First-World Problems...

Well...it isn't really a First-World Problem.

It's more like: "Son of a b*tch! This works great!"

Okay...I can complain about one thing...I have to change the range setting depending on the maximum value being measured. But try as I might, that's the only complaint I have.

I keep my electrical work to a bare minimum, but these handy tools are...um...handy. I can test batteries, check whether outlets are functioning, and it even works as a continuity tester. And it is a fun tool to explore the limits of my knowledge.

I'm still not going to do more involved electrical stuff, because I do not like being shocked.

I worked as a carpenter in a previous life, and I vividly recall the admonitions of the electricians on the jobs. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING ELECTRICAL! And if you have to, keep one hand in your pocket.

Anyone ever cut through a live wire? I have!

Posted by: CBD at 02:00 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Oneith

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:00 PM (fwDg9)

2 220 volts on a set of clines will weld them into a useless block of steel.

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 18, 2024 02:02 PM (gbOdA)

3 Don't touch anything electrical
Words to live by

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:03 PM (fwDg9)

4 Volts do kill
Amps do

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 18, 2024 02:03 PM (gbOdA)

5 Okay...I can complain about one thing...I have to change the range setting depending on the maximum value being measured

Auto-ranging models are available.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:03 PM (a3Q+t)

6 I'm shocked, I tell you! Shocked!

Sorry. I couldn't... resist.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 02:03 PM (s6pZz)

7 Wires... it's just wires.

Wire that can kill you.]/i]

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:04 PM (Q4IgG)

8 My dad swears that they had a house prewired with switches but did not have electricity for about 2 years but he and his brothers practiced turning on off lights.

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 18, 2024 02:04 PM (gbOdA)

9
I shocked myself trying to pry a squeaking smoke alarm out of the ceiling with a screwdriver once. I hate being shocked.

I also bent under some barbed wire to pet a cow once. Totally forgot there was a hot wire right above my head when I pulled up.

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM (lCaJd)

10 I'm still not going to do more involved electrical stuff, because I do not like being shocked.

That sounds like a Fluke.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM (xCA6C)

11 Multimeters are the gateway drug to oscilloscopes.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM (a3Q+t)

12 I also bent under some barbed wire to pet a cow once. Totally forgot there was a hot wire right above my head when I pulled up.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM (lCaJd)
-

You were very close to a big miss steak.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 02:06 PM (s6pZz)

13 Multimeters are the gateway drug to oscilloscopes.

Before you know it, you're mainlining ultrafast spectroscopy.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:07 PM (xCA6C)

14 That sounds like a Fluke.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM

These puns will be inKlined to get out of hand.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:07 PM (a3Q+t)

15 Shoulda bought a Fluke meter!

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:07 PM (RS6ei)

16 Speaking as a retired Electronics Test Engineer, selecting the scale is FAR SUPERIOR than auto ranging. It gives you complete control of the scale you use which - sometimes - does not coincide with the voltage level that you are measuring. The more control you have, the better the instrument.

Posted by: JTSmith at August 18, 2024 02:08 PM (FxdZx)

17 I freak out when I get a shock from touching something metal after shuffling my socks on the carpet.

Posted by: nurse ratched at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (wuYg+)

18 Felt 6 waves of a 240v pool vacuum while standing in a puddle of water once. Shaken, not stirred.

Posted by: look whats not at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (nakGR)

19 "This wire isn't live."

- Famous last words

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (RS6ei)

20 "Anyone ever cut through a live wire? I have!" My boss acquired the nickname Ready Kilowatt by cutting a live 220 line. Loud and bright!!

Posted by: Mark needs a nck at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (3iw/K)

21 "This wire isn't live."

- Famous last words

I thought it was "cut the red wire".

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (xCA6C)

22 My dad didn't like wasting time shutting the power off to electrical outlets when replacing things. So my job, as a 10 year old, was to stand near with a 2 x 4 and hit him on his side if he froze up and started making funny noises. He made brief contact a few times, but never solidly enough to freeze up.
Which helps to explain my own stupidity as an adult in replacing a ceiling fan that still had a live electrical feed. (And I didn't even have a helper with a 2 x 4.)

Posted by: Appycay at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (EdYR/)

23 "This wire isn't live."

- Famous last words
Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (RS6ei)

Right up there with "naw, this gun ain't loaded."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Icky Weirdo at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (Ad8y9)

24 My dad didn't like wasting time shutting the power off to electrical outlets when replacing things. So my job, as a 10 year old, was to stand near with a 2 x 4 and hit him on his side if he froze up and started making funny noises. He made brief contact a few times, but never solidly enough to freeze up.

Damn, that's hardcore.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (xCA6C)

25 Not sure I'm happy with the tangled leads. No, not happy at all!

Posted by: Weasel at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (RG6z4)

26 That sounds like a Fluke.
Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM

These puns will be inKlined to get out of hand.
Posted by: Duncanthrax

I'm positive you're correct.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 18, 2024 02:11 PM (uUdf4)

27 "This wire isn't live."

- Famous last words
Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (RS6ei)

Right up there with "naw, this gun ai"n't loaded."

Or, "Alec is a careful, reliable guy. He would never do something stupid".

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:11 PM (xCA6C)

28 Right up there with "naw, this gun ain't loaded."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Icky Weirdo at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (Ad8y9
-------
And the perennial favorite "Watch this!"

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:12 PM (RS6ei)

29 Speaking as a retired Electronics Test Engineer, selecting the scale is FAR SUPERIOR than auto ranging. It gives you complete control of the scale you use which - sometimes - does not coincide with the voltage level that you are measuring. The more control you have, the better the instrument.
Posted by: JTSmith at August 18, 2024 02:08 PM

I absolutely agree; CBD comes to us with these problems, fully expecting HordeSource(tm) to ride to his rescue, and I, for one, do not want to see him disappointed.

Remember, disappointing Ace or a CoB has the ~~voltage~~ potential to ground a mark in your Permanent Record.

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:12 PM (a3Q+t)

30 Just thinking about rolling blackouts. We could be sliding back toward third world conditions while we have 1st world tools and devices. So fortunate to have reliable power in my area.

Posted by: Hightech at August 18, 2024 02:12 PM (37cEZ)

31 I see wires and stuff.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 18, 2024 02:12 PM (JvZF+)

32 I cut through a few live wires in my construction life.

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:12 PM (fwDg9)

33 One major reason why one does not use a Sawzall in walls that are being demolition.

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:13 PM (fwDg9)

34 Right up there with "naw, this gun ain't loaded."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Icky Weirdo at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (Ad8y9
-------
And the perennial favorite "Watch this!"
Posted by: 496

In my youth it was 'hold me beer'.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at August 18, 2024 02:14 PM (uUdf4)

35 24 My dad didn't like wasting time shutting the power off to electrical outlets when replacing things. So my job, as a 10 year old, was to stand near with a 2 x 4 and hit him on his side if he froze up and started making funny noises. He made brief contact a few times, but never solidly enough to freeze up.

Damn, that's hardcore.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (xCA6C)

++++

Dang, it is.

Posted by: washrivergal at August 18, 2024 02:14 PM (UprOq)

36 Quiz:

Do you think Ace owns a Sawzall?

Extra credit: Should Ace own a Sawzall?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:15 PM (a3Q+t)

37 Also, imagine the various scenarios where someone's last words were a hope-filled "It'll hold..."

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:15 PM (RS6ei)

38 Do you think Ace owns a Sawzall?

Extra credit: Should Ace own a Sawzall?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:15 PM (a3Q+t)
===

Yes, but one that fits in a murse.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 18, 2024 02:16 PM (JvZF+)

39 My dad didn't like wasting time shutting the power off to electrical outlets when replacing things.

Posted by: Appycay at August 18, 2024 02:09 PM (EdYR/)
-

He never taught you anything about basic ohm safety?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 02:16 PM (s6pZz)

40 25 Not sure I'm happy with the tangled leads. No, not happy at all!

Posted by: Weasel at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (RG6z4)

+++

LOL!

Posted by: washrivergal at August 18, 2024 02:17 PM (UprOq)

41 July 22, 2024, singer Ayres Sasaki electrocuted on stage in Brazil. The moral of story, don't sing, or even hum while working on live wires. Certainly don't yodel.

Posted by: It Was A Fluke! at August 18, 2024 02:17 PM (CV8a5)

42 Scary phrases:
This wire isn't live.

This gun isn't loaded.

The check is in the mail.

I won't cum in your mouth.

Hold my beer.

