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Double tapped breaker

What Is A Double Tapped Breaker

February 17, 2022/0 Comments/in Electric /by BJ Johnson

Considering the fact that you rarely look at your circuit breaker box, means you are likely not familiar with it. Breaker boxes are made in a variety of ways and have coding that is required that the electrician follows when installing wiring. Making sure that you do not have wires incorrectly installed is important to avoid fire hazards. What is a double tapped breaker? When two wires are placed in one circuit breaker that otherwise isn’t built to house two wires.

Let’s take a look below at what the problem would be and how you can fix it.

Why Are They A Problem

Most circuit breakers are not designed to hold two wires at the same place. If you come across this scenario in your home, you need to call a professionally licensed electrical contractor right away. Leaving two wires in a breaker that is not built to handle the load will result in a fire.

Two wires that are connected to the same breaker or terminal can result in overheating. You could also notice the two wires producing arcing due to not being attached tightly enough. Luckily, there are solutions to fixing this scenario and there are some breaker terminals that are now built to handle two wires at once. Let’s take a look below at the solutions to two wires in one breaker.

Double tapped breaker.
Courtesy of Waypoint Inspections

How Do You Fix a Double Tapped Breaker

Believe it or not, there are a variety of ways that you can fix a double tapped circuit breaker. Keep in mind that some breakers are meant to hold two wires. Let’s review.

  • Pig Tail-this is done when you connect the third wire to the breaker after you have wrapped the other two wires together with a wire nut and have all three wires as one.
  • Tandem circuit breaker-a square d tandem breaker is built to house two wires in the same breaker. There are two connection points for two wires.
  • Breaker designed for wires. Square d and cutler hammer have breakers designed for holding two-wire connections.
  • Just add another breaker-if you have room in the breaker box, you can simply install a single circuit breaker to an open slot on your electric panel. This is cost-effective and relatively easy to do. Single breakers cost less than $5.

Keep in mind that your breaker panel cover will determine what you can and cannot add. Yes, there are breakers available for two-wire connections, however, you must make sure that the breaker is installed in the slow designated on the label of the breaker box. Following the breaker, box rules keep things easy and functional.

How Much Do They Cost

The cost to add a circuit breaker to your breaker box ranges from $40 to $60 plus the labor charge. Typically, you are looking at $150 for the job. It takes most electricians 2 hours to install a new circuit breaker to your breaker box. Anytime you need to get the breaker fixed, you should expect to pay $150 to $250 to fix a double tapped breaker.

Other Recommended Maintenance

When you are learning about double-tap breakers go ahead and also educate yourself on what the wiring should look like for your electrical system. Bootlegged grounding and bad wiring hookups happen more often than you think. It would be a great idea to make sure that you pay attention to any contractor work being conducted on your electrical system. Make sure you are hiring a professionally licensed electrician.

Another area to check is the breakers to make sure you don’t have a Challenger GFCI breaker. If your home was built between 1998-2004 there is a chance you have these. Contacting an electrician is the way to go if you find this or need assistance.

Electrical fire in a home.

Lastly, you want to know what kind of wiring you have in the home. One type you do not want to have is aluminum wiring. This is because it is connected to copper wire and can start an electrical fire.

When Do I Call A Professional

Anytime you are dealing with your electrical system and more specifically your circuit breaker box, you need to call a professionally licensed electrician. It is not recommended that you attempt to make any changes to your breaker box, even if you read up and study up on the process of installing a double tapped breaker. You might feel the need to save time and money and complete it as a do-it-yourself project.

However, dealing with electricity is not the easiest or safest project to do on your own. You might want to consider calling on your local home inspection team so that the home inspector can conduct a thorough inspection of your electrical system. Typically, they will look for loose connections, common defects, and go over the electrical work. They can also recommend the most reputable professionally licensed electrician in the area.

