What is the more likely scenario is a light switch was connected on the neutral line, which leaves the light or an outlet hot, even when you knew the switch was off. That could kill you if you weren't aware of it. It just breaks the path to ground on the circuit. The light still turns on and off.
Some of my lights are wired like that, too many wires involved in a tight junction box for me to ever try to fix it to this point. I just know about it and work around it.
Always check both leads at an outlet or light to a known good ground. Sometimes there isn't one nearby. Sometimes the box isn't grounded either. Never work on electrical by just turning the switch off. Turn power off at the breaker, check and double check.
Actually you can touch a live lead if you aren't grounded. Not advisable though. Never touch a wire and a ground at the same time, and if you do, don't let it be across anything more than your hand. Don't touch the bare wires with both hands and wear shoes, don't lean on your knees or elbows or let any part of your body touch any possible path to ground. A charge going from limb to limb will effect your heart. A charge going across your hand will just hurt or burn.
Steve
Be sure to check for power AT THE SOCKET! Use a voltage probe. Some jerk electricians put breakers on the neutral side, which leaves the socket hot. One of my friends lost her son th such an arrangement.
KrazyKyngeKorny (Krazy, not stupid)
On Thu, Mar 10, 2016 at 2:03 PM, 'oakridgefarm@gmail.com' oakridgefarm@gmail.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
Thanks everyone, there is 3 light fixture at the bottom of the stairs, one bad socket, think I'm going to practice on that one. Power off of course :)
On Mar 10, 2016, at 12:03 PM, pumps2fix@yahoo.com [DoIt_Yourself] <DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
I suspect that the lamp sockets are white porcelain with a short stemprotruding through the brass globe holder.....This stem is held in placeby a thin 1/8-28 pipe nut.......The electric wires, which are connectedto the socket, pass through the stem and weaved through the supportingchain to the top of the fixture and power source.......Tightening this nutwill prevent the socket from turning and twisting the wire connection......Then using the other suggestions, on this forum, you can remove thethe bulbs.....You may want to consider using candelabra shaped bulbsthat will pass through the globes as replacements to avoid problemsin the future.......Pumps
Posted by: Steve Wilson <virtualwilz@yahoo.com>
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