President Kamala Harris

Posted by: The Man from Athens at August 18, 2024 02:18 PM (icmmM)

43 There's always this apprehension when I'm working with electricity. Two years ago we had our hot water heater replaced. But the circuit it was on needed a new breaker as the old one kept tripping. So, I cut the main switch, tested and retested the leads and after loosening the screws just reached into the box and yanked the old breaker out.

This was the day before Thanksgiving and the electrician I had called told me there'd be a substantial premium if he came out on Thanksgiving Day... so I just bought the breaker myself and went for it.

If the electricity is off and there's no chance of shock, it's really not difficult work. Well, the basic stuff in the home isn't.

Now, plumbing on the other hand... fuck that shit.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:19 PM (Q4IgG)

44 I worked as a carpenter in a previous life, and I vividly recall the admonitions of the electricians on the jobs. DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING ELECTRICAL! And if you have to, keep one hand in your pocket.

More specifically, keep your LEFT hand in your pocket.

Unless you're dextrocardial.

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 02:19 PM (DgGvY)

45 DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING ELECTRICAL! And if you have to, keep one hand in your pocket.

Or touch it with the back of your hand. The involuntary muscle spasms won't cause you to grab hold of the wire. Has come in handy a number of times with electric fencing.

Posted by: t-bird at August 18, 2024 02:19 PM (Lh/d2)

46 36 Quiz:

Do you think Ace owns a Sawzall?

Extra credit: Should Ace own a Sawzall?
Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:15 PM (a3Q+t)

Yes

No

Does he have 911 on speed dial?

Posted by: The Man from Athens at August 18, 2024 02:20 PM (icmmM)

47 True story. While I was a GI, buddy asked me to run over to his house with him to check on his dog, which kept escaping the backyard, despite having a hot wire on the fence.
Buddy taps the hot wire, frowns, and grabs on to it. "That's the problem," he proclaims. "I can barely feel this."
"Really?" I say. I touch the wire, and get a vicious zap.
After I got done dancing around, we figured out that he was in his fatigues with fiberglass-soled boots, while I was in my blues with leather-soled oxfords.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 02:20 PM (U00Z8)

48 I'm told I put a key into a socket as a child... apparently it practically shot me across the room...

Posted by: Horny Mama Celeste at August 18, 2024 02:20 PM (5AVMW)

49 You haven't lived until you've had a house with knob and tube.

Posted by: IrishEi at August 18, 2024 02:20 PM (3ImbR)

50
On rare occasion I've changed out electrical sockets but I'm not fond of that task.

Otherwise, I stay away from electrical and plumbing work, the cost of a screw-up usually more than justifies the hiring of a pro.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 18, 2024 02:21 PM (eDfFs)

51 "Hold the light, boy!"

Posted by: That was my job at August 18, 2024 02:21 PM (dg+HA)

52 LOL, retired US Navy Electronics Tech... and worked on some equipment built and designed in the 40's... literally...

If I didn't get zapped at least once a week, I was not working hard.

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 18, 2024 02:22 PM (xaFKb)

53 Anyone ever cut through a live wire?
***

Electric hedge trimmers.
Three extension cords later...

And..
Do NOT string Xmas lights using a stapler with the lights on.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 18, 2024 02:22 PM (W/lyH)

54 After I got done dancing around, we figured out that he was in his fatigues with fiberglass-soled boots, while I was in my blues with leather-soled oxfords.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy

What kind of paw wear was the dog wearing?

Posted by: Florsheim Frank at August 18, 2024 02:22 PM (CV8a5)

55
"knob and tube"

Is that what you kids are calling it nowadays?

Posted by: Grandpa Simpson at August 18, 2024 02:23 PM (dg+HA)

56 Posted by: Horny Mama Celeste at August 18, 2024 02:20 PM (5AVMW)

Silly ol sock from yesterday!!!!

Posted by: SSBN 656 (G) at August 18, 2024 02:23 PM (5AVMW)

57 Many years ago my parents had a neighbor who was an electrical engineer. Worked for the power company. Was killed while repairing a power line. It can happen even to those who know what they're doing.

Posted by: Tuna at August 18, 2024 02:24 PM (oaGWv)

58 On the subject of things electrical...
Clocks on the tv, microwave,stove and cell phone.
Never a match.

Posted by: Diogenes at August 18, 2024 02:24 PM (W/lyH)

59 16 Speaking as a retired Electronics Test Engineer, selecting the scale is FAR SUPERIOR than auto ranging. It gives you complete control of the scale you use which - sometimes - does not coincide with the voltage level that you are measuring. The more control you have, the better the instrument.
Posted by: JTSmith at August 18, 2024 02:08 PM (FxdZx)

And always start at a HIGHER range, then you think you will need....

Posted by: Romeo13 at August 18, 2024 02:25 PM (xaFKb)

60 Need to know what time it is?

202-762-1401

Posted by: USNO at August 18, 2024 02:26 PM (dg+HA)

61 May have related this before.... I have a friend who has no electrical experience, so he wisely had an electrician come do some work on a house he'd just bought. I guess he pulled the main breaker and started in, but still got shocked pretty good. Turns out the former owner had been pirating some juice from a neighbor's house.

Imagine that electrician's surprise.

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:26 PM (n3T4c)

62 My lawn tractor is in a coma. The best repair *video I found requires the use of that pictured tool. I cut the yard using my push mower to avoid using that tool.

*many very stupid (poser) repair videos out there.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:26 PM (5M+Ys)

63 I've seen an entire storage shed, a mid-sized one, run off an extension cord that feeds into a makeshift breaker box.

Seems.... unwise.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:26 PM (Q4IgG)

64 Dad was an electrician and he wanted me to be one.
I am not, as nearly burning down his workbench and the house when I was a kid helping him can attest.

Call an expert.

Posted by: The Man from Athens at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (icmmM)

65 Anyone ever cut through a live wire?

Pushed the auto-feed wrong way on an umpteen HP 3 foot wide horizontal surface grinder. Stalled the motor (size of a 55 gallon drum). Blew out every fuse on that side of the shop. Those 20 gauge shell size cartridge fuses exploded right out of the steel box.

Posted by: DaveA at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (FhXTo)

66 Not sure I'm happy with the tangled leads. No, not happy at all!
Posted by: Weasel

I thought you'd be unhappier with the width of the case vs the width of the meter. It must violate your "wobbly s**t" rule.

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (DgGvY)

67 Repair clinic dot c o m

A great resource.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 18, 2024 02:28 PM (dg+HA)

68 34 Right up there with "naw, this gun ain't loaded."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, Icky Weirdo at August 18, 2024 02:10 PM (Ad8y9
-------
And the perennial favorite "Watch this!"
Posted by: 496

In my youth it was 'hold me beer'.

You don't have the guts...

Posted by: Dr. Claw at August 18, 2024 02:28 PM (3wi/L)

69 Many years ago my parents had a neighbor who was an electrical engineer. Worked for the power company. Was killed while repairing a power line. It can happen even to those who know what they're doing.
Posted by: Tuna at August 18, 2024 02:24 PM (oaGWv)

I’ve handled many workers comp claims with injured and killed linemen.

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:28 PM (B1dzx)

70 I vow on day one in office I will end the the Shortage of tampons for Mens/Boys Bathroom. I will make Tim the "Tampon" Czar to tackle this problem created by Trump..

Posted by: Kumala Harris at August 18, 2024 02:29 PM (BSF0H)

71 Here's a First World Problem:

I see that they're bringing one of my favorite movies, "Paper Moon" in 4K from Criterion.

I already have it on blu-ray. But, it really is one of my faves.

How many dang times do I have to buy the same movie?

Do I need to move to a foreign country where they only have VHS tapes?

Posted by: naturalfake at August 18, 2024 02:29 PM (eDfFs)

72 Anyone ever cut through a live wire?

No, but I discovered a bad switch on my shop-vac, once.

When I tried to turn it off, while standing on a damp concrete basement floor, barefoot.

Tingly!

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 02:29 PM (DgGvY)

73
Can a 'Maxwell's Equations' thread be far behind?

Posted by: Heaviside at August 18, 2024 02:30 PM (XeU6L)

74 My grandfather retired from Con Edison. He was in the tunnels for a long time but moved up to management. He always groused that he should have stayed in the tunnels.

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:30 PM (B1dzx)

75 69 Many years ago my parents had a neighbor who was an electrical engineer. Worked for the power company. Was killed while repairing a power line. It can happen even to those who know what they're doing.
Posted by: Tuna at August 18, 2024 02:24 PM (oaGWv)

I’ve handled many workers comp claims with injured and killed linemen.

