Tweet
I'm buying a house that has been re-wired. The livingroom is wired in such a way that all the outlets (top and bottom) turn off and on from the wall switch! How difficult will it be to correct this and how expensive? Also, the circuit box in the garage looks like 200 service but the home inspector says there is only 100 service coming in. Is this dangerous? Thanks for any help.
-
-
All the outlets are what is called split wired. They share a common neutral. The bottom is probably fed with the black wire and the tops are with the red wire. In the box where the switches are, you'll more than likely find the hot to the bottoms and the switch leg for the tops. All you do is physically remove the switch and connect the "hot" wire to the switch return leg making all switched outlets "hot" again.
About the service - open the panelbox and look at the main breaker. Examine the main "handle" - you should see a marking printed on or stamped into the handle the amperage of the main breaker. This is the total amps the device will draw. If it's 100 than you have a 100 amp service. If it's 200 than you have a 200 amp service. Having a 100 amp service is NOT dangerous - but required by the code. It is the minimum capacity a service entrance can have. Special circumstances by prior approval can be had i.e. 60 amp or even 30 amp. for dedicated equipment.
Comment