Electric Shock

[Darius-parky]

I was working on upgrading a council property. I disconnected the incoming supply, removed the cut-out fuse (I am authorised to do that), removed the tails from the meter, conducted a safe isolation procedure. I was satisfied the supply to the property was dead and work commenced to replace the consumer unit and all sockets and switches. When I got to the last socket of the job I received an electric shock. On further investigation I discovered power was being illegally diverted into the premises by the tenants from the hallway communal supply. I am now being -------ed for this. What did I do wrong?? Should I have been testing each and every socket and switch as I went along as I am being told? After removing the main supply fuse, removing the tails from the meter, ripping the board off the wall, do you still go around with your approved voltage indicator to every point. That is a bit pethatic is it not?

 

[RogertheBodger]

Not only did the OP pull the cut-out fuse, he removed the ''Tails'' too. Why would anyone expect, that installation would now be anything other than ''Dead''?? Those that say they always use old pliers to cut through cables, well this wasn't the case here, the OP was replacing wall plates and CU, not chopping cables. ....The cause of power being present in this property was by means of a criminal act, and no-one can be held responsible, but those that committed the criminal act.

Now get Real here, all this crap about you should have done this, ...or should have done that, is nonsense and you all know it!! As i said previously, ...Hindsight is always Wonderful thing!!!!......

One of those threads where everyone’s point of view is correct,
I don’t think it’s a case of Hindsight though, Engineer, or being wise after the event, Lot’s of Sparkies would test each socket they work on in a situation like this, because they have learned the hard way that things like this can, and do, happen all the time, for instance lighting circuits tapped into next door’s supply in terraced housing, (I should imagine that the OP himself will be testing everything from now on!)
This forum is continually urging – Safety, Safety, Safety, Test, Test, Test, and now because it’s a Domestic installation and the fuse is out, the rules are out the window?
Unlucky in this situation? – most definitely, but a test procedure like this should be as routine as opening your tool box, how long would it take to put your tester on the terminals once you have the socket plate off the wall?

 

[SMB]

Like I said mush... The gauntlet has been thrown down at your feet. So choose your weapon of choice... Swords or pistols? Unless you wish to forfeit the challenge to a 'right hand man' or offer your sister in marriage?

Rawlplug tools at dawn

 

[SMB]

seen to many sparks 'burned' or killed in my career.

You have known people who have been electricuted?

Thats awful.