I have just signed a lease for a very old building. We have begun restoration so we can move our business in within the next year. This evening I thought I heard voice in the cellar so I went down to check it out. But there was no one in the basement. As I walked around the lights turned on by themselves.

Is it possible that old wiring can cause that to happen? Is that common? Is that a sign of really bad wiring...or can motion cause a power surge?

Yikes.

stanfortyman

tkrussell

Sure, the wiring can be shorted and cause the lights to come on, or a bad switch.

As for the voice, I doubt there is any issue with the wiring that will cause that.

OldBuilding

Thank you for the quick response. The "who you gonna call" gave me a good laugh this morning. I'm little less rattled than I was last night.

I'll look into bad switches and shorting because the alternative is a little spooky.

Thanks again. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions as the project continues--hopefully with more basic stuff about old floor outlets, etc.