Picture of the (almost) mid-week

[securespark]

 

[dormermike]

I test everything before I touch it, but i use a multimeter as its all i have. I use nearest earth (earth or central heating pipes) as a reference and when that shows safe I also use myself as a reference as a second test. Then i work away. Is that OK?

So are you saying that you are making yourself part of the circuit, i.e. one probe on a live part and the other probe on your hand?

After i've verified no voltage against a known good earth, and after i 'short' the live and neutral with a screwdriver (which are showing no volts) then yes.... Ive confirmed the circuit is dead, so using myself as a reference also verifies no potential difference between me and wires. Its more of a crossing of the chest type thing than anything, like catholics do

But yeah, i can see what youre saying.

Btw i accidentally put you on ignore not sure how to remove that... Smartphone and fat fingers

 

[sparkiemike]

I would advise that you stop that, these is a good chance that probe could become live.

Guidance from the NICEIC on islolation procedures makes this point

http://www.niceic.com/en/account/media/17thpg5.pdf

When checking for a voltage between an earth terminal and
live (including neutral) terminals, the test probe should make
contact with the earth terminal first, to reduce the risk of the
remaining probe becoming live.

Also have a read of GS38 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/gs38.pdf

Also creating a short between L&N with a screwdriver is not wise.

 

[dormermike]

I would advise that you stop that, these is a good chance that probe could become live.

Guidance from the NICEIC on islolation procedures makes this point

http://www.niceic.com/en/account/media/17thpg5.pdf

When checking for a voltage between an earth terminal and
live (including neutral) terminals, the test probe should make
contact with the earth terminal first, to reduce the risk of the
remaining probe becoming live.

Also have a read of GS38 http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/gs38.pdf

Also creating a short between L&N with a screwdriver is not wise.

Many thanks for the docs. Just to clarify, i check the circuit is dead in much the same way as described eg earth/live, neutral/live, neutral/earth, however i also check earth resistance against rad or secondary earth eg earth at light fitting measure zero with earth from socket. I realise i may sound blarsay but i dont take chances. Shorting is only after confirming all dead and whilst redundant does rule out any chance of residual dangerous voltage say if the multimeter was faulty... No chances!

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Also creating a short between L&N with a screwdriver is not wise.

 

[ricicle]

I.ve seen a cable spike go through a live 11kV cable