AllUrHiveRblong2usBy Your Powers Combined...Join Date: 2002-12-20Member: 11244Members
Why would there not be a ground? Even if one isn't required you'll be hard pressed to find cable that you can buy without a ground, and if he had a hot or nuetral that was a bare wire he would have been tripping out constantly even before he replaced the switch. There is no way that was not a ground.
And please do not tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I make my living as an electrician, I have to know what I'm talking about.
Zig...I am Captain Planet!Join Date: 2002-10-23Member: 1576Members
<!--QuoteBegin-V-MAN+Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V-MAN @ Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Yeah something like that would probably have been useful to me 4 weeks ago <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
My house is 30+ years old and was one of those housing developement things.
Are you ready to bust a gut AllUrHiveRBelong2Us ? All the wiring still uses the fabric tubing. I know thats extremely flammible, but to replace all the wiring would cost a lot and its not worth it in this house.
<!--QuoteBegin-AllUrHiveRBelong2Us+Jul 1 2004, 12:57 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (AllUrHiveRBelong2Us @ Jul 1 2004, 12:57 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Why would there not be a ground? Even if one isn't required you'll be hard pressed to find cable that you can buy without a ground, and if he had a hot or nuetral that was a bare wire he would have been tripping out constantly even before he replaced the switch. There is no way that was not a ground.
And please do not tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I make my living as an electrician, I have to know what I'm talking about. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Of course you would find it hard to get a cable with no earth now cos it's probably illegal but as I said before it was not always required. All the light switches in my house only have 2 wires in red and black because the house is so old, there is no earth in them. The power points have all be re-wired tho and do have earths.
<!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Jul 1 2004, 04:16 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Jul 1 2004, 04:16 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-V-MAN+Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V-MAN @ Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Yeah something like that would probably have been useful to me 4 weeks ago <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
sounds like the Marines hehe <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Nah two blokes demanded my mobile phone and wallet, I refused one stabbed me <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> They didn't get anything tho.
<!--QuoteBegin-V-MAN+Jul 1 2004, 05:26 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V-MAN @ Jul 1 2004, 05:26 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Zig+Jul 1 2004, 04:16 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Zig @ Jul 1 2004, 04:16 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-V-MAN+Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V-MAN @ Jun 30 2004, 03:14 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Yeah something like that would probably have been useful to me 4 weeks ago <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
sounds like the Marines hehe <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd--> Nah two blokes demanded my mobile phone and wallet, I refused one stabbed me <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> They didn't get anything tho. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> Best.muggers.evar. Stabbed you without taking your money? GJ. <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> You're okay now, yes?
SpoogeThunderbolt missile in your cheeriosJoin Date: 2002-01-25Member: 67Members
About 1 1/2 years ago, shortly after moving into my new house, we started replacing the old electrical wiring. The house is just over 50 years old and none of the outlets were grounded. Of course, this was unacceptable for my PC and Entertainment equipment. Wherever possible, I highly recommend it. It's really not that expensive if you do it yourself. You can get something like 250ft of 14-2 romex for around $20US. Add a large drill bit for any new holes, new receptacles, and a wall snake (aka fish tape) and you can greatly increase the protection against fire and damage to electrical equipment.
BTW, is the original light switch issue resolved or should we be looking for easy to follow instructions?
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Of course you would find it hard to get a cable with no earth now cos it's probably illegal but as I said before it was not always required. All the light switches in my house only have 2 wires in red and black because the house is so old, there is no earth in them. The power points have all be re-wired tho and do have earths.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Not in Sweden apparently. It's just about as easy to find cables with blue/brown for 230 W ~ and 2 pin plugs(those ones that even fit in a grounded wall socket without connecting with the ground("2-pin euro plug"? they are sort of flat, cheap-o things like alarm clocks and small 12V DC transformers and such usually use these so that they can fit everywhere) and those that have 2 pins and don't fit in grounded sockets( round ones that lack groves at the sides that connect with the ground)). Grounded wires are green/yellow striped here.
