Electrical quyestion for screenplay

Posted by bud-- on October 9, 2009, 11:13 am

DerbyDad03 wrote:

> On Oct 8, 4:27 pm, nickcarr_at_gmail_dot_...@foo.com (3rdrate) wrote:

>> Hi -
>> I have a question about house electrical wiring. This is for a screenplay,
>> so I don't need the details to be specific enough to do on my own, but I'm
>> trying to write a scene as accurately as possible, and would love any
>> descriptions you could provide.
>> In the film, the power keeps going out in a house, with the the master
>> breaker switch tripping. The main characters call in an electrician.
>> What is the order in which he'd investigate the problem, and what sort of
>> equipment would we likely to see him use? Assume that at each step,
>> contrary to one's assumption, he does not find the problem, and has to go
>> onto the next step.
>> I.e.:
>> 1) Checks breaker box with voltmeter. No problem there...
>> 2) Checks outlets individually for short circuits,
>> Etc.
>> Finally, at what point would it start to get complicated?
>> Thanks very much in advance. I hate when films get this sort of thing
>> wildly wrong.
>> Nick

>
> re: I hate when films get this sort of thing wildly wrong.
>
> You mean like the time on CSI when the construction worker got
> electrocuted by a power tool and one of the investigators, holding the
> plug in his hand said, "No wonder the GFI didn't save him. Somebody
> cut off the grounding tab."?

That one had me yelling at the TV. The latest Miami CSI with
murder-by-lightning was even worse.

There are different ways an electrician might handle the problem.
"Does the main breaker trip immediately when reset? After a short time?
Randomly?" Randomly can be hard to find.
Pull the cover. Look for obvious problems.
If the power has been on, feel the main breaker to see if it is hot.
Also other breakers. Look at current with clamp-on ammeter as RBM said.
If hot and reasonable current tighten screw (loose connection a la John).

If power is off turn off all the breakers, put a clamp-on ammeter on one
of the service wires.
Turn on the main breaker.
Turn on the branch breakers while watching the ammeter. I wouldn't stand
in front of a breaker when I turn it on.
Switch the clamp-on ammeter to the other service wire.

Or if a fuse panel -
Replace main fuse with a length of copper pipe.
Trace problem with the smoke method.

--
bud--

Posted by DerbyDad03 on October 8, 2009, 8:58 pm

On Oct 8, 4:27=A0pm, nickcarr_at_gmail_dot_...@foo.com (3rdrate) wrote:

> Hi -
> I have a question about house electrical wiring. This is for a screenplay=

> so I don't need the details to be specific enough to do on my own, but I'=

> trying to write a scene as accurately as possible, and would love any
> descriptions you could provide.
> In the film, the power keeps going out in a house, with the the master
> breaker switch tripping. The main characters call in an electrician.
> What is the order in which he'd investigate the problem, and what sort of
> equipment would we likely to see him use? Assume that at each step,
> contrary to one's assumption, he does not find the problem, and has to go
> onto the next step.
> I.e.:
> 1) Checks breaker box with voltmeter. No problem there...
> 2) Checks outlets individually for short circuits,
> Etc.
> Finally, at what point would it start to get complicated?
> Thanks very much in advance. I hate when films get this sort of thing
> wildly wrong.
> Nick

re: "The main characters call in an electrician."

It took more than one main character to call an electrician?

I bet that'll be some riveting dialog.

Posted by Mike Paulsen on October 8, 2009, 10:45 pm

3rdrate wrote:

> Hi -
>
> I have a question about house electrical wiring. This is for a screenplay,
> so I don't need the details to be specific enough to do on my own, but I'm
> trying to write a scene as accurately as possible, and would love any
> descriptions you could provide.
>
> In the film, the power keeps going out in a house, with the the master
> breaker switch tripping. The main characters call in an electrician.
>
> What is the order in which he'd investigate the problem, and what sort of
> equipment would we likely to see him use? Assume that at each step,
> contrary to one's assumption, he does not find the problem, and has to go
> onto the next step.
>
> I.e.:
> 1) Checks breaker box with voltmeter. No problem there...
> 2) Checks outlets individually for short circuits,
> Etc.

If you want a scenario that requires a bit of time, you probably need to

throw something else into the mix. Instead of meter --> Main Panel -->

Loads, you could have a meter and an emergency generator both feeding
into an automatic transfer panel. That panel would then feed the main
breaker box. Take a look at page three for an example:
http://www.cumminsonan.com/www/pdf/specsheets/a-1534.pdf

A problem with the generator or the transfer panel might take some time
to diagnose and may involve cycling the generator. I don't know enough
about such things to flesh out a plausible scenario though. Sorry.

>
> Finally, at what point would it start to get complicated?

He goes into the attic and finds a circuit that's still using knob and
tube wiring, and it's covered by insulation!

>
> Thanks very much in advance. I hate when films get this sort of thing
> wildly wrong.

Please let us know what you finally come up with.

Posted by Bill on October 9, 2009, 11:20 am

TV and movies are aimed at a very low intelligence level.

Most people would not understand the reasons behind a main breaker tripping.
They don't understand electricity.

And there are things an electrician would do in his head thinking about the
problem. But this would somehow need to be shown visually for a movie/TV.

So please describe in details the circumstances leading up to the main
breaker tripping, then what happens after the electrician does his thing.

In *reality* what would cause this, is too many things turned on at the same
time. Too small of an electrical service. A corroded wire or poor connection
causing heat at the breaker. Etc.

Perhaps if you explained things more, we could find a situation to fit into
your screenplay. Also is it a horror movie? Does someone get zapped by
electricity? Is the house haunted? Is it a story of a house which needs all
sorts of repairs? Etc.

"3rdrate" wrote in message

> Hi -
> I have a question about house electrical wiring. This is for a screenplay,
> so I don't need the details to be specific enough to do on my own, but I'm
> trying to write a scene as accurately as possible, and would love any
> descriptions you could provide.
> In the film, the power keeps going out in a house, with the the master
> breaker switch tripping. The main characters call in an electrician.
> What is the order in which he'd investigate the problem, and what sort of
> equipment would we likely to see him use? Assume that at each step,
> contrary to one's assumption, he does not find the problem, and has to go
> onto the next step.
> I.e.:
> 1) Checks breaker box with voltmeter. No problem there...
> 2) Checks outlets individually for short circuits,
> Etc.
> Finally, at what point would it start to get complicated?
> Thanks very much in advance. I hate when films get this sort of thing
> wildly wrong.
> Nick
>

Posted by The Daring Dufas on October 10, 2009, 2:52 pm

3rdrate wrote:

I've never seen a television show or movie that accurately portrayed
any electrical or technical work being done. Except maybe instructional
videos.

TDD

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Electrical quyestion for screenplay - Page 4