I need Electric Help... Any electricians out there?

[Yo ssi]

Are there any off the shelf products that can sense when a garage door lock is locked or open. With a light turning on when it's unlocked. It's a standard sliding lock like this

Can you fit a regular door open sensor there?

[Definitions]

Can you fit a regular door open sensor there?

I don't think so. Here's another picture from a different angle

I'd have to measure how wide that slot is. Maybe I can use a thin (neodymium) magnet or if possible magnetize the sliding lock itself but I doubt it would be strong enough

[Definitions]

Actually a light wouldn't be so feasible. Just being able to check via an app if anything is unlocked would be most realistic

[Yo ssi]

I don't think so. Here's another picture from a different angle

I'd have to measure how wide that slot is. Maybe I can use a thin (neodymium) magnet or if possible magnetize the sliding lock itself but I doubt it would be strong enough

It shouldn't be an issue

Something like this or perhaps better on the other side:


https://amazon.com/dp/B07YDF7967/

[Shmulie]

Can anyone here recommend an electrician in Flatbush please

[Yo ssi]

Have an old switch with some really old wiring, I'm looking to create an additional outlet from.

The question is if any of these wires are neutral. Is it possible number 4 and 5 is a neutral wire even though it's such old wiring?

So for some background it seems there used to be 2 switches, so all the wiring is in a 2 gauge box, but the left side was covered over so it's hard to see the wiring there.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find the fuse to turn it off.





1. Live (tested) (black)
2. Live (I believe the same wire as 3) (tested) (black)
3. Live in to the switch (tested) (black)
4. Not live (possibly white)
5. Looks to be the same wire as 4
6. Wire to bulb (tests live when switch is on) (red)

[ushdadude]

Have an old switch with some really old wiring, I'm looking to create an additional outlet from.

The question is if any of these wires are neutral. Is it possible number 4 and 5 is a neutral wire even though it's such old wiring?

So for some background it seems there used to be 2 switches, so all the wiring is in a 2 gauge box, but the left side was covered over so it's hard to see the wiring there.
Unfortunately I can't seem to find the fuse to turn it off.





1. Live (tested) (black)
2. Live (I believe the same wire as 3) (tested) (black)
3. Live in to the switch (tested) (black)
4. Not live (possibly white)
5. Looks to be the same wire as 4
6. Wire to bulb (tests live when switch is on) (red)

an electrician told me that if it's an old metal box, you can connect the neutral directly to the box and often it words. Something about the ground crossing over with neutral. Don't really understand it.

[Yo ssi]

an electrician told me that if it's an old metal box, you can connect the neutral directly to the box and often it words. Something about the ground crossing over with neutral. Don't really understand it.

Update I found the box and it turns out it was connected to 2 fuses.

Now the only question is how to test if that wire is neutral or if it matters. Is it dangerous to assume it's a neutral?

[CountValentine]

an electrician told me that if it's an old metal box, you can connect the neutral directly to the box and often it words. Something about the ground crossing over with neutral. Don't really understand it.

The ground and neutral in theory should be the same. The problem is this causes many problems with the conduit and boxes not making good connections. It short, dangerous to do.

[CountValentine]

Update I found the box and it turns out it was connected to 2 fuses.

Now the only question is how to test if that wire is neutral or if it matters. Is it dangerous to assume it's a neutral?

Don't assume it is the neutral.

[Yo ssi]

Don't assume it is the neutral.

How can I test it?

[CountValentine]

How can I test it?

You test each wire with a meter to a known ground source.

[Yo ssi]

You test each wire with a meter to a known ground source.

How can I confirm the wire isn't a ground? If a take a known ground source on one end and this wire on the other, whether it's a ground or a neutral, the results should be the same, no?

[CountValentine]

How can I confirm the wire isn't a ground? If a take a known ground source on one end and this wire on the other, whether it's a ground or a neutral, the results should be the same, no?

It depends on your setup. In my main electrical box the ground and natural are tied together. You can interchange them but shouldn't.

This is getting a little over my pay grade and hopefully a licensed electrician can answer. I have never run into this problem.

[Yo ssi]

Ground and neutral tied together at the base makes sense, if I understand correctly the neutral only needs to be separated by the actual breaker to test if the current matches the hot.

I think it's safe to assume that such old wiring as unlikely as it it was to have a neutral wire by a switch, I believe it wasn't common practice to include ground at all, and definitely not through a regular wire.

[yakov116]

I think it's safe to assume that such old wiring as unlikely as it it was to have a neutral wire by a switch, I believe it wasn't common practice to include ground at all, and definitely not through a regular wire.

But

What's black and crispy and hangs from a chandelier?

An amateur electrician.

[Yo ssi]

Is there anyone here who's not an amateur?

[Shmulie]

Is there anyone here who's not an amateur?

+1

Anyone here a licensed electrician in NYC?

I'm thinking about going into the field and could use some advice

[Yo ssi]

Update:

Number 2 was the real live which was powering number 1 and 3. There's definitely something wrong with the wiring, when fuse x and y are off the live turns off bit if either x or y is on number 2 gets power. I assume there was some connection made between to wires somewhere in the house.

As for my original goal, it's now complete with a new working outlet.

[CountValentine]

Are the top two BX cables the only the only places wires go in/out of the box? Does BX on top left have two wires and BX on top right have 3 wires?
Wires #4 & 5 are tied together with the red wire nut?