Installing single pole bolt on breakers live?

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Bobby08

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Detroit, MI, USA
Do any of you guys install single pole bolt on breakers with power still on the bus? I've done it before, but after reading into it, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't.

Just curious what everyone elses preferences are?

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Bobby08 said:
Do any of you guys install single pole bolt on breakers with power still on the bus? I've done it before, but after reading into it, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't.

Just curious what everyone elses preferences are?
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I was on a job about 30 years ago where an electrician got a screw driver across a couple of phases and that didn't work out well. He got his eyes kind of messed up from the fireball.

So I invested in better insulated tools for jobs like that. You need the shaft of the screw driver or nut driver insulated.

If you are doing a job and you can't figure out a way to eliminate the risk to your satisfaction then don't do it.
 
No, you're not supposed to, and yes, I do it; these comments are not limited to 1p breakers.

I use a plastic-body electric screwdriver with extension, not a manually-driven screwdriver.

Of course, I'm talking about 120v to ground, not 277v. And, one or two, not a whole panel.
 
At 26 years old, I did it live all day long, voltage didn't matter.

At 36, would still do 120 volts live but not 277.

Now, at 46, no way no how no matter the voltage.
 
Also as long as the breaker is I'm the off position obviously does the voltage really make a difference especially between 120-277

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I guess, I mean insulated screw driver/ nut driver no load odds are in your favor

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Bobby08 said:
Do any of you guys install single pole bolt on breakers with power still on the bus? I've done it before, but after reading into it, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't.

Just curious what everyone elses preferences are?

Sent from my SM-G965U1 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


We do it. Just don't admit to it on this forum!
 
Highly recommend wearing safety glasses.
And dry shoes - especially on concrete floors

And I've bought a few screw holding drivers, phillips and flat

Even so, I've had a few screwdrivers with a notch blown out.
 
If you are not comfortable connecting live then please don't do it. This isn't the Hairy Chested Men's Club.:)
I typically connect them live, 1,2,3 pole breakers. I was taught to connect them live. Businesses and factories didn't want us shutting down full panels.
We would test the bus/ busses, circuit breakers for shorts and then install.
I recommend proper glasses, gloves and boots.
 
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