?'s at the counter

Merry Christmas

?'s at the counter

  • Figure it out yourself pal... (You might see this guy every other day)

    Votes: 8 20.5%

  • One feeder out to the location and tap in a gutter to 2 disco's

    Votes: 16 41.0%

  • 2 runs - 1 for each

    Votes: 4 10.3%

  • Other....

    Votes: 11 28.2%
  • Total voters
    39
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e57

e57

Senior Member
Location
San Francisco, CA
I get these from time to time.... Guy you don't know asks very knowagable counter guy a question - counter guy looks at you - do you answer or what? If you answer what do you say?

Heres the question:
Got 2 HUGE compressors - both identical - 95a each according to table values - a 250' run overhead inside.
 
No you let him fall flat on his face.If he he doesnt know what he needs then send him home.That guy has got to be a joke,he is asking $10 hour guy to do journeymans work.
 
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I give them a card but they usually don't want it. I don't give free advice other than to tell people on occasion that what they want to do is a code violation and therefor dangerous. It is amazing some of the wacky ideas you can hear at the Borg store!:smile:
 
e57 said:
I get these from time to time.... Guy you don't know asks very knowagable counter guy a question - counter guy looks at you - do you answer or what? If you answer what do you say?

Heres the question:
Got 2 HUGE compressors - both identical - 95a each according to table values - a 250' run overhead inside.
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What is, act like a dummy and walk away, Alex.

.....and that guy actually thought the counter guy would know that? :confused:

Is your counter guy a forum member? :grin:
 
iaov said:
I give them a card but they usually don't want it. I don't give free advice other than to tell people on occasion that what they want to do is a code violation and therefor dangerous. It is amazing some of the wacky ideas you can hear at the Borg store!:smile:
Click to expand...

Do us all a favor and tell them to call there daddy.They should not be there asking questions ,just ordering material.
 
The local supply house I deal with has some good guys there and they know how to get that "glazed over look" when someone who doesn't know what they need asks a question like that. Even when some of these guys know the answer. They have been instructed by the owner not to give "how to" advise. God love them for it. :grin:
 
I've heard licensed EC's (grandfathered) ask counter guys how to connect a gfci recep, install a stop/start switch, connect a 3-phase motor, etc. . . .
 
I have asked counter people about material I may not be familiar with, but I try not to be in the habit of offering install advice. The "wanting to help your fellow man" nature wants to kick in once in a while, but advising someone on sight-unseen installs is risky business, and, as mentioned, if he is asking for ideas at the supply counter, he has no business being present at this stage of the game.
 
I work for an electrical distributer and you would not belive some of the things we are asked. It is scary sometimes.
 
In a straight face tell them that for every circular mill the feed conductor is undersized a flux capacitor with at least 10 micro farads per henry must be installed in parallel with the Y phase and any metal likely to become energized that has been bonded to achieve equipotentiality while keeping the lead inductance to a minimum. Also be sure to inform him that he needs to be assured that the O.D. of *any* conduit used must exceed the I.D. or else the hole will be on the outside of the pipe.

If you can do all that without cracking a smile I doubt you will be asked for your opinion again.
 
You Don't Know Until You Ask

You Don't Know Until You Ask

:)
e57 said:
A former EC - and a very good one - I have trusted his advice for years - never steared me wrong...
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Wow. Don't find many of those (qualified counter guys that is). I wasn't expecting that answer. :cool:
 
frizbeedog said:
:)

Wow. Don't find many of those (qualified counter guys that is). I wasn't expecting that answer. :cool:
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Touchee. That is where I thought the post was heading when I read the title. I have changed my usual supply house because I got tired of if one or two particular people weren't there there was no point in going.
 
Are you going to tell your stand, or base your future conversations on a forum poll ?
 
Which guy are you?

Which guy are you?

e57 said:
I get these from time to time.... Guy you don't know asks very knowagable counter guy a question - counter guy looks at you - do you answer or what? If you answer what do you say?

Heres the question:
Got 2 HUGE compressors - both identical - 95a each according to table values - a 250' run overhead inside.
Click to expand...

e57, My first impressions were that you were not the counter guy.

But it has been called into question by a few.

Are you the guy the counter guy looks at?

Not that it really matters to answer the OP question/poll.

As the saying goes, You are an enigma wrapped in a riddle. :)
 
frizbeedog said:
e57, My first impressions were that you were not the counter guy.

But it has been called into question by a few.

Are you the guy the counter guy looks at?

Not that it really matters to answer the OP question/poll.

As the saying goes, You are an enigma wrapped in a riddle. :)
Click to expand...
Don't know where you guys are going.... (But if the beers good...)

  • Me - not the counter guy.;) But I seem to be there TOO MUCH...
  • Donald - Supply house owner (Guy at / behind the counter) formerly an EC still holds on to his license, but out of the feild eons ago, but still well connected to the trade, (leaving buisness to his son - but shows up to work everyday...), a huge wealth of knowledge to myself prior to trolling the internet late night like - now.... :rolleyes: (Who did you ask silly questions of and opinions from before here???)
  • EC at counter trying to work out cost vs. hassle - like many of us should and often do. (Note: nature of question well beyond what one would install at home as a DYI project)
So Donald, partially retired EC/Supply house owner says - "Hey Mark, breakers as a disconnect still needs to be lockable right?" - Me "Ah, :rolleyes: yeah...." - Donald - "Check this out - if you were......" (pencil sketch on counter)

And thats the question - "Would you do two runs sized for 95a @ 125% for 250' - or one run for both?" - Me still trying to sort out 'tap rules, the job I'm going to, whats 4/0 in the table? - derating would apply if in one conduit, 2 circuits'

Me - "Sorry gotta go - I would do one run as a feeder - tap in a gutter between them both to two disconnects - but you have to check the tap rules.... Gotta go..."

cadpoint the first vote was mine....
 
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