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keep N-E in connector when swapping lights, it will stop them resetting breaker.
or put the bullet in your pocket
or put the bullet in your pocket
Discuss Stupid stupid stupud customers. in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
im swapped fused spurs liveYou getting zapped or you and the lad taking all day doing three like for like replacements..... Not sure what is more shocking
You getting zapped or you and the lad taking all day doing three like for like replacements..... Not sure what is more shocking
I have such a rubbish day that I think this deserves a post.
Ok today started off rubbish and ended up rubbish to finish off. I will use rubbish and light wordin to keep the language clean but I am thinking much stronger wording.
So I was booked to fit 3 new halogen security lights. Change like for like so all the power runs were there but the old lights did not work.
It started off rubbish as soon as I got up. It was raining. My rule of thumb. No outside electrical work when it's raining. Especially up a ladder.
So I phoned up the customer to reschedule.
Here we go.
I got grief down the phone telling me that I couldn't be bothered and was using the rain as a excuse.
I made it very clear that I was not fitting any lights in the rain and she's welcome to rebook for a dry day.
Just my luck. By 10 am the weather was brightening up and the rain had stopped so I decided to phone the customer so that we can start the work fitting the lights.
I picked up my lad (helper) on the way. It's always good to have somebody at the bottom of the ladder.
Anyway. We arrived at the customers house to start the work as quoted.
1st light no problems fitted. Tested and working. Fortunately the lights are not to high around 10 ft.
So here we go. 2nd light.
I tell the customer that I am turning off the power again and she confirmed that it was ok.
Back up the ladder and I remove the old light. Connect up my Megger to the connections and go back to turn on the power to test the supply.
Test the supply and everything checks out ok. then off with the power to fit the new light.
So there I am up the ladder about 5 rugs up so not that high. My lad is below me keeping the ladder safe.
As I'm busy connecting up the light putting the wires into the connecting block I get a almighty shock and a bright flash and bang.
I kind of jump backwards off the ladder from the shock but manage to save myself from completely falling off the ladder and breaking my neck.
Once I'm back on the ground and still in shock from what has just happened. My lad said he had just got a small electric shock from the ladder. I realised that the freaking power was on. What the hell.
I goes into the house and yes the consumer unit was switched on.
I shouts to the customer( did she turn this on?) and she replies.
(((((YES I NEEDED THE INTERNET))))))
I won't repeat what I shouted to the customer and what the next 10 minuites conversation was but I can confirmed that it was not polite to say the least.
Silly cow nearly killed me so that she could have the freaking Internet.
As I had lost my cool I decided to quit this job. Make the cable safe. Pack up and get out of there no charge.
We had just packed up. More like chucking everything in the van in a temper.
Then her husband decided to come out and started to have a go for talking to her in this manner. I've upset her.
It wasn't long before he knew what had happened and why I was so annoyed.
Fortunatly he understood why I was so annoyed and went back in the house with his tail between his legs.
He did ask me to wait just for a min while he chats to the wife.
Stupid me I waited. I should have just driven off.
after about 5 mins she came out all apologetic for what has happend and asked me if I could finish off her lights.
By this time I had calmed down and finally agreed to finish off the job.
So here we go. Back to work.
On the last light it was all fitted and ready to go. I turn the power back on and guess what. ((( faulty light)))).
Fortunatly I have one in the van as I always keep one light in stock.
Half hour later the replacement was all fitted and working.
Now at this point you think it was all over. Yea right!!!
The husband comes out and asked for a favour. As I had the ladder and the drill out would I fit up a hanging basket bracket. Only 1.
Ummmmm. Oh ok. So I fitted up his basket bracket.
Finally the job was finished. It's getting dark and everything's packed up and all lights working.
Time to settle up.
Standing in the customers hallway by the front door I discuss the final bill trying to avoid what happend.
now I'm a trades person that has invested in a mobile credit debit card machine to take payments.
Much better than any cheque.
So I take the payment but his card is declined. I tried 3 times but it's declined. He confirms that he has no cash to pay me.
Ok so he says he will phone me as soon as the wife gets home with her credit card details.
Im forced to accept that he will phone me later. For some reason I don't trust him.
Anyway. It's now 8pm and I've had no phone call yet. I've tried phoning but it keeps going to answer phone. .
so now it looks like that I have been stiffed as well.
Im going to bed now as I'm so fed up.
Now I don't want to discuss the yes and nos to the health and safety using lock out kits on old fuse wire fuse boards etc etc.
this is not what this post is about.
I just wanted to type this up so you can enjoy how rubbish my day was.
so I've been insulted, electroquted, lied to and now stiffed.
ive decided to let this one go as I can't be bothered with any more grief today.
Many thanks for reading
Don't exaggerate ... you have NOT been "Electrocuted" as you're obviously still alive!
And .. next time; LOCK IT OFF!!
As there may not be a next time
remove the outgoing cable from the breaker.Lock off with a tag ... I thought that I was reasonably equipped with the kit until I turned up on 2 sites over the last few weeks where my kit did not fit. The domestic setting was a new build ... nice big new consumer unit ... property being built for an electrician. Neither lock-off device worked; I was 'fortunate' that there were only 3 of us on site all working as part of a close knit multi-trade team in the garage and remote from the CU. I was the only one who needed to access the CU in the main house, in hindsight I should have locked the house door to reduce the risk further. In the second instance, a light commercial setting, the DB was of a sufficient age to have removable PDs leaving ~ IP2X hazard. I pocketed them whilst remote from the DB. What other options are available when your lock-off kit doesn't fit.
Don't exaggerate ... you have NOT been "Electrocuted" as you're obviously still alive!
Totally agree. Lock out, tag out.AND .. next time; LOCK IT OFF!!
As wrong as he was i think the op deserves some sympathy. What sort of idiot turns on the electric if an electrician working at your house turns it off? Would you turn on the water supply if a plumber turned it off and was fitting new taps in your house? Or flush the toilet if a man was hooking up a septic tank?
I also hope he gets paid but you cant expect to get paid every evening.
Electrocution can be injury or death caused by electric shock.
out.
Reply to Stupid stupid stupud customers. in the UK Electrical Forum area at ElectriciansForums.net
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