Solve This Service Call

[guschash]

Dead short. Two different circuit.

 

[readydave8]

1st thing I'd like to do would be smash "idiot pen"

But would not because I'd like customer to think of me as helpful

So 1st thing I'd actually do is pretend I was taking his research seriously and try to be as tactful as possible, hoping he doesn't notice that my troubleshooting process is progressing without involving his tester

 

[readydave8]

I've seen it as well. However, when I asked to see said switch that turns off half the house, I was shown the panel in which turning on breaker #14 trips the main.

starting to sound like switch he was flipping while playing with tester was red herring?

 

[480sparky]

Dead short. Two different circuit.

All it takes is mixing up a box's feed in or feed out with a switch leg during a switch replacement.

So how would you diagnosis this?

 

[480sparky]

1st thing I'd like to do would be smash "idiot pen"
......

starting to sound like switch he was flipping while playing with tester was red herring?

Those were his words.... a switch causes half the lights to go out.

So here's one lesson: Take what the customer says, not with a grain of salt but an entire block.

 

[ramsy]

All it takes is mixing up a box's feed in or feed out with a switch leg during a switch replacement.

Sounds like those old homes with spider junctions in ceiling lights branching to receptacles. Can never trace these to beginning of line for reset devices, since every receptacle outlet is end of line, comming from some j-box in ceiling lights. The only way to A/GFCI protect plugs, without every reset button buried behind furniture, is to punt to a panel flipper.

 

[romex jockey]

I'm starting to think Carter 3W......

~RJ~

 

[romex jockey]

1st thing I'd like to do would be smash "idiot pen"

yeah, but it was telling us something Dave....

~RJ~

 

[guschash]

I would start in panel. Leave off all breakers that trip. Find what circuit 3 way switch is on. Using lead cord energize circuit , see what's on this circuit. Going down panel one circuit a time till you find other circuit.

 

[480sparky]

yeah, but it was telling us something Dave....

~RJ~

It was. It was saying there's power to the switch. So did turning the lights on.

 

[480sparky]

I would start in panel. Leave off all breakers that trip. Find what circuit 3 way switch is on. Using lead cord energize circuit , see what's on this circuit. Going down panel one circuit a time till you find other circuit.

OK, so if it's the main that trips... and you turn the main off.... where ya gonna plug your cord in?

 

[guschash]

You didn't say the tripped. Half the circuits can trip without tripping main. I will get back.

 

[480sparky]

You didn't say the tripped. Half the circuits can trip without tripping main. I will get back.

Post 6.

 

[guschash]

You didn't say the tripped. Half the circuits can trip without tripping main. I will get back.

sorry

 

[guschash]

I would check panel ,then meter panel, check power from x-former , look at connections at pole. I would also check main breaker, maybe even put new one in.

 

[K8MHZ]

They have some beautiful candles now days

 

[electrofelon]

So here's one lesson: Take what the customer says, not with a grain of salt but an entire block.

When customer starts talking, plug ears and sing "La La LA" as loud as you can!

 

[480sparky]

I would check panel ,then meter panel, check power from x-former , look at connections at pole. I would also check main breaker, maybe even put new one in.

If turning on a breaker trips the main, what would the meter, transformer and outside connections have to do with it?

 

[Little Bill]

Need more info. Did the 3-way switch, or wiring there of, have anything to do with the problem?
I would find out what was on the circuit that trips the main when the breaker for that circuit is turned on.
Unless the main isn't breaking contact on both legs, how is "half the house" going off?

 

[ramsy]

They have some beautiful candles now days

Candle Landscape Lighting

Candle Desk Lamp

Battery Candle Lantern

Candle Bedroom