Power On Self Test: Electrician lolwut

1. [Anonymous]

   Looks good to me, except of course “Mystery Wire” which is always fun. Using red for the common is a bit odd on the right switch (though with three way switches the “standard meanings” of wire colors often has to be laid aside). The thing labeled “Power to Lower Sw” looks like it is probably the switched power to a light, and it is not to code because the switches cut the path to common rather than hot. While it will work, there will be hot wires in the light even when it is off, and a short could result on the light being always on.

   I am not a pro electrician, but I have done my own wiring many times and fixed many a misswired three-way in my house.

   Also, there is no such thing as a one-way switch. Your standard toggle is a two-way (I believe it refers to how many wires come out of it).

2. [Michiel]

   Could have done a better job at the drawing, but looks OK.

   I believe every house has at least one mystery wire, but often more. Also, mystery pipes.

3. [Anonymous]

   I WISH my household infrastructure was this well documented.

   I live in a former 19th century industrial site. It’s been completely rewired three times at least, and partially re-plumbed at least a half dozen times. The other day some tarred cloth insulation cracked off a wire, 120 VAC arced to a copper pipe and blew a pin-hole into it, and the resulting nearly invisibly fine waterspout shot water into the furnace.

   Isn’t it great to have to fix the furnace, the wiring, and the plumbing all the same time?

   It’s worth it, though. Even with all the mystery pipes.

   –Charlie

4. [dculberson]

   I had a couple “mystery wires” that were hooked up to 120AC; one was wired to the old “radio aerial” jack which meant I got a hell of a shock when I was pointing the pretty jack out to a friend. Another live one was just dangling in the basement ceiling. Another was buried above drywall. A live outlet was tucked behind my kitchen cabinets.

   Man, sloppy “handy”men are dangerous.