1920 Building Wiring

[prmckay1]

Help!

Assisting a friend with some wiring in a building built/wired in 1920 -- lost an outlet and 2 single pole switches -- upon testing -- hot tested 110v -- neutral had continuity to metal switchbox --  but nothing works -- attempted to 'disconnect' the junction in the outlet -- and utilize another 'hot' in the switch box -- ended up with lights going up and down (Bright/dim)  and alternating (bright/dim) with a light in another room (different hot circuit than the one used) --

Suggestions?

[JP]

You really did get yourself in a challenge, as you have found out old wiring was done much different than it is today and it is impossible for me to know how that place is wired. In many cases they used to switch the neutral instead of the hot, and they did not use grounds. I know you don’t want to hear this, but if it where me and I did not want to update the wiring I would trace out every wire and verify what each and everyone is for and make sure they were not faulty. Having said that, it will be no easy task considering there could be hidden splices, but it is the only way to know for sure what you are dealing with. In many cases it makes more sense just to run new circuits.

I know it’s not the answer you were looking for, but without being there with meter in hand, there are just too many variables for me to give sound advice.

[prmckay1]

Sorry I haven't gotten back --- Ice Storm in Oklahoma!

Thanks for your advice -- I ended up wiring a new 'supply' circuit to the switches where I could control both hot and neutral -- everytihing works great --  (the estimate on total rewiring was $50K) --

Now am running several house/farm electrical services on generators -- loads of fun!  (Farm will be out of power for probably a month - 1100 poles down in my county alone!)

Thanks again!

[JP]

Happy to hear you solved the problem, sorry to hear about the ice storm, boy that’s really rough.

Wished you lived closer, guarantee I could get you a better price by a mile. That is unless you live in one hell of a big house.

I was unaware of the ice storm in Oklahoma, which bewilders me in a way because I pay attention to the news. I guess it shows what’s really important to the media and our Government, a disaster happens in another country and they can’t cover it enough and send millions in help, when a disaster happens here at hope and they barely cover it.

Wish you the best!

[prmckay1]

Hi!

Not my house, but a friends -- and yes, it's huge -- I don't know the sq footage -- but I'd guess that materials alone would be $35K of that job --

Ice Storm -- from the SW edge of Ok to about 30 miles SW of OKC -- very little of the power infrasctructure is left standing -- Generator's (portable welders) are powering most farms -- gasoline has been hard to find --  (I'm using 11 x 5 gal gas cans as 'resource')

I'm running my folks on a 6250 watt 10hp -- about 5 gallons/day --- then I carry another generator around to run cattle water with -- We had an ice storm several years ago and they (farm) were out of electricity for 2-3 weeks (can't remember the exacts) -- decided quickly that a 'throw-away' would be cheaper than a portable welder!  I'm making sure to change the engine oil every 4-5 days -- and so far (keeping my fingers crossed) we're staying ahead of problems --

More Rain/Snow/Ice expected over the next several days -- may be a very 'Fun' February!

Thanks for your comments!