This wiring method was such a common occurrence used by Iraqi and Turkish subcontractors that I had totally forgotten about it until someone sent me a photo. I thought it would be fun to have a quiz. So…tell me what’s wrong with this installation!!
This is a standard 230 volt switched receptacle….It is equivalent of our 110 volt receptacles in the States.
Quiz rules:
In the comments section put your username in the username section. In the email section put Quiz1@mssparky.com (this will keep the comments hidden until I approve them) I will post the comments when I send out my next newsletter, approx 3-4 days, so sign up for my newsletters. I will put my answers in the comments as well.
I NEED MORE PICS FOR THE QUIZ!!!! SEND ME MORE PICS!!!!
Ms Sparky
The comments posted on this site are the sole opinion of the comment poster and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this site owner.
14 comments
1. No connector at box.
2. Cable not protected from physical damage.
3. Box not properly secured to wall.
4. Not an approved or listed male plug.
5. No electrical grounding conductor in cable that is plugged in.
Loved the strain relief, using a non-secured cable to support the cable that plugs into the box. Would love to see the inside of the box also.
Ms Sparky’s Response: Very Good
Are those scorch marks I see on the face of the receptacle?
Ms Sparky’s Response: Probably
That looks totally normal, like something we would do at the farm to keep the air compressor or the conveyor motor running. Probably couldn’t find a plug to put on the end of the wires, Well, maybe thats why the barn burned down? You don’t want the wires pulling out and your table saw shutting down so it needs to be tied to something, if not the other wires how about a nail? Who needs a bushing or a strain relief where the wires enter the receptacle, those are extra costs? The nail that is holding the box in place is slowly giving way but it will be ok this year.
Ms Sparky’s Response: We must have grown up on the same farm!
typical wiring job in Iraq ~!
Ms Sparky’s Response: I have to say…I’ve seen it alot.
No box connectors
No approved male plug
Using one cable to support another
Whatever they are trying to feed is not grounded.
I’ll bet you $10 bucks the grounds are cut off inside the box!!!
These were everywhere. Not just Iraqi’s were doing this. Americans were to. I promise you there are no wirenuts inside that box. Just twisted and MAYBE taped. And the grounds are cut off.
Ms Sparky’s Response: I’ll bet your’re right about the grounds on the inside.
What in the hell is that? Deb did you do that? The outside is obvious to most of us - connectors, cord cap, no ground, cable supports. What is the voltage on that? What are those wire colors? Blue and Brown? I want to see what’s on the inside of the box.
Ms Sparky’s Response: No I didn’t. Voltage is 250 and black and blue are neutral over there. Really threw me off at first.
No cable connectors.
Wire being used as support.
Conductors inserted into plug.
No support on top wire.
No ground.
And i think polarity is reversed.
Ms Sparky’s Response: IF they are using the blue as neutral, it’s right…but who really knows. Reversed polarity was a huge problem. One of my worst shocks over there was due to reversed polarity! Got a nasty burn out of it.
So, is this a bad thing?
You people don’t seem to understand….KBR doesn’t give us shit over hear. My manager is not an electrician. He’s not smart enough to think…OK…we ordered outlets, maybe we should order cord caps and connectors to. Half the crap we do order comes in wrong or doesn’t come in at all.
I’ve had to do this. I’m not going to apologize for it.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
I have done stuff over there that was illegal in the States, because of lack of material or tools. But I never did anything that wasn’t intrinsically safe and mechanically sound. If I couldn’t achieve that, I wouldn’t do it. My biggest issue here is no ground.
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do. No ground though. Big problem.
Toast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDwqi08GxTI
The real issue that no-one has picked up on is that 13A plugs which mate with this socket have integral fuses to protect the cable and the downstream appliance, and just jumping cables into the socket eliminates that protection. The fuse will have a maximum value of 13A. That socket may be protected by a 32A breaker. Thus the cable may have no protection against serious overload.
The colours are correct: live (a/k/a ‘hot’) is brown, blue is neutral, and live is on the right, and neutral the left of the socket.
There will be no wirenuts in that box; wire nuts are a strange thing used in America only.
What is moderately interesting is that 13A sockets are designed to prevent this type of abuse. There are shutters that cover the live and neutral holes preventiung the insertion of things. Some 13A sockets use an earth pin detector, so you open the shutters by shoving a screwdriver in the earth hole. But these old style sockets have now largely disappeared from manufacture. Modern sockets require equal pressure in the live and neutral holes to open the shutters, and these are really hard to open with screwdrivers and the like.
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Thanks for the detailed thorough comment. Sounds like you’ve been there!
I have been a electrian for 22 years.I was on a service for 5 of those years.My Dad and his Dad were electricians. I have seen some wild stuff.If this is the norm then I am glad you doing what your doing.The Troops have enough worry about,LIKE BEING SHOT AT.Our kids are dying.KBR should be the ones being shot at. Thank you, Alex LOCAL #309 I.B.E.W
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Alex…thank you for your comment and support. I shoot at them every chance I get from this blog!!! For every new person that knows, that’s one less person that can be fooled.
For the most part I agree with 99% of the comments. No materials nor proper tools . KBR is so afraid to say NO to the Military on anything , they commit to do a project not having the tools or the eq. on hand to do it with and the electrician is forced ( in a KBR way ) to get the job done , just make it happen .No leadership from the Top all the way down the ladder.Irresponsible people put in positions they have no business being in , this also places people at a higher risk for harm and cost the American tax payer a large sum of money that is just wasted. Three and half years over there , I’ve seen it & heard it all . Like any where else most of the electricians want to do the right thing and safe . KBR Management always talk a good line when it comes to information for the military
Ms Sparky’s Response:
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
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