Electrical Question
Jul 16, 2013 09:52:23 #
If a ceiling light controlled by a wall switch is turned off, would the wires be safe to handle? It seems like they would be, but when I change light fixture today, I'm going to turn off the breaker.
Jul 16, 2013 09:55:33 #
Yes. If you turn off the switch the wires to the light will not be hot. However, the recommended approach is to turn off the breaker just in case someone flips on the switch while you are not looking, or there is some other malfunction.
Jul 16, 2013 09:58:40 #
Jul 16, 2013 10:01:56 #
You might have a 3 way situation where 2 switches control one light. That creates yet another scenario. Kill the breaker and put tape over it to make it obvious it,so off for a reason. Residential breakers don't have provisions for lock out tag out procedures like industrial installations have.
Jul 16, 2013 10:06:02 #
gmcase wrote:
You might have a 3 way situation where 2 switches control one light. That creates yet another scenario. Kill the breaker and put tape over it to make it obvious it,so off for a reason. Residential breakers don't have provisions for lock out tag out procedures like industrial installations have.
Very good suggestion...we have little guest house that my son lives in...had an electrical problem with the kitchen lights...came to find out there were 4 switches that controlled that light fixture....after 12 years of owning the place we didnt know.
Jul 16, 2013 10:12:03 #
Jul 16, 2013 10:18:41 #
chaprick wrote:
Yes. If you turn off the switch the wires to the light will not be hot. However, the recommended approach is to turn off the breaker just in case someone flips on the switch while you are not looking, or there is some other malfunction.
I'm in the house alone, and the one-way switch is right below the fixture, but I will flip the breaker anyway. I'm not set up for more than one electrocution.
Jul 16, 2013 10:20:49 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm in the house alone, and the one-way switch is right below the fixture, but I will flip the breaker anyway. I'm not set up for more than one electrocution.
Its going to take you about 15 seconds to flip the breaker...small price to pay for being safe.
Jul 16, 2013 10:24:16 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I'm in the house alone, and the one-way switch is right below the fixture, but I will flip the breaker anyway. I'm not set up for more than one electrocution.
I spent 38 years working for an electric utility company. Electricity is very sneaky. I recall after one fatality of an experienced lineman one of our VP's made the statement "We live with an invisible monster". That's exactly what it can be. And don't be fooled.....120 volts can kill you as dead as 25,000 volts.
Jul 16, 2013 10:27:19 #
chaprick wrote:
I spent 38 years working for an electric utility company. Electricity is very sneaky. I recall after one fatality of an experienced lineman one of our VP's made the statement "We live with an invisible monster". That's exactly what it can be. And don't be fooled.....120 volts can kill you as dead as 25,000 volts.
Until recently, I used to shut off the main breaker when I did any electrical work. Now I'll shut off the individual breaker, and in this case a wall switch. I also test the wires with a meter before I touch anything.
Jul 16, 2013 10:30:40 #
jerryc41 wrote:
Until recently, I used to shut off the main breaker when I did any electrical work. Now I'll shut off the individual breaker, and in this case a wall switch. I also test the wires with a meter before I touch anything.
Good plan..... Now, do you have a good steady ladder?? More people get hurt on ladders than being shocked.
Jul 16, 2013 10:44:09 #
If the "electrician" switched the neutral the "hot" wire in the fixture could be live. I grew up in the electrical trade and have seen a lot of dangerous things. Always have a tester to check or TURN OFF THE BREAKER!
Jul 16, 2013 11:41:58 #
A10 wrote:
If the "electrician" switched the neutral the "hot" wire in the fixture could be live. I grew up in the electrical trade and have seen a lot of dangerous things. Always have a tester to check or TURN OFF THE BREAKER!
Aside from the fact that I'm changing a fixture myself, I have another reason for asking. When we had the upstairs rebuilt after a tree fell on the house, and an electrician was working on wiring without a breaker being turned off. It was on a three-way switch, too. I commented to him about that and he just said it was OK. Apparently, it was, but I'll turn off the breaker and test the wires.
Jul 16, 2013 11:50:17 #
leonardb
Loc: Montgomery,AL
And do NOT use a medal ladder, and as said always test, test, and test before touching any wiring as has been said it could be control by more than one switch and the breaker could be defected and did not cut the current off, I know from first hand knowledge
Jul 16, 2013 12:35:59 #
I knew an electrician who would test the wires by touching them with one finger to see if it was "hot". He died in 2009 at the age of 92 and had a hand, ha ha, ha, in wiring half the town until the mid 1990's. He was a tough old bird.
jerryc41 wrote:
Aside from the fact that I'm changing a fixture myself, I have another reason for asking. When we had the upstairs rebuilt after a tree fell on the house, and an electrician was working on wiring without a breaker being turned off. It was on a three-way switch, too. I commented to him about that and he just said it was OK. Apparently, it was, but I'll turn off the breaker and test the wires.
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