Author Topic: Need help asap... please  (Read 3420 times)

Greg Kamper

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Need help asap... please
« on: March 23, 2017, 03:05:13 AM »
So we bought a 2nd jack knife sofa for our PT. Tonight I was going to drill holes in the floor to bolt it down. On the very first hole I must have drilled into a 110 power line. I'm guessing that it's the Romeo that was in the table that we took out. Two questions. How do I repair that if it's somewhere in between the flooring. How do I know where it's safe to drill so I don't do any more damage? Hopefully someone knows how to proceed. Thanks

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2017, 03:56:36 AM »
Greg,
How did you diagnosis a broken 110 line? In my experience they run in channels along the edge of the floor right next to the wall.\
Steve
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Greg Kamper

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2017, 04:33:25 AM »
I was listening to the stereo when I drilled in the floor. As soon as rv drill went down the stereo shut off. The gfi in the basement tripped as well as one of the breakers on the inverter. I bit the bullet and got out the razor knife and found the problem. There is a channel in the wood around 6 inches from the wall with a thin aluminum cover with the Rolex inside. I will tape up the insulation and hopefully not drill through anything else but wood.

Greg Kamper

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2017, 04:43:54 AM »
A picture of the damage...

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2017, 05:01:05 AM »
If you didn't break a wire but only shorted them with the drill bit, a good taping will suffice. Otherwise, assuming you have enough slack, consider putting in a junction box and splicing the broken wire.
Steve
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Greg Kamper

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2017, 07:18:38 AM »
It just cut the insulation between the ground and the black(hot) wire. I moved the couch an inch from the wall and missed the tray, and was able to use 6 out of 8 mounting holes. The couch covers the carpet so I'm the only one who knows about my cut carpet. I was worried for a bit though. Glad it's finished.

Russ Taylor

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2017, 12:54:31 AM »
I’m no electrician but I wouldn’t be comfortable just taping the wire up, especially under the floor.

Fred Brooks

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2017, 03:35:59 PM »
           Hi Greg,
   If all you did is create a short between the black wire and the ground, the existing engineering did its job properly. If the black wire is not cut, separate the romex and tape the black wire and tape up the romex. I can tell you as a technician, I have done this same mistake when drilling into uncharted territory. Smile, it could have been worse. Fred
« Last Edit: March 24, 2017, 07:35:51 PM by Gerald Farris »
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Greg Kamper

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Re: Need help asap... please
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2017, 08:40:12 PM »
Hi Fred,
That's all that happened. No damage to the wire. The breakers all worked properly, even my drill bit was unharmed. I wrapped up the hot wire by itself and then wrapped everything with electrical tape. It will be fine. I was quite stressed before I was able to locate the wire though!  :-\