A little reminder of the importance.....

[PEG]

^^ As above,the little surprises we find,can help to keep us vigilant for the next...I have seen some marvelous wizardry in properties liable for the multi-occupancy or separation job.

I can remember one large 3 storey + cellars, which the owner lived next to,had cables from one to the other,for supply to one downstairs room,and a green plastic garden hose,supplying gas to the kitchen of the other!

This is why,on the rare occasion i would be involved at such a location,safe isolation would include a quick test of the outgoing MCB terminals and any spares poking from the rats nest...

Darkwood is correct,assumption is the mother of all....you get it...:bobby:

 

[Darkwood]

I have worked 'live safe' for over 20yrs.... had an apprentice get a shock because 1st fix wiring he was making off was live and the ends were not even in the CU ...turns out the plumber had nailed through an existing live straight into the cable we had thrown in only a hour earlier... no RCD's in them days to save your ---... fate can rear its ugly head in many forms... Final Destination films are not always far from the truth with a world of several billion people most scenario's how ever remote or unlikely will happen given the amount of the population in contact with electrical equipment.

The problem with death is most do not want to know when they will depart this world but they spend their life teasing death by using the forces of assumption and complacency.... think of those poor shoppers who were killed by the dustbin lorry ... we walk 1m away from vehicles some in excess of 20-tons travelling at 30mph and the inherent risks never seem to cross your mind yet go to a fairground and you told to stand bak from a kids ride doing 3mph!

 

[polo1]

After testing wave your volt stick around in there for extra reassurance

Didn't mention that bit. I usually do, but that very morning my trusty Greenlee died on me (no, new batteries didn't help) and I didn't go out to the van for my spare Fluke. Now I think about it, have I upset someone with mystical powers.....like Darkwood???

 

[baldsparkies]

My final check (and I MEAN FINAL check) on any circuit I'm working on, is to glance my finger with a light touch on the end of the cables in question.
If your not willing to do that, then you need to ask yourself why ??
Proving dead means without any doubts.
This method as worked for me over the years, and there have been occasions in my distant past when I have received a tingle this way.
Its just made me thankful that I didn't make a full on grab of the offending cable.
Those shared neutrals are the most common offenders.
I tell any trade who asks a sparky if a circuit is safe, not to trust to a simple yes.
Make the guy touch the cables.
If he's worth his salt, and done his job right he will.

 

[shanky887614]

My final check (and I MEAN FINAL check) on any circuit I'm working on, is to glance my finger with a light touch on the end of the cables in question.
If your not willing to do that, then you need to ask yourself why ??
Proving dead means without any doubts.
This method as worked for me over the years, and there have been occasions in my distant past when I have received a tingle this way.
Its just made me thankful that I didn't make a full on grab of the offending cable.
Those shared neutrals are the most common offenders.
I tell any trade who asks a sparky if a circuit is safe, not to trust to a simple yes.
Make the guy touch the cables.
If he's worth his salt, and done his job right he will.

anyone that trusts his work will be willing to do a tt

 

[nickblake]

DNO removed a eco 7 supply once left tails from the board dangling in a house , house holder couldnt work out why the storage heaters were still getting hot , some numpty had got the cables crossed on a ring main one leg of the ring went to the storage heater board and powered it up via the fuse , im amazed the DNO guy never got a belt