Yes, we have a lot of tools. That's not everything I have, either, but you'd be suprised how much you actually use them compared to what you would think.
I still can't figure out why the pry bar was there, but I have it regardless. I'm sure I'll learn the use soon.
If you're shopping for these tools, then please, buy American Made tools....no matter the price. You just might be funding the people that pay you later on.
You can't really be color blind here....or insanely racist to the point that anything colored black should not be in existance. It's part of the unwritten job description, I'd think.
Here's the basic things we have to remember.
- Black is hot....usually
- White is neutral....at least, it should be. Mark it if it isn't.
- Green or bare is ground
- Red is probably hot, too
It gets even worse when you get years of dust on those wires and end up having to work it live....got to rub the dust off what you hope to be the insulation, avoid shocking yourself...though, I don't believe that dust gets that hard to rub off of plastic. If so, then you're dealing with knob and tube wiring, in which case it really never mattered. Black and black, those were the wire colors, I believe. Could have been black and white. I know there was no ground.
Take a look around your room. You've probably got a few outlets, at least 1 on a wall, most likely...a few switches, and a light or two.
Is one of those outlets on a switch? How about just half of it? Yes, half of the outlet. It's possible. A bit of a pain, but possible. Gets even harder with 3 way switches.
Remember me saying that red is usually hot? The three way switches is where it comes in. You know, the switches that have no markings on them, no "on" or "off"...and two or more switches operate one light.
On those switches, there's two wires between them rather than the one, like a regular switch....actually, there's 4 (at least, may be more depending on how it was wired), but for now, we're just talking about the hots. The neutral and ground are being ignored.
If it's done with 3 conductor wire, then you have a black and red between the two switches. One of those is hot all the time. Which one is it? Well, that depends on your switch position. Careful, don't touch 'em if you're ever behind the cover. That cover isn't just for looks, you know!
Why two wires? The switches have two outgoing terminals. Think about the turn signal switch in your car....I hope you use it. We'll ignore that center position on it for now.
You flip it one way, power runs to the left signal on the car. Flip it the other way, the right signal comes on. This is a basic 3 way switch. Switches power from one wire in between two outgoing wires. Did I lose you yet?
The other 3 way switch in the circuit switches it back to 1 wire....if it connects to that hot, then poof...you have light. Flip either switch, it goes off. Make sense now? If not, then I don't blame you. Kind of hard to explain one without pictures.
Codes
This is usually the kicker...we have to make the inspector happy somehow, and keep your house from burning down with us at fault.
The National Electrical Code, or NFPA 70, is.....huge. I don't know the exact page count, and I'm not counting myself. Let's just say that it's the Electricians equivelant of a bible, in a couple ways. Follow the rules in it, and prepare your shoulder for the brick of paper when you have to get it out.
Sure, some counties don't have inspectors. Lucky us. It's still not a bad idea to abide by the code, though. Safety thing. Some of it is convenience, too. Not kidding.
If you ever hire an electrician, ask him what the newest code book he has is. As of now, it should be the '08. Next year, it will be the 2011. They get redone every 3 years. Make sure your electrician has one, there might be something major in there he has to know.
The next time you have to have an electrician, please don't argue, unless you're absolutely sure. In that case, make your point polite...please, it will save us a lot of hassle. This goes for your family, too.
And if you want a second opinion on something, then by all means, call another company and have them look at it. Some companies just want to sell you new stuff and get money. Most are honest...I hope. They should be, anyway.
Last, but circuitly not least (nice pun, huh?), we will answer questions...unless you end up with a bratty one who thinks they know it all...kind of like some of the newer teen girls. But normally, we try to take care of the customer....we do what we can.
Me? I do what I can, to the best of my ability...and then some. Or, I will, at least. Kind of like a sports team.
-Nate
