I have done quite a bit of DIY work in the past 20 years on my homes and read extensively on building, plumbing and electrical codes. However the one thing I do not feel comfortable with is working in the service panel. I recently purchased a new dual fuel gas range and had to run a new 240 volt 50 amp circuit. I have two separate 200 AMp service panels.
Everytime I open up the service panels I see those massive service lines and know that if I even so much as slip with something I am toast. does anyone know if there is product out there like a rubbler boot that protects a person from accidentally touching the service lines while you are working in the box?
Thanks.
John
Replies
John,
Turning off the main breakers will eliminate much of the risk though the feed side of the mains will still be live. As a double check after turning off the mains going down the breakers with a voltage detector is advisable to be absolutely sure that the rest of the panel is no longer energized.
If you turn off the mains and then work in the area of the box well away from the incoming power you should be reasonably safe. Usually you can bring the new lines into the side or bottom of the panel and will be able to stay well away, a foot or more, from the still live infeed which is most commonly brought in from the top. The only way to be totally safe would be to pull the meter which would completely cut off all power to the box.
As always, if you aren't confident about what you are doing, hiring an electrician is the way to go.
John W.
Well, if you touch both service lines, that's 240v, ground or no ground. Standing on a nonconducting surface (like a fiberglass ladder etc.) provides some protection but there's no way to eliminate risk if you touch one or both service lines.
You may be able to simply remove your meter from your meter base, which will absolutely make your panel dead, including the service lines (but do test before touching in case someone's jumpered 'round the meter).
If you're nervous, I'd suggest paying an electrician. There's no shame in letting an expert do what he's expert in doing.
If you are not comfortable with electricity.. DON'T..
No matter of you even have 'Lineman clothes and whatever'..
Just me.. Cost to install what you want is ALOT less expensive than a funeral...
I have a degree in Electronics so I know a bit about current and voltage. AND I lost a good friend about 10 years ago working on a service panel.. 480 Volt though. He was a electrician for about 25 years,,
Edited 12/5/2005 6:41 pm by WillGeorge
Edited 12/5/2005 6:44 pm by WillGeorge
John: Even taking off the panel cover while energized is an invite to disaster, if you slip. They used to show us a safety film where a screwdriver was dropped on to a bus @ 240v. There was a manikin next to it and its face and chest area were toast, with a shirt and undershirt. Flying high speed melted metal shower. Gloves are available, class 0 is good upto 1kv but to be proper they must be tested new out of the box and then every 6 months and properly cared for and checked every time they are used. By the book even an experienced electrician should not remove a cover from an energized panel though we used to do it all the time upto 480v. It's not the voltage so much as the amperage that will melt the cover or a tool and spit it out at you if you hit the line side of a main breaker or an energized bus. Duke
The Bill of Rights
December 15 1791
NRA Endowment Member
LEAA Life Member
CRPA Member
Electricity kills ... If you're not completely comfortable working with it, you should hire an electrician. Good luck.
Hi John
Look on the outgoing side of your meter. Some electric co,s install a main fuse. the one i am on do .or did back when they hooked me up. Mine has two cartilage fuses ,that when pulled kills the power to everything beyond the meter. I doubt that all power co.s do that. I like the idea myself.
Have a nice day Lee
John: Second thought: If you are having an electrician do the work your not comfortable with find out about having a seperate main disconnect put in your system. That will give you a positive shut off so you can work on stuff you are ok with. Also what are you using for a voltage tester? A Wiggie is good and so is a non-contact type tester, but you must know the limits of either, test each one everytime you use it. Duke
The Bill of Rights
December 15 1791
NRA Endowment Member
LEAA Life Member
CRPA Member
This post sems OK to me..But you still have to do the 'lectric' correctly!
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