c2500
Senior Member
- Location
- South Carolina
Mid 60's to early 70's home. Zinsco outside panel. 60 amp breaker feeds to a small GE sub panel. A bathroom was being redone, and #12 feeds into an old metal switch box. Both side screws are used for wire, and the third feed is in the backstab hole. The undersized ground wire is melted into two pieces. The three hots have a clear, deep indentation, in their insulation the size of the ground wire. After the bathroom, including bath lighting, this circuit feeds the kitchen countertop receptacles, dishwasher, disposal, and the lighting load for two other rooms.
What I figured from a visual only inspection was the load on the wires was high enough that the wiring was getting hot from the load in addition to the back stab being used (resistance there). Since it is older insulation, the heat softened the insulation, allowing the hot to arc to the ground and melt the undersized wire without tripping the breaker. The wire did have evidence of arcing. The insulation on the nuetral wires also had the appearance of minor cracking at the bend points.
My solution was to run a new circuit to the bathrom with a GFI receptacle, and a secondary circuit to pickup the additional load.
Unfortunately I am in the middle of a job and the HO wanted it done today. An EC of 35 years went out and slapped a GFI in the same box and said it will cure any problems related to the circuit being overloaded because it will trip. He also said the ground just broke due to age.
Am I off base in my logic? I am friends with the HO's son and he was displeased with the solution provided by the EC.
Thanks for the input....
c2500
What I figured from a visual only inspection was the load on the wires was high enough that the wiring was getting hot from the load in addition to the back stab being used (resistance there). Since it is older insulation, the heat softened the insulation, allowing the hot to arc to the ground and melt the undersized wire without tripping the breaker. The wire did have evidence of arcing. The insulation on the nuetral wires also had the appearance of minor cracking at the bend points.
My solution was to run a new circuit to the bathrom with a GFI receptacle, and a secondary circuit to pickup the additional load.
Unfortunately I am in the middle of a job and the HO wanted it done today. An EC of 35 years went out and slapped a GFI in the same box and said it will cure any problems related to the circuit being overloaded because it will trip. He also said the ground just broke due to age.
Am I off base in my logic? I am friends with the HO's son and he was displeased with the solution provided by the EC.
Thanks for the input....
c2500