Light Switch Near Shower

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

No.

Absolutely the single most horrifying photo to ever disgrace this message board was a former electrical contributor and self-appointed authority on all things electrical, wearing an electric blue sequened evening dress, complete with high heels, nylon stockings, wig, false eyelashes, lipstic, and make-up.

I still have nightmares...

Who remembers what I speak of? How long have you all been InterNACHI members?

Joe,

You have E-mail.

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by gromicko

If it was my shower stall and I had kids, I'd install a GFCI on the switch circuit before I installed a Water-Pik. Call me nuts.

Ok....your NUTS...lol

Actually as I told you at dinner the other night. If an HI is concerned over this situation they can always recommend the circuit to be protected by GFCI , Clearly, everyone has different opinions of it but rather than FLAME it as a defect that could come back to haunt an HI....recommend a positive solution at a reasonable cost and tell them they may want to protect it with GFCI....and it will help some sleep at night but again NO ONE has found any documentation of the condition causing an electrical hazard.

Look......as you remember today.....I sat on your toilet, dangled my hands in the sink while the water was running and with the other hand flicked your bathroom lights on and off........over and over again and you notice I was not shocked.....fact is you have a better chance at winning the lotto than it really being a problem.

But to each his own....

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by jfarsetta

Who remembers what I speak of? How long have you all been InterNACHI members?

I had that picture out of my head until today, thanks for the awful memory. I think he was mixed up and posted the pic on the wrong website. InterNACHI.org and trollingforguys.com could easily be mixed up as the spelling is similiar???

[Paul W. Abernathy]

I kinda liked that image of me in a pink speedo....I shed like 150 pounds in a click of a shutter....lol

[Stephen W. Stanczyk]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

I kinda liked that image of me in a pink speedo....I shed like 150 pounds in a click of a shutter....lol

In order to keep this thread from drifting too far, the question is:

When this photo was taken, were you really testing switches?

[Nick Gromicko]

Paul writes:

I sat on your toilet, dangled my hands in the sink while the water was running and with the other hand flicked your bathroom lights on and off........over and over again and you notice I was not shocked.

But you were touching a plastic switch cover with a dry hand while sitting on porcelain toilet.

Would you be willing to get soak and wet, stand barefoot in a bathtub full of water, and touch a decorative metal or chrome switch plate cover with a wet hand, with no hesitation? If so, what method would have used to confirm the plate cover isn't energized? Or do you do it without hesitation based solely on the unlikeliness that the switch plate cover is energized?

[Michael Larson]

I think Nick must live in a bubble.

How else could he feel "safe" ?

[Nick Gromicko]

http://www.nachi.org/gallery/electri...sunken-tub.jpg Light fixtures are not permitted to hang within 3 foot of the perimeter of the tub (in part) for fear that the metal housing of the fixture might be energized and in part because of these: http://doitbest.com/Cord+sockets-Lev...sku-520243.dib. But how is an energized metal switch plate cover any different?

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

Originally Posted by pabernathy

I sat on your toilet, dangled my hands in the sink while the water was running and with the other hand flicked your bathroom lights on and off........over and over again and you notice I was not shocked

Originally Posted by gromicko

Paul writes: But you were touching a plastic switch cover with a dry hand while sitting on porcelain toilet.
So he "flipped the switch" with a dry hand!

Man oh man that really takes the cake!
Talk about being disingenuous! He might as well have had one hand in the sink, both feet in a tub of water, while wearing a big red rubber nose an orange colored Afro wig and an insulated glove on!
Would you be willing to get soak and wet, stand barefoot in a bathtub full of water, and touch a decorative metal or chrome switch plate cover with a wet hand, with no hesitation?
Here in the Northeast we inspect homes that were built in the 1700s 1800s and early 1900s that still have "knob and tube wiring"! Many of these homes have been renovated to have expensive tile with decorative brass plates/fixtures but have neglected to ensure that the electrical system is bonded/grounded properly!
I have found many faceplates in both kitchens and bathrooms that have been energized!

I would love to see this clown take a shower and while dripping wet flip a brass/metallic light switch on and off with-a-hand-that-is-dripping-with water!

If so, what method would have used to confirm the plate cover isn't energized? Or do you do it without hesitation based solely on the unlikeliness that the switch plate cover is energized?

There are Instructors and then there are "instructors".

Paul reminds me of the Naval electrical instructor that was demonstrating "what not to do" and killed himself in front of this class!

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by gromicko

http://www.nachi.org/gallery/electri...sunken-tub.jpg Light fixtures are not permitted to hang within 3 foot of the perimeter of the tub (in part) for fear that the metal housing of the fixture might be energized and in part because of these: http://doitbest.com/Cord+sockets-Lev...sku-520243.dib. But how is an energized metal switch plate cover any different?

You're making it up Nick. sorry.

Have you considered that the exclusion zone for LUMINAIRS may have has more to do with water contacting a hot bulb, breaking it and exposing the filament than the use of an antiquated adapter.

A metal switch plate cover in a properly installed switch plate is bonded to the grounding system and presents no hazard.

[Michael Larson]

Originally Posted by fcarrio

There are Instructors and then there are "instructors".

Just as there are code inspectors and "code inspectors".

