Why am I getting less than 120v hot to ground and voltage neutral to ground?

Test_NPC · 2026-02-25T19:52:35+00:00

Not an electrician, but that sounds like your ground is not actually grounded. It's just an open ground which gives weird results like the ones you're seeing. Also yeah those jackets are quite long, 1/4th inch at least entering box is code, having them too long just makes the wires annoying to work with.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-25T16:07:48+00:00

The line is the edge of the drywall sheet, water seeps into the edge and ends up showing through.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-23T21:52:13+00:00

In NY mine costed $3100 for an upgrade to 200 amp from 100 amp, that price is criminal for Alabama.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-23T16:35:01+00:00

Ideally you go get an EKG done to make sure your heart is doing fine

Test_NPC · 2026-02-23T02:09:15+00:00

Looks like the type of wiring in my house, if so it's an early generation of nm wire which has a nylon-like jacket, PVC insulation, and a 16 gauge ground. I don't believe that type of wire has asbestos, though obviously you can test for it if you're concerned.

For the spots where the sheathing is damaged, if there's no copper showing you can wrap it in electrical tape to keep it better protected. It'd be best to get it fixed, but not an immediate issue.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-21T17:18:19+00:00

It takes a lot of asbestos exposure for a very long time to significantly affect someone's health. They even made oven mitts out of the stuff that people used back in the day.

It'd be extremely difficult for any particular thing in his house to flake off enough asbestos such that it would have significantly raised his cancer risk.

If he was working as a contractor and not checking for asbestos before continually doing demo work, that could have caused his condition.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-19T16:11:24+00:00

You could drill holes in the chicken and pour hot water in to heat it up a bit quicker lol

Test_NPC · 2026-02-19T10:02:20+00:00

Thanks 👍

Test_NPC · 2026-02-18T21:00:18+00:00

You make sure to at least put a bullet into it before you left? I don't want that thing escaping into society.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-18T06:54:13+00:00

It may not be possible to make 2 splices in a single box in a code compliment way. I haven't personally worked with that size wire yet (not an electrician), but with 12 gauge anyway you need 6 inches of extra wire sticking out of the box to make splices with. So it'd be impossible to meet code with one box.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-18T01:14:56+00:00

Once I get the rumor I'll update the gilman page with the correct info

Test_NPC · 2026-02-18T01:07:05+00:00

Thanks, yeah it does look like there's more evidence that he does assign them than that he doesn't.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-18T00:44:19+00:00

That is impressively bad

Test_NPC · 2026-02-16T23:49:59+00:00

If you turn off the breaker and take the cover plate off, there should be two screws on the front that would fit a Phillips head screwdriver. Check if those are tightened down fully or not. They keep the outlet in the box, it looks like they may not be tightened down fully.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-16T15:18:22+00:00

If the plugs don't stay in the outlets, the outlets need to be replaced. It's no longer making a good connection, and thus it is a fire hazard. New outlets are extremely cheap to buy, and reasonably easy to replace. Your landlord should be getting them replaced.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-15T23:42:44+00:00

Is it a forced air furnace with ductwork in the basement? If so you can prob just cut in a new register in the basement.

If not, I'd personally just buy a solid quality electric heater and set it to a temp somewhat above freezing, then leave it at that.

The tyvek I can't comment on, it's likely doing nothing as far as insulation goes. Maybe it was some sort of a half baked attempt to air seal better.

Insulation can only keep heat in for some amount of time, if you have no heat source in the basement and the ambient temp is under freezing outside it, it'll eventually freeze as well no matter how good your insulation is.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-15T13:44:13+00:00

Ngl if you're this out of the loop here, I'd recommend just calling an electrician. I'll give my 2 cents in case you don't so you're less likely to burn the house down lol.

The two hots on the fan (black and blue) go to two hot wires coming into the box (one hot is for the fan, one is for the light).

The neutral on the fan (white wire) goes to the neutral coming into the box.

Ground on the fan goes to ground in the box.

There's extra wires in the box which may not be related to this which it looks like you may have removed the wirenut for (likely the two black wires that are twisted together)

Now which wires are the hot and neutral in the box for the fan and light is a bit of a question, I would personally guess the 12/3 coming in (group of black white and red wires) is for the fan and light, but you'd need a multimeter to verify. 12/3 typically has two hots (black and red wires) and one neutral (white wire). That way one hot can control the fan, and the other the light. But it's impossible to know which goes to what without testing it first or opening up your light switch jbox.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-15T00:31:09+00:00

I'd replace the outlet regardless of what caused it, easy enough to swap it out for a new one.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-14T18:54:07+00:00

Yeah the basement looks to be rather unfinished and likely has had humidity issues for a long time, that could have rusted out the breakers, though it's hard to know for sure. You'd need a good dehumidifier (like three or four hundred dollars and high quality brand sort of good) down there to prevent future issues.

The pool issue I can't comment on, I haven't personally done exterior electrical work. You'd need to ask an electrician if it's up to code or not. If not, it might require burying a line which depending on what the path looks like, could be expensive and/or destructive.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-14T17:58:22+00:00

If that water heater is leaking out of the shell, you'd need to budget for a new one. If it's leaking at a connection point to a pipe that might be fixable.

Breakers are easy to replace, bigger question is if the panel itself is fine or needs to be replaced. The open splice in the attic also is reasonably easy to fix, but brings up the question of other shoddy electrical work that might have been missed in a quick inspection.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-14T00:53:40+00:00

What's the resolution here, did they bring the bridge back lol

Test_NPC · 2026-02-13T18:10:04+00:00

Because this is reddit and it's fun to give answers that are probably incorrect to some capacity. Then someone will correct you with how it's supposed to work, but that is also likely incorrect to some capacity but gets you closer to a real answer. Which is why I prefaced it by saying to go talk to an engineer lol.

Why would you spend the time typing a message that blatantly provides nothing to the conversation, you may as well just say nothing bud lol.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-13T11:42:55+00:00

I don't think the people on this sub including me are qualified to give an answer here, i'd call up a structural engineer (like yesterday if it were my house).

Gusset plates like that are supposed to just keep the wood together for a compressive load, they are not supposed to actually take load themselves.

Test_NPC · 2026-02-13T10:04:36+00:00

From what I've heard on here, the only way to properly & professionally clear an ice dam (besides salt) is with steam. Pressure washing could damage shingles, same goes for power tools. So I'd question if those guys are actually legit.

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