What about a box cutter? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
I managed to fight them off, maybe they had never mugged someone before and was put off by how aggressive and uncooperative I proved to be. I didn't realise I had been stabbed until after they legged it. I thought I had just been punched in the lower back <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif' /><!--endemo-->
<!--QuoteBegin-V-MAN+Jul 1 2004, 05:31 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (V-MAN @ Jul 1 2004, 05:31 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ...maybe they had never mugged someone before and was put off by how aggressive and uncooperative I proved to be. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
"So, uh, how exactly do we mug someone?" "No sweat, wave the knife around and they'll give up the money." "And if they don't?" "Uh....they are obviously some kind of superhero. RUN!"
But now you got me wondering if the outlets are grounded ...
/me worries about my computer! (it has 2 surge protectors so it *should* be ok?) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> I recommend getting a tester to check your outlets. <a href='http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=12370-1781-GRT-800' target='_blank'>Something similar to this.</a>
I'm fairly certain that if you have a surge protector on the end of your machine but an ungrounded outlet, you aren't protected. Those testers are a few bucks but you'll find uses for them, I promise.
1) Buy the socket tester 2) Check the fuses at your fusebox, make sure they are all the correct values 3) Open each and every electrical switch/socket in your house, and check that all wiring is tight.
1 because its much safer to use an earthed socket if you are using faulty equipment in ignorance 2 because if the fuses are too high, said faulty equipment will draw so much current your wiring will overheat and start a fire 3 because old wiring can sometimes get loose (because it wasn't tightned properly in the first place), spark, and start a fire at the socket/switch
If in doubt, GET AN ELECTRICIAN TO INSPECT YOUR HOUSE. He would probably recommend rewiring, its the sort of thing you should do every 15-20 years max.
All the outlets have the 2 flat things and the round thing.
No fuses. Its a switch box.
On a side note, I GOT MORE RAM. I NOW HAVE 1024 MB ! <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' /><!--endemo-->
SpoogeThunderbolt missile in your cheeriosJoin Date: 2002-01-25Member: 67Members
<!--QuoteBegin-Chaos Llama+Jul 2 2004, 08:44 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Chaos Llama @ Jul 2 2004, 08:44 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> All the outlets have the 2 flat things and the round thing. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> That's good because it means you don't have to replace the receptacles. However, it doesn't mean they're grounded (earthed). I had the same scenario: Someone wants to use an electrical device that needs a 3 prong outlet. So they replace the receptacle. But, they don't rewire for ground.
Do yourself a favor and get the tester.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->On a side note, I GOT MORE RAM. I NOW HAVE 1024 MB ! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You are teh win!! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
AllUrHiveRblong2usBy Your Powers Combined...Join Date: 2002-12-20Member: 11244Members
Plug testers are always good things to have, considering as checking your receptacles manually would be time consuming and difficult depending on a number of different things that went into your house's construction. Of course if you are really really cheap you could check manually, but tthe plug tester is overall more convenient.
AllUrHiveRblong2usBy Your Powers Combined...Join Date: 2002-12-20Member: 11244Members
Nope, not the same. A plug tester is just a little thing withthe 3 prongs on it that you plug into an outlet, and it tells you if thee's anything wrong with the way the outlet it wired.
It's just a regular outlet plug. There are lights on the end and a key (text) on the top that explain what wiring setup causes each sequence of lights. Very easy and very handy.
<!--QuoteBegin-Chaos Llama+Jul 3 2004, 01:44 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Chaos Llama @ Jul 3 2004, 01:44 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> No fuses. Its a switch box. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd--> That doesn't mean that the switches (I'm presuming RCDs) are the correct value.
Comments
And please do not tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I make my living as an electrician, I have to know what I'm talking about.
NS boards are quite hilarious today. Had me roffling. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
sounds like the Marines hehe
Are you ready to bust a gut AllUrHiveRBelong2Us ? All the wiring still uses the fabric tubing. I know thats extremely flammible, but to replace all the wiring would cost a lot and its not worth it in this house.
