Trailer Trash Main Power Problems

Spitfire_onme

I couldn't just replace the breaker because of the legal matters described above. I had to prove that it was gone (broke... whatever) for them to pay for a so called "licensed" electrician to fix it, not charge her, and get it done.

I knew where to draw the line. I had to show some other idiot where the line was.

diystephen

I guess I just don't understand. The person didn't have power, heat, etc. Plug something in, and it didn't work. What other proof was needed that there was an electrical issue? Even after you narrowed it down to the breaker the "idiot" replaced the whole panel. None of that makes any sense...

You've also mentioned rewiring Victorian Houses, which means you've already crossed that "legal" line. What's replacing a 30 amp breaker compared to that?

Spitfire_onme

I like you diystephen. Of course there was an electrical issue. It was to prove to them "the owners of the trailer park" that it had nothing to do with her wiring, her plug, her box. Dude, the problem was fixed. I was being sarcastic on the overkill he did, since I am not licensed and said legal issues.

Oh, and said Victorian. One. My parents can sue me all they want. Still not getting the screen printing press in my living room though. That house is awesome though.

AllanJ

Oh, by the way, that (closed circuit; open circuit) is what they teach in trade school; it's electrician's lingo, invented long before I was born.

I just thought of the drawbridge analogy but I'm sure others have thought of it first. As far as resistance goes, to use a traffic analogy, imagine a roadway or tunnel that has a big puddle in it. You know how everyone slows down!

You said you replaced the breaker and now it works fine? The breaker handle may have clicked cleanly into the on position and the off position but the breaker could still be defective in that when it is "on" there is not a clean solid electrical path through it.

I'll leave this one as an academic exercise. Dissect the supposedly defective breaker and then prove that it was defective. If you have either assembled a model ship or plane or dissected a frog then you would be one up on someone who hasn't.

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Spitfire_onme

Damn this crappy laptop, stolen internet, and the martians who are running the show. I already typed this out. Twice now dangit.

AllanJ I just do not understand the analogy. Must be a west coast brain fart or something. To me, if the bridge is up, if traffic is caused by a puddle and no one is moving, it's closed. No movement. Not open. i can't go. We just need a better analogy. Of course if there is a not a full circuit going through to get it going it would be because of those white power motherblach or the green aliens. Remind me to go sock your teacher in the face... jk. Be more like... see that toaster plugged into the wall and in that bathtub. DO NOT TOUCH THE WATER.

I didn't replace the breaker. My messing around, was to prove what was wrong, to get stupid photos on this site for people who wanted them, and to help a friend. The owner of the site replaced the whole box, both breakers, and gave her a new outlet. Killer. Overkill on his part, but whatever.

I do have to figure out how to get that breaker from him. To do what you said. I'm curious. Just would be upset.... probably just threw it in the trash damnit.

Now.. I am going to go build my computer. Pictures to AllanJ and others interested, Ohhh and an AR.

rrolleston

It's also possible it was the bus bar that the breaker sets on was shot. Looking at the box I may have done the same thing. If the screws and connections are all seized up and it was had to get into. I would have thrown it in the trash. They are not too expensive compared to the cost of labour.

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Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.

mpoulton

"Open" and "closed" has been standard terminology in the electrical industry for a VERY long time. A quick Google Books search shows the phrase "switch closed" being used with this meaning in technical documents as early as 1884:

http://books.google.com/books?id=Ab4...sed%22&f=false

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I am a lawyer, but not your lawyer. And who cares anyways? We're here to talk construction. This is DIY advice, not legal advice.

diystephen

I can assure you a better analogy is not needed, just better comprehension of how electricity works.

Spitfire_onme

rrolleston Totally what i was thinking, but I'm just a friend out there freezing cold, witha beer in my hand just trying to help a friend. The bar could have been gone, shooot now I almost want every part beyond the breaker just to see it and test it.

mpoulton I am not arguing with you. Been there done that, since 1884. Just in my opinion the existence of what is open or closed is a little on the wrong side. Of course it is determined by whether or not you have KKK at your door, or martians.

The problem is explaining that to people who do not understand what makes a connection and why it could be wrong, and the fact that they do not die or do something stupid in the mean time because they do not understand the power of the god's.

rrolleston

Could always ask nicely if you can have it.

__________________
Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.