Home electric Problem -- why am I cursed?

I seem to post here somewhat frequently about home electrical problems.

The latest?

All the lights in one circuit (?) now refuse to work. There are two three-way light switches that control the circuit. Five lights are on the circuit and one standard "plug in your power cord" outlet. All outside.

The "outlet" only works if you turn on the lights. This was how it was "designed" and how it has worked for forever.

Anyway, expecting hubby home late one night from "Who only knows," I turned the outside lights on for him. They went on as usual. Later, I noticed they were out. I checked all I could, but nothing.

Hired a licensed electrician from a reputable firm. He has been to my place before. He could not figure it out.

I may have it wrong, but best I understand is that the "white wire" is carrying 120 volts. And it should not be carrying any volts (least I am pretty sure he said that -- anyway some wire that should not be carrying any volts is carrying 120V).

So there is 240V to the whole "circuit" so nothing is working. The breaker has not tripped, which also seemed to baffle him. He worked at it for 3 hours, up in attic, etc.

did not charge me, said it was "safe,". And said he would ask other experts, but....

Any wild thoughts?
kris

 

Well, still cursed, but what of it. Plan to try a new electrician at the end of the week, but have little faith.
kris

 

I know all of you have been waiting for the resolution of this issue.

But, it has been fixed. Sorta. Had another electrician out. He went through every outlet, every switch, went back into the roof, checked every single thing on the -- I will call it circuit> -- and could not find out why it was acting so screwy.

So, and I may have the language wrong, but the "bad switch" (actually two different switches control these outside lights) was in a three-way grouping with two other switches. Those other switches had nothing to do with the "bad switch" other than sharing wall space....see pix.


So, I am sure Bisco knows where I am going with this, but the electrician used the wiring from one of the other switches to power the "bad switch" and wire-nutted off the "bad wires" wires from the bad switch.

So, the switch he used for this is the switch for six kitchen lights at 14w each. The outside lights that were affected run a total of about 100 watts. Most of the time the kitchen and outside lights are not on at the same time, although, sometimes they are.

Anyway, he said it is no problem.

And, after a day, it is not an issue. So happy now that it is getting dark earlier.
Kris.

 

Ah, my specialty is "water closet" hoses and innards. My dad was called to active duty...is that what it is called...when I was around 16.

Not long after, our one and only "water closet" broke. I installed all new Fluildmaster innards. Not bad for a 16-year-old.

I was so proud. My mom was so happy as we could not afford a pro.
Kris