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:28 PM (B1dzx)

On an unrelated note, Kumala was never in the Navy, but knows all about seamen.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:31 PM (ynpvh)

76 What kind of paw wear was the dog wearing?

Posted by: Florsheim Frank at August 18, 2024 02:22 PM (CV8a5)

The dog, who was smarter than either of us, had figured out if he crouched low enough, he could dig under the fence without touching the wire.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 02:31 PM (U00Z8)

77 The only time a line is 'dead' is when it is physically tied to ground.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 02:31 PM (XeU6L)

78 *Can a 'Maxwell's Equations' thread be far behind?*

Come on Navier-Stokes!

Posted by: We can always hope at August 18, 2024 02:31 PM (dg+HA)

79 73
Can a 'Maxwell's Equations' thread be far behind?

Posted by: Heaviside at August 18, 2024 02:30 PM (XeU6L)

That's what makes the shoe phone possible.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:32 PM (ynpvh)

80 65 Anyone ever cut through a live wire?

Pushed the auto-feed wrong way on an umpteen HP 3 foot wide horizontal surface grinder. Stalled the motor (size of a 55 gallon drum). Blew out every fuse on that side of the shop. Those 20 gauge shell size cartridge fuses exploded right out of the steel box.
Posted by: DaveA at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (FhXTo)

~~~~

OOOOOOOOOOOOpsiee!

Posted by: The Man from Athens at August 18, 2024 02:32 PM (icmmM)

81 Anyone ever cut through a live wire?
----

Yes, and I still have the knife with the burned-through blade. I was about 12 at the time.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 02:33 PM (XeU6L)

82 Posted by: naturalfake at August 18, 2024 02:29 PM (eDfFs)

Love that movie but I also use it to ridicule Hollywood and self important actors.

I use a line from a comedian that I can’t recall his name.

‘When you give out your highest award for work in your industry to a 12 year the job can’t be that hard’

‘

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:33 PM (B1dzx)

83 ‘When you give out your highest award for work in your industry to a 12 year the job can’t be that hard’

‘
Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:33 PM (B1dzx)

I rate this as true!

Posted by: naturalfake at August 18, 2024 02:35 PM (eDfFs)

84 FWP: Helped a really frail older lady put her groceries in the car at Aldi's today. She called me (and my spouse) her 4th angels of the day. Wanted to give us a "treat" for helping, so now I'm the owner of a Starbucks Frappucino I can't drink. Spouse no longer drinks that much sugar in his coffee, and if I give it to the kids, you can believe there will be an argument over one bottle. So, now to figure out how I can give it to one on the down low...or maybe just blend it into a coffee milkshake for all...

PS - Spouse explained to me how he can get a full description of a car with its license plate that almost hits us, even in the dark...and then can walk by an old lady needing obvious help in broad daylight and never notice. One involves noticing threats...the other involves noticing needs. Men thrive at one, women thrive at the other (according to him)...

Posted by: Nova Local at August 18, 2024 02:35 PM (exHjb)

85 Job site had power poles where the electricians would stab in Romex and run it to the building being worked. It's raining and the whole site is covered with standing water; Romex is on the ground, I'm walking from one building to another when I discover this.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:36 PM (5M+Ys)

86 Those 20 gauge shell size cartridge fuses exploded right out of the steel box.
Posted by: DaveA at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (FhXTo)

-------
The ribbing must've been merciless. Was a new nickname bestowed upon you as a result?

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:37 PM (tokBj)

87 My Dad did some electrical work around the property. Two stories:

Story 1: I was cleaning out a large trough for watering animals, so my hands were quite wet when I was done. It was easiest to just straddle the fence, grabbing a wooden frame above to get out. While I was doing this, one hand was one the fence, the other I use to grab the wood frame above me and felt 'lectricity flowin' through me...yup, happened to grab where my Dad had placed a splice on 120VAC wire he'd affixed to the wooden frame, and the fence went into the ground where it was wet from a buildup of hay and urine. Had to twist my body to get free, as my hand wouldn't open.

Story 2: My Dad was sure he'd turned off the main breaker to a 100A circuit, but just to be sure he took a screwdriver and placed it across the leads...melted halfway through the screwdriver shaft...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:37 PM (ynpvh)

88 We're the second owners of our current house. The original owner put a fair amount of 'sweat equity' into it while it was being built.

I've done a fair amount of repair/replacement of outlets, light fixtures, breakers, etc., and I've shaken my head at what I've found at least 75% of the time.

The former owner was an Electrical Engineer. I've brought an electrician in for a few things. Invariably, when I tell them the person who did much of the original electrical work was an EE, they shake their heads knowingly, and sympathize.

At least now all the outlets test correctly. If you don't have one of the little plug-in-the-socket analyzers, I suggest getting one. They're only $10-20. Of course, you may need to bring an electrician in to fix what it shows. <wry grin)

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:37 PM (a3Q+t)

89 Dad didn't believe in using external junction boxes; electrical tape was just fine...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM (ynpvh)

90 > Anyone ever cut through a live wire?
--------
Yup

Trashed my dad's best set of pliers too. He was unhappy. Both with the pliers and then having to fix my idiocy.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM (Q4IgG)

91 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit'. Have plugs in bathroom and kitchen, I was told are on a gfi circuit, but the potential buyer wants gfi's in those rooms. I have sockets in this house that have GFI labels on them, not a button.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM (bZz8C)

92 Posted by: Nova Local at August 18, 2024 02:35 PM (exHjb

Hate to disagree but my father was proficient at both and taught me to be the same.

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (B1dzx)

93 91 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit'. Have plugs in bathroom and kitchen, I was told are on a gfi circuit, but the potential buyer wants gfi's in those rooms. I have sockets in this house that have GFI labels on them, not a button.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM (bZz8C)

Don't the bathroom ones usually have a TEST button on them?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (ynpvh)

94 91 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit
-------
First, get a toaster...

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (tokBj)

95 94 91 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit
-------
First, get a toaster...

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (tokBj)

Go on...

Posted by: toaster f**ker at August 18, 2024 02:41 PM (ynpvh)

96 Those 20 gauge shell size cartridge fuses exploded right out of the steel box.
Posted by: DaveA
-------

I once shorted a 25 amp 24v supply with a slipped tool. Ths was in an open office with cubicles. The resultant flash caused heads to pop up over the partitions throughout the office. One smartass suggested that I had plasma coated all of the windows,

It seems that every time I do some particularly stupid, there are witnesses.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 02:41 PM (XeU6L)

97 The electric fence shock doesn't seem THAT bad, until you touch one with your bare knee in wet soil. Then you understand why animals with four well grounded hooves respect the electric fence.

I wired a switch once and discovered after I finished, the power was still on.

Posted by: illiniwek at August 18, 2024 02:42 PM (Cus5s)

98 96 Those 20 gauge shell size cartridge fuses exploded right out of the steel box.
Posted by: DaveA
-------

I once shorted a 25 amp 24v supply with a slipped tool. Ths was in an open office with cubicles. The resultant flash caused heads to pop up over the partitions throughout the office. One smartass suggested that I had plasma coated all of the windows,

It seems that every time I do some particularly stupid, there are witnesses.

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 02:41 PM (XeU6L)

Your nickname was probably not as bad as mine

Posted by: You F**k a Sheep One Time... at August 18, 2024 02:43 PM (ynpvh)

99 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit'. Have plugs in bathroom and kitchen, I was told are on a gfi circuit, but the potential buyer wants gfi's in those rooms. I have sockets in this house that have GFI labels on them, not a button.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM

Shouldn't Heidi be the one asking for HordeSource(tm) replies?

Because if we answer you, are we setting up for another Emergency Heidi Reach Out (EHRO)?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:43 PM (a3Q+t)

100 Don't the bathroom ones usually have a TEST button on them?

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (ynpvh)

No. Just a label, because as was told to me, they are on a circuit to another GFI. Fuck it, I'll just change them out.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:43 PM (bZz8C)

101 First, get a toaster...

Posted by: 496 at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (tokBj)

Is there a knife involved in this?

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:44 PM (bZz8C)

102 Dad didn't believe in using external junction boxes; electrical tape was just fine...

