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If you wire a new home or wire a remodel is’nt it scary to think you have to “Hot Check” the job before actually putting permanent power to that job? If you worry about how you wired it to begin with then you must really have workmanship problems, right? Does everyone “Hot Check” their job, no one, or a mixed bag?
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tmeg: Could you clarify what you mean by "Hot Check"? I always energize each circuit and sub panel before considering the job done. Haven't ever had any surprises, but it seems the thing to do - just like leak-testing DWV and pressure testing supply piping before calling it done. No, it's not scary. If something is badly wrong, the circuit breaker will pop. If not, go around to the 120 outlets with a tester to check for proper polarity and grounding. Check the voltages on 220 outlets with a VOM. What else is there to do? Sounds like you have a co-worker who is leary of electrons. I think it should always be done because I've found outlets that were miswired in houses where the homeowners never did any work. So some of us ("us" used VERY broadly) don't always get it right. Just cause your drill worked in the receptacle doesn't mean it's wired correctly. -David
*Smoke test man myself. DennisP.S. For you serious types, I also check the outlets with one of those funny little lights that shows ground, polarity, etc.etc. Boring. Sparks have that unique pop to them with a small plume of white smoke. Nothing quite like it in the rest of homebuilding.
*tmeg;I agree with David. I always check, not so much for what I might have done wrong, but for how others might have done me wrong...Recently, I had a breaker pop when trying to energize a circuit. Isolated it to a piece of wire between two receptacles. Somehow a 2' drywall screw was used and it got past two nailplates placed at 90 degrees in a corner. (Drywaller claims it must have been a loose one in his bag.)Stuff happens.
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Adam,
Do you have a source for those 2 foot drywall screws? Haven't seen them locally. Thanks : )
*tmeg,Actually, the circuits get a cold and a hot check.First, with the walls open, they are "rung out" one at a time on a 12v doorbell to insure that there is continuity at all points on a given circuit. ("Touch two wires together.") If the bell does not toll for thee, better find out while you can get at the wire.Once the system is finished and power hooked up, they are tested again with a tester. Of course, a breaker that just refuses to stay ON is also a sign. So is grey smoke rising.ToolBear
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Bearmon, they're available at the Home Depot... in designer colors to match almost any paint or fabric.
Look in the aisle with the steam buckets.
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ToolBear and others. Actually I'm a service electrician and DO NOT mess with new work. When I had my business I tried to work with some Generals and they ate me alive, should have stuck with what I do best. Anyway, I agree with the "Hot check" idea especially the idea of 2 Hot Checks ToolBear. When you can fix a problem before drywalling it certainly does help.
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If you wire a new home or wire a remodel is'nt it scary to think you have to "Hot Check" the job before actually putting permanent power to that job? If you worry about how you wired it to begin with then you must really have workmanship problems, right? Does everyone "Hot Check" their job, no one, or a mixed bag?