i think this is what you are describing. it is good to know it is not a fire
hazard.
lee's brother-in-law will weigh in later. i want to hear from him too. the
more letters i can show my wife the better she'll feel.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michel Gagnon [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 1:36 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: electrician on list? double tap


Kenneth,

I'm not sure of the terminology, but it may be what we call a "kitchen
outlet" according to the Canadian Code; it's also called a "split circuit".

If that's the case, here is the situation.

A normal circuit is fed by two wires (black + white) + ground, and there is
a fuse on the black wire. If there is a problem, the fuse blows, you're in
the dark.

A split circuit is fed by _three_ wires (black + red + white) + ground.
Major appliances like the electric stove and dryer use that because they are
fed 240 V and 120 V. In the case of other circuits, it means black and white
are used for one circuit, and red and white for another. There is one fuse
on the black, one on the red.

When everything works fine, you are OK. You are as safe -- some would even
say safer -- with such a circuit. If a fuse blows (or a breaker trips), you
are ok: just remove the offending equipment, change the fuse and you're ok.
However, if someone needs to do repairs on either of these two circuits,
_both fuses should be removed_. This is why they should be identified. In
newer panels, they use a breaker panel and a two-pole breaker to make sure
both breakers are shut off at the same time.


Michel Gagnon



>From: "Barber, Kenneth L." <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: electrician on list? double tap
>Date: Wed, 16 May 2001 07:53:38 -0400
>
>hey are there any electricians on the list or do you know an electrician?
>
>i live in a house built in 1968. we have a fuse box with a clearly labled
>"double tap".  i need to know what the consequences of a double tap are. we
>have had it for nearly 11 years and no problems that i know of. is it
>dangerous and we are just luvky or what? was/is it to code in old houses?

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