Could this plumber have been killed?

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GG

Senior Member
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Ft.Worth, T.X.
I went on a residential call today where a plumber had cut one of the underground plumbing pipes. He said as soon as he cut the metal pipe in half that sparks started flying. I found that the neutral at the panel had burned in half and that the neutral current was now traveling on the water pipe. So could this plumber have been electrocuted and how do they protect themselves from this situation? I have heard of plumbers using car jumper cables to fill in for the section of pipe they remove until they make their repair, is this a good idea?
 

stud696981

Senior Member
Yes it is possible if he touched both pieces of cut pipe at the same time. For example if he was trying to couple the pipes, touched one pipe with one hand and the other with the opposite hand, current would have traveled between both hands, through the chest and could have stopped his heart.

This is a good example of why a plumber should make a bonding jumper before cutting a main water line.
 
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