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Posted by J. Clarke on June 17, 2006, 2:41 pm
Pete C. wrote:
> Toller wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Toller wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > Toller wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Toller wrote:
>> >> >> >> > Hi,
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > I bought a book plus spent a number of hours on the computer
>> >> >> >> > to research and I hope someone can help me with just a few
>> >> >> >> > very basic
>> >> >> >> > questions I still have:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > 1. I have a 100 amp service. If I turn off the main circuit
>> >> >> >> > breaker
>> >> >> >> > can I change for instance a 20 amp breaker without worry of
>> >> >> >> > shock if
>> >> >> >> > I
>> >> >> >> > don't touch anything else other than the breaker and the wire
>> >> >> >> > that
>> >> >> >> > needs to be unscrewed? (I have a few that don't match my GE
>> >> >> >> > panel
>> >> >> >> > and
>> >> >> >> > I heard that they should)
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Most people don't even bother to do that, but yes; the box
>> >> >> >> should be
>> >> >> >> dead
>> >> >> >> if
>> >> >> >> the main breaker is open. Never touch a potentially live wire
>> >> >> >> without
>> >> >> >> testing it first!
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > You're suggesting that most people replace breakers without
>> >> >> > turning off
>> >> >> > the main breaker? Not only is that irresponsible to suggest
>> >> >> > to the
>> >> >> > OP, who clearly identified himself as a novice, but on what basis
>> >> >> > do you even make the claim that most people do it?
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> English must be a second language for one of us; I don't see where
>> >> >> I recommended that.
>> >> >> I have no hard statistics, but I haven't spoken to anyone who turns
>> >> >> off
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> main breaker so I expect it is the common practice.
>> >> >
>> >> > Well, now you have. IMO, anyone who fiddles around with circuit
>> >> > breakers without turning off the main breaker is an idiot. I always
>> >> > turn it off. And I seriously doubt that most people don't turn
>> >> > off the main breaker.
>> >> >
>> >> That's like opening the breaker before unplugging your iron. But if
>> >> you need to do it, there is certainly no harm, other than having to
>> >> reset every
>> >> electronic device in the house.
>> >
>> > It only gets worse. First, you claimed to a newbie concerned about
>> > safety that most people would not turn off the main breaker when
>> > replacing a breaker. I believe that is bogus, as most people, myself
>> > included would. And now you suggesting that replacing breakers
>> > without turning off the power is comparable to unplugging an iron?
>> >
>> Geez, have you ever changed a breaker?
>> You switch it off, confirm there is no power to the wire, pull it out,
>> disconnect the wire, connect the wire to the new breaker, make sure the
>> new breaker is open, shove the new breaker in.
>> It is a hair more complicated than unplugging an iron, but neither more
>> dangerous nor more difficult. Even if you forget to switch it off, it
>> still should be perfectly safe since you don't touch the wire until the
>> breaker is out of the box; even then it is with a presumably insulated
>> screwdriver.
>>
>> You should not come within 3" of a live wire, so where do you have a
>> problem?
>> And even if by some bizarre accident, worst came to worst, unless you are
>> working barefoot standing in salt water...
>> Do you wear rubber gloves when you do it, just to be sure? Stand on
>> glass
>> jars? Have one hand behind your back? Maybe pull the meter? Geez.
>
> Have to agree. The normal snap in breakers are very much comparable to a
> regular 5-15 plug connection.
>
> You are holding an insulated breaker case equivalent to an insulated
> plug, and you are connecting / disconnecting a spring pressure
> connection just like a plug.
>
> All is at the same voltages you get with normal plugs, even with a two
> pole breaker since 6-20 and 6-30 and 6-50 plugs are common household
> items as well.
With "normal plugs" you don't have an exposed 240 volt bus on a 100+ amp
breaker.
> If you feel better turning off the main then by all means do so, it's
> only your time to reset everything that you're wasting, but don't insist
> that everyone else should do the same.
If you want to risk your own life to save resetting a couple of clocks
that's your choice. But to advocate that to a complete stranger who admits
to being clueless with regard to electrical wiring is irresponsible in the
extreme.
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
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