The DIY guy replacing electrical outlets

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 09/19/2014 11:26 PM EDT

The DIY guy replacing electrical outlets. How many defects can you recognize?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N93VKGqh3I

The DIY guy is akin to Uncle Buck on the Home Depot week-end who now thinks he's an electrician! LOL
1) - His terminolgy is incorrenct - its a neutral not a negative unless you're in DC power.
3) - It's an earth ground that he says you don't need - wrong
4) - The NEC code only allows for an ungrounded recepticle to be used if there is a GFCI involved for protection and then the outlet must be labeled "non-grounded" - He should have replaced it with a regular two blade recepticle.
5) - I wonder how his sub-panel is wired if he is a DIY type of un-educated Uncle Buck!!

Dennis proving once again our inspectors are the best!

I'd be curious why the bedroom wall outlets appear to be wired to a double-pole breaker? It appears in the beginning of the video, he turns off the left top breaker and after the installation, he turns off the top right breaker.

He also says to connect the hot wire to silver and 'negative' to the silver. Wrong. Hot = gold screw, neutral silver. I wish he would have shocked himself so we'd have one less moron polluting our gene pool.

ddhoffman wrote:The DIY guy is akin to Uncle Buck on the Home Depot week-end who now thinks he's an electrician! LOL
1) - His terminolgy is incorrenct - its a neutral not a negative unless you're in DC power.
3) - It's an earth ground that he says you don't need - wrong
4) - The NEC code only allows for an ungrounded recepticle to be used if there is a GFCI involved for protection and then the outlet must be labeled "non-grounded" - He should have replaced it with a regular two blade recepticle.
5) - I wonder how his sub-panel is wired if he is a DIY type of un-educated Uncle Buck!!

Good reply, I will look to see if he shows a sub-panel, but it is unlikely. I have samples of messy ones that should be typical "wannabe" type installations.

gfricke wrote:He also says to connect the hot wire to silver and 'negative' to the silver. Wrong. Hot = gold screw, neutral silver. I wish he would have shocked himself so we'd have one less moron polluting our gene pool.

I agree! He could have also burned his hand too!

Morons like this make my job more interesting, but the write up are a pain to explain! Had one today that was like this, all reverse polarity, ungrounded 3 prong child resistant receptacles. MLS says recently upgraded electrical system. No GFCI anywhere, and half the ceiling fans (all new) did not function. Had fun explaining to listing agent her seller was DIY moron.

Hey Joe, At least he did not show how to do a bootleg ground!

How did he know which wire was hot? I didn't see any true type of indication. The wire looked like they were cloth insulation.....maybe from knob & tube wiring? He didn't have a outlet tester to verify proper wiring. It's a good thing for him lights are usually not polarity sensitive. Although It could have been fun to see him prove the magic black smoke theory.

I see the comments section is disabled for the video. Wonder why! This guy is an idiot!! If you look close there is black and white wiring within the insulation on the wires. Bet he never checks his work with a tester! Geeeeeesh!

This video clip is still available! Please add you comment to his blog!

Bump!

I know this is an old post but had to respond. I see this kind of thing nearly every day including today. DIYers replacing a 2 prong outlet so their modern appliances will plug in. Even if a ground exists in the wiring they seldom use it and just end up with a still ungrounded outlet that looks grounded to anyone using it. He should also never trust the correct breaker was turned off and at least used a sniffer to double check the power was off

I will contact Pittsburg State University graphic's department and ask why they continue to allow this Death Threat to remain!