Handyman Special

[Coppersmith]

I got called to fix a receptacle that wasn't working. I was told that their handyman changed the device but it still didn't work. This is what I found. After I re-did the receptacle wiring. I reset the tripped GFCI controlling the outlet and charged them my minimum one hour service call fee. I was there 10 minutes.

 

[junkhound]

hey, dey gots da white wire on da white screw.

nuthin ' a couple wraps of harbor freight tape would not 'ave fixed ?

 

[Little Bill]

I got called to fix a receptacle that wasn't working. I was told that their handyman changed the device but it still didn't work. This is what I found. After I re-did the receptacle wiring. I reset the tripped GFCI controlling the outlet and charged them my minimum one hour service call fee. I was there 10 minutes.

Lucky the GFCI was tripped as those splayed out wires would have contacted that metal box for sure. I don't think I've ever seen such mess terminating stranded wires before. I've seen lots of twisted too tight, turned the wrong way on the screws, strands cut off, but never what you found.

 

[480sparky]

So why didn't it work?

 

[peter d]

Wait, I thought hack wiring was only found inside of Carlon boxes? :roll:

 

[JFletcher]

He also used a used receptacle... The ears are broken off the yoke and there's over spray on it.

 

[Little Bill]

He also used a used receptacle... The ears are broken off the yoke and there's over spray on it.

If there was a raised cover for that 4 sq box then the ears had to be broken off. The over spray, IDK.

 

[LarryFine]

I actually learned from a helper that came from a mostly-commercial background that reverse-twisting the strands helps keep them under the screw head.

While I don't like stranded wire under screws, I also like to keep the loop pinched closed with needle-nose pliers while tightening the screw.

 

[AKElectrician]

I actually learned from a helper that came from a mostly-commercial background that reverse-twisting the strands helps keep them under the screw head.

While I don't like stranded wire under screws, I also like to keep the loop pinched closed with needle-nose pliers while tightening the screw.

If you strip a small piece 1/8-1/4" of insulation to slide to the end of the stranded wire it will keep the strands together even better.

 

[gadfly56]

So why didn't it work?

I'm wondering the same thing. Crappy install doesn't always mean it doesn't work.

 

[Coppersmith]

So why didn't it work?

I'm wondering the same thing. Crappy install doesn't always mean it doesn't work.

I said why it didn't work in post #1. The GFCI was tripped.

 

[mbrooke]

Wait, I thought hack wiring was only found inside of Carlon boxes? :roll:

Thats because HD carries more than Carlon :thumbsup:


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-C...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-206438934-_-202592838-_-N

 

[gadfly56]

I said why it didn't work in post #1. The GFCI was tripped.

OK, I thought there was more to the story than that. My bad.

 

[peter d]

Thats because HD carries more than Carlon :thumbsup:


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Steel-C...PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-206438934-_-202592838-_-N

Home Depot? Never heard of it. :?

 

[mbrooke]

Home Depot? Never heard of it. :?

Best place to stock up on job supplies!

 

[Adamjamma]

Best place to stock up on job supplies!

and sometimes, but not often, best place for southwire..lol...

 

[romex jockey]

The handymen, maintenance men & home improvement men are winning here

In fact, there's more of a market for a failed apprentice, than a licensed spark
:happysad:
~RJ~

 

[kwired]

I said why it didn't work in post #1. The GFCI was tripped.

Because the stray strands were touching the box or cover?

Did you replace with a $12 + hospital grade receptacle while at it

 

[Coppersmith]

Because the stray strands were touching the box or cover?

No, the receptacle was not working before the handyman did his magic. I installed the original receptacle a couple of years ago so I know there was no short or splayed wires in the original system. They actually called me first to troubleshoot, but didn't like my price. After the handyman had a swing at it and failed, they relented and called me again. Moral of the story: the handyman did not check for power at receptacle and failed to look for a GFCI that was tripped. The owner initially did not like my price, but then ended up paying me AND the handyman.

Good electricians aren't cheap. Cheap electricians aren't good.

 

[brantmacga]

If you strip a small piece 1/8-1/4" of insulation to slide to the end of the stranded wire it will keep the strands together even better.

+1

That’s the way to do it.


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