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Electrical Inspections Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes receptacles, panels, wiring, etc.

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  #1  
Old 7/20/08, 11:04 PM
Peter W. Bennett Peter W. Bennett is offline
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Default A Hot Wall

Voltage indicator went off light a Christmas tree.
1870's home suspect knob and tube (none visible) with remodeled bathroom that has wire lath and plaster wall. OUCH
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  #2  
Old 7/20/08, 11:15 PM
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Mark A. Timpani, CMI Mark A. Timpani, CMI is online now
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

good catch




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  #3  
Old 7/20/08, 11:57 PM
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mnahrgang mnahrgang is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Peter, 2 questions...

How did you detect the voltage in the wall?

What made you check?



Mark Nahrgang
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  #4  
Old 7/21/08, 12:00 AM
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Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Quote:
Originally Posted by mnahrgang
Peter, 2 questions...

How did you detect the voltage in the wall?

What made you check?
And did the GFCI test normal?



He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors - Thomas Jefferson - Founding Father

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  #5  
Old 7/21/08, 12:45 AM
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Marc D. Shunk Marc D. Shunk is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

This is interesting, but I think there's at least a 50% chance that no problem exists.
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  #6  
Old 7/21/08, 2:01 AM
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Jeffrey R. Pope Jeffrey R. Pope is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Our voltage detectors will go off when you get close to energized NM - that doesn't mean that a defect exists, it just means there are energized components in the area.

If you could get indications from a voltage meter, then I would be concerned.



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  #7  
Old 7/21/08, 8:06 AM
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Carl A. Brown Carl A. Brown is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Hit a wire with a fastener!?



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  #8  
Old 7/21/08, 8:36 AM
Peter W. Bennett Peter W. Bennett is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

The GFCI protected outlet polarity was acceptable, and tripped off with the internal tester, and my device so it tested normal.
When the device was in the off-open circuit position, I put my voltage indicator in the two prong wall light fixture over the sink. The outlet was still on. As I moved the voltage indictor from the fixture to the GFCI device, accidentally along the wall, I noticed the wall issue.
I then checked other areas ( per the photo )

I did not have anyother equipment with me to check the wall, plus I could not inspect the load center as the screws were rusted. Recommended a licensed electrician evaluate this condition and the entire electrical system and conduct all necessary repairs.

I remember reading a post about a fastener through a wire and how the whole wall was hot, well, I think I finally found one to.
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  #9  
Old 7/21/08, 9:53 AM
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Jeffrey R. Wicklander Jeffrey R. Wicklander is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Never put your trust into a tick tracer... there are many variables that can cause them to give a false reading. Just by moving it across a surface, the vibration can set the thing off. They get old and 'oversensitive'.
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  #10  
Old 7/21/08, 9:55 AM
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Michael Larson Michael Larson is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

The voltage detector I have blinks and alarms if AC it detected.
If it is static or DC the sound will not alert.

Paul Abernathy sold them a while back and with NACHI logos on them.

Here it is sans logo.

No switch to leave on or where out. Best of this type I have ever owned.



He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors - Thomas Jefferson - Founding Father

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

Never underestimate the difficulty of changing false beliefs by facts.
- Henry Rosovsky-Harvard

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Last edited by mlarson; 7/21/08 at 10:11 AM..
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  #11  
Old 7/21/08, 8:31 PM
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Paul W. Abernathy Paul W. Abernathy is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Yep....The ones I had were the best. I kept a few for myself.



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  #12  
Old 7/21/08, 9:27 PM
Brian A. MacNeish Brian A. MacNeish is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Quote:
Originally Posted by pbennett1
The GFCI protected outlet polarity was acceptable, and tripped off with the internal tester, and my device so it tested normal.
When the device was in the off-open circuit position, I put my voltage indicator in the two prong wall light fixture over the sink. The outlet was still on.
They may have fed the properly wired and working GFCI receptacle from this location. There would still be voltage on the wires even though the GFCI had tripped.

As I moved the voltage indictor from the fixture to the GFCI device, accidentally along the wall, I noticed the wall issue.
This would be the still energized wire feeding the GFCI.

I then checked other areas ( per the photo )
The other postive signal could be another wire feeding some other device/circuit or going up to a light from a switch in the room (if one) sharing a common wall or etc, etc, etc.

I did not have anyother equipment with me to check the wall, plus I could not inspect the load center as the screws were rusted. Recommended a licensed electrician evaluate this condition and the entire electrical system and conduct all necessary repairs.

I remember reading a post about a fastener through a wire and how the whole wall was hot, well, I think I finally found one to.
I'm with M. Shunk on this one. There are signs of proper wiring at the GFCI recept......just how far does this extend??
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  #13  
Old 7/22/08, 12:42 PM
Peter W. Bennett Peter W. Bennett is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Yes, I know that. I actually place the indictor on the wall, going very slowly.
Thanks,
Peter
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  #14  
Old 7/22/08, 1:34 PM
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msylvester msylvester is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Peter try moving it slowly on any wall surface you may be a bit surprised. I'm more at a %5 chance of anything being wrong but keep us posted.



Mark Sylvester
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  #15  
Old 7/22/08, 9:17 PM
jtedesco1 jtedesco1 is offline
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Default Re: A Hot Wall

Sadly, I am reminded of this accident where the metal studs were energized. Read the story and see the video below:

http://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/person-electrocuted-energized-metal-building-1914/
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