Live works,on DB to do or not to do

[cliffed]

what’s your take on working on live DB’S,connecting circuits & installing mcbs.

 

[Andy-1960]

Even if isolated if you restored the power it still would have exploded yes?
Or was the issue the cover wasn’t reinstated before turning on the mcb?
(I’m not advocating live working by the way)

Actually, no, the problem was that busbar termination screw in the MCB which should have been captive wasn’t. As the guy tried to tighten it it went thru the open side of the MCB and touch the neighbouring phase connection which resulted in a direct short between two phases. If the power had been off it would not have happened.

 

[magnoliafan89]

I tend to take the main incoming live out and hold the copper end in my mouth ....boards totally isolated then and safe to use .....

 

[Risteard]

It's worth remembering that there could be the potential for a substantial fault current which could pose serious risk to personnel working on it. It's actually quite a dangerous practise.

 

[cliffed]

I tend to take the main incoming live out and hold the copper end in my mouth ....boards totally isolated then and safe to use .....

Sounds good,is that on a regular basis.

 

[alexander jackson]

If I can I will isolate, most of my work is industrial in nature (non domestic) so if circuits can go dead they will.

 

[Octopus]

Then its weekend work, double bubble.......... ;o))))))

I’ve done weekend work at my normal day rate in an office .... it suited me and the customer!

 

[rapparee]

I must say I always work live

The biggest scare I got was when a general operator went to reach over my shoulder, he was mesmerised by the 400 amp copper bus bar.

He was looking to take it home for scrap, ready to ask me if I needed it.

 

[cliffed]

If I can I will isolate, most of my work is industrial in nature (non domestic) so if circuits can go dead they will.

What happens if you can’t

 

[cliffed]

I must say I always work live

The biggest scare I got was when a general operator went to reach over my shoulder, he was mesmerised by the 400 amp copper bus bar.

He was looking to take it home for scrap, ready to ask me if I needed it.

Ha ha

 

[Squid]

I must say I always work live

The biggest scare I got was when a general operator went to reach over my shoulder, he was mesmerised by the 400 amp copper bus bar.

He was looking to take it home for scrap, ready to ask me if I needed it.

Never heard a John Thomas called a 400 amp bus bar before, every day is a school day on the EF website........ no wonder you where scared.......

 

[drzsta]

Reminds me when I had a Spark come to me saying a 630a disconnector was dead.... he was testing on lacquered bus bars

 

[magnoliafan89]

Sounds good,is that on a regular basis.

No ill only ever be able to do it the once.....

 

[MFS Electrical]

I tend to take the main incoming live out and hold the copper end in my mouth ....boards totally isolated then and safe to use .....

It’s certainly a better pick me up than coffee or a red bull

 

[PEG]

We have had this topic aired,before,and my view remains the same.
I believe,that if you have to ask anyone,or are not 100% sure,of whether or not to work live,in any situation - you have your answer.

 

[SparkyChick]

The biggest scare I got was when a general operator went to reach over my shoulder, he was mesmerised by the 400 amp copper bus bar.

Don't... I did a job on Saturday adding a couple of socket outlets in a nice house in Newport. The lady of the house asked a question about the testing (insulation resistance at that stage) whilst I was at the open consumer unit.

"Ooh, look at that cobweb" she said as she reached into the consumer unit and swept it away with a finger, just above the live bus bar!