So you've heard the expression "I'd rather be lucky than good", I was lucky!
11-04-2009, 08:59 AM
#1
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So you've heard the expression "I'd rather be lucky than good", I was lucky!
Short version. I was running a drain pipe yesterday for a fellow I worked for years ago when I first moved here. There was an old conduit in the way he wanted removed and the hole in the building plugged. The conduit was for the old a/c unit that had been moved to the back of the building over 2 years ago. The a/c contractor told them he reused the circuit. No wires hanging out the conduit so all is good..........wrong! I laid into the conduit with the sawsall and within a few seconds FLASH! BANG! BOOM! POW! I felt like I was in an old Batman cartoon. So it's safe to say there were still wires in the conduit, although you couldn't see them. We located the circuit breaker in the panel. It was a triple pole, 50 amp and did not trip when I cut into the wire. Lesson learned. 
11-04-2009, 09:06 AM
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Roger that Mark. I told the old boy "when my wife asks me what I did today I'm going to tell her I didn't die........but not from lack of trying"!
11-04-2009, 09:31 AM
#7
I use one of those little electrical testers that lights up and buzzes if you hold it near conduit that has live current in it before I cut anything. I learned to do that the same way you just did, I don't TRUST any one when they tell me the circuit is dead.
I did that once and I figured (once I woke up) that once was enough
Glad you are OK Rick
I did that once and I figured (once I woke up) that once was enough
Glad you are OK Rick
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11-04-2009, 09:50 AM
#8
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I'm an electrician and I've seen that happen many times. I'm guessing it was an FPE brand panel. That breaker should have tripped off. I'm glad to hear you are okay!! The FPE panels are known for NOT tripping off. What kind was it?
11-04-2009, 10:21 AM
#10
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11-04-2009, 10:23 AM
#11
Advocate of getting the ban button used on him...
I'm no electrizmo man but I did find this for FPE
http://www.inspect-ny.com/fpe/fpepanel.htm
11-04-2009, 10:57 AM
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FPE is a brand of electrical panel. They dont make them anymore. They are dangerous because they dont shut off on overload or dead short. FPE stands for Federal Pacific Equipment. If I had one in my house or building I would replace it ASAP. Many fires have started from the lack of overcurrent protection! Just my .02 cents.
11-04-2009, 12:33 PM
#13
Administrator
Don't you read ANYTHING? The breaker did NOT trip!
T-Rad, here's your guy for the next sawzall project!
chaikwa.
11-04-2009, 06:15 PM
#15
Administrator / Severe Concussion Aficionado
Thank God you didnt get a real shock. Might have curled up that mooostach of yours. Im usually the one that goofs like that. Remember, check, double check, and check again.