And please do not tell me I don't know what I'm talking about. I make my living as an electrician, I have to know what I'm talking about. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Of course you would find it hard to get a cable with no earth now cos it's probably illegal but as I said before it was not always required. All the light switches in my house only have 2 wires in red and black because the house is so old, there is no earth in them. The power points have all be re-wired tho and do have earths.
how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
sounds like the Marines hehe <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nah two blokes demanded my mobile phone and wallet, I refused one stabbed me <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> They didn't get anything tho.
how many of you crazy brits are james bonds, gettin shot at gettin arrested gettin in knife fights and gettin laid every other minute?
sounds like the Marines hehe <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nah two blokes demanded my mobile phone and wallet, I refused one stabbed me <!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo--> They didn't get anything tho. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Best.muggers.evar.
Stabbed you without taking your money? GJ.
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
You're okay now, yes?
BTW, is the original light switch issue resolved or should we be looking for easy to follow instructions?
Not in Sweden apparently. It's just about as easy to find cables with blue/brown for 230 W ~ and 2 pin plugs(those ones that even fit in a grounded wall socket without connecting with the ground("2-pin euro plug"? they are sort of flat, cheap-o things like alarm clocks and small 12V DC transformers and such usually use these so that they can fit everywhere) and those that have 2 pins and don't fit in grounded sockets( round ones that lack groves at the sides that connect with the ground)). Grounded wires are green/yellow striped here.
why don't you carry a knife yerself lol
why don't you carry a knife yerself lol <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
There's the obvious legality issue here...
What about a box cutter? <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Sorry, that's just poor taste...
<!--emo&???--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif' /><!--endemo-->
"So, uh, how exactly do we mug someone?"
"No sweat, wave the knife around and they'll give up the money."
"And if they don't?"
"Uh....they are obviously some kind of superhero. RUN!"
But now you got me wondering if the outlets are grounded ...
/me worries about my computer!
(it has 2 surge protectors so it *should* be ok?)
But now you got me wondering if the outlets are grounded ...
/me worries about my computer!
(it has 2 surge protectors so it *should* be ok?) <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
I recommend getting a tester to check your outlets. <a href='http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=12370-1781-GRT-800' target='_blank'>Something similar to this.</a>
I'm fairly certain that if you have a surge protector on the end of your machine but an ungrounded outlet, you aren't protected. Those testers are a few bucks but you'll find uses for them, I promise.
1) Buy the socket tester
2) Check the fuses at your fusebox, make sure they are all the correct values
3) Open each and every electrical switch/socket in your house, and check that all wiring is tight.
1 because its much safer to use an earthed socket if you are using faulty equipment in ignorance
2 because if the fuses are too high, said faulty equipment will draw so much current your wiring will overheat and start a fire
3 because old wiring can sometimes get loose (because it wasn't tightned properly in the first place), spark, and start a fire at the socket/switch
If in doubt, GET AN ELECTRICIAN TO INSPECT YOUR HOUSE. He would probably recommend rewiring, its the sort of thing you should do every 15-20 years max.
No fuses. Its a switch box.
On a side note, I GOT MORE RAM. I NOW HAVE 1024 MB ! <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif' /><!--endemo-->
That's good because it means you don't have to replace the receptacles. However, it doesn't mean they're grounded (earthed). I had the same scenario: Someone wants to use an electrical device that needs a 3 prong outlet. So they replace the receptacle. But, they don't rewire for ground.
Do yourself a favor and get the tester.
<!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->On a side note, I GOT MORE RAM. I NOW HAVE 1024 MB ! <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You are teh win!! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' /><!--endemo-->
Is this the same thing? I blew a lot of fuses of the volt meter by plugging in the wrong polarity...
<img src='http://images.orgill.com/200x200/8923716.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
It's just a regular outlet plug. There are lights on the end and a key (text) on the top that explain what wiring setup causes each sequence of lights. Very easy and very handy.
That doesn't mean that the switches (I'm presuming RCDs) are the correct value.