Strange (dangerous?) wiring in a 2 wire home circuit
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Strange (dangerous?) wiring in a 2 wire home circuit
Hi people!
First...my house was built in 1952-53 with a cloth(?) wound, 2 wire (ungrounded) system all over.
I've added 1pc. grounded wire for my computer, but nothing else. At least there is a new circuit breaker box in the basement
Here's my dilemma:.
* I was replacing 2 old double socket wall plugs upstairs in my 1/2 finished attic area.
* The first was easy - 2 white & 2 black wires. No problem.
* The second one was something I had never seen before. There were 3 cables coming into the box - 3 white wires & 3 black. The top screws had 1 white and 1 black attached from one of the cables (normal), but the bottom screws had 2 white and 2 black wires wound around each of the bottom screws.
I'm not an electrician at all, but I've replaced many wall sockets and have never seen this before. My first thought was that this setup is really dangerous and completely illegal.
Before I do anything on this, please let me know what you think...
Ken H.
Clarksburg, WV
First...my house was built in 1952-53 with a cloth(?) wound, 2 wire (ungrounded) system all over.
I've added 1pc. grounded wire for my computer, but nothing else. At least there is a new circuit breaker box in the basement
Here's my dilemma:.
* I was replacing 2 old double socket wall plugs upstairs in my 1/2 finished attic area.
* The first was easy - 2 white & 2 black wires. No problem.
* The second one was something I had never seen before. There were 3 cables coming into the box - 3 white wires & 3 black. The top screws had 1 white and 1 black attached from one of the cables (normal), but the bottom screws had 2 white and 2 black wires wound around each of the bottom screws.
I'm not an electrician at all, but I've replaced many wall sockets and have never seen this before. My first thought was that this setup is really dangerous and completely illegal.
Before I do anything on this, please let me know what you think...
Ken H.
Clarksburg, WV
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Did I confuse anyone on the prior question?
About the 2nd double wall plug:
* The top wires from 1 insulated line were screwed on fine
* ....but, the bottom screws had 2 wires going to each screw - (2 white & 2 black). Each set of the bottom hot lines were in 2 separate insulated cables.This is what I am questioning.
As far as I know, I have 3 hot lines coming into 1 double wall plug.
About the 2nd double wall plug:
* The top wires from 1 insulated line were screwed on fine
* ....but, the bottom screws had 2 wires going to each screw - (2 white & 2 black). Each set of the bottom hot lines were in 2 separate insulated cables.This is what I am questioning.
As far as I know, I have 3 hot lines coming into 1 double wall plug.
#3
As far as I know, I have 3 hot lines coming into 1 double wall plug
By the way, what was that "1pc. grounded wire" for your computer?
#4
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I agree with Core, one thing that popped out as a question is:
You're not allowed to extend a non-grounded circuit. (not that you would want to anyway). Any new receptacles you install, you'll want to run back to the circuit breaker box and create a new up-to-code grounded circuit.
With the old 2-wire circuits, you can either replace the receptacles with new 2-wire ungrounded receptacles, or use GFI receptacles with the sticker "No Equipment Ground". You're not supposed to install new grounded receptacles on a 2-wire circuit, and they won't work anyway.
I've added 1pc. grounded wire for my computer, but nothing else. At least there is a new circuit breaker box in the basement
With the old 2-wire circuits, you can either replace the receptacles with new 2-wire ungrounded receptacles, or use GFI receptacles with the sticker "No Equipment Ground". You're not supposed to install new grounded receptacles on a 2-wire circuit, and they won't work anyway.
#5
the bottom screws had 2 white and 2 black wires wound around each of the bottom screws.
Yes, this is an issue. There should only be one wire per one screw. putting two wires under one screw can create a poor connection and cause a fire.
I recommend taking all the wires off the screws, connect them together (black to black, white to white) and then pigtail a wire to the device.
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Because of my concern for my computer and its accessories, I had an electrician install a new, double outlet, grounded line to the main box downstairs. Right now it's the only grounded line in the house and for me to have the whole house rewired would cost a small fortune.
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laskdhf
Yes, this is an issue. There should only be one wire per one screw. putting two wires under one screw can create a poor connection and cause a fire.
I recommend taking all the wires off the screws, connect them together (black to black, white to white) and then pigtail a wire to the device.
Yes, this is an issue. There should only be one wire per one screw. putting two wires under one screw can create a poor connection and cause a fire.
I recommend taking all the wires off the screws, connect them together (black to black, white to white) and then pigtail a wire to the device.