shock!
#1
08-27-03, 10:20 PM
shock!
I cut into an existing lamp by my pool. I ran a line to a small light fixture on one side, and to another fixture on the other side (of my pool.) I installed a switch below a newly installed spot for the pool. That spot is the end of the run. The end of the run on the other side (imagine a "y" from the existing fixture) is the lamp. I also installed an outlet before that fixture. Everything worked fine. All outdoor equipment (12/2 wiring) watertight outlet boxes, etc.
Tonight I went out to see if the spot was facing the pool water, and when I went to adjust it, I got a shock. I then... very carefully... tested the original spot (that was the spot that was already in place, and I had cut into that wire), and I received another shock? I didn't receive a shock earlier, but I had on my work boots. Tonight I was in my bare feet. However, I know I've done something wrong. What did I do? How can I find out where the problem lies? I have done lots of electrical work and even received praise frm an electrician, so I'm not a total beginner. HELP!. The circuit is currently off, of course.
Please advise..Jeromeleo
Tonight I went out to see if the spot was facing the pool water, and when I went to adjust it, I got a shock. I then... very carefully... tested the original spot (that was the spot that was already in place, and I had cut into that wire), and I received another shock? I didn't receive a shock earlier, but I had on my work boots. Tonight I was in my bare feet. However, I know I've done something wrong. What did I do? How can I find out where the problem lies? I have done lots of electrical work and even received praise frm an electrician, so I'm not a total beginner. HELP!. The circuit is currently off, of course.
Please advise..Jeromeleo
#2
08-28-03, 05:05 AM
Taking your mention of the fact that you have done electrical work before, I am assuming that you have done the work to code for the most part.
It sounds as if you may have a pinched wire or maybe even a strand of a hot conductor touching the box.
The best thing that you can do is to go back and open everything that you have worked on and examine all of your wiring and splices looking for anything that could cause contact with a hot wire. If you used stranded wire, it's possible that one of the strands has strayed from under a terminal screw and could be causing your problem.
I think the bigger problem here is that the problem you are describing should have tripped a breaker. Better yet, all of your work, since it's around the pool area should be protected by a GFI circuit. I know that it is frowned upon to put lights on a GFI but, when you are working around the pool it's a must as far as I am concerned.
One other thing: This new wiring that you installed should not be located closer than 10 feet to the pool!!!!!
It sounds as if you may have a pinched wire or maybe even a strand of a hot conductor touching the box.
The best thing that you can do is to go back and open everything that you have worked on and examine all of your wiring and splices looking for anything that could cause contact with a hot wire. If you used stranded wire, it's possible that one of the strands has strayed from under a terminal screw and could be causing your problem.
I think the bigger problem here is that the problem you are describing should have tripped a breaker. Better yet, all of your work, since it's around the pool area should be protected by a GFI circuit. I know that it is frowned upon to put lights on a GFI but, when you are working around the pool it's a must as far as I am concerned.
One other thing: This new wiring that you installed should not be located closer than 10 feet to the pool!!!!!
#4
08-28-03, 05:16 PM
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Start at the junction of the arms of the Y
I would suggest you start at the original box. Open the splices there. Use a meter to check for a ground fault on all three cables. Check from the Equipment Grounding Conductor to each insulated wire of each cable. You should read a measurable but rather low resistance between the EGC and the identified grounded conductor in the cable back to the panel. You should read an open between the EGC and the insulated conductors in both of the cables to the new lights. If either of the cables that is an arm of the Wye has a measurable resistance between the insulated conductors and the EGC then you have found the cable that has the fault. Once you have it isolated to a single cable then you can open up the box it supplies and find the fault.
--
Tom
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Tom
#6
08-30-03, 07:34 AM
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You will need to do some reading first.
Buy yourself a copy of
Wiring Simplified: Based on the 2002 National Electrical Code
By H. P. Richter, W. Creighton Schwan, Frederic P. Hartwell
Paperback / Park Publishing, Inc. / May, 2002 / 096032948X
List Price USD 10.95
It is available from the big box stores or at www.amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...989533-7373659
This very readable and inexpensive paperback will get you started with a basic understanding of wiring theory and good practice.
The Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) is the bare or green colored insulated conductor that is in the cable to each of your boxes. Once the splices between the cable from the house and the cables to your two new boxes are opened there should be no conductive pathway between that conductor (EGC) and the other conductors in the cable from the original box to your two new boxes.
--
Tom
Wiring Simplified: Based on the 2002 National Electrical Code
By H. P. Richter, W. Creighton Schwan, Frederic P. Hartwell
Paperback / Park Publishing, Inc. / May, 2002 / 096032948X
List Price USD 10.95
It is available from the big box stores or at www.amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...989533-7373659
This very readable and inexpensive paperback will get you started with a basic understanding of wiring theory and good practice.
The Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) is the bare or green colored insulated conductor that is in the cable to each of your boxes. Once the splices between the cable from the house and the cables to your two new boxes are opened there should be no conductive pathway between that conductor (EGC) and the other conductors in the cable from the original box to your two new boxes.
--
Tom