Conclusion

Getting a professionally licensed electrical contractor to come out to your home could be a difficult task. The most reputable companies are almost always booked for weeks if not months away. So, planning ahead is an important step here. Getting your double tapped breaker installed is a project that you won’t want to complete on your own. Call your local home inspection team to get a few referrals for the most reputable professionally licensed electrical contractors around. While they are out at your home, they can conduct a full home inspection. This will allow you to add any extra projects to the list while you have the electrical contractor. Contact Inside and Out Property Inspectors in Jacksonville, FL, and surrounding areas to get your home inspection done today.

https://insideandoutpropertyinspectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/double-tapped-breaker.png 513 762 BJ Johnson https://d39oyu4lp7snwz.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/08/31171419/io-favicon-300x300.png BJ Johnson2022-02-17 14:03:012022-02-17 14:03:06What Is A Double Tapped Breaker
Power surge

Power Surge Types and What Causes Them

May 8, 2021/0 Comments/in Electric /by BJ Johnson

You are watching a great show on TV and then all of a sudden, the power goes out. Shortly after, it comes back on. What was that? It was probably a power surge. What is a power surge? It is when the flow of electricity is interrupted and then it starts again. These can be minor or there can be damage. We will take a look at why you need to know about power surges, types of power surges, prevention, surge protectors, results, signs of a power surge, and other areas to check.

Why You Need to Know About Power Surges

Power surges occur with things in the home that have microprocessors. Examples are TVs, computers, and microwaves. Furthermore, larger machinery like dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines can have power surges. Depending on the type of power surge, there can be damage. Most homes have appliances or devices that can handle from 0 to 169 volts. However, a power surge can exceed 169 volts and then cause damage.

Types of Power Surges

There are two types of power surges: internal and external

Internal Power Surge

These happen many times a day and make up more than half of all power surges. They usually happen because of motors turning on and off and the electricity goes to the other appliances in the home. Refrigerators and air conditioners do this the most, but hair dryers and power tools do as well.

External Power Surge

Comes from outside and home and is due to lightning strikes, a small animal making its way into a transformer (think of squirrels near the transformers), and also a tree branch landing on a power line.

Lower level surges of the types listed above can cause “electronic rust.”

Prevention of a Power Surge

External surges can’t be prevented as many of them have to do with mother nature and wild animals. However, there are things we can do to prevent Internal surges.

  1. Unplug devices in the home that are not in use – this cuts back on the electricity flowing through the home. Daily, unplugging the toaster over is a good idea when everyone is done using it. Look around the home for other things plugged in that no one is using.
  2. Upgrade wiring – if you have a home with wiring from before the 1980s, it may need upgrading. This is especially true if you have blown fuses, circuit breakers that trip or are bad, or lights that flicker on and off. You might even have aluminum wiring in the home. Here is some information on what to look for.
  3. Overloaded circuits – if you have a newer home, it is possible that you have circuits that are overloading. You might have large appliances that pull power from the same place and need to have it divided up. You may need to have a professional add another circuit for you. Look in your family room and see if there are a lot of computers, entertainment devices all plugged in the same place. This can also cause a surge.
  4. Surge Protector – a quality surge protector will help protect the home from damage. It will also take the electricity and divert it to the ground instead of through the appliances. There are different types that we will take a look at.
Types of surge protectors

Here is a video about power surges in one Austin, TX neighborhood

Types of Surge Protectors

Surge protectors are also known as surge suppressors or surge diverters. Let’s take a look at a few types so you know what will work best in your home.

  1. Whole house or panel mounted– these prevent power surges from entering the home and go to the fuse box. They range from $50 and up.
  2. Power strips with surge protection- the most affordable way to go. However, not all power strips are created equal, and the most expensive does not mean better. Choose one that will hold the number of joules for the appliances you are protecting.
  3. Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (TVSS)-hardwired into the outlet boxes in a home and provide excellent protection. They have a light or alarm that indicates there has been a surge and ranges from $25 to $100. Lastly, the price depends on the joules, amps, and alarms on the device.
Result of a power surge

Results of a Power Surge if You Are Not Careful

If too much electricity is sent through to an appliance, there can be an electrical fire . Not only will you have damage but will also need to deal with smoke damage to the home.

