Live works,on DB to do or not to do

[cliffed]

what’s your take on working on live DB’S,connecting circuits & installing mcbs.

 

[Wilko]

The lady of the house asked a question about the testing whilst I was at the open consumer unit. "Ooh, look at that cobweb" she said as she reached into the consumer unit and swept it away with a finger, just above the live bus bar!

Oh dear that was close. For their and my safety, I wont allow untrained folk nearby as I work .

 

[SparkyChick]

Oh dear that was close. For their and my safety, I wont allow untrained folk nearby as I work .

Ordinarily, I tend to do the same but she was very interested in what the test was and why the results were important.

Just a note to myself I think... Always tell the customer it's live and not to stick their pinkies anywhere near it.... even if it's not... scope then for some shenanigans *BANG*

 

[The Ghost]

what about offices etc

We do work out of hours to address this problem if we cannot reasonably do it in normal work hours.

 

[The Ghost]

she reached into the consumer unit

This is why we should have barriers erected even in a domestic situation. I know I know sounds like a right jobsworth, and I am a bit stumped as to how that may practically achieved, but Lord help us if it goes wrong and there was no barrier.

 

[Andy78]

Don't... I did a job on Saturday adding a couple of socket outlets in a nice house in Newport. The lady of the house asked a question about the testing (insulation resistance at that stage) whilst I was at the open consumer unit.

"Ooh, look at that cobweb" she said as she reached into the consumer unit and swept it away with a finger, just above the live bus bar!

I've had that before too. I have literally grabbed customers by the wrist when they have come for a nosey and tried to ask a question by touching things.

I tend to credit most householders with a modicum of common sense, but there is always one who wants to share the under stairs cupboard without your permission.

 

[Wilko]

I give the "toolbox safety barrier talk" to anyone showing interest. They usually get bored, wander off and let me get on .

 

[Squid]

Don't... I did a job on Saturday adding a couple of socket outlets in a nice house in Newport. The lady of the house asked a question about the testing (insulation resistance at that stage) whilst I was at the open consumer unit.

"Ooh, look at that cobweb" she said as she reached into the consumer unit and swept it away with a finger, just above the live bus bar!

You mean you didn't hoover out the CSU before you started work? Tsk!

 

[Squid]

For some reason I think of SparkyChick as Nessa...........

 

[Squid]

I'm in trouble now aren't I?

 

[SparkyChick]

I'm in trouble now aren't I?

Just a little

I would never wear that get up

 

[Dave OCD]

I'm in trouble now aren't I?

I hope so !

 

[rapparee]

Never heard a John Thomas called a 400 amp bus bar before, every day is a school day on the EF website........ no wonder you where scared.......

After I shouted at him, he replied that he thought it was so innocent looking

 

[Squid]

Just a little

I would never wear that get up

Boiler suit?

 

[Rpa07]

Anytime now @SWD you can stop using it!

 

[Des 56]

This is why we should have barriers erected even in a domestic situation. I know I sound like a right jobsworth, and I am a bit stumped as to how that may practically achieved, but Lord help us if it goes wrong and there was no barrier.

 

[SparkyChick]

View attachment 42007
Anytime now @SWD you can stop using it!

No... don't try and stop him.... he's nearly deep enough... 6ft I reckon

Save's me a job

 

[telectrix]

No... don't try and stop him.... he's nearly deep enough... 6ft I reckon

Save's me a job

6ft is not deep enough. we'd still be able to hear him, albeit a bit muffled.

 

[Squid]

View attachment 42007
Anytime now @SWD you can stop using it!

Pfffft you've never met, I never discriminate I offend everyone......... ;o)))))

 

[MDJ]

what’s your take on working on live DB’S,connecting circuits & installing mcbs.

My opinion is no problem, just get on with it.

 

[alexander jackson]

What happens if you can’t

I do work on live boards...all the time but never on live cables, I have seen guys put live wires into light switches etc, wont do it I'm afraid.

 

[rapparee]

I do work on live boards...all the time but never on live cables, I have seen guys put live wires into light switches etc, wont do it I'm afraid.

I would be the same.

 

[MDJ]

Whats the matter with you, just make sure the back of your hand flicks the cable to see if it is live

 

[telectrix]

doing a landing light switch last night. having read this thread, decided to isolate at MCB in CU to be safe. done the switch, coming back downstairs in semi-dark, tripped over the customer's cat, went arse over --- down the stairs. head hit glass topped table, glass shattered: Ming vase on top in 1000 bits; customer's husband's ashes flying round the hallway; this brought on a hay fever attack, so, rushing out to get allergy pills out from the van, fell over the dog, got bitten , 10 hours in A&E. so next time I'll do it live ,Ta very much.

 

[MFS Electrical]

I agree with Vort but throughout my apprenticeship working on Live TP&N boards was extremely common fitted many an MCB/RCBO into a live DB and of course live testing.... but now with my own company any live work is a no go too much liability if something goes pear shaped just switch it off unless you really can’t then use common sense and what @Vortigern said

 

[MFS Electrical]

Whats the matter with you, just make sure the back of your hand flicks the cable to see if it is live

He might howl like the dog in your picture just before he slaps himself in the face by doing that any way the tongue is much more accurate for obtaining true voltage readings than the hand

 

[littlespark]

A tongues only good for seeing how much life is in a square 9v battery.

Dead work is for -------... just get on with it.