Master Brian
DIY Senior Member
Maybe there isn't an easy answer to this question, but what are the main things that cause an electrical fire?
Reason, I ask is that I am going through my house, which was a bank repo, and cleaning up a lot of old wiring. There are a few metal boxes in walls that move around, when you plug stuff in. They have come loose from the lathe and plaster. I have several areas where fixtures where removed and wires just hanging inside boxes with no covers, and metal boxes in basement ceiling that have several connections. I have come across several of these boxes that only have tape covering the twisted connections and on some the wires are so brittle that when you move them, the insulation crumples.
There is a bit of knob and Tube, I'm not overtly concerned with that, except for portions that are burried under insulation as I read that is a no-no, UNLESS an electrician says it's ok.
I have a lot of that BX(?), the stuff in a metal conduit, and old silverish/black romex and some that looks like black romex. The house was built in 1915, so if the wire has been made, it's likely in my house.
While repairing one outlet last night, I came accross one spot where when a coax cable was run, they actually knicked the romex(?) wire and you can see bare wire on both the hot and neutral wires and they WERE (I took it out) right nex to a joist!
Right after buying the house, my wife was doing a load of laundry and the breaker kept tripping and you could smell burnt wire. I called my electrician, whom was slated to upgrade me from 60amp to 200amp service, and had him come out. He found a wire that had crossed, due to age deteriation, and shorted out. This was the clothes dryer, I might mention...
In any case, I'm sure you can see my curiousity over what I should look for. I have replaced several runs and even removed lines that didn't go anywhere any longer. I feel very competant in working with elecricity in this manner, but I am curious, what is the major cause. I can't believe some of these old connections haven't failed yet.
I am also concerned when an inspection is required and when it isn't. I am planning on calling the inspection unit and speaking with them as well, but to be honest, I find some of these areas, I've mentioned and I yank them as soon as I find them. Not tanking any chances....
Reason, I ask is that I am going through my house, which was a bank repo, and cleaning up a lot of old wiring. There are a few metal boxes in walls that move around, when you plug stuff in. They have come loose from the lathe and plaster. I have several areas where fixtures where removed and wires just hanging inside boxes with no covers, and metal boxes in basement ceiling that have several connections. I have come across several of these boxes that only have tape covering the twisted connections and on some the wires are so brittle that when you move them, the insulation crumples.
There is a bit of knob and Tube, I'm not overtly concerned with that, except for portions that are burried under insulation as I read that is a no-no, UNLESS an electrician says it's ok.
I have a lot of that BX(?), the stuff in a metal conduit, and old silverish/black romex and some that looks like black romex. The house was built in 1915, so if the wire has been made, it's likely in my house.
While repairing one outlet last night, I came accross one spot where when a coax cable was run, they actually knicked the romex(?) wire and you can see bare wire on both the hot and neutral wires and they WERE (I took it out) right nex to a joist!
Right after buying the house, my wife was doing a load of laundry and the breaker kept tripping and you could smell burnt wire. I called my electrician, whom was slated to upgrade me from 60amp to 200amp service, and had him come out. He found a wire that had crossed, due to age deteriation, and shorted out. This was the clothes dryer, I might mention...
In any case, I'm sure you can see my curiousity over what I should look for. I have replaced several runs and even removed lines that didn't go anywhere any longer. I feel very competant in working with elecricity in this manner, but I am curious, what is the major cause. I can't believe some of these old connections haven't failed yet.
I am also concerned when an inspection is required and when it isn't. I am planning on calling the inspection unit and speaking with them as well, but to be honest, I find some of these areas, I've mentioned and I yank them as soon as I find them. Not tanking any chances....