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Stray Live wire

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12-22-02, 11:27 AM

RandyHunter

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Stray Live wire

Hi,

I am currently insulating my cellar, and came upon an old "BX"? sheath encased wire... it appeared dead, as it was snipped with about 18 inches of it hanging from the subfloor, leading up into the walls of the house somewhere... I attempted to shorten it further to allow the insulation to snuggle up flush with the underside of the subfloor.... however I got a nasty little flash when I attempted to do this... I dont see any BX type cabling coming into the electrical panels.. I'm wondering what I should do to fully disconnect this wire.

Thanks
Randy

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12-22-02, 12:56 PM

exeter_acres

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I would try and trace the circuit.. First check for voltage (the flash leads us to believe there is some!!)
I have a circuit breaker finder and highly recommend one.. They sell them at any of the big box stores.

Carefully clip the leads to your mystery wire and then follow the directions on the tester and figure out which breaker it is...

Then trace from there

If your place is anything like mine.. It could go anywhere
Romex out of the panel to some junction box and back and forth...

Good Luck and be careful

Curtis

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12-22-02, 05:17 PM

joed

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I would start by looking at what is directly above the dangling wire on the first floor. Probably a wall. Check that wall for an outlet or fixture in the area above.
When you got the flash did a breaker trip? If so what elase went off when the breaker was off. Those are the devices you need to check for the other end of the wire.

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