I've got a flaky GFI circuit. When it rains heavily, the power gets intermittent. I've been told by some that one can localize the problem and so know where to dig to implement a fix, whereas others have told be that isn't true. At this point, I'm resigned to living with it because I'm not going to dig up my whole yard to find the problem.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:44 PM (xCA6C)

103 85 Job site had power poles where the electricians would stab in Romex and run it to the building being worked. It's raining and the whole site is covered with standing water; Romex is on the ground, I'm walking from one building to another when I discover this.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:36 PM (5M+Ys)

++++

Good gravy.

Posted by: washrivergal at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (UprOq)

104 Doesn't everyone own a couple screwdrivers with scorch marks or even a chunk missing?

Posted by: Gone To Ground at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (CV8a5)

105 I put in most of my light fixtures and ceiling fans. That’s the extent of my electrical expertise.

It was interesting watching my electrician change out my entire archaic electric panel and replace it with the current breakers.

Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (B1dzx)

106 Friend of the family, working a project in his garage, using a metal cased drill experienced a ground fault failure. Frozen, he fell backward which unplugged the cord and saved his life.
Broke three ribs.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (5M+Ys)

107 Another FWP: I've used Adblock on YT because otherwise, it's intolerable. Now I'm getting threatening messages from YT that they're going to cut me off after 3 more videos.

One post suggested that Brave solves the problem but I find that hard to believe.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (xCA6C)

108 Shouldn't Heidi be the one asking for HordeSource(tm) replies?

Because if we answer you, are we setting up for another Emergency Heidi Reach Out (EHRO)?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 02:43 PM (a3Q+t)

Lol. Yup, but she's on the phone with her sister telling her what an asshole I am so I thought I'd jump in.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:46 PM (bZz8C)

109 These stories are funny and appalling at the same time.

Posted by: washrivergal at August 18, 2024 02:46 PM (UprOq)

110 Newer GFI outlets have the test button. Some even have a little green LED and a red one to let you know its status.

And GFI outlets should be on their own circuit.

Ours, in the kitchen and bathrooms are on one.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:46 PM (Q4IgG)

111
And if you have to, keep one hand in your pocket.

If you have hot in one hand in one hand and a ground point in the other hand the epicenter is somewhere around your heart.

"Clear!!!"

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 02:47 PM (RKVpM)

112 102 Dad didn't believe in using external junction boxes; electrical tape was just fine...

I've got a flaky GFI circuit. When it rains heavily, the power gets intermittent. I've been told by some that one can localize the problem and so know where to dig to implement a fix, whereas others have told be that isn't true. At this point, I'm resigned to living with it because I'm not going to dig up my whole yard to find the problem.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 02:44 PM (xCA6C)

Dad also wired the house (he built). There was one light switch that if you touched the screw holding the cover plate while barefoot, you'd get shocked. I never got around to checking it out and fixing it...then there was the outlet he put in the bathroom...right across from the toilet. When asked why he did that, he realized how weird the placement was...he had just placed outlets spaced out evenly across the bathroom wall.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:47 PM (ynpvh)

113 Best I found was a bolt, washers and a nut for a 'wire nut'...why yes there was a fire in that very spot

Posted by: A dude in MI at August 18, 2024 02:47 PM (/6GbT)

114 An old story, apparently true, goes that the phone company got a complaint that phone service was a problem, I think it was "my dog barks every time the phone rings". So they sent somebody out. The customer had their dog outside on a chain that was contacting a phone line, the dog was getting a relatively mild shock, causing it to urinate and complete the circuit, and then the phone would ring. Poor guy

Posted by: Common Tater at August 18, 2024 02:47 PM (7VwWW)

115 Newer GFI outlets have the test button. Some even have a little green LED and a red one to let you know its status.

And GFI outlets should be on their own circuit.

Ours, in the kitchen and bathrooms are on one.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 02:46 PM (Q4IgG)

Yeah, I've installed the new ones, just wondering about this old label business .thanks.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:48 PM (bZz8C)

116 91 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit'. Have plugs in bathroom and kitchen, I was told are on a gfi circuit, but the potential buyer wants gfi's in those rooms. I have sockets in this house that have GFI labels on them, not a button.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!
-----------------------------

The main circuit breaker may be labeled as such.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:48 PM (5M+Ys)

117 Been sitting outside most of day reading and commenting, little pop up T-storms this afternoon.

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:49 PM (fwDg9)

118 92 Posted by: Nova Local at August 18, 2024 02:35 PM (exHjb

Hate to disagree but my father was proficient at both and taught me to be the same.
Posted by: polynikes at August 18, 2024 02:40 PM (B1dzx)

I admit I can't notice details in a threatening situation (I'd be an awful, awful witness in a trial), but somehow I always see the person who needs help before anyone else. I think both my spouse and I swing to the extremes on the notice scale.

Posted by: Nova Local at August 18, 2024 02:49 PM (exHjb)

119 106 Friend of the family, working a project in his garage, using a metal cased drill experienced a ground fault failure. Frozen, he fell backward which unplugged the cord and saved his life.
Broke three ribs.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:45 PM (5M+Ys)

Why you should never clip the ground pin or plug three prong into a two-prong adapter...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:49 PM (ynpvh)

120 Often a GFI circuit has a little light in it to verify it is on

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:50 PM (fwDg9)

121 No. Just a label, because as was told to me, they are on a circuit to another GFI. Fuck it, I'll just change them out.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:43 PM (bZz8C)

Whoa! Casually putting multiple GFI outlets on a circuit can make it prone to shut off for no apparent reason.
There are GFIC tester tools readily available for $20 or less.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 02:50 PM (U00Z8)

122 It seems that every time I do some particularly stupid, there are witnesses.

Yes, happened to me a couple of times - someone also said - "speak now or forever hold your peace."

Posted by: Tonypete at August 18, 2024 02:51 PM (VW9OP)

123 111
And if you have to, keep one hand in your pocket.

If you have hot in one hand in one hand and a ground point in the other hand the epicenter is somewhere around your heart.

"Clear!!!"

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 02:47 PM (RKVpM)

That was my experience (see # 87). The current was high enough that I couldn't open my hand and had to twist my body to delatch it. Seemed like I was that a long time when it was probably only 2 or 3 seconds...2 or 3 seconds too long.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:51 PM (ynpvh)

124 84
'. One involves noticing threats...the other involves noticing needs. Men thrive at one, women thrive at the other (according to him).'

I think he has a point.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at August 18, 2024 02:52 PM (3wi/L)

125 120 Often a GFI circuit has a little light in it to verify it is on

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:50 PM (fwDg9)

Reminds me of a work story...
Back in the day, there were erasable memories called EPROMs, erased via a window when the device was placed in a box with a strong UV light. One day, a firmware engineer says, "I didn't know these had lights in them!"...he had placed the part 180° wrong in the socket, reversing the 5V and GND connections...

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:54 PM (ynpvh)

126 No. Just a label, because as was told to me, they are on a circuit to another GFI. Fuck it, I'll just change them out.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!?

Well, somewhere in the house there's an outlet with the test/reset buttons.

Go hit the test button and see if the bathroom outlets go dead. If they don't, look around for more outlets with test buttons. In the basement, kitchen, bathroom, or garage, most likely.

And remember where they all are so you can go hit all the reset buttons when you're done searching, heh.

If you're sure you've hit all the buttons and the outlets are still live, they might be on a GFI-protected circuit breaker in the breaker panel?

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 02:55 PM (DgGvY)

127 Yeah, I've installed the new ones, just wondering about this old label business .thanks.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!?
----------

Do you have, perhaps, a gfci circuit breaker? The breaker itself will have a 'test' button on it.

tinyurl.com/mfzp5br9

Posted by: JQ at August 18, 2024 02:56 PM (njWTi)

128 12 I also bent under some barbed wire to pet a cow once. Totally forgot there was a hot wire right above my head when I pulled up.
Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 18, 2024 02:05 PM (lCaJd)
-

You were very close to a big miss steak.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 02:06 PM (s6pZz)
----
You were within range of getting sizzled.

Posted by: Ciampino - No Ispettore, la musica e interessante #01 at August 18, 2024 02:56 PM (qfLjt)

