[Deep Cover]

Say you go on a troubleshooting call for a fixture not working. You find knob and tube wiring and a bad switch. No big deal. The question comes in when the neutral is switched. What do you do? Suggest a rewire or change the switch out and collect your check?

 

[347sparky]

Changeout the switch and leave.

 

[union347sparky]

Changeout the switch and leave.

Second.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

Dude switching neutrals was just standard practice.. don't go re-inventing the wheel here!

Like other guys said, change out switch and collect money.

 

[Deep Cover]

Fixture isn't original...new one was wired with reverse polarity due to the neutral being switched...homeowner changes light bulb and gets shocked...you get sued because switched neutrals are now against code and as an EC you should have notified the customer/fixed the problem.

I don't see it as I used to. I would, at the very least, inform the customer of the potential danger and note it on the paperwork.

 

[dthurmond]

Change out switch and give the owner the option of bringing it up to current code .

 

[erics37]

The flipside is that they've had a switched neutral present for what, like 70 years? without an issue.

I agree with replacing the switch and GTFO.

 

[MTW]

Disconnect the service at the taps and demand the house be rewired completely.

 

[Wpgshocker]

Fixture isn't original...new one was wired with reverse polarity due to the neutral being switched...homeowner changes light bulb and gets shocked...you get sued because switched neutrals are now against code and as an EC you should have notified the customer/fixed the problem. I don't see it as I used to. I would, at the very least, inform the customer of the potential danger and note it on the paperwork.

This.

Make it safe and cover your ass.

 

[Deep Cover]

The flipside is that they've had a switched neutral present for what, like 70 years? without an issue.

I agree with replacing the switch and GTFO.

You don't think some renter is just waiting to sue the first person they can? We do work near a college town and I can just imagine something like this happening.

Above scenario, you noted the possible issue on the paperwork, but the landlord wasn't present to sign for it. College kid changes a lamp while drunk/stoned...zap...you are served with papers.

I know, you can't eliminate any/all liability, but you have to try to minimize it.

 

[Magnettica]

Complete rewire and service upgrade. Also send a proposal for a standby generator.

 

[electricmanscott]

Change switch, collect check, Karate chop the SE cable on the way out and let out an evil laugh as I watch it burn in my rear view mirror.

 

[347sparky]

So now we have a new fixture and stoned college kids. I don't think it matters whether the screwshell is hot or not if a drunk, stoned college kid is changing the lightbulb on his aluminum ladder in the bathtub. Dumbass should not have his finger in the socket anyway!

 

[macmikeman]

Think of it like this: The faceplate on the switch may crack and break off, leaving exposed switch contacts that this time saved the tenant's life who touched them while standing naked in a pool of shower water on his bare concrete 80 year old floor, simply because you were wise enough to put the zero potential to ground neutral wires on the switch and put a protective wirenut on those pesky hot conductors....

 

[woodchuck2]

What can you do really? You cannot force a rewire, you are not changing or modifying the wire/circuit? All you are doing is replacing a worn/damaged device. Replace the device, make recommendations, offer a bid/proposal and move on.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

You don't think some renter is just waiting to sue the first person they can? We do work near a college town and I can just imagine something like this happening.

Above scenario, you noted the possible issue on the paperwork, but the landlord wasn't present to sign for it. College kid changes a lamp while drunk/stoned...zap...you are served with papers.

I know, you can't eliminate any/all liability, but you have to try to minimize it.

You sound too scared or paranoid to be in business for yourself, you should go work for someone with bigger bawlz.

 

[rewire]

option one. Don't do anything leave and let the liability fall on the craigslist guy.

option two. change switch collect your 50 bucks and worry that you might get sued


option three. change switch collect your 50 bucks and post on an internet forum the rest of the day

 

[macmikeman]

option one. Don't do anything leave and let the liability fall on the craigslist guy.

option two. change switch collect your 50 bucks and worry that you might get sued


option three. change switch collect your 50 bucks and post on an internet forum the rest of the day

Option four: flip you van on its side on your way home from the switch job.

 

[rewire]

Option four: flip you van on its side on your way home from the switch job.

option five . become a tin foil hat wearing conspiracy nut. The government is watching you change the switch.

 

[Rollie73]

Say you go on a troubleshooting call for a fixture not working. You find knob and tube wiring and a bad switch. No big deal. The question comes in when the neutral is switched. What do you do? Suggest a rewire or change the switch out and collect your check?

Fixture isn't original...new one was wired with reverse polarity due to the neutral being switched...homeowner changes light bulb and gets shocked...you get sued because switched neutrals are now against code and as an EC you should have notified the customer/fixed the problem.

I don't see it as I used to. I would, at the very least, inform the customer of the potential danger and note it on the paperwork.

You don't think some renter is just waiting to sue the first person they can? We do work near a college town and I can just imagine something like this happening.

Above scenario, you noted the possible issue on the paperwork, but the landlord wasn't present to sign for it. College kid changes a lamp while drunk/stoned...zap...you are served with papers.

I know, you can't eliminate any/all liability, but you have to try to minimize it.

Welcome back Cletis:thumbsup: