Frank Fusco
Member
- Messages
- 12,791
- Location
- Mountain Home, Arkansas
Those who have been here a while know that I am nearly a complete zero when it comes to things electrik. I don't do much with electriks and don't like to. But, as a homeowner, certain things are necessary for maintenance. Yesterday, I had to change switches for the light in my office. It is a three-way set-up. Only two switches, that's 'two way', why do they call it "three way"? Nebber mind, I don't really want to know. Ennyhow, I went to the electriks supply store and bought two new switches. First big surprise. I had my credit card ready to pay. Didn't need it. Price was $2.00 for two switches. ONE DOLLAR EACH! I didn't know you could buy anything for only a dollar anymore. Paid the man with real money. If he had said ten bucks each, I wouldn't have known if that was right or wrong. See where I'm headed?
Back home, smart enough to kill the power to the switch. It is right off my shop where the breaker box is. Flipped the switch, lights went off. Started working. Changed one switch, putting the various colored wires right back on the new one where the old ones came off. Not bad. Haven't even fried myself yet. Yet. Went to other box. Uh-Oh! Sumptins different. These wires on old switch go in little holes instead of being wrapped around a screw. But won't come out. Pulled hard, stayed stuck. So, got cutter and cut then stripped. Noticed new switch had little holes too, so stuck a couple wires in there. Then the fireworks started. Got a big spark and zap. Backed away. Gathered my nerves. Changed pants. Went to breaker box and shut off the main for whole house. Went back and tried to connect the ground. Yep, I know which that is even if I don't understand the principal of it. More 'fun'. Came completely out of wall and I now have the ground wire in my hand. Looked in box and tried to make sure no nekkid wires were touching anything. Turned house back on. No smoke or sparks. Called electrician. Got voice mail. Call never returned. Called another. He is busy but 'might' call me this afternoon. So, I'm typing in the dark. But, I'm not fried. Keep me away from electriks.
Back home, smart enough to kill the power to the switch. It is right off my shop where the breaker box is. Flipped the switch, lights went off. Started working. Changed one switch, putting the various colored wires right back on the new one where the old ones came off. Not bad. Haven't even fried myself yet. Yet. Went to other box. Uh-Oh! Sumptins different. These wires on old switch go in little holes instead of being wrapped around a screw. But won't come out. Pulled hard, stayed stuck. So, got cutter and cut then stripped. Noticed new switch had little holes too, so stuck a couple wires in there. Then the fireworks started. Got a big spark and zap. Backed away. Gathered my nerves. Changed pants. Went to breaker box and shut off the main for whole house. Went back and tried to connect the ground. Yep, I know which that is even if I don't understand the principal of it. More 'fun'. Came completely out of wall and I now have the ground wire in my hand. Looked in box and tried to make sure no nekkid wires were touching anything. Turned house back on. No smoke or sparks. Called electrician. Got voice mail. Call never returned. Called another. He is busy but 'might' call me this afternoon. So, I'm typing in the dark. But, I'm not fried. Keep me away from electriks.