129 Multimeters are a set of eyes that let you see certain invisible things.
That being said a non-contact votalge detector is also good to have.

Posted by: Reforger at August 18, 2024 02:56 PM (xcIvR)

130 Whoa! Casually putting multiple GFI outlets on a circuit can make it prone to shut off for no apparent reason.

There are GFIC tester tools readily available for $20 or less.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 02:50 PM (U00Z

AHA! Thanks! Will be getting one.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:57 PM (bZz8C)

131 I cut through a live wire with a reciprocating saw once. Interesting when some of the lights you are working with and sparks fly

Posted by: Smell the Glove at August 18, 2024 02:57 PM (gXGVH)

132 Multimeters allow you to reach your full potential.

Posted by: Ciampino - No Ispettore, la musica e interessante #02 at August 18, 2024 02:58 PM (qfLjt)

133 132 Multimeters allow you to reach your full potential.

Posted by: Ciampino - No Ispettore, la musica e interessante #02 at August 18, 2024 02:58 PM (qfLjt)

That's the CURRENT theory, although there's some RESISTANCE as some folks have RELUCTANCE to INDUCTIVE reasoning.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:58 PM (ynpvh)

134 >>>Why you should never clip the ground pin or plug three prong into a two-prong adapter...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
--------------------------------

Metal case was the tip off. The tool was manufactured before three prongs, double insulated, or different sized two prongs existed.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:59 PM (5M+Ys)

135 I live in a house that is 106 years old.

Step 1.) Test outlet/switch/line being extended for current.

Step 2.) Go throw breakers that MIGHT control that circuit.

Step 3.) Re-test in the exact same location and confirm line is dead.

Step 4.) Perform electrical work.

Step 5.) Have wife go throw breakers back on, one at a time in numerical sequence. Make notes about which items come back on with which breaker.

Step 6.) Observe repair under live current to determine the Idiot did not do something incorrectly.

Step 7.) Mark up my breaker spreadsheet with more information about what is on each breaker.

Now grab a beer, because the house did not burn down and my breaker spreadsheet is one step closer to 100% coverage!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 18, 2024 03:00 PM (HlyYF)

136 I thought you'd be unhappier with the width of the case vs the width of the meter. It must violate your "wobbly s**t" rule.
Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 02:27 PM (DgGvY)
----
Yes, the ill fitting case is a problem. Nothing other than an indicator of poor attention to detail

Posted by: Weasel at August 18, 2024 03:01 PM (uGpeQ)

137 134 >>>Why you should never clip the ground pin or plug three prong into a two-prong adapter...
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
--------------------------------

Metal case was the tip off. The tool was manufactured before three prongs, double insulated, or different sized two prongs existed.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 02:59 PM (5M+Ys)

Then it must've been quite old, as the NEC required it in 1962, according to the inter-tubes.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 03:02 PM (ynpvh)

138 Thanks all for the GFI advice. I'll do the checking you recommended. Circuit, turning off GFI etc. much appreciated.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 03:02 PM (bZz8C)

139 A plain outlet wired “downstream” from a GFI will inherit the GFI protection. My basement has some outlets that are that way so when they trip it’s not obvious where to reset them.

Posted by: Ian S. at August 18, 2024 03:04 PM (dXHqc)

140 I cut through a live wire with a reciprocating saw once. Interesting when some of the lights you are working with and sparks fly
Posted by: Smell the Glove
------

Even more interesting when the wire you cut is the power cord for the saw...

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 03:04 PM (XeU6L)

141 Came inside just in time, pouring down rain

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 03:05 PM (fwDg9)

142 You were within range of getting ~~sizzled~~ seared.

Posted by: Ciampino - No Ispettore, la musica e interessante #01 at August 18, 2024 02:56 PM (qfLjt)
-

FIFY

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 03:05 PM (s6pZz)

143
I'm divided about labeling the hell out of my service panel. So I'm not going to give the next owner a clue.

Pleading ignorance is cheaper then copping to mislabeling.

Figure it out. I did. With symbols and red nail polish.

If you don't know that the red nail polish dot next to the circuit breaker for the dishwasher? Not my problem.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 03:06 PM (RKVpM)

144 Step 7.) Mark up my breaker spreadsheet with more information about what is on each breaker.

Now grab a beer, because the house did not burn down and my breaker spreadsheet is one step closer to 100% coverage!
Posted by: Pillage Idiot
-------------------------------

There are wall switches in the house that I have no idea what they are intended to operate.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 03:06 PM (5M+Ys)

145 That's the CURRENT theory, although there's some RESISTANCE as some folks have RELUCTANCE to INDUCTIVE reasoning.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 02:58 PM (ynpvh)
-

Watt Jim said!!!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 18, 2024 03:06 PM (s6pZz)

146 My FWP: Aldi shortages. I love Aldi and shop the one closest to me at least once a week. But inexplicably a certain product isn't there for MONTHS. About two years ago it was pickles. Nope, no pickles, sorry. Can't tell you. Don't know.
Right now it's cocoa. There's simply no cocoa in the baking section. Hasn't been for a month. And tomato paste. Two feet of shelf space empty and an 84 cent shelf tag, but no tomato paste. Plenty at Wallymart and other grocery stores, but nope, none at this Aldi. Could be that way for months.
So many good things about the store, but this is just bizarre.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 18, 2024 03:07 PM (dg+HA)

147 Dad had a multimeter, but I mostly remember it being used on motor vehicles.
I really didn't learn to respect electricity to the proper degree until my brother-in-law helped me finish my house remodel. Looking back on some of the dumb stuff I've done, I am amazed that I am unscathed by my experiences with house wiring.
The BIL was a tremendous help, not only for the work he did, but also for learnin' me some respect for electricity.

Posted by: Appycay at August 18, 2024 03:07 PM (EdYR/)

148 Alien 1979 just starting on FX

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 03:08 PM (fwDg9)

149 GFI receptacles have little Reset buttons on them. If they pop up it means they have saved you from completing the circuit with your body.

Posted by: gourmand du jour at August 18, 2024 03:09 PM (MeG8a)

150 ------

Even more interesting when the wire you cut is the power cord for the saw...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.
--------------------------------

Check mark for that. 2x

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 03:09 PM (5M+Ys)

151 Then it must've been quite old, as the NEC required it in 1962, according to the inter-tubes.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 03:02 PM

My brother's FIL was a machinist at Boeing. He only bought top line tools for his personal use.

He had several tools that I believe dated from the 50s. They are all very heavy, and still work just fine!

My brother's wife still cuts their boys' hair with barber-grade shears from the 50s.

The U.S. built some of the finest tools in the world for quite a while after WWII, when we were the only economy still standing.

That was before the "planned obsolescence" MBA buttheads stepped into the design process.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 18, 2024 03:10 PM (HlyYF)

152 146 My FWP: Aldi shortages. I love Aldi and shop the one closest to me at least once a week. But inexplicably a certain product isn't there for MONTHS. About two years ago it was pickles. Nope, no pickles, sorry. Can't tell you. Don't know.
Right now it's cocoa. There's simply no cocoa in the baking section. Hasn't been for a month. And tomato paste. Two feet of shelf space empty and an 84 cent shelf tag, but no tomato paste. Plenty at Wallymart and other grocery stores, but nope, none at this Aldi. Could be that way for months.
So many good things about the store, but this is just bizarre.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 18, 2024 03:07 PM (dg+HA)

Today, mine was out of coconut whipped cream (which is sad b/c I'm out right now), french fried onion salad topping, store brand tomato soup, and frozen peas (which my kid wanted). That said, since I always shop 2 shops a week, I make due b/c the prices are too good not to do so.

Posted by: Nova Local at August 18, 2024 03:10 PM (exHjb)

153 In addition to a multimeter I have one of those "pen like" devices that flashes a LED and beeps if a circuit is hot. You just stick it in the outlet or hold it near a breaker or wire. It's plastic, won't shock. I also have this little plug that came with it that has 3 lights. If the outlet is wired correctly it's all green. If the neutral / ground are bad... it shows that too.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 03:11 PM (Q4IgG)

154 139 A plain outlet wired “downstream” from a GFI will inherit the GFI protection. My basement has some outlets that are that way so when they trip it’s not obvious where to reset them.

Posted by: Ian S. at August 18, 2024 03:04 PM (dXHqc)

That's a better explanation of what I was told. Thanks.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 03:11 PM (bZz8C)

155
Someday, some 'home inspector' is going to write up a report on my house and note in 240 POINT LARGE TYPE that they discovered! that I have two GFI's in my kitchen on the same circuit and when they are both on the same circuit one is unnecessary.

Esthetics. Do you speak it bitch?