External power surges can cause damage to the HVAC unit. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to prevent it. A professional will need to be called to see if it can be fixed or if it is replaceable.

Signs There Has Been a Power Surge

  • The clock or lights are flashing on an electrical device or appliance
  • The electrical device or appliance is off or does not work
  • There is a burnt odor around the device or power source
  • A surge protector or power strip may require resetting
Metal box grounded

Other Areas to Check

Check to see if the metal box behind the outlets is grounded. If it is, then you know the electricity is going to the ground instead of through the appliances.

Check your electrical panel to see if you have recalled Challenger GFCI breakers or an FPE panel. If you do, contact a professional for assistance.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional if you have any issues after a power surge or if you want to find out why you are having tripping of circuits or lights going out etc. Also, if you have any wiring issues, a professional can help.

Conclusion

Power surges happen all the time in homes and there are things you can do to help prevent them. The best ways are to make sure you are not overloading circuits and causing safety issues. We look at your electrical wiring and panels during our 4 point inspections in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, FL. areas. Think you may be in need of our services? Leave us a reply below!

https://insideandoutpropertyinspectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Power-surge-scaled.jpeg 1707 2560 BJ Johnson https://d39oyu4lp7snwz.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/08/31171419/io-favicon-300x300.png BJ Johnson2021-05-08 22:55:552021-05-09 22:54:16Power Surge Types and What Causes Them

Bootleg Grounds: Everything You Need To Know

April 26, 2021/0 Comments/in Electric /by BJ Johnson

We hear the word “bootleg” often such as bootleg cassettes or bootleg computer software to name a few. It means things that are created and sold illegally. Often people will sell bootleg videos of movies or concerts. These are illegal recordings that a person made while at the concert or movie and then sells it. In the case of electricity, a bootleg ground is when a jumper wire is installed on a receptacle, in between from the neutral wire to the ground screw. The purpose is to ground the receptacle when going from a two-prong outlet to a three-prong. However, it is illegal and does not actually ground the receptacle.

Let’s take a look at why you need to know about bootleg ground, what it means, why it is dangerous, GFCI protected outlets, how to know you have one and what if you have one, alternatives, other areas to check and when to call a professional.

Why You Need to Know About Bootleg Ground

Homes built prior to 1960 that have grounded receptacles and not rewired could have bootleg ground. Why? Often it is done out of not knowing any better, but sometimes it is done to pass it off as being grounded when it is not. You want to have your receptacles grounded properly so family members are not electrocuted in the home. In addition, it is illegal to have bootleg ground.

Bootleg ground

What it Means to Ground

In a home, you want the receptacle grounded. Back in the 1960s, homes only had two-prong outlets and there was a neutral wire and a hot wire. Wires were not grounded, thus making homes dangerous if a fault were to occur. Now, many people will have the prong outlets updated in their older homes, going from two prongs to three prongs so they don’t need to use an adapter.

However, the problem is when rewiring the home, some contractors were not installing the proper ground wire to make the home safe. This is usually a wire that runs from the breaker box to the newly installed three-prong outlet. Instead, the wire is not installed and creating a hazard in the home.

Some people say that having the ground wire tied to the neutral wire at the electrical panel is okay and having them tied together on the other end at the three-prong outlet will work just fine. However, that is not a true statement and the wire must be connected properly. People try to get around it as it is expensive to do.

Why Bootleg Ground is Dangerous

This is dangerous because of the flow of electricity. Hot and neutral wires are the only ones designed to carry the electricity and the ground wire is not made to carry the electricity. However, what happens is if there is a problem on the neutral wire that it becomes disconnected or damaged as it is connected to the three-prong, anything that is plugged in can strengthen and cause electrocution. In addition, it can start an electrical fire.

