Lou Decruss wrote:
>
> On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:40:05 -0500, "Pete C." >
> wrote:
>
> >
> >Lou Decruss wrote:
> >>
> >> On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:47:07 +0200, "Ed Pawlowski" >
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Steve Pope" > wrote
> >> >> As for Sheldon's point, yes, only a licensed electrician should
> >> >> put in a service entrance. It's usually considered okay for
> >> >> DIY types to put in a 120V circuit, lamp wiring, or similar.
> >> >> An experienced DIY type might take on putting in a 220V circuit.
> >> >> I never have done this.
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> Steve
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >If you understand the basics of wiring, you are reasonably handy, it is not
> >> >that difficult. I've done a few and they have passed inspection. The
> >> >trouble comes in when people that don't know which end of the screwdriver to
> >> >use, start a project to save a few bucks.
> >>
> >> I had some guy call me to wire a basement. He had run the pipe but
> >> didn't know how to do the wiring. I got there to find he hadn't bent
> >> any pipe but used pull elbows which can't be buried in the wall. He
> >> used the wrong boxes and other stupid stuff I can't remember but I
> >> turned the job down unless he tore it out and I started over. I'm
> >> sure he found someone to do it but for the little he saved he made a
> >> mess for himself.
> >>
> >> Someone else had a location with 4-5 switches in it. He wanted to
> >> change switch colors and add some dimmers. He went and bought the
> >> wrong stuff, tore it apart and didn't mark anything. Of course when
> >> he was done nothing did what it was supposed to do. I don't remember
> >> how long it took me to straighten it out but it cost him a lot more
> >> than if I'd done it to begin with. A 20-30 minute job turned into
> >> hours. All to save a few bucks.
> >>
> >> Lou
> >
> >Both examples where they did not spend the time with the reference
> >materials to understand the proper way to do the job.
>
> Nope. It's examples of fools trying to save money and it backfired.

A fool yes, but not for trying to save money, rather for not spending
the time to research properly.

> The example with the multiple switches had three and four way switches
> in it. I've been doing this for 30+ years and when I open a box like
> that I have to be attentive.

Absolutely, when faced with such an arrangement I take the 5 minutes to
sketch out a proper diagram so I don't need to worry about marking
wires. I have also had to sort out such a mess after someone else was
not so attentive and it is a pain.

> If you think you can teach someone how
> to do that on their own over a cup of coffee you're nuts.

Sorry, but I have done that in the past. As I noted I taught one friend
how to do a complete service replacement upgrade in an evening, he
pulled the permit, did the work and got rave reviews from the inspector.