There's no harm in doing it, but unnecessary. Unless you want a really purty kitchen. I have a really purty kitchen.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 03:11 PM (RKVpM)

156 GFI circuits often don't get along with motorized appliances. I heard about a government housing remodeling job were the engineer decided to make the units "safer" by having ALL the circuits be GFI. Almost every time a housewife turned on a vacuum cleaner, the Maintenance Office got a call.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 03:12 PM (U00Z8)

157 Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 18, 2024 03:10 PM (HlyYF)

Just look at appliances. My Dad had a fridge from the 1950's that worked well into the 1990s until someone decided to de-ice the freezer section with an ice pick and released the coolant. On the other hand, in the almost 30 years I've lived at my house, I've had to buy a new fridge 4 times and a new stove twice.

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 03:12 PM (ynpvh)

158 153 In addition to a multimeter I have one of those "pen like" devices that flashes a LED and beeps if a circuit is hot. You just stick it in the outlet or hold it near a breaker or wire. It's plastic, won't shock. I also have this little plug that came with it that has 3 lights. If the outlet is wired correctly it's all green. If the neutral / ground are bad... it shows that too.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 03:11 PM (Q4IgG)

"There are four lights!"

Posted by: Capt. J L Picard at August 18, 2024 03:14 PM (ynpvh)

159 a new nickname

Summer job, I was back at college 2 weeks later.

Posted by: DaveA at August 18, 2024 03:14 PM (FhXTo)

160 >>>On the other hand, in the almost 30 years I've lived at my house, I've had to buy a new fridge 4 times and a new stove twice.
Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia)
------------------------------

Brand new GE gas oven/range and it's a piece of crap. Some kind of plastic coating on the grates. It's as if they expect no one to ever shake a skillet.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 03:16 PM (5M+Ys)

161 120V 400Hz is a not funny feeling.

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 18, 2024 03:16 PM (2zMSF)

162 There's no harm in doing it, but unnecessary. Unless you want a really purty kitchen. I have a really purty kitchen.
Posted by: Divide by Zero

As long as you remember what you did 10 years from now.

When you plug something into a downstream one, and it trips an upstream one, and you don't know why the outlet died because its own GFI didn't trip and the circuit breaker didn't trip.....

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 03:17 PM (DgGvY)

163 Even more interesting when the wire you cut is the power cord for the saw...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at August 18, 2024 03:04 PM

*looks at hedge trimmer extension cord*

Um...yeah.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at August 18, 2024 03:17 PM (n5X3C)

164 My FWP. Before I got dad's prius sold the hybrid battery blower quit. Yesterday my mechanic neighbor diagnosed this for me. His research said the motor was built into the hybrid battery pack but when I was browsing today it looks like it is external so it can be replaced. I hope it is that blower and not a fault that takes hours to track down.

I had to ask neighbor to look at it as my mechanical skills are so bad. At least as a gal I have a bit of a pass although I know gals can be good at such things, I'm just not one of them.

Posted by: PaleRider used to be simply irredeemable at August 18, 2024 03:19 PM (xNAmg)

165 161 120V 400Hz is a not funny feeling.

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 18, 2024 03:16 PM (2zMSF)

Was this on aircraft?

Posted by: Capt. J L Picard at August 18, 2024 03:20 PM (ynpvh)

166 Sun is out again, but have to see more of movie.
That I seen 50 times easy

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 03:20 PM (fwDg9)

167 off sock

Posted by: jim (in Kalifornia) at August 18, 2024 03:20 PM (ynpvh)

168 We replaced the GFI outlet that's outside for the pool. It takes a beating being out in the elements. Plus, it has tripped during very heavy rain even though it's inside a covered box. Plus bugs.

Bugs ruin everything.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 03:21 PM (Q4IgG)

169 Even more interesting when the wire you cut is the power cord for the saw...
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc.

*looks at hedge trimmer extension cord*
Um...yeah.
Posted by: RedMindBlueState

This is why I've never understood plug-in electric lawn mowers.

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 03:21 PM (DgGvY)

170 Pillage Idiot--

Husband and I laughed at your saga. It wasn't 106 years old but we went through the same ritual when we sold my parents' house after my mother died. When it was built in 1960 it was wired by my grandfather (a master electrician) and my dad. Over the years my dad had added other wiring and circuits as needed.

It took us the better part of a day with the breaker panel and cell phones to map out what was on each circuit. Fortunately it was only an 1800 sf house.

Posted by: Art Rondelet of Malmsey at August 18, 2024 03:22 PM (FEVMW)

171 Aircraft?

No. AN/TPS-75.

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 18, 2024 03:23 PM (2zMSF)

172
As long as you remember what you did 10 years from now.

When you plug something into a downstream one, and it trips an upstream one, and you don't know why the outlet died because its own GFI didn't trip and the circuit breaker didn't trip.....

Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 03:17 PM

Hopefully I'll die in my sleep before that happens, after learning when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. When to walk away, when to run.

I've had GFI's die before. Not often enough for me to buy the insurance on them. Suckers bet.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 03:24 PM (RKVpM)

173 This is why I've never understood plug-in electric lawn mowers.
Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 03:21 PM

My dad had one many years ago. Scrapped it pretty quickly for a good gas mower. All the electric ones I see now are battery powered.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at August 18, 2024 03:25 PM (n5X3C)

174 >>>I worked as a carpenter in a previous life

You know who ELSE worked as a carpenter?

Posted by: m at August 18, 2024 03:27 PM (64Zez)

175 Publius is the only man I've known who can be completely trusted with electrical. Even his daddy, a man who was not one to compliment people, said he knows more about electricity than anyone. You need that to solve unusual problems.

Posted by: Miley, okravangelist at August 18, 2024 03:28 PM (w6EFb)

176 There are wall switches in the house that I have no idea what they are intended to operate.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 03:06 PM

We had some of those too!

I believe I have finally tracked them all. Found one dead short in a pair of wall sconces. Fortunately the pop was so loud that I threw the switch back off immediately.

If I had been farther away, how well developed would a fire be behind a plaster and lath wall before I knew about it?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 18, 2024 03:29 PM (HlyYF)

177 @ 55, LOL!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 18, 2024 03:29 PM (UWgy2)

178 OT: anyone make their own bird suet? I have liquid beef fat from maling fat crispies for my carnivore diet.

Just mix seed and pour into a mold?

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 03:30 PM (bZz8C)

179 This is why I've never understood plug-in electric lawn mowers.
Posted by: mikeski at August 18, 2024 03:21 PM (DgGvY)

You start on the side of the lawn closest to the outlet and work your way out from there.

And there's no battery to go dead before you are finished.

Posted by: Emmie at August 18, 2024 03:31 PM (Sf2cq)

180 Finally I have something to say relevant.
I love my Fluke. Best $$$ I ever spent. Mine does frequency as well.

Posted by: Grendel at August 18, 2024 03:37 PM (Mkoos)

181
OT: anyone make their own bird suet? I have liquid beef fat from maling fat crispies for my carnivore diet.

Just mix seed and pour into a mold?

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!?

++++++++++++++

That's pretty abstruse. Was the food thread yesterday or today?

Posted by: Blonde Morticia at August 18, 2024 03:40 PM (lCaJd)

182
Scrapped it pretty quickly for a good gas mower. All the electric ones I see now are battery powered.

Since you mentioned it, a quick review of battery powered mowers. They work, and work well under ideal conditions. The cost to mow is probably 10% of using a gas mower (Under Bidenomics - drill Baby Drill will cut that number). They will not cut tall grass. If you're cutting on a regular schedule, uninterrupted by days of rain, they're fine. Try to cut tall grass or wet grass and they'll shut off. Batteries take a while to recharge, especially if hot. It's probably a safety measure to keep them from catching fire.

If you have a quarter acre to mow, one battery will do, maybe. More then that, two are a better idea.

I like mine, understand the limitations, and will be babying my ICE mower as backup forever. Like everything in life, there's no right answer as to whether they would be right for everyone.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 03:40 PM (RKVpM)

183 FWP

-
Michael Shermer
@michaelshermer
Imagine telling an archaeologist she cannot determine the sex of a skeleton thousands of years old "because we don't know how they would have self-identified" back then.
My convo with @eweissunburied Elizabeth Weiss on the Politicization of Anthropology

-
And why do we call them "cavemen" anyway?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at August 18, 2024 03:41 PM (L/fGl)

184 Attended 3 electrical courses years ago for work.
Afterwards, still maintained it was magical & I ill-suited to explore any further than staring in a puzzled manner, using a GFCI on occasion..

After all, old factories & some old houses may be still have knob & tube wiring. Without electrical expertise, the simplest action can be destructive.
