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Electrical Question about a Dangerous Pool Area Circuit

I see no mention of any GFCI protection for the pool area and equipment, and if now you are experiencing a possible voltage leak this creates an extremely dangerous condition for any one in the area of the swimming pool…


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Electrical Question from Melissa about Electrical Wiring
Background: Melissa, a Homeowner from Enterprise, Alabama
[ad#block]Question: Hello! My dad wired the pump to our pool directly to the box on the outside of our house. About 10 feet out, he spliced into the line (made a ‘Y’) and hooked up power to an outdoor storage shed. Recently we sold the storage shed and had another family member cut and cap the split off the main wire that runs out to the pool pump.

When our electric bill came in this month our kWH usage had more than doubled. Could he have done something wrong capping this wire that may be causing this? We have done absolutely nothing different that would make our kWH usage jump like that. In fact, our household number has decreased so we expected our electric usage to also decrease. Comparisons to last year’s usage show that we’ve used about 250 more kWH this month than the same time last year. We shut off all the breakers and the meter stopped spinning so we know it’s not a faulty meter.

I read out meter today and we are already on track for nearly 100 kWH usage per day!

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Melissa.
I would recommend that the electricity that supplies the pool equipment and that area be turned off immediately!
From what you have described you have not mentioned any GFCI protection for the pool area and equipment, and if now you are experiencing a possible voltage leak this creates an extremely dangerous condition for any one in the area of the swimming pool. Please do yourself a favor and call a qualified electrical contractor who can come out and correct this situation right away! There is a banner on this page which may be used to locate an electrician in your area. Do not mess around with this, get it fixed! If the electrical power serving the pool area were on a GFCI and you have a voltage leak the GFCI would have tripped off, so most likely that area is energized!

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Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
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NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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