane?
Thanks,
Ian A.