---
Every standard outlet in kitchen, baths, over laundry sink is on GFCI, everything outside also watertight.

Posted by: L - If (cellphone( at August 18, 2024 03:42 PM (NFX2v)

185 Yeah, the Donks make me sick, too.

https://is.gd/9FzJ0O

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, I've Been Through the Desert On a Horse With No Shame at August 18, 2024 03:43 PM (L/fGl)

186 Hearing thunder

Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 03:43 PM (fwDg9)

187 Cut the RED wire.
No. The BLUE wire. Cut the blue wire.

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at August 18, 2024 03:45 PM (vYDwg)

188 One major reason why one does not use a Sawzall in walls that are being demolition.
Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:13 PM (fwDg9)

gyppo demolition: Use a skill saw with the blade set to about the same thickness as the drywall. If it is a touch too shallow you can make sure to miss the steel plates put on the framing 2x4s over the cable runs.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 18, 2024 03:46 PM (D7oie)

189 Cut the RED wire.
No. The BLUE wire. Cut the blue wire.

Aw, hell, just cut 'em all.

Posted by: Archimedes at August 18, 2024 03:49 PM (xCA6C)

190 Once when I was watching my husband (an electrical engineer) check a plug to see if it was turned off (it was), I asked, Are the top and bottom plug ever on different circuits?

To show me how silly that was, he made a big show about checking the bottom plug. Son of a gun: It was live.

Why did I think of asking that one time? No idea.

Posted by: Wenda at August 18, 2024 03:50 PM (A65Zh)

191
And why do we call them "cavemen" anyway?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks

Person of cave

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at August 18, 2024 03:52 PM (63Dwl)

192 Thunder only happens when it's rainin'
Players only love you when they're playin'

Posted by: Stevie Nicks at August 18, 2024 03:54 PM (dg+HA)

193 Still have my '80's era volt meter. Push button function and range control. Very handy when you want to keep your left hand in pocket. I recently acquired a Fluke from an EWaste pile. Had to unscrew the back to replace the 9v battery. So now I have two DVMs...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 18, 2024 03:55 PM (YK7VF)

194 If you don't know that the red nail polish dot next to the circuit breaker for the dishwasher? Not my problem.
Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 18, 2024 03:06 PM (RKVpM)

Since you can buy switches with key-locks on them, if you want to mess with the next owners' head, just put in a blind two switch breaker box with one labeled "Portal" and the other marked "CERN Reset"

Posted by: Kindltot at August 18, 2024 03:56 PM (D7oie)

195 Bought a box of fish sticks. Nostalgia should remain in memory for the reality is a lot more bread and a lot less fish.

Posted by: Braenyard at August 18, 2024 03:56 PM (5M+Ys)

196 Cutting through a live wire? Yes. And I have the ruined clippers to prove it. Luckily they had rubber covered grips.

Posted by: cthoms at August 18, 2024 03:57 PM (CPMw2)

197 The Harbor Freight multimeter was one of their most common giveaway items a few years ago.

Posted by: Are they disposable? at August 18, 2024 03:57 PM (dg+HA)

198 I've never understood plug-in electric lawn mowers.

Lawns used to be square. It wasn't hard to figure out.
Lots of things changed: when power mowers got 'normal,' when line trimmers came into vogue, when "landscape stones" showed up in Arch2Day, etc., yards and their maintenance followed, quickly, usually at wives' behest.

We have a lawn size in my town called "too big to mow, too small to plow" that's likely to be recomputed under Kamalanomix. Some suburbanites are going to be mightily pissed when they try to grow corn and beans in their sod.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at August 18, 2024 03:57 PM (zdLoL)

199 To show me how silly that was, he made a big show about checking the bottom plug. Son of a gun: It was live.

Why did I think of asking that one time? No idea.
Posted by: Wenda at August 18, 2024 03:50 PM (A65Zh)

In many modern (post 1990's) homes, one outlet is wired to a wall switch and the other is always live..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 18, 2024 03:58 PM (YK7VF)

200 No. Just a label, because as was told to me, they are on a circuit to another GFI. Fuck it, I'll just change them out.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!?

Well, somewhere in the house there's an outlet with the test/reset buttons.

Go hit the test button and see if the bathroom outlets go dead. If they don't, look around for more outlets with test buttons. In the basement, kitchen, bathroom, or garage, most likely.

And remember where they all are so you can go hit all the reset buttons when you're done searching, heh.

If you're sure you've hit all the buttons and the outlets are still live, they might be on a GFI-protected circuit breaker in the breaker panel?
Posted by: mikeski

At one time GFIs must have been very expensive and Romex very cheap as I have daisey-chained outlets on the far corner of the house from the GFI that it was connected to.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at August 18, 2024 03:58 PM (cOq4q)

201 ...and don't get me started on GFIs...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 18, 2024 03:59 PM (YK7VF)

202 Pro tip
When buying a new extension cord, put random wraps of electrical tape. Nobody will want that 'damaged' cord

Posted by: A dude in MI at August 18, 2024 03:59 PM (/6GbT)

203 the steel plates put on the framing 2x4s over the cable runs.

Ha! Ha! O you sweet summer child. Only demo-ing houses under 50 years old? Don't let a wire touch the wet spot behind your ears!

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at August 18, 2024 04:01 PM (zdLoL)

204 I have liquid beef fat from maling fat crispies for my carnivore diet.
Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!?

"Beef" is just to misdirect the public, right?

Posted by: Duncanthrax at August 18, 2024 04:01 PM (8TWHf)

205 149 GFI receptacles have little Reset buttons on them. If they pop up it means they have saved you from completing the circuit with your body.
Posted by: gourmand du jour at August 18, 2024 03:09 PM (MeG8a)

Had an outdoor outlet that was dead. Took a couple weeks to find the GFI in the kitchen it was wired to..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 18, 2024 04:01 PM (YK7VF)

206 How can I tell if a socket is on a GFI 'circuit'. Have plugs in bathroom and kitchen, I was told are on a gfi circuit, but the potential buyer wants gfi's in those rooms. I have sockets in this house that have GFI labels on them, not a button.

Posted by: Cannibal Bob...WTF!? at August 18, 2024 02:38 PM (bZz8C)
________________

They're presumably downstream from a GFCI. Get one of the socket analyzer things mentioned above. They have a button that when pressed will trip a GFCI safely.

Of course, then you have to find where the relevant GFCI is ...

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, procrastinating for a better tomorrow at August 18, 2024 04:03 PM (YqDXo)

207 Just use a paper clip.

https://youtu.be/MN2meBcviDY

Posted by: Obligatory Seinfeld reference at August 18, 2024 04:04 PM (dg+HA)

208 Ha! Ha! O you sweet summer child. Only demo-ing houses under 50 years old? Don't let a wire touch the wet spot behind your ears!
Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at August 18, 2024 04:01 PM (zdLoL)

Not a trick to do on lathe and plaster bucko, and good habits keep you from launching a skill saw out of your hands when you are up a stepladder and you get tired and forgetful

Posted by: Kindltot - the wet-spot ain't behind my ears at August 18, 2024 04:04 PM (D7oie)

209 Almost every time a housewife turned on a vacuum cleaner, the Maintenance Office got a call.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 03:12 PM

Some night after a few beers, we'll tell you about the Sybians.

Posted by: The Maintenance Office at August 18, 2024 04:07 PM (8TWHf)

210 Of course, then you have to find where the relevant GFCI is ...
Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, procrastinating for a better tomorrow at August 18, 2024 04:03 PM (YqDXo)

Yeah. Mine was under the sink. I plugged the dishwasher into it so I'd have a clue next time it tripped..

Posted by: Joe Kidd at August 18, 2024 04:07 PM (YK7VF)

211 Food nood.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 18, 2024 04:09 PM (dg+HA)

212 Step 1.) Test outlet/switch/line being extended for current.

Step 2.) Go throw breakers that MIGHT control that circuit.

Step 3.) Re-test in the exact same location and confirm line is dead.

Step 4.) Perform electrical work.

Step 5.) Have wife go throw breakers back on, one at a time in numerical sequence. Make notes about which items come back on with which breaker.

Step 6.) Observe repair under live current to determine the Idiot did not do something incorrectly.

Step 7.) Mark up my breaker spreadsheet with more information about what is on each breaker.
_______________

Simpler solution: buy a circuit tester that has a plug that you insert into an outlet, and a sensor that you run over the breakers in the distribution panel and listen for the buzzing when the sensor is adjacent to the circuit with the plug.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, procrastinating for a better tomorrow at August 18, 2024 04:11 PM (YqDXo)

213 To show me how silly that was, he made a big show about checking the bottom plug. Son of a gun: It was live.

Why did I think of asking that one time? No idea.

Posted by: Wenda at August 18, 2024 03:50 PM

Good job Wenda.

That is wife level stuff where the prize is, "I am taking you out to dinner tomorrow night. Your choice, and price is no object."

We call those "saves" at our house.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at August 18, 2024 04:11 PM (HlyYF)

214 One major reason why one does not use a Sawzall in walls that are being demolition.
Posted by: Skip at August 18, 2024 02:13 PM (fwDg9)

