*
In a back issue of FHB (about six months ago I think) there was an article about the most common mistakes electricians make. I think the electrician I hired made one of them and wants me to fix it. Specifically, electrician roughed in my kitchen and powder bath (all new addition) The subpanel (newly installed by said electrician) shows a 15 amp breaker for my “east kitchen lights” another 15 amp breaker for my “dining bath lights” and still another 15 amp breaker for “main kitchen lights” There is also GFI breaker for bath and another for kitchen. I wanted to paint in my powder bath last night so I installed switch for the bath light and flipped the breakers on and guess what, the bathroom light didn’t come on. So I took gauge and determined that there was power coming to the sub panel but that for some reason no lights. Called the electrician this morning and he first said that a GFI must be tripped. I doubled checked and could find none (at the sub or main panel or any other outlets) Then he told me that I needed to trim out all of the lights before the bathroom lights would work (all the lights in the addition including the lights on the other two breakers and the ones in the dining room.) Is this true?? I have never had to do this before (and I have rehab’d 10 old houses) In all events before I call this guy back I want to know what ya’ll think out there about this and if this is one of those mistakes that was in that past issue that I can’t seem to put my hands on right now.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story

Built from locally sawn hemlock, this functional outdoor feature uses structural screws and metal connectors for fast, sturdy construction.
Featured Video
How to Install Exterior Window TrimHighlights
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
*
In a back issue of FHB (about six months ago I think) there was an article about the most common mistakes electricians make. I think the electrician I hired made one of them and wants me to fix it. Specifically, electrician roughed in my kitchen and powder bath (all new addition) The subpanel (newly installed by said electrician) shows a 15 amp breaker for my "east kitchen lights" another 15 amp breaker for my "dining bath lights" and still another 15 amp breaker for "main kitchen lights" There is also GFI breaker for bath and another for kitchen. I wanted to paint in my powder bath last night so I installed switch for the bath light and flipped the breakers on and guess what, the bathroom light didn't come on. So I took gauge and determined that there was power coming to the sub panel but that for some reason no lights. Called the electrician this morning and he first said that a GFI must be tripped. I doubled checked and could find none (at the sub or main panel or any other outlets) Then he told me that I needed to trim out all of the lights before the bathroom lights would work (all the lights in the addition including the lights on the other two breakers and the ones in the dining room.) Is this true?? I have never had to do this before (and I have rehab'd 10 old houses) In all events before I call this guy back I want to know what ya'll think out there about this and if this is one of those mistakes that was in that past issue that I can't seem to put my hands on right now.