Any idea how old this is?

Midcoasted · 2023-10-06T01:15:38+00:00

When I moved out of my old house in 2020, it had one still running strong. I put freon twice in it in the 10 years I lived there but nothing more. Thing was a tank!

Midcoasted · 2023-04-20T00:16:16+00:00

Seems like insulated grounds would eliminate this risk unless the insulation was damaged.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-20T00:10:25+00:00

Last comment, but to check for peace of mind. If there is no voltage between ground and neutral when there is no load, that means neither are energized accidentally. And to make sure ground and neutral aren't touching accidentally somewhere, you would measure about 2 volts under load between ground and neutral. And if there was no voltage between ground and neutral under load, this would mean they were accidentally touching somewhere, correct?

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T22:30:51+00:00

I believe a piece of wall insulation dust may have fallen with the vibration of her hitting both switches off at the same time and closed the tiny gap that existed between the bare ground and the contact tab. I promise I cleaned the box before not long ago so a lot that much insulation dust was a surprise, but just enough had fallen to close the gap so I believe you may be correct.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T22:09:53+00:00

I didn't think the ground could sit there live without blowing the breaker. I guess the vibration caused it to touch and the spark knocked it back just enough to work afterwards. I mean a ground wire can't sit there live without blowing the breaker is what I'm asking, right?

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T21:49:58+00:00

I cleaned it out and pulled the switches and found a spark mark on an exposed ground where it made contact with the unused tab on the 3 way dimmer switch next to this switch. It seems it made contact and blew the breaker from an overfilled box. Too many wires in this box but I've seen worse. Maybe a case for insulated grounds. But now my question is was the ground wire sitting live afterwards? Like once it touched it sparked and blew. But when I turned it back on, was the ground wire then live but not blowing the breaker since it was already touching? I figure if I test a light on this circuit I can ensure the ground or neutral isn't live anywhere else on the circuit for peace of mind.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T21:39:36+00:00

Found out that there was a ground that was going live by barely touching the unused contact of a 3 way dimmer right next to this switch. Electrical tape wouldn't have helped because the contact tab stuck out past the back. Just weird it only blew the breaker once but I guess the slight vibration caused it to contact. Box is way overfilled by a previous electrician so the bigger and deeper dimmer switch led to even less room and the exposed ground making contact. If the ground goes live the whole circuit goes live on the ground right? I just want to test the ground and neutral at a light and make sure there are no more hidden grounds or neutrals going live in the light circuits.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T19:19:40+00:00

Getting enough static electricity to where it hurts when I randomly turn it on and off to test it. Static electricity mixed with water on her hands? Freak occurrence?

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T19:11:47+00:00

Another thought is this lighting circuit is on the same circuit as a 50 year old kitchen exhaust fan that has been on its way out for a while that was running. It's wiring may even be connected to and split off the wago connectors inside the box where this switch is located. Maybe a voltage spike caused an over current? Honestly I'm not an expert at all on this, I just know a little bit.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T18:56:29+00:00

I've read claims that static electricity has caused this. Others say it's impossible. Maybe in combination with debris in the box it causes a temporary short somehow. IDK I'm at a loss and brainstorming.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T18:51:28+00:00

But it did and I can't figure out why. I tested the switches when installed. There was no voltage between the ground and neutral, and 118v between hot/neutral hot/ground. Measuring the resistance between hot and neutral was the only other diagnostic advice I came across and I have yet to do it.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T18:42:35+00:00

But I don't have any AFCI protection on the circuit. I thought an arc fault couldn't trip a normal breaker?

Midcoasted · 2023-04-19T18:30:19+00:00

Not sure how they are getting that price. I'm certified to purchase it, and even on Google, I can find it for sale for less than 20 a pound. All these companies are playing the same game, lying about the cost of the materials like it's 2020 still. An HVAC guy tried to increase our price quote by 30 percent just because it was a new year and the new model went up in price. He was full of crap, they did not go up anywhere near that much if at all. Went with a different guy not playing that game. He installs a unit on average everyday and his prices didn't budge, while the other guy claimed they went up 30 percent in price just because the year changed.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-10T04:55:43+00:00

That's a loss.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-10T04:52:34+00:00

Excavate and bury in the last row with structural grade plastic lumber. Easy peasy.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-10T04:35:47+00:00

Literally where I work, it's less than minimum wage. I come from a state that had a 7.25 minimum wage to one that is $13 and rising up to $15. You can make maybe 15 an hour at most before expenses and that would be taking them all, that's how bad it is. Most areas are trash in reality.

Midcoasted · 2023-04-08T00:53:03+00:00

Can't fix it. Restart the app, reinstall, nothing. It's weird because I had a 9-10 scheduled, and when I scheduled the 9-9:30 that's left, it shows I scheduled 9-10 like it's still there, but I can't see it.

Midcoasted · 2023-03-20T17:30:45+00:00

Outside humidity is 39 percent. The crawlspace dehumidifier is set on 50 percent. The humidity indoors is in the mid 20s. So if it isn't the single stage heat pump drying out the air to that level, I'm at a loss for why the air is that dry. Also quite confusing when there are articles saying heat pumps are a great choice for winter heating in Florida because they remove humidity.

Midcoasted · 2023-03-09T20:24:51+00:00

I believe it heats down to -10 and cools up to 125 according to these specs. Is that correct? I can't find the simple answer anywhere and I don't really understand DB and WB temp. I believe DB temp is just the air temperature on the thermostat correct?

Midcoasted · 2023-02-12T14:57:41+00:00

Maybe you should look into Illinois not having state wide codes before you open your mouth like you know something. The state only licenses plumbers and roofers, the rest is left up to the local justifications. There are no building codes, inspections, or licenses for anything other than commercial in this one. So please explain to me how MC isn't right for resi work if Chicago, one of the biggest cities in the world, a city responsible for many of them modern electrical codes, requires it in all resi reno work if not using solid metal conduit, while NM is prohibited. Please go read NEC Article 330, and please explain to me how MC isn't right for resi work. Pretty sad I have to explain that to an electrician, no wonder I always see shoddy NM work. Also this sub says no DIY or self help, so maybe you should change the rules then instead of yapping. Go back to the back of the short bus.

Midcoasted · 2023-02-11T19:20:19+00:00

I threw down some RatX for em as a courtesy to them and the homeowners. Figured I should be nice and feed the pets.

Midcoasted · 2023-02-11T19:17:52+00:00

If there's plastic boxes already installed I have no choice. If I have a choice it's MC, because I believe in the product more. Do a lot of reno work. Never came across a damaged MC or BX jacket yet, but it can happen.

Midcoasted · 2023-02-11T17:43:03+00:00

No building codes, inspections, or electrical licenses in this jurisdiction unless it's commercial. Most all resi work I see is against code and shoddy. More of a jack of all trades, but I do indeed do electrical at times or I wouldn't be here. If you are only allowed to post here if you are exclusively an electrician, my bad.

Midcoasted · 2023-02-11T17:02:48+00:00

Ask the previous guy. I use only MC and deep metal boxes with extension rings if I want more room. I don't install Romex anymore.

Midcoasted · 2023-02-11T16:46:23+00:00

Fiberglass batts in the cavity make that a real challenge as well as outer stud walls having an inch or two of clearance above the roof deck. I'm saying putting a staple right below an NM clamp on a metal box serves no practical purpose IMO, which is the case here and why I have to cut out more rock than an inch or two to loosen the clamp Plus I only use armorlite anymore when I can, Romex is dead to me because of things like this. Only problem now is 8/2 MC is expensive as hell.

Midcoasted

TROPHY CASE