gyppo demolition: Use a skill saw with the blade set to about the same thickness as the drywall. If it is a touch too shallow you can make sure to miss the steel plates put on the framing 2x4s over the cable runs.

Posted by: Kindltot at August 18, 2024 03:46 PM (D7oie)
_________________

Smash a hole in the drywall with a hammer, look in and feel around, then insert the sawzall in the hole with the blade installed backward (i.e., toward the drywall), and saw away.

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, procrastinating for a better tomorrow at August 18, 2024 04:16 PM (YqDXo)

215 Pillage Idiot, that's so sweet. Thank you.

Posted by: Wenda at August 18, 2024 04:16 PM (A65Zh)

216 To show me how silly that was, he made a big show about checking the bottom plug. Son of a gun: It was live.
______________

Of course. Can you turn on lights in the room at the switch? Then the outlet has a split in the metal strip between the two halves of the plug. It's standard, actually, if a wall switch controls something connected to the plug. After all, why would you have BOTH halves of the outlet controlled by a switch?

Posted by: Deplorable Jay Guevara, procrastinating for a better tomorrow at August 18, 2024 04:20 PM (YqDXo)

217 Almost every time a housewife turned on a vacuum cleaner, the Maintenance Office got a call.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 18, 2024 03:12 PM

Some night after a few beers, we'll tell you about the Sybians.
Posted by: The Maintenance Office

Let me tell you bout how the soap dishes keep 'falling off" the shower walls in the ladies apartments.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at August 18, 2024 04:23 PM (cOq4q)

218 If you ever come across a bottle of "Mellow Corn" whiskey, buy it. It's the lowest form of booze bottled with a label. Super close to 'shine. But without the octane.

Disparaged by all. But so much cringe in a bottle it's worth the experience. Seriously.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at August 18, 2024 04:23 PM (Q4IgG)

dad used to buy Georgia Moon, He claimed it was guaranteed on the label to have been aged for less than a month in a paraffin lined barrel. It was sold in a 750ml mason jar.

Posted by: Kindltot - sorry about the rude snark at August 18, 2024 04:31 PM (D7oie)

219 My old Fluke multimeter died, and so I bought an autoranging multimeter/oscilloscope

Nice, except you have to have it charged whenever you use it, and I use it intermittently, so It's never ready when I need it.

Posted by: Dark Force Thirsting For Power at August 18, 2024 04:37 PM (vTTFR)

220 Anyone ever cut through a live wire? I have!

{ Various tales have been told }

On the positive side, everyone replying lived to tell the tale, and thus can continue to learn and grow old.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 18, 2024 04:50 PM (O7YUW)

221 RIP Ayres Sasaka singer from Brazil. Electrocuted on stage July 13, 2024 after "hugging a wet electrical fan". Don't try this at home.

Posted by: Shock Of a Lifetime! at August 18, 2024 05:09 PM (CV8a5)

222 I liked the Gordon Ramsey meme.

And if people need to tell me what their sexual orientation order to discuss food, I have absolutely no interest in what they have to say, although if one was conservative and a comedian theycould probably do an amusing (to some people) riff on that.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 18, 2024 05:11 PM (dTTBf)

223 222-Darn. Meant for the food thread.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 18, 2024 05:12 PM (dTTBf)

224 After being assured the power was off and cutting the wire which was live and ruined my pliers I'm never without my Non-contact AC Voltage Detector. Never trust anyone check for yourself.

Posted by: PuyallupPete at August 18, 2024 06:56 PM (8WJxS)

225 Knowing that double sockets are designed to have combined or separate electrical connections is the difference between a double-e and an electrician.
There's a balance between theory and practicality in any engineering curriculum. Some schools are so heavy in theory, they approach a physics degree, while others turn out, in essence, super-techs. I like to think that my education was in the ideal middle, but it still took a couple of years as an EM Signal Corp tech and a couple of summer jobs to show me that the black wire has drastically different functions in power and electronics, bonding is not quite the same as grounding, and that , yes, splitting the sockets is normal.
I've been bit by 110 and 220, but kids today are missing out on finding, the hard way, how long the aquadag cap of a color CRT will hold a charge. ;-)

Posted by: buddhaha at August 18, 2024 07:13 PM (ZiSHO)

226 @ 225, another LOL!

+ 1 for someone who can correctly use the word "aquadag" in a sentence!

no, make that +2!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 18, 2024 07:40 PM (UWgy2)

227 I used to work with mass spectrometers, where you could have voltages ranging from 2kV to 4kV. However, those leads tend to be pretty isolated. However, I did get a real jolt from an unexpected source. One machine had been heavily modified by the previous owners, and they replaced the collector electron repeller circuit with ten 9V batteries wired in series to give 90V. I had to tighten up the connector from the batteries to a vacuum feedthrough. You never think of a 9V battery as being dangerous. However, when you wire ten of them in series, they can give you a real surprise.

Posted by: MichiCanuck at August 18, 2024 07:46 PM (bMmXc)

228 222-Darn. Meant for the food thread.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke

Thank God! I'm not the only one.

Posted by: Tom Perry at August 18, 2024 07:56 PM (MX0bI)

229 I replaced a ceiling light fixture once, in my heedless youth. I figured, if you turn off the light switch, there won't be voltage at the junction box.

Which could be true, but usually isn't. The switch wasn't physically "in line" to the fixture, it was a branch from the fixture, and the voltage was still live at the j-box.

I was unscrewing something when there was a pop and a flash. I jumped down off the chair but my screwdriver stayed behind, welded to one of the wires.

Posted by: Tom Perry at August 18, 2024 08:01 PM (MX0bI)

230 I worked on an early photovoltaic demonstration project back in the Carter years. My co worker/engineer was hooking up the main DC array disconnect and the box door bumped the screwdriver. Welded together and under a full 100 amp short.

Had to wait until it was night to break the thing loose.

Posted by: pawn at August 18, 2024 08:20 PM (QB+5g)

231 Quick! Turn off the sun!

Posted by: Tom Perry at August 18, 2024 08:34 PM (MX0bI)

232 Nice Fluke unit. I want that case!
The issue I have always had, is no storage for the cords.
Got a Fluke tester to supplement/replace my old Radio Shack unit. It still works great, but there’s an art to the display scales./ranges. Not rocket science selecting the correct range, but it sure is convenient selecting the voltage range and current type.
May I recommend a “tick”?
Non-contact tester that shows live or dead AC circuits. Good for initial troubleshooting.
And, to get fancy, but not necessarily expensive, I also recommend an Ideal (manufacturer) tester that you plug into a live outlet, and sends a tone detectable by a separate probe unit, that will show the associated breaker.
Saves a ton of time switching on and off, and the PITA of resetting clocks, ovens, microwaves, etc.

Posted by: Gunslinger at August 18, 2024 08:36 PM (65a8d)

233 Oh, and the most basic knowledge for electrical work: never tie a white wire to a black wire.
Some may say that a “neutral” (white wire) is just a glorified ground. NOT. It is a return path for full voltage on a live circuit. Beware.

Posted by: Gunslinger at August 18, 2024 08:50 PM (65a8d)

234 In my previous house I remodeled the bathrooms, completely.
Remodeling the main bathroom I installed a Jacuzzi tub. Wiring the tub I used a double shielded Makita drill to make a hole through a ceiling stud giving me access to the circuit breaker in the garage. Lo and behold I drilled through the 220 line to the stove. Sparks resulted, Makita saved me. SoaB!
No Fluke multi-volt meter will save you from that fluke.

Posted by: john at August 18, 2024 08:59 PM (nEWxZ)

235 Truth, John!
Unknowns, are just that.
Glad you are here to tell us all about that.
Bet you needed to replace your holsaw…

Posted by: Gunslinger at August 18, 2024 09:43 PM (65a8d)

236 ಠ_ಠ

Posted by: test at August 18, 2024 10:19 PM (oZhjI)

237 Helping a friend move into an apartment, I positioned the dryer cord in the 240 outlet, and gave it a smack to seat it.
The metal face plate had had the screws removed, and the face plate fell down between the plug and the wall, across the hots . After the loud snap and sparks, half the complex went down.

Set up. Very funny, you bastids.

Posted by: boynsea at August 18, 2024 11:21 PM (cx155)

238 I've got a flaky GFI circuit. When it rains heavily, the power gets intermittent. I've been told by some that one can localize the problem and so know where to dig to implement a fix, whereas others have told be that isn't true.

I had a 120V buried UF line get accidentally severed *somewhere* along a new line of fence posts. Using a multimeter hooked up to long screwdrivers which I repeatedly stabbed into the ground, I started mapping voltage differences. Pretty soon you could start to see on the map where the field lines were emanating from one of the new fence posts. Dug it up, and sure enough, there was the break.

That was for a severed line, though. I imagine you'd need something a fair bit more sensitive if you're trying to sniff out a 10mA ground leakage current.

Posted by: DaveL at August 19, 2024 10:14 AM (TSPhM)

239 Fun fact: Until the 1950s or so, handbooks for electricians often recommended testing for the presence of line voltage by getting shocked. They'd say something like "touch the exposed conductor with bare skin, of voltage is present sensation is felt". They'd claim this procedure was "safe" for line voltages up to 240V.

Posted by: DaveL at August 19, 2024 10:18 AM (TSPhM)

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