Dodgy trade pictures for your amusement! - 1 Million Views!

Darkwood · Mar 21, 2015

Right ... Just been nudged to set this up by Paul.M and sounds a good idea following recent threads I've done in the Arms..

Rules....No Offensive material... edit if required before posting as this is the public arena.
Anything to do with the trade or in and around it ...H&S pic's welcome.

[ElectriciansForums.net] Dodgy trade pictures for your amusement! - 1 Million Views!

I've posted this a few times and this is at a mates house following a kitchen refirb several yrs ago.

mg_smile:

ipf · Jul 15, 2021

Found this today, back to back switches.
Could have warmed his hands on the wall. Black nicked on screwhead.
Both earths cut back, God knows why?

Picking up from the other side of the wall

brianmoooore · Jul 15, 2021

I don't think those boxes have a terminal to connect a cpc to. They are pre cpc metal back boxes, with insulated threaded blocks for the switch fixing screws.
I had a box of 100 Crabtree brass earthing terminals that I used to update the likes of these.

ipf · Jul 15, 2021

brianmoooore said:
I don't think those boxes have a terminal to connect a cpc to. They are pre cpc metal back boxes, with insulated threaded blocks for the switch fixing screws.
I had a box of 100 Crabtree brass earthing terminals that I used to update the likes of these.

Well spotted, but why not use a connector or something. The main problem came with breaking the cpc. Half the circuit wasn't earthed (incl fluorescents)...linked the 2 earths and it was, so cutting 'em back broke the line.
Sod of a job.

brianmoooore · Jul 15, 2021

ipf said:
why not use a connector or something.

Because that would have required a modicum of intelligence, and a little pride in their work from whoever wired it.

ipf · Jul 15, 2021

brianmoooore said:
Because that would have required a modicum of intelligence, and a little pride in their work from whoever wired it.

I think I might just understand that. ?

Mike Johnson · Jul 16, 2021

Talking of voltsticks, best price I can find for the shielded two pronged version: Volt Stick PRO230 AC Voltage Detector - https://www.replenishh.com/volt-stick-pro230-ac-voltage-detector-85-0672

Mikegh · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Talking of voltsticks, best price I can find for the shielded two pronged version: Volt Stick PRO230 AC Voltage Detector - https://www.replenishh.com/volt-stick-pro230-ac-voltage-detector-85-0672

I've always used the cheap chinese ones ,.might upgrade to something more selective

Going to be getting one of these single point contact testers too

Its wierd the way the the volstick polarizes opinion

Mike Johnson · Jul 16, 2021

Its arrived and have to say I am quite impressed, with the removable prong bridge it act just like any other Volt Stick, but with the bridge removed it is much more selective.

I have obviously missed something in this thread, what is a single point contact tester if not a volt stick?

DPG · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Its arrived and have to say I am quite impressed, with the removable prong bridge it act just like any other Volt Stick, but with the bridge removed it is much more selective.

I have obviously missed something in this thread, what is a single point contact tester if not a volt stick?

Voltsticks are generally non contact. They work over a small gap. No electrical contact.

littlespark · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Its arrived and have to say I am quite impressed, with the removable prong bridge it act just like any other Volt Stick, but with the bridge removed it is much more selective.

I have obviously missed something in this thread, what is a single point contact tester if not a volt stick?

I thought a volt stick was a non-contact tester? Where’s this single point doo dah coming from?

I must admit I use a non contact tester myself tracing switch wires in multi gang switches, but would never trust it to prove dead.

my two prong tester does ac/dc and has lights for approximate ranges ie 3,6,12,50 110, 230 and 400v
Can also be used as a low power continuity tester for fuses etc

Mikegh · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Its arrived and have to say I am quite impressed, with the removable prong bridge it act just like any other Volt Stick, but with the bridge removed it is much more selective.

I have obviously missed something in this thread, what is a single point contact tester if not a volt stick?

It's like a phase tester but insulated

Works on capacitive coupling I think , can't find the link atm

Mike Johnson · Jul 16, 2021

So what is a single point contact tester? would my neon screwdriver comply. ?

Mikegh · Jul 16, 2021

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Mike Johnson · Jul 16, 2021

littlespark said:
my two prong tester does ac/dc and has lights for approximate ranges ie 3,6,12,50 110, 230 and 400v
Can also be used as a low power continuity tester for fuses etc

My two prong tester Fluke T150 does 12, 24,50,120,230,400 & 690, AC, continuity, a hold function, but it is two prong.

DPG · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
My two prong tester Fluke T150 does 12, 24,50,120,230,400 & 690, AC, continuity, a hold function, but it is two prong.

My two prong tester (Kewtech) will also work in single prong mode, but with reduced functionality.

Mike Johnson · Jul 16, 2021

DPG said:
My two prong tester (Kewtech) will also work in single prong mode, but with reduced functionality.

Never occurred to me to try it in single prong mode, will try it now? yep with no indication of voltage, but does show phase connected, so we both had one all along and did not know it. ?

static zap · Jul 16, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
would my neon screwdriver comply.

It will soon tell you about your points of contact , if you transport it in a sandy wet pocket. Builder style.

ruston · Jul 16, 2021

static zap said:
It will soon tell you about your points of contact , if you transport it in a sandy wet pocket. Builder style.

So it definitely would not be a Static Zap.

loz2754 · Jul 16, 2021

This has already been discussed.
The new Megger MET 1000 has a one contact voltage indicator setting.
Gas engineers use them to test pipes and stuff.

ipf · Jul 16, 2021

DPG said:
My two prong tester (Kewtech) will also work in single prong mode, but with reduced functionality.

Mine too, at least you can tell if switches are live........when the earths have been cut back.?

ferg · Jul 16, 2021

Same with my Fluke. No indication of voltage but will yell at you and light up to show that it is live.

pc1966 · Jul 22, 2021

In the car park of the local Screwfix, but predates their occupation of the site.Some disused 12V chargers (box has a transformer and PCB in it), but look at the quality of the SY cable installation! Now it is opaque and split due to UV. There must have been around a dozen of them in total.

ipf · Jul 22, 2021

pc1966 said:
In the car park of the local Screwfix, but predates their occupation of the site.Some disused 12V chargers (box has a transformer and PCB in it), but look at the quality of the SY cable installation! Now it is opaque and split due to UV. There must have been around a dozen of them in total.View attachment 87907

Wouldn't surprise me if some prize pi$$ocks think they're for recharging their car batteries.....maybe even Screwfix customers. ?

SparkySy · Jul 23, 2021

Been helping a friend out who has just moved into a 1970's built and bodged ever since house. Lovely consumer unit, sockets in the bedroom not working, (lost neutral) on closer inspection as the cable was only about 2foot long, this was the cause hidden away in all the gash wires looks like it was snipped off for God knows what reason when the con unit was upgraded, no faults found on the cable! Final one was ripping out the kitchen bodgery a rake of spurs off spurs and a cooker hood that went dead with the cooker, removing the isolator face and outlet plate gave no answers so out came the chisel and hello what have we here then!

SparkySy · Jul 23, 2021

Yesterday's shenanigans, digger driver pulling out roots and oops, only about 2inches under the topsoil, did have tape but directly on top of the cable, chap didn't stand a chance of not hitting it! Quick joint in the woods and off to the next one!

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