d richards
08-09-2010, 06:45 PM
While looking inside a breaker box in a 40 +year old home, I noticed that nearly all of the individuals circuit breakers have been wired with the "white" wire as hot and the black as common. Most outlets in the home are older two prong outlets however some have been replaced with three prong outlets. The newer individual outlets are wired correctly (black/brass, white/silver and ground) but the circuit breaker end is still reversed.
I also noticed that over the years electricians have added circuit breakers (i.e. air conditioner) and these were wired correctly.
Is it safe to leave things as they are (doubtful)? Should all the "old" circuit breakers be "rewired" (reversed to black=hot and white=common)? Can this be done safely? Just looking for suggestions.
I also noticed that over the years electricians have added circuit breakers (i.e. air conditioner) and these were wired correctly.
Is it safe to leave things as they are (doubtful)? Should all the "old" circuit breakers be "rewired" (reversed to black=hot and white=common)? Can this be done safely? Just looking for suggestions.