Solve This Service Call

[ptonsparky]

I believe he is referring to situation where you might have power coming from another fuse/breaker whether unintentional or even say a line to line load where the other device is simply the other side of the supply for this circuit.

Exactly.
Why you ask Existing,? New? Who did what?

I've seen it often enough.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I believe in England they wire circuits in a loop. Not sure if both ends are energized or not but if a wire gets shorted in the middle you can disconnect it and it will be fed from the other end.

 

[mikeames]

We haven't had one for a while, so here's one from this morning:

Customer called yesterday. Doctor's office waiting room. Breaker "tosses sparks and won't stay on". I arrive and find a breaker turned off (marked "Waiting Room"... whooda thunk it?), and the following floor plan. The panel is in the basement at the rear of the building.

1. Verify no power in waiting room

2. Verify the breaker tripped is IN FACT the circuit that goes to these outlets. Don't want to start troubleshooting an entirely different problem.
I like absolute continuity for this. In the process of isolating and identifying the branch circuit feeding the outlets, check for short.

3. Verify breaker operation unloaded

4. dependent on first three.......

 

[Dell3c]

Brother Sparky..
Some of us still waiting in audience & are now, running low on the "popcorn".. ..

Will you return & solve the mystery (?)(?)

 

[ptonsparky]

I don't think it needs to be solved by us so much as giving hints to some initial steps that may or should be taken leading to the solution. It is a flow chart. Yes or No leads to different questions and eventually a fix.

 

[Dell3c]

Well I agree, I probably need to get me a life.. And in all due respect, we don't always (as individuals) think alike either.

This posting, it having already 2k viewing, sense it's inception.. He took the time in posting, so maybe entailed something he believed @ time, could be very interesting (?)

 

[kwired]

1. Verify no power in waiting room

2. Verify the breaker tripped is IN FACT the circuit that goes to these outlets. Don't want to start troubleshooting an entirely different problem.
I like absolute continuity for this. In the process of isolating and identifying the branch circuit feeding the outlets, check for short.

3. Verify breaker operation unloaded

4. dependent on first three.......

But he said he didn't need a meter to do whatever he did and is part of why in my sequence of events was to first turn on the breaker and see if it holds or trips, still won't know if it has output other than known loads begin to work again.

 

[mikeames]

But he said he didn't need a meter to do whatever he did and is part of why in my sequence of events was to first turn on the breaker and see if it holds or trips, still won't know if it has output other than known loads begin to work again.

He said no "High Dollar" tools. Is a basic wiggy high dollar? I don't know

I didn't use any high-$ tools.... just what I have in my tool tote. Screwdrivers, linesmans, strippers etc.

 

[ptonsparky]

He said no "High Dollar" tools. Is a basic wiggy high dollar? I don't know

Well, I've had wire strippers that doubled as voltage testers and sometimes fuse blowers.

 

[hillbilly1]

Well, I've had wire strippers that doubled as voltage testers and sometimes fuse blowers.

You mean circuit tracer? LOL!

 

[gar]

210524-2147 EDT

In the old days of tube type car radios the troubleshooter at the end of the assembly line at Zenith would use a screwdriver as a signal source, or as a voltmeter. Fast and quick.

.

 

[romex jockey]

I believe in England they wire circuits in a loop. Not sure if both ends are energized or not but if a wire gets shorted in the middle you can disconnect it and it will be fed from the other end.

the infamous ring circuit

so one wonders what the same service call 's approach would then be there?

~RJ~

 

[hbiss]

so one wonders what the same service call 's approach would then be there?

I would say break the ring someplace and go both ways.

-Hal

 

[xformer]

I would disassemble the Circuit at Receptacle #4 and reenergize.

 

[kwired]

He said no "High Dollar" tools. Is a basic wiggy high dollar? I don't know

Probably higher dollar than licking finger then touching to test for volts.

I've got good screwdrivers, pliers, strippers, etc. that cost more than some cheap Harbor Freight meters cost.

 

[JEFF MILLAR]

Green side up.

 

[oldsparky52]

Hey Ken, you ever going to teach us?

Come on man, I know you have a good story to tell.

 

[ptonsparky]

Almost as easy as "where is the other switch?".