Dryer Outlet Testing?

[Richard L. Bennett]

Paul

If some company like --- GE ---- made up a plug adapter for the SURETEST for driers and stoves would this change things??

240 to me is no big deal -- this is the standard in many countries

I think we should test -- all or nothing

rlb

[David P. Valley]

http://www.davesrepair.com/SaleParts/240Vtestbulb.htm

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Richard,

I hear ya...I don't write the SOP and have no part in it...I am just suggesting from a fellow HI point of view. Hell I am an Electrician and I don't test the 240V outlets like Ranges and Dryers unless the unit is in place and I can turn it on.....Just not part of my inspection.

Now if they want an enhanced electrical inspection as I have discussed here before with Joe then fine...I will check it physically but I can honestly tell you I can tell everything I need to know about the Dryer or Range from the wire located in the panel...and a sniffer at the outlet....but again thats just ME....maybe others dont agree which is PERFECTLY fine....

Again I dont write policy and want nothing to do with it.....

My example would be...if the basement of a dwelling has a dropped ceiling, are you going to LIFT every tile.....now be honest..EVERY tile...well lets say you lift a few....( no stains present on the tiles )....and a pipe leaks lets say 2 weeks later.....They call you and ask why you did not see it.....Well you did not lift EVERY tile is why.....are you liable??????

Is it not better to NOT lift any tile and note in the report no stains visible.....now I am not saying LIFT or NOT LIFT....I am saying when you go beyond the SOP you open yourself up more...thats all.....

Hell I don't personally care if you test EVERY plug and so on...thats up to the HI's level of comfort...but not all HI's are equal so a BLANKET statement should not be used here.....if someone feels comfortable checking the 240V receptacle with a FLUKE...go for it......but again I can tell just as much by using a sniffer and looking at the wire in the panel going to that receptacle...but again...thats just me.....Everyone is FREE to have their own opinion on it.......

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

This is why about all they can do is check with a "Sniffer" and then make sure it is done correctly in the panel. I would advise the HI's against doing any ACTUAL testing while doing the inspection other than with a Suretest device or simular and visual observation.

If they start "FLUKING" around they could open themselves of to going beyond the SOP...and then someone saying why in the "FLUKING" did you not "FLUKE" them all.....so to speak.

I would recommend doing just the opposite, Fluking and Sniffing rather than SureTesting.

My inspection protocols state that we operate and test using normal operating controls and equipment just like a normal homeowner would do on a normal day. Granted, there are no normal homeowners, but that's neither here nor there. . . .

Flukers and Sniffers cost $9.95 to, what, $19.99? SureTesters cost $99 to $449?

A normal homeowner needing a quick determination of electricity and wiring could very well be expected to go down to Home Depot and splurge $20 on a Fluker or Sniffer. Any more and he has to do some serious talking with the Honey Do person (prepare for dialogue):

He: "Honey, are you sure you want this outlet fixed?
Honey Do: "Yes, duckey. I need it for the portable wine rack for tonight's shindig."
H: "I need to spend $249 on a testing device."
HD: "Huh? Duckey, we can't afford that. Don't they make a cheaper device?"
H: "Well, they make a $20 doohickey, but it's not as cool."
HD: "Duckey, if we don't get the outlet fixed, then the wine won't be cool. And if we spend too much money on testing devices, we won't have money for the wine."
H: "So you want me to buy the cheap one?"
HD: "Will it do what you need it to do?"
H: "Yeah. But it's not as cool."
HD: "Duckey, you're the one who scheduled a wine-tasting party. Do you want everyone to come over and find no wine? Or hot wine? Do you want us to be broke so that I can't get my hair dyed blonde? Do you want a brown-haired trophy wife?"
H: "Of course not."
HD: "So get the cheap one and get it fixed."
H: "Could I get the cool one and charge everyone $20 for the wine party?"
HD: "James Jonathan Ooberhausen."
H: "Okay. No need for foul language. [kiss, kiss, hug, hug, smooch, smooch] I'll be right back."

[Doug Edwards, CMI]

Russell,
Are you sure you've never been married?

[Russel Ray]

Hey, I might be gay, but you have to remember that even gay people grew up in straight dysfunctional families. And although Jim and I have been together for 12 years in May, we can tango with the best of you straight folks.

[Richard L. Bennett]

Dave

The link seems to be bad or the server is down

Did DAVE have the test plug we are looking for??

rlb

[Paul W. Abernathy]

lol...You are too much Russel...lol.........I am not selling my SureTest anytime soon...lol....

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by rbennett

Dave

The link seems to be bad or the server is down

Did DAVE have the test plug we are looking for??

rlb

I'm getting there with no problem.

[Richard L. Bennett]

works now
rlb

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

R2, your killen me

[Mark A. Timpani, CMI]

R2, your killen me

[Michael R. Boyett]

Mark, speaking of 'killen', if anyone uses the tester shown above then that's a sure way to get across 220 vac which I definitely don't want to do. No alligator clips and wires in the outlet holes for me.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by dvalley

http://www.davesrepair.com/SaleParts/240Vtestbulb.htm

$17.50 in only two days.
Holy rip-off and time delay, Batman.
Check out Home Depot or Lowes.

[Bruce A. King]

What a pile.......
The only safe and reliable test is properly designed circuit that actually uses a dryer plug. Then you need a 3-wire and a 4-wire type....

I am thinking of one that works like this:
First you test the washer outlet
If it is ok you connect a device into it and the other cord into the dryer outlet.
It uses the known ground as a reference to determine if the dryer ground is correct and etc.

I might just build one of these soon....
Probably install circuit breakers in this for safety too.
Cost of parts could be around $30 - 40 though...