this is how not to power a clothes washer. found this prize on a job yesterday.
for all you wirenuts out there
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hockeypuck
Feeling the Heat
At least the water pipes are there to complete the circuit 
....talk about a "brother in law weekend special"....
....talk about a "brother in law weekend special"....
johneh
Minister of Fire
Lake Girl
Moderator
Highbeam
Minister of Fire
So judging by the other wires, modernish romex, the circuits should have had grounds. At least he put a fancy cloth thing behind the outlet to insulate the exposed wires from the wood.
i hope you got rid of that panel. it looks like a federal pacific. better known as a fire starter. 1 year ago i took out a federal pacific panel and didn't know how close the man got to fire until i separate the box from the bus bar (where the breakers hook into) huge burn mark the size of a baseball behind it and he had electric heat.
federal pacific went out of biz because of to many people wanting them to pay for their burnt house
hockeypuck
Feeling the Heat
maple1
Minister of Fire
Is Federal Pacific related anyway to Federal Pioneer?
(In Canada, if that matters).
Only asking because I was in to an outbuilding here over the weekend, and none of the lights turned on. Think two separate circuits. Didn't have time to check it out further, I was in a hurry. Would be kind of odd if all the light bulbs went bad at once though. I took a quick look at the breaker box on the way back out and don't think any of them were tripped - and I think I read Federal Pioneer. Will have to take a closer look - and a meter.
(In Canada, if that matters).
Only asking because I was in to an outbuilding here over the weekend, and none of the lights turned on. Think two separate circuits. Didn't have time to check it out further, I was in a hurry. Would be kind of odd if all the light bulbs went bad at once though. I took a quick look at the breaker box on the way back out and don't think any of them were tripped - and I think I read Federal Pioneer. Will have to take a closer look - and a meter.
yep sounds like the same company but has been bought out by square D. here is some onfo
http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/Federal_Pioneer_Electric_Panel.php#FederalPioneer1
http://inspectapedia.com/fpe/Federal_Pioneer_Electric_Panel.php#FederalPioneer1
Highbeam
Minister of Fire
I replaced the Zinsco panel, also a firestarter, when I bought my current house. I had entire circuits flickering and I could hear the crackling from the panel.
TonyVideo
Feeling the Heat
When I moved into myb1880's home I replaced the 100 amp to 200 amp box and the box in the garage that had 60 amps feeding it with screw type fuses. One fuse when I unscrewed it had a penny behind it with burnt wiring. I don't know what the previous owner was doing in the garage but the days were numbered. My guess a heater. 3/4 wiring replaced but one overhead light was still running on old knob and tube wiring. Wiring still in great shape. Left it for now as the only thing running on that circuit and the most difficult to get to and run to the main box. Previous owner had a gas water heater with the vent running down hill to a chimney no longer used and capped below the roof line. You can find a lot of amazing things in an old home. Ground wire was attached to the main water line as well. Still snooping around this place for more surprises.
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
My understanding is metal plumbing is required to be grounded to ensure it does not develop a large static charge, or present a shock hazard if it is accidentally exposed to a live wire.
If you mean your panel's main ground was connected to the water line instead of a proper grounding rod, on the other hand...
TonyVideo
Feeling the Heat
the main panel used to be connected to the water pipe because the metal pipe made a perfect ground. now when replacing service to a house they have us keep the water pipe connected to keep the pipes from any potential and if it is a metal pipe jump the meter and connect two 8 foot ground rods no closer than 6 feet. the ground rods are there in case the water pipe is changed. the new pipe will be plastic and that ground will be lost. as far as the penny i just ran into that today. some people live dangerously and then there are the real old stuff that fused the neutral. so in order to prevent a zap because if the neutral fuse blew the circuit is still connected and live so in a old fuse panel we would put a 30 amp fuse or a penny if it fit.
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