Failed CO Because of A Bad Tester

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360Youth

360Youth

Senior Member
Location
Newport, NC
Got a call Friday morning from a job foreman to say that we failed CO on a new home. Inspector said that most of the receptacles upstairs and about half downstairs had an open ground. In my mind I am thinking that is a lot but ok. I would go check it out. My first thought is a bad tester, but it was only some of the receptacles that failed. After running several scenarios through my head on the way over there I get there and plug my tester in and all is good. Check a few more. Good. Put meter leads on device terminals. Good. Had foreman plug in a saw and check against terminals with a load. Good. I figure inspector has a plug tester with intermittent working lamps. He comes back this morning with a new tester, passes, apologizes, and moves on. :roll: I can't say this is the first time have dealt with an inspector and a bad tester, but I would hope there would be some sort of back up plan, or a red flag might make him think to try a different tester. I was not there for re-inspect this morning. he was in and out before GC could get me down there.
 
360Youth said:
Got a call Friday morning from a job foreman to say that we failed CO on a new home. Inspector said that most of the receptacles upstairs and about half downstairs had an open ground. In my mind I am thinking that is a lot but ok. I would go check it out. My first thought is a bad tester, but it was only some of the receptacles that failed. After running several scenarios through my head on the way over there I get there and plug my tester in and all is good. Check a few more. Good. Put meter leads on device terminals. Good. Had foreman plug in a saw and check against terminals with a load. Good. I figure inspector has a plug tester with intermittent working lamps. He comes back this morning with a new tester, passes, apologizes, and moves on. :roll: I can't say this is the first time have dealt with an inspector and a bad tester, but I would hope there would be some sort of back up plan, or a red flag might make him think to try a different tester. I was not there for re-inspect this morning. he was in and out before GC could get me down there.
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I got a call from an inspector this morning. She is a brand spanking new inspector cutting her teeth. She call and said she cannot get into my panel to inspect. I asked her if she removed the screws,,,,she says all she had is a dime and they're too tight:mad: I had to drive twenty minutes to take the panel cover off. I gave her a 10 n 1:roll:
 
mcclary's electrical said:
I got a call from an inspector this morning. She is a brand spanking new inspector cutting her teeth. She call and said she cannot get into my panel to inspect. I asked her if she removed the screws,,,,she says all she had is a dime and they're too tight:mad: I had to drive twenty minutes to take the panel cover off. I gave her a 10 n 1:roll:
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Down here we have to on site and remove our own covers at all times.
We have to also provide a ladder, if necessary, for inspection.
 
jumper said:
Down here we have to on site and remove our own covers at all times.
We have to also provide a ladder, if necessary, for inspection.
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This county has a "no live cover to be removed" law, but this panel was not energized,:mad: heck there isn't even a pole within 500 feet. It's in the middle of a field.
 
360Youth said:
Got a call Friday morning from a job foreman to say that we failed CO on a new home. Inspector said that most of the receptacles upstairs and about half downstairs had an open ground. In my mind I am thinking that is a lot but ok. I would go check it out. My first thought is a bad tester, but it was only some of the receptacles that failed. After running several scenarios through my head on the way over there I get there and plug my tester in and all is good. Check a few more. Good. Put meter leads on device terminals. Good. Had foreman plug in a saw and check against terminals with a load. Good. I figure inspector has a plug tester with intermittent working lamps. He comes back this morning with a new tester, passes, apologizes, and moves on. :roll: I can't say this is the first time have dealt with an inspector and a bad tester, but I would hope there would be some sort of back up plan, or a red flag might make him think to try a different tester. I was not there for re-inspect this morning. he was in and out before GC could get me down there.
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He apologized. We all make mistakes.

I bet your next inspection will go smooth because of this mistake.
 
I disagree with letting an inspector, or another tradesperson for that matter use one of our ladders. Who will be liable when someone misses a step? Now in all practicality, the inspector is welcome to use our ladder...I just don;t agree with it.
 
LarryFine said:
Which county? I've not heard of that one.
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Larry, I've never seen it in writing. For as long as I can remember,,,this county has always said they WILL NOT remove a live panel cover, and I have witnessed first hand them refuse to inspect because the cover is on and nobody around. I'm not sure if the written version actually exist.

It was Louisa County
 
I always pull panel covers. You'd be amazed at what I have found "hiding" behind a cover.:roll:

Most recently, a neutral lug tek screwed to the back of the box. Wish I had a picture of that one.
 
mcclary's electrical said:
For as long as I can remember,,,this county has always said they WILL NOT remove a live panel cover, and I have witnessed first hand them refuse to inspect because the cover is on and nobody around.
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Oh, you mean the inspector won't remove the cover, not that you can't. Duh! :roll:
 
mcclary's electrical said:
Larry, I've never seen it in writing. For as long as I can remember,,,this county has always said they WILL NOT remove a live panel cover, and I have witnessed first hand them refuse to inspect because the cover is on and nobody around. I'm not sure if the written version actually exist.

It was Louisa County
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Will the same inspector still put their hand inside the panel to check conductor sizes or whatever without proper protective equipment?
 
I once shot an elephant walking in my pajamas........
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:D:D:D
 
LarryFine said:
Oh, you mean the inspector won't remove the cover, not that you can't. Duh! :roll:
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I've had inspectors tell me its unsafe to inspect a panel thats live even if I take the cover off for them....heheh. If a licensed electrician can't take the cover off a single phase 200A panel when its hot who can?
 
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