A good laugh

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pierre

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Westchester County, New York
I was at an 'older' woman's house the other day while making an inspection for an electrical contractor. I noticed an old two wire lamp cord type extension cord running under the carpet by the door opening. I took a peek under the carpet and could see the insulation had completely worn away exposing copper from both conductors. I told the woman it would be a good idea to replace the cord because it could cause a fire or shock her. She replied almost scolding me and said " I only get shocked when I plug it in". The contractor and I got a really good laugh from that one.

[ November 29, 2004, 11:00 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
 
Re: A good laugh

I don't want to sound like a goody two shoes but I think I might have given her a new (or a used) cord. It is funny how some people are. She sounds like one that just doesn't get it. $5.00 bucks and a few minutes. Good deed for the month. I don't always go around being nice to people but sometimes I do. :)
 
Re: A good laugh

Yeah, I think I would have done the same...beacuse that's kinda scary, although it did make me laugh.
 
Re: A good laugh

Originally posted by pierre:
"I only get shocked when I plug it in".
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:D

That reminds me of a coworker of mine.

He was standing on the top most step of a six foot ladder straining to reach something. I pointed out that a 10' ladder was not more than a few feet away and that he should not be standing on the top step.

His reply.

"It's OK, I wouldn't do this if I did not know I can without falling." :D

Apparently the people that do fall from ladders know they will fall. :p
 
Re: A good laugh

I was making a two banger out let and making it a four banger. At work one day for some fans, and I went to find breaker feeding receptacles. To my amazement it was a 30A breaker for only those receptacles. I reported my findings to my boss, and told him I was going to replace it. Then he told me no don?t because he told me two fifteen amp receptacles added up to 30A so leave it. I tried to explain it does not work that way. Then he said well four fans will trip a 20A breaker. So I told him then do not use four fans, and pointed out the receptacles for our radio charges there are about fifteen on one 20A breaker. Asked him do you mean that should be 20A X 15 = 300A breaker? His answer was yes. :D
 
Re: A good laugh

I was making a two banger out let and making it a four banger. At work one day for some fans
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I don't have as many fans as I used to. I haven't signed an autograph in years. :D
 
Re: A good laugh

Hahaha...well as long as you leave it plugged in, everything's A-OK.

Another story to add. About ten years ago, when they built the REI store in Seattle, there were a couple of Aussies working on the top of the rock climbing wall they were installing. The GF went up to them and asked them where their fall protection was, and also wanted to see their fall protection plan.

The two gave the GF a puzzled look and then responded while shaking their heads, 'Fall? We don't fall!'

I thought that was a classic response.
 
Re: A good laugh

You know the sad thing about a service call is when you find a violation like this and you try your hardest to get that person to understand the danger of it being allowed to stay that way, and they just don't understand and think we are trying to make a few more bucks while we are there. I have installed a new receptacle for free a few times to get them to understand that when that cord shorts out and it will, just the when is not known.

What happened to me once was I had a service call to an elderly man who had extension cords all over the place. They where in very bad shape and most were very dry rotted and were falling apart. I tried my best to get him to let me add some receptacle's for a very minimum charge of just the cost of the material. But he just wouldn't budge. even his daughter could not get him to accept my offer. and she knew that I tried every approach. But to my sadness about a month later I read in the paper that he passed away in that house from a fire caused by the very extension cords that in his own statement he said

" they been this way for 20 years and they will stay that way until I die"

He got his wish.
 
Re: A good laugh

When I was a contractor, I cut cords like that and have added receptacles for people I knew that could not afford the work. It was one part of owning the business that I enjoyed - my choice of when not to get paid :cool: .

I have learned some hard lessions very quickly as an inspector, and sometimes I have to be a hard a$$. The contractor did say he would provide the older woman with a new receptacle, I am not aware if he has.
I will also add that there are many who are their own worst enemy, so I take a very cautious approach these days.
 
Re: A good laugh

A inspector can use the eminent danger of life and property law that most states have on the book's. To force these types of repairs or at least removal of the extension cord if in that bad of shape. But he/she has to be on the property for a legal reason. Ask your city attorney about it. Confiscate the cord for evidence so if anything did go to court the judge would know you were saving there life.
 
Re: A good laugh

Originally posted by hurk27:
A inspector can use the eminent danger of life and property law that most states have on the book's. To force these types of repairs or at least removal of the extension cord if in that bad of shape. But he/she has to be on the property for a legal reason. Ask your city attorney about it. Confiscate the cord for evidence so if anything did go to court the judge would know you were saving there life.
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Wayne you are scaring the $&#@ out of me!

This is America if I want to do stupid things in my own house that is (or should be :) :cool:

If this was rental, commercial etc. I would agree with your suggestions.

Bob

[ December 01, 2004, 06:56 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
 
Re: A good laugh

How's this? Today I went over to my sister's boyfriend's house to remove the 60W keyless from his garage and install six 2-bulb fluorescents, as an early surprise Christmas present from her to him. When I got there I saw the coach lights on the front of the garage were powered by two extension cords from the garage door opener receptacle. Didn't even run through the header of the wall, just went from the last truss straight to the box in the face of the wall. Wire nuts outside the box, the whole works.

Needless to say, he got more than the fluorescents for Christmas! In his defense, my sister said it was like that when he bought the place... :)
 
Re: A good laugh

A keyless is the $1 white fixture commonly seen in basements, garages, etc. The most minimal cheapest light available.

A coach light is slang (I think it's slang!) for outside lights on a dwelling or garage that mount to the wall and look similar to the old west lights on coaches! :)
 
Re: A good laugh

Oh yeah...we got a bunch of keyless fixtures at school...I thought that's what you were talking about, but I wasn't sure. :) I *think* I know what coach lights are now, too. :p
 
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