Front and Rear of an Old Style Ceiling Electrical Pancake Box for Knob and Tube Wiring

Replace Old Ceiling Pancake Box

Three very old non-grounding type electrical receptacle outlets

To Ground A Two Prong Outlet

A Four-Way Switch Wiring Diagram depicting the LINE and the LOAD in two separate switch boxes. A two conductor cable with a grounding conductor supply's power from the source to the first three-way switch. From the first switch a three conductor cable goes to the first four-way switch and then to the next four-way switch and ends at the last three-way switch. The white neutral conductor is spliced through each switch box until it is connected to the white LOAD wire in the two conductor cable that goes to the lighting LOAD or ceiling fan. The black LOAD wire terminates on the 3-way switch common screw terminal. Travelers are connected on the 4-ways according to the manufacturers' instructions.

Four-Way Switch Diagrams

Aluminum wire terminated under two screws that have overheated

Aluminum Wiring

A new attic fan with thermostat wired remotely

Attic Fan Replacement

Three very old GFCI electrical receptacle outlets

Replace GFCI Electrical Receptacle

I found this one gang plastic nail-on box in the ceiling of a client's basement. It has a type AC (BX) metal armored cable and a non-metallic cable spliced together. The non-metallic cable has a grounding conductor. BX cable normally uses its metal armor outer jacket as the grounding conductor, but it must be connected properly. A BX cable should be spliced inside of a metal box so that the armor ground is carried over to the metal of the box by using the proper cable connector. If a plastic box is used it is necessary to attach a BX connector with a metal grounding bushing onto the BX cable. A grounding conductor is then connected to the lug on the grounding bushing. This electrical box should also have a blank plastic cover on it. This is clearly a naughty electrical code and safety violation.

Naughty Electrical Code and Safety Violations

Rust inside of old four gang electric meter base

4-Gang Electrical Meter Socket

Depicting hard hats, work gloves, face shield, safety goggles, hearing protection, and a dust mask for when you plan to safely work around your home

Be Safe When Working Around Your Home

An attic view from above the ceiling of an installed fan brace and fan box with a Romex cable entering the rear of the box.

Repairing a Ceiling Electrical Box

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