Bootleg and Reverse Polarity

Reverse polarity is a hot/neutral reverse of wires and causes the same issue as described above with electrocution hazard.

GFCI Protected Outlets

GFCI Protected Outlets

Many homes use GFCI protected outlets. If there is a bootleg ground, it may not trip as it should in a ground fault and also cause electrocution. Having a bootleg ground puts a whole family at risk and not worth their safety.

How to Know if You Have a Bootleg Ground

Bootleg grounds are commonly installed in homes built before the 1960s. To find out if you have a bootleg ground, turn off the electric at the panel box. Remove the receptacle cover and see if there is a jumper wire. If you are not sure, pull the receptacle out of the wall to check. Also, check that the white wires go to the white metal screws. Likewise, the green screw connects to a bare copper or green wire for proper ground. Unsure? Contact a licensed professional to help.

While you are at the electric panel box, make sure you don’t have a Challenger GFCI recalled breaker or a FPE panel.

Want to find out if you have a bootleg ground with a test? Well, if you use a three-light tester, there may be a false reading. However, if you use a circuit analyzer or hire an inspector, you will get the actual result and peace of mind.

Home inspectors won’t check for bootleg grounds during a home inspection, as it is beyond the scope of their job. However, sometimes people who have bootleg grounds in the home will have some two and three-prong outlets in the home, instead of all the same. People who put in bootleg ground usually don’t change all of them in the home.

Moreover, while outlets may show proper grounding, there might be a lack of ground wires in the electrical panel. Therefore, homeowners or experienced home inspectors might suspect the home has bootleg grounds.

What if You Have Bootleg Grounds

  1. Contact a professional for his/her recommendation/repairs.
  2. Leave the two pronged outlet covers so it is known there is no protection from the ungrounded circuit.
  3. Install GFCI protected receptacles or breakers.
  4. Rewire the home with grounding wires.

Alternative to Bootleg Ground

Instead of installing these in the home, contact a licensed professional to properly ground three-prong outlets. It usually is not very expensive and will follow the National Electrical Code.

Other Areas to Check and Maintenance

1. Check that the metal box is grounded

In addition to making sure the receptacles are grounded, you want to know that the metal box is grounded. Where is this? It is behind the outlet. When you take the receptacle cover off and pull the outlet out, you can use a tester to see if it is grounded. Its purpose is to make sure that it doesn’t send electricity through the ground to the breaker box.

Tamper resistant outlet

2. Tamper Resistant Outlet

You also want to make sure that you have a tamper resistant outlet. This is an outlet that when something is stuck into it that is not a plug, the shutters close up in it. This is to protect whoever is putting something in there that doesn’t belong.

3. Maintenance of the Water Heater near the Electrical Panel

Most people have an electrical panel near the water heater in their garage. It is just as important to make sure the water heater is functioning properly so keep up with maintenance on it so you don’t have any water or electricity issues.

When to Call a Professional

Call a professional when you need help figuring out if you have a bootleg ground, or if you need rewiring in the home or new three prong outlets added. Some homeowners can do this on their own, but don’t be afraid to call a professional if you need help.

Conclusion

Anytime that something is “bootlegged” the quality is not going to be there. In the case of electricity, you are playing with danger. It is always best to pay a professional to ground the wires correctly and protecting family members should be the first priority. Concerned about whether your wires are ground or if you have the correct outlets or receptacles? We can take a look for you in the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas. In need of our services? Leave a comment below!

https://insideandoutpropertyinspectors.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Bootleg-ground.jpeg 562 750 BJ Johnson https://d39oyu4lp7snwz.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/54/2019/08/31171419/io-favicon-300x300.png BJ Johnson2021-04-26 22:30:512021-11-30 15:22:42Bootleg Grounds: Everything You Need To Know

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