Is The Wiring in Your Home Polarized?

Recently I spent an interesting couple of hours in my rental property getting an electrical outlet in the kitchen island fixed before the new tenant is to move in.


This is what the outlet looked like:

electrical outlet
electrical outletThe photo on the left is looking at the outlet from the inside of the cabinet. The photo on the right is where you can see where it was taped to hold it in place. Not the best solution. This is considered a safety issue so it must be repaired properly.


After the electrician installed a new housing for the outlet he tested it to make sure it worked and it didn’t!


After checking the main GFI in the kitchen and when that didn’t work, he checked the circuit breaker and still no power. Then he said he knew what was wrong. The wiring in the house is polarized.

What does that mean? When the home was constructed the wiring was flipped when it was installed, i.e., backwards.

The electrician had to take apart the outlet he just finished installing, and flip the wires. After he did that, everything worked.

Is polarized wiring in a house dangerous? It isn’t because the GFI switch did its job by cutting off power when the new outlet was wired incorrectly. Polarized wiring in a home though could cause problems for example, when installing new HVAC systems.

If you have concerns about whether the wiring in your home is polarized, you can have a licensed electrician check out the wiring. Always make sure GFI switches and outlets in your home are installed and working properly.

Price to fix: $65.00

Peace of mind: priceless

 

Pamela Seley, REALTOR®
CA DRE lic # 01824145 | Dir 951.491.4063 | pamelaseley.com | Getting Your Temecula California Home In Order to Sell | ColorYourUniverse

Serving Southwest Riverside County California| Hemet/San Jacinto Valley, Temecula Valley, Murrieta, Menifee, Winchester, Lake Elsinore, Canyon Lake, Corona, Moreno Valley, Wildomar | Serving South San Bernardino County | Loma Linda, Highland

Find out what your home will sell for in today's market, contact Pamela Seley, REALTOR® at 951.491.4063 today.

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All information deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. Copyright © 2009-2013 by Pamela Seley, REALTOR® 

 

21 Comments on Is The Wiring in Your Home Polarized?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

SEP
19
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It is such a quick test to check for polarized electrical systems.  But it is so often that home inspectors find this condition!
3:58am • #2
1,099,350 Points 51 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Wear your sneakers, stay grounded, avoid the shock. Valuable information for the home owner or wannabe property listing buyer.
4:19am • #3
730,389 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pamela, I carry a plug which shows whether the outlet is wired correctly. All it takes is changing the wires around.
4:51am • #4
669,512 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Pamela congrats on the feature.  It is comforting to have peace of mind regardless of what profession  you are working in.
5:00am • #5
1,421,366 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I agree with Jay. . .I also detected some Polarized BS

If wires are switched on a house like you've describe. . then every pipe, sink and metal support from that house would be essentially hot. . something that potentially could kill someone. . 
5:40am • #6
186,426 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Hi Pamela. Kudos to you for trying to have something fixed properly. Unfortunately the "professional" you hired seems to need a bit of a refresher. Polarization is why many plugs have one prong taller than the other. It is supposed to fit together only one way.
Thanks for sharing.
Bruce

 
6:44am • #7
839,193 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I just went through this several months ago...I was wondering why the electrician I hired to do work was taking longer than agreed...He found the backwards wires as described in this post...He saw my electrical entertainment equipment and said if he didn't track down the source of the "wiring", you could harm the electronics....good post Pam Pam
7:10am • #8
466,270 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks for the comments! I got a good laugh this morning, but now I'm not sure what to think!! At least the plug is fixed which was my main concern. 

You can tell I'm not an electrician and that's why I would not attempt to change an outlet myself. 
7:23am • #9
424,249 Points 28 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pamela~ when it comes to wiring and homes, I always refer to a professional, guessing and being wrong is a health hazard for sure...Great post!
9:10am • #10
466,270 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Jon, thanks. Fixing things properly is important. 
12:56pm • #11
430,645 Points 1 Featured Post

Well, I did not now want polarization was and feel better now that I do know .  Great Post..Thanks,

 

 
1:21pm • #12
548,316 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Pamela:

I think I remember an inspector telling me that one of my listings had polarized wiring.  He fixed it and I completely forgot about it.  Thanks for reminding me about polarization and the hazard it may represent with HVAC systems.
3:31pm • #13
956,999 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pamela, many inspections of homes reveal there are wiring issues, and a good idea to have our own homes checked.
5:40pm • #14
872,424 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pamela, I learned something new today, thanks! Definitely the peace of mind knowing it is not harmful to the home is priceless! Congrats on the Feature.

Sharon
7:00pm • #15
SEP
20
300,008 Points 7 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

When you change a plumbing fixture and fail, you get wet and maybe damage some flooring. When you fiddle with electrical things and fail, you get dead. Enough said! Always use a professional.
10:20am • #16
466,270 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Ginger, glad this helped. Thank you for your comment,

Evelyn, who would know? Thanks for your comment and glad to be of help.

Joan, it's good to know the working of our homes that way if something comes up we know about it. Thank you for your comment today,

Sharon, thank you! :-)

Sandy, lol and we don't want that! Always best to use a professional and have the job done right. Thanks for your comment today,
5:57pm • #17
SEP
22
1,111,232 Points 72 Featured Posts

Peace of Mind says it all...!
6:16am • #18
SEP
24
796,567 Points 80 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pamela, i am terrible with electrical things so i will call the electrician and keep my rubber soles on...another new thing i learned today.
5:43pm • #19
466,270 Points 50 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Larry & Sheila, thanks,

Ginny, me too. Call the electrician and keep our rubber sole shoes. Thanks for your comment,
10:42pm • #20
OCT
16
715,635 Points 69 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Pamela - I would check with another electrician. iPod need to meet code especially with a rental for liability and insurance reasons.
7:05pm • #21

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Pamela Seley, REALTOR® Call 951.491.4063 | Temecula Valley CA

Pamela Seley, REALTOR®

Temecula, CA

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