Paul reminds me of the Naval electrical instructor that was demonstrating "what not to do" and killed himself in front of this class!

You remind me of the "code inspector" that has to find something to justify his time, so he makes it up to be a pain in someone's backside.

[Frank M. Carrio, CMI]

More FATAL mistakes from "Instructors"

An experienced electrician in the U.S. mine was showing other workers how to use a cable fault tester. This device, also known as a "thumper," is capable of producing a high-energy pulse at voltages up to 10,000 V. During his demonstration, the man inadvertently touched a part of the test unit that was energized. Unfortunately, he was not wearing safety gloves suitable for high voltages.

• The man received a fatal electrical shock.

Another incident was reported in Alberta, where a young, healthy worker was seriously injured when his co-workers, in an act of horseplay, applied the leads of a megohmeter to his hands. Workers in the electrical industry sometimes use this method of "zapping" the hands of a worker - usually a first-year apprentice - as an initiation joke.

• This dangerous act is not worth the risk.

A megohmeter or "meggar" is an instrument used to measure the resistance of electrical insulation. It generates high voltages with a small current. During this incident, the electricity travelled from one hand of the worker to the other, passing through his heart.

• The worker was hospitalized and treated for symptoms similar to those of a heart attack victim.

He was discharged from the hospital, but continued to have cardiac problems and was later re-admitted. His doctor confirmed that the condition was the result of the small electric current that had travelled through his heart.

• Follow-up with a cardiologist confirmed that a small current of a high voltage can result in heart problems.

Under occupational health and safety law, employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all workers, and workers are equally accountable for their own safety, and for the safety of their co-workers.

• This means taking all necessary precautions against workplace hazards.

For anyone working with electrical devices, the US Department of Labour's Mine Safety and Health Administration recommends these best practices:

• No one should operate a high-voltage testing device except a qualified electrician, thoroughly trained in the use of that specific model of tester.
• The operator must follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep the owner's manual with the device at all times.
• When operating an electrical testing device such as a "thumper," always wear suitable high-voltage electrical gloves.
• Before turning on an electrical testing unit, connect the provided frame-grounding cord/connectors to a proper grounding medium.
• All workers should be informed that instruments that test and measure electricity are capable of storing and delivering a lethal electrical charge.
• Store such devices in a secured location, accessible only to qualified, trained electricians.

[Michael Larson]

Does anyone think think "code inspectors" are smarter than "electrical instructors"

I don't.


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[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by fcarrio

There are Instructors and then there are "instructors".

Paul reminds me of the Naval electrical instructor that was demonstrating "what not to do" and killed himself in front of this class!

Your insane.......but I already KNEW this. Firstly, if you would READ the post you would understand what nick was saying...the hands were dry on the ONE end. besides I know where your heart lies...lol.

Secondly, if your intent is to build a mountain out of a mole hill and recommend plastic switches, with plastic covers be moved from clearly outside the shower and tub space....Now you would be wrong but thats your choice.

How about showing me (1) death from what you can a problem? And lets not use canada's codes because they are only for Canada.....the NEC is world wide.

Also your statements have no merit......got another agenda again Frank?

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Originally Posted by fcarrio

More FATAL mistakes from "Instructors"

An experienced electrician in the U.S. mine was showing other workers how to use a cable fault tester. This device, also known as a "thumper," is capable of producing a high-energy pulse at voltages up to 10,000 V. During his demonstration, the man inadvertently touched a part of the test unit that was energized. Unfortunately, he was not wearing safety gloves suitable for high voltages.

• The man received a fatal electrical shock.

Another incident was reported in Alberta, where a young, healthy worker was seriously injured when his co-workers, in an act of horseplay, applied the leads of a megohmeter to his hands. Workers in the electrical industry sometimes use this method of "zapping" the hands of a worker - usually a first-year apprentice - as an initiation joke.

• This dangerous act is not worth the risk.

A megohmeter or "meggar" is an instrument used to measure the resistance of electrical insulation. It generates high voltages with a small current. During this incident, the electricity travelled from one hand of the worker to the other, passing through his heart.

• The worker was hospitalized and treated for symptoms similar to those of a heart attack victim.

He was discharged from the hospital, but continued to have cardiac problems and was later re-admitted. His doctor confirmed that the condition was the result of the small electric current that had travelled through his heart.

• Follow-up with a cardiologist confirmed that a small current of a high voltage can result in heart problems.

Under occupational health and safety law, employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of all workers, and workers are equally accountable for their own safety, and for the safety of their co-workers.

• This means taking all necessary precautions against workplace hazards.

For anyone working with electrical devices, the US Department of Labour's Mine Safety and Health Administration recommends these best practices:

• No one should operate a high-voltage testing device except a qualified electrician, thoroughly trained in the use of that specific model of tester.
• The operator must follow the manufacturer's instructions and keep the owner's manual with the device at all times.
• When operating an electrical testing device such as a "thumper," always wear suitable high-voltage electrical gloves.
• Before turning on an electrical testing unit, connect the provided frame-grounding cord/connectors to a proper grounding medium.
• All workers should be informed that instruments that test and measure electricity are capable of storing and delivering a lethal electