I got a shock today...

m25maintenance · May 17, 2010

ok its ilegal to work live, so why r u poking in a live cu, i dont care about the suppliers main fuse seal , i cut it and remove main fuse, u will never be taken to court, but b4 u replace or remove the main fuse always turn of all breakers and main switches to all dis circuits if you dont u will get flash arks as you try to put the main fuse back, remember u will only die once

m25maintenance · May 17, 2010

i fitted a medical safe in a medical center last week, the light inside d safe was on a plug 13 amp. so i plugged it in and wam bam i was touching d cabinet and the rcd saved me, the manufacturer left bare terminals at the back of the batton holder

Graeme Harrold · May 17, 2010

WHen it comes to dangerous places, I was given some very sound advice when I started out as a mechanic................"Never stick your fingers where you wouldnt dream of sticking your c0ck...........!

And for me Id never dangle my little chap in a CU (IP2X or not!!!!)

Skint Eastwood · May 18, 2010

Well I don't plan on putting my old boy or my fingers into a CU again without at least considering removing the main fuse or investigating if there's an isolator. Looking on this and other forums it seems the subject of isolators and cutting main fuse seals is quite a contentious issue.

It honestly never occurred to me at the time. I just was focussed on what I had to do: a visual inspection, take some readings, and get home before the grand prix started. I started this thread to find out exactly how stupid/lucky I had been. Now I know. I should have been a lot more respectful of the dangers of working with electricity.

Thanks for all the replies, I've learned a lot. (3 days on, still not dropped dead).

Davey101 · May 18, 2010

Very stupid, and pretty lucky mate

As others have said, assume everything is live (especially main switches). One of the best ways to avoid a shock is by LOOKING at whatever its is you are working on, look out for live terminals, damaged cables dodgy joints etc. It may sound simple, but 5 seconds and a bit of poking around with a screwdriver can save you a painfull (and usually embarassing) shock.

oldtimer · May 18, 2010

Eastwood ? more like Deadwood

Let me explain if you want to still be alive in 5 years time get a health respect for electricity if a "fellow" spark isolates a circuit for you then first thing to do is test it for yourself because you are your own safety man.

Also "brushing" your little finger across unprotected main switch terminal tells me you have a lot to learn before you say I am having pop forget it I would prefer you very much alive than dead.

Remember electricity is a killer and you have to treat it responsably if not then make sure you write a will. I will leave you with this say you take the cover of the board and you want something from the van
you pop out and the owners 4 year old goes in the cupboard Well you know the rest you go to jail and have to live with it for the rest of your life.

timitds · May 18, 2010

check this out it is from another forum couple of days ago

QUOTE--Had a call from my mate today. His boy is the sparks injured at the college refurb in Kent.
40% flash burns to chest arms hands & face, not to sure what they were doing but the two lads were told by two other superiors that all cables they were to work on had been tested & were isolated........Unfortunately it wasnt.
He's in a very bad way tanken by air ambulance straight to hospital ICU.

http://www.kentnews.co.uk/kent-news/...spx?news=local

Needless to say guy's & girls, remember to stay safe CHECK ISOLATION YOURSELF do NOT rely on the word of others.

Gravid · May 18, 2010

nickblake said:
a few years ago there was a girl who was brushing her teeth ended up with 2 degree burns on her bum when the pipes were struck by lightning shot down her mouth and out of her bum ouch

Makes me think of those mouth wash adverts

A spark once told me good electricians don't get electric shocks, he was retired and had never had a belt, I often think of this, worth keeping in mind.

pennywise · May 18, 2010

Gravid said:
Makes me think of those mouth wash adverts

A spark once told me good electricians don't get electric shocks, he was retired and had never had a belt, I often think of this, worth keeping in mind.

If only that were the case

Davey101 · May 20, 2010

Gravid said:
Makes me think of those mouth wash adverts

A spark once told me good electricians don't get electric shocks, he was retired and had never had a belt, I often think of this, worth keeping in mind.

Did he start his apprenticeship when he was 60?!
More likely a spark who doesnt do much, or doesnt get asked to fault find/work in old panels/boards etc.

davelerave · May 20, 2010

avoiding 'direct contact' is second nature after a few years working

if everything was ip2x that would help

wasn't aware working live not allowed in UK.(not aware of any such rule here in ROI)

don't know how i ever worked without these (use with caution of course!!)
Fluke Volt Alert AC Non Contact Voltage Tester - Mfg# FLUKE-1AC-A1-II

last big fright i go was a short circuit on overhead 63amp busbar - not to mention cutting live swas with the hacksaw

Skint Eastwood · Jul 4, 2010

Just to embarass myself even further, I have to make another admission.

I went back round my mate's again the other day to investigate his problem some more. This time I decided I would have a look for the main switch, like I shudda done the first time.

And there it was, about 2 foot above the fuse box, above a shelf in the little cupboard. Took me like 3 seconds to find it when I opened the door! What a fool I am!

Ah well, you live (with a bit of luck) and learn!