busman
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern Virginia
- Occupation
- Master Electrician / Electrical Engineer
Got a call from a 50-something woman saying that her father (WWII vet) reports that for months the doorbell rings when he runs the hot water in the kitchen. He had someone come in to try to fix it, but all they did was tear up the walls and install a new bell, which rings the same as the old one. Finally had the son just disconnect the wire to the chime because he was tired of listening to it.
I go over last night and sure enough, about 1 minute of hot water and the chime rings (plunger stays activated and buzzing). I trace the old cloth covered bell wire and in about 5 minutes find it wedged in a tight spot between the 2" copper drain line and the wooden stud. Of course the heat had melted the insulation and when the pipe would expand from the heat, it would short the two wires (this was the switch loop).
This job isn't always boring.
Mark
I go over last night and sure enough, about 1 minute of hot water and the chime rings (plunger stays activated and buzzing). I trace the old cloth covered bell wire and in about 5 minutes find it wedged in a tight spot between the 2" copper drain line and the wooden stud. Of course the heat had melted the insulation and when the pipe would expand from the heat, it would short the two wires (this was the switch loop).
This job isn't always boring.
Mark