Posted: 7/15/2010 11:18:55 AM EDT
I just moved into a newly remolded place. This morning I discovered that my power outlets ONLY work when the light switch is on, which means unless I keep the ceiling light on (no ceiling fans) I can't run the tv, microwave, alarm clock, and such. Does anyone know if this is easily fixed (by electrician?) or if there is some tricks to being able to use the outlets without always having the overhead light. 
|
|
Quoted:
I just moved into a newly remolded place. This morning I discovered that my power outlets ONLY work when the light switch is on, which means unless I keep the ceiling light on (no ceiling fans) I can't run the tv, microwave, alarm clock, and such. Does anyone know if this is easily fixed (by electrician?) or if there is some tricks to being able to use the outlets without always having the overhead light. Sounds like somebody put a switch on the neutral or the bubba that wired it didn't know what he was doing. You need an electrician to get it right. The wires in the switch or the wires in the light might be hooked up wrong. Get a KNOWLEDGEABLE sparky to fix it for you. |
|
Sounds like they may have wired everything to the same breaker (lights and outlets are supposed to be put on different breakers). Even if they're not the same breaker, sounds like the joker that wired it didn't know what he was doing. A competent electrician should be able to fix it pretty easily. Depending on how bad it is, it may require hacking away at some drywall, though.
Did you buy or rent? If rent, take it up with the land lord. If you're buying, it's your pidgin to handle, and you should get quotes from a few different electricians before picking one to hire. Also, get everything in writing. And I mean everything. If the electrician comes to you in the middle of the job and says "I just noticed this problem. I can fix it, but it will cost another $40." get him to put that in writing. It's unlikely that you'll have to worry about the electrician leaving you in a lurch or trying to rip you off, but just in case, get everything in writing. It makes it easier to pursue in civil court should that become necessary. Good luck with it. |
|
Quoted:
There is absolutely NO WAY to tell what is going on until you have it looked over by a LICENSED electrician. Don;t take advice from people on the internet. Just chalk it up and make the call. Where are you at? I am a licensed electrician. And a licensed Electrical Contractor. I think my advice is pretty good, But then again I'm a living legend in my own mind. 
She has my phone number. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
There is absolutely NO WAY to tell what is going on until you have it looked over by a LICENSED electrician. Don;t take advice from people on the internet. Just chalk it up and make the call. Where are you at? I am a licensed electrician. And a licensed Electrical Contractor. I think my advice is pretty good, But then again I'm a living legend in my own mind.
She has my phone number. Yea, I got a card too... My problem is not in the advice... The issue is that what you type here will live on the internet forever. It is a reality that someone .... sometime will be "googled"" to here and try to apply your advice to their individual situation. As a contractor for a licensed trade it is my thinking that caution should be given when handing out advice and opinions especially in an open forum. People have been sued for much less and electricity has the potential to KILL. With that said... If you want to take on the liability ............................ I must say that I DO recognize yo said to "get a knowledgeable sparky" and did not think you to be necessarily giving advice..... |
|
She must have fixed it cuz we haven't heard from her.
I developed and taught a NEC course on a national basis. You wouldn't believe some of the stories my students told me about "bubba's" wiring that they had come across. 
I don't have the pictures anymore but one of them was of a guy with an aluminum extension ladder in a SWIMMING POOL working on an overhead light.
|
|
Quoted:
She must have fixed it cuz we haven't heard from her. I developed and taught a NEC course on a national basis. You wouldn't believe some of the stories my students told me about "bubba's" wiring that they had come across.
I don't have the pictures anymore but one of them was of a guy with an aluminum extension ladder in a SWIMMING POOL working on an overhead light. probably took your advice and got zapped  ..................the media won't report that she'd been missing till the electric co finds her frying when they go to turn the power off for lack of payment 
|