homemade tester, strange results

[jetlag]

Hummm...Wonder what the fine from OSHA would be for having a cord like that on a job? If I ever cought one of my guys using something like that they would be walking home because they wouldn't be employed anymore and non employees don't drive company trucks. :grin:

I wouldnt let an employee use it either nor would I advise any one else to. It is for me, the boss , it is safer than you think, a red led light reminds me it is on and a push button normally off switch is attached to each plug , it breaks hot and neutral unless plug is completely inserted. They are available thru r v dealers , some small campers still use it to supply power into the camper .

 

[e57]

I wouldnt let an employee use it either nor would I advise any one else to. It is for me, the boss , it is safer than you think, a red led light reminds me it is on and a push button normally off switch is attached to each plug , it breaks hot and neutral unless plug is completely inserted. They are available thru r v dealers , some small campers still use it to supply power into the camper .

Got a picture? Make/model#? Goose - gander?

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

Your setting a very poor example for your workers. There are plenty of proper ways to test circuits and this is not one of them. Sooner or later your method will put 240 volts onto something and will cost you plenty. The number of years you been doing it means nothing other than you been lucky.

 

[steve66]

I have those testers and know how they work but I prefer my way with a light bulb tester. It puts a load on the circuit and wont read phantom voltage

If you spring for the ones with the neon lamps, you don't have to worry about phantom readings. For the Ideal models, that means spending about 20 bucks. But I bet you can find cheaper ones.

From the ideal website:

"Premium neon lamps prevent false readings"

Steve

 

[steve66]

still dont know why breaker triped

Well nobody guessed it , the open was just loose enough not to make connection, but when I back fed from a different phase it put 240 on the loose connection and was enough to jump the bad connection. But what do I know Im just a dumb old school using a light bulb tester

So you posted a question that you already knew the answer to, and lead everyone to believe you were looking for help, just so you could say that?? :roll:

I hate to tell you, but if 120V won't turn on a light bulb tester, 240V isn't going to trip a breaker.

Loose connections make and break contact on a whim, or if anything near them moves. And I would say that's what happened. And that's another reason not to use your cheater cord.

Steve

 

[jap]

Well nobody guessed it , the open was just loose enough not to make connection, but when I back fed from a different phase it put 240 on the loose connection and was enough to jump the bad connection. But what do I know Im just a dumb old school using a light bulb tester

If what your saying is true, then I guessed it on post #5.

I didnt know we were being tested.

So you knowingly sent 240v across the connection knowing that it would go phase to phase?

Sorry for trying to help you on a professional basis.

 

[yankj]

There are bold electricians and old electricians. Not too many bold, old electricians. It only takes once to make a widow.
Have a safe day!

 

[Dave58er]

Am I the only one who cannot read a long ass "paragraph" like that? I get about two lines in and get lost.

You're not the only one.

I really have no idea what this guy is saying and I'm 75% sure I don't want to.

Jetlag, I'm having a hard time following you in this thread. Did you say in the OP you are using a homemade tester but then in a recent post say you bought it from an RV supplier?

Do you purposely use a hot from a different phase when using this technique?

 

[One-eyed Jack]

If what your saying is true, then I guessed it on post #5.

I didnt know we were being tested.

So you knowingly sent 240v across the connection knowing that it would go phase to phase?

Sorry for trying to help you on a professional basis.

All he has to do is be in the vicinity of a 1200 amp 480 volt main when it lets go under L-L fault. That will break anyone from introducing a L-L fault on purpose. NO I did not create the fault but I was less than 6 feet from it when it let go. A Chicken Stick has become my friend.

 

[growler]

There are bold electricians and old electricians. Not too many bold, old electricians. It only takes once to make a widow.

Darwin calls it natural selection and that's just the way things are ment to be. A little chlorine in the gene pool.

 

[LarryFine]

I start with a lamp or fixture connected to the dead circuit or portion, and have someone watch it if I can't see it where I'm working. Usually, wiggling the devices will find the offending connection.

If need be, I use a cord plugged into a known-working receptacle, and use a solenoid-type tester between each cord slot and each circuit conductor to find which one has the open connection.

 

[mxslick]

All he has to do is be in the vicinity of a 1200 amp 480 volt main when it lets go under L-L fault. That will break anyone from introducing a L-L fault on purpose. NO I did not create the fault but I was less than 6 feet from it when it let go. A Chicken Stick has become my friend.

I have been in the vicinity of a 240 volt L-L fault a few times and it's no fun either.

I'm also of the camp that thinks the widow maker cord is a very bad idea and the OP is lucky he hasn't killed anyone or started a fire with that little trick.:roll: