ELECTRICAL WIRING SABOTAGE?

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

I JUST PURCHASED A HOUSE AND NOTICED THAT MY LIGHT BULBS SEEM TO BE BURING OUT IN A VERY SHORT TIME, I DECIDED TO GO DOWN AND TAKE OFF THE DOOR TO THE ELECTRICAL PANEL AND CHECK AND SEE IF ANY WIRES TO THE CIRCUIT BREAKERS WERE LOOSE OR NOT MAKING A GOOD CONNECTION. THEY WERE ALL FAIRLY TIGHT FOR THE MOST PART.

HOWEVER JUST BEFORE I CLOSED EVERYTHING BACK UP; I LOOKED MORE CLOSELY AND NOTICED ONE OF THE GROUNDS (THE ONE THAT HAS MANY BARE STRANDS OF WIRES) LOOKED TO BE COVERED BLACK PERMATEX SILICONE GASKET MAKER, IT HAD BEEN COVERD ONLY AT THE END THAT WAS HELD IN AT THE SCREW TERMINAL.. IM NO ELECTRICAL EXPERT; I COULD NOT COME TO ANY OTHER CONSLUSION BUT TO IMAGINE THIS WOULD EMULATE A LOOSE WIRE; AND RAISE THE CURRENT AND CAUSE POTENIAL PROBLEMS FOR THE PREVIOUSE OWNER, ., I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF IT BECAUSE THE OTHER 2 SIMILAR GROUNDS DID NOT HAVE THE SILICONE (LIKE SUBSTANCE) ON THEM. I HAVE FOUND OTHER STRAINGE THINGS AROUND THE HOUSE LIKE LAWN MOWERS WITH SUGAR IN THE GAS TANKS AND OTHER STRANGE THINGS LIKE THE PERSON WAS NOT LIKED MUCH.

I CAN ATTACH A PHOTO IF ANYONE WANTS TO SEE IT.

THE PANEL WAS LAST INSPECTED IN 1982 WHEN THE HOUSE WAS BUILT NEW,

IS THIS A COMMON PROCEDURE?

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK

YOUR INPUT IS MUCH APPRECIATED,

Update:

The grounds appear to be aluminum wiring, Unless builders were using a plated wire of some kind in 1982,

My camera phone is beat so i hope these are clear enough.

The first photo shows the ground circled in red,.

When i took the photo of the ground i noticed other issues may or may not be an issue.

The Second two photos show the wires from the breakers that run to the Range and the dryer.

feel free if anyone wants to see anything else.

Your input is much appreciated.

Featured Answer

kudzu9

4 years ago

What I think? SOUNDS BIZARRE TO ASSUME IT'S SABOTAGE.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

HU-178658043
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
From your description, I seriously doubt your analysis of the problem, if there is one. A picture would be helpful.

"Fairly tight for the most part" describes a panel where all of the connections need to be torqued. Loose connection result in intermittent voltage drops, not spikes.
Related Professionals
Laredo General Contractors · Platteville General Contractors · Montrose General Contractors · Carson City General Contractors · North Platte General Contractors · Baton Rouge Home Remodeling · Fall River Home Remodeling · Erie Home Remodeling · Frederick Bathroom Remodelers · Davenport Bathroom Remodelers · Peoria Bathroom Remodelers · Leominster Bathroom Remodelers · Laconia Bathroom Remodelers · Logan Bathroom Remodelers · Vancouver Bathroom Remodelers
dennisgli
4 years ago
Do you have aluminum wiring? How did you determine that it was silicone gasket maker and not some sort of antioxidant compound?
Dave
4 years ago
Doing so to the ground would not raise the voltage and im not sure where you came up with that ridiculous theory.

Finally, is your keyboard broken and stuck on caplock?
User
4 years ago
Put your tinfoil hat back on and call a real electrician. Who will just explain that your crackpot idea is nuts snd collect a $200 check to tell you that, but might also see if there is any actual real problem with your service entrance. You’ve already gotten that anti crackpot capslock assessment for free. Isn't the internet wonderful?
btydrvn
4 years ago
In a house built 40 years ago…i would think that there was a house inspection ….i would call them and ask if they found this questionable…or if they didnt even notice it ….I would think that they have insurance to cover things they missed…but mostly attend to it quickly…just to be safe…if it is no big deal…have it repaired yourself…. to avoid aggravation and move on to enjoy your new home…
D S
Original Author
4 years ago
It looked similar to give readers an idea of what it may be, is there in fact an antioxidant compound that is dark in color that is used in this way?
dennisgli
4 years ago
Do you have aluminum wiring? Used in what way - why not post some pictures so others could comment on what you are talking about?
Kathy Furt
4 years ago
Hey Verbo people think you are Sophie in disguise!
toxcrusadr
4 years ago
If you are concerned about your voltage being high, just go to Harbor Freight or a hardware store and get a cheap multimeter, set it on AC Volts (usually the 300 volt scale unless it is autoranging digital) and carefully insert the probes into a socket. In some places the voltage is high due to long power lines, i.e. rural areas. It can run up to 125 or even 127V. Or, you could have a problem with the pole transformer that feeds your house. It's been known to happen.
HU-867564120
4 years ago
The aluminum ground wire has an anti-oxidant compound applied to it as required by code. Typical colors for this type of compound are black, gray and clear that I have seen.

The cover material between the strand of wire is just that, plastic insulation. The manufacturing process passes the bare wire through a plastic extruder to apply the insulation and the plastic fills between the strands. I would have removed the inter-strand insulation. I suppose that lazy workers don't.

Stripping the wires with a knife and scraping the strands as shown is half-axed, IMO.

Your sabotage theory, though, borders on paranoia, also IMO.