Wiring problems and mistakes are all too common, and if left I corrected have the potential to cause short circuits, shocks and even fires. As a Home Inspector in Fresno, CA I see plenty of these issues while performing my home inspections in the field. Electrical issues can be potentially dangerous, so if you are not exactly one hundred percent sure of what you are doing, we absolutely recommend contacting a licensed electrician for your repairs.
Mistake #1: Reversing hot and neutral wires
Solution: Identify the neutral terminal
Connecting the black hot wire to the neutral terminal of an outlet creates the potential for a lethal shock. The trouble is that you may not realize the mistake until someone gets shocked, because lights and most other plug-in devices will still work; they just won't work safely.
Always connect the white wire to the neutral terminal of outlets and light fixtures. The neutral terminal is always marked. It is usually identified by a silver or light-colored screw. Connect the hot wire to the other terminal. If there is a green or bare copper wire, that is the ground.m Connect the ground to the green grounding screw or to a ground wire or grounded box.
Mistake #2: Wiring a GFCI backward
Solution: Connect power to the "line" terminals
GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter). outlets protect you from a lethal shock by shutting off the power when they sense slight differences in current. They have two pairs of terminals. One pair labeled "line", is for incoming power for the GFCI outlet itself. The other set is labeled "load" and provides protection for downstream, outlets. nYou willlost the shock protection if you mix up the line and load connections.
Mistake #3: Recessing boxes behind the wall surface
Solution: Add a box extension
Electrical boxes must be flush to the wall surface if the wall surface is a combustible material. Boxes recessed behind combustible materials like wood present a fire hazard because the wood is left exposed to potential heat and sparks.
The fix is simply to install a metal or plastic box extension. If you use a metal box extension on a plastic box, connect the metal extension to the ground wire in the box using a grounding clip and a short piece of wire.
Mistake #4: Installing a three-slot receptacle without a ground wire
Solution: Install a two-slot outlet
If you have two-slot outlets, it is tempting to replace them with three-slot outlets so you can plug in three-prong plugs. But do not do this unless you are sure there is a ground available. Use a tester to see if your outlet is grounded. A series of light indicates whether the outlet is wired correctly or what fault exists. These testers are readily available at home centers and hardware stores.
If you discover a three-slot outlet in an ungrounded box, the easiest fix is to simply replace it with a two-slot outlet.
Again, we want you to keep safety in mind at all times. If you are unsure of what to do or how to do it, we recommend contacting a licensed electrician. If you are looking for a licensed electrician in Fresno, CA we recommend contacting Albright Electric, Inc
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