DIY: Home Electrical Wiring Repairs
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How to Work with Home Electrical Wiring Problems: To solve home electrical wiring problems attention must be directed at the symptom, in this case the tripping GFCI where the wiring should be checked. |
Home Electrical Wiring Problems
Electrical Questions I have two separate circuits. With either one on, all the receptacles in the circuit that is on have power and will power a lamp.
- With both circuits on, I have power on all receptacles, but if I plug a lamp in on one circuit, it trips a ground fault on the other circuit.
- It doesn’t trip any circuit breakers, just the ground fault.
- What can I do, besides hiring an expensive electrician?
Additional Comments: Thank You for helping, your website is easy to access and read.
Background: Brandon, a Homeowner from Hickory, North Carolina.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Brandon.
How to Work with Home Electrical Wiring Problems
- There is a lot of information that has not been provided about this wiring problem, such as is this existing wiring or something that has just been added?
- To solve home electrical wiring problems attention must be directed at the symptom, in this case the tripping GFCI where the wiring should be checked.
- I would also suggest that one of these circuits be turned off so the other can be tested.
- If problems only occur when both circuits are on then there is a problem with the wiring of these circuits.
- Most likely something very simple to find once the details are understood about both circuits.
About Expensive Electricians
- A Professional Licensed Electrical Contractor is worth every dollar they earn, not because of their title but because of their knowledge and ability to provide a vital service.
- The same goes for any other professional. Many times a person who does not fully understand what they are doing will end up hiring a professional to do the job right, and make it safe.
- Homes are destroyed all too often due to careless people who take on tasks they are not qualified to do.
- If you do not fully understand what you are doing, then don’t do it at all because electricity is nothing to mess around with.
About Home Electrical Repairs
If you are in doubt, hire a professional to do it right. My Motto is: Do It Right The First Time – You’ll Sleep Better At Night (because the smoke detector will not be in alarm).
GFCI Wiring
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Hi, the reason is that somewhere on the system you have commoned the neutral, so some of the return current goes through one earth breaker and some thru the other. You will have to go through the wiring and ensure that each outlet is connected to a phase and neutral that comes from the same breaker.
You must not take say a phase from a downstairs breaker and a neutral from an upstairs breaker.
However, frankly if you need to ask you are not qualified to do it, however, further, you will find many electricians also are not!!!!
I used to teach in the UK and I think about 50% of the so called electricians should be limited to changing torch lamps!!!
Roger your comment is well taken and great advice.
I should point out to our visitors that Roger is located in the UK, and the home electrical systems there are a not quite the same as they are here in the USA. However the basic circuit concepts are much the same to prevent circuit overloaded conditions.
If I am not mistaken, the UK is mainly a 240 volt system, which may be why the UK has more restrictions about DIY’ers doing their own electrical work.
Rogers comment about some electricians have a limited level of understanding of electrical circuits is true for any country, and many are clamping down on this and requiring electricians to be actively certified and re-certified as required. I personally wish that General Contractors were not allowed to install electrical wiring because most are very good builders but have limited knowledge when it comes to electrical circuits and wiring, and I have seen first hand several mistakes that are made when general contractors install electrical wiring. Yes, I’m sure there are some that have more knowledge and experience, but these individuals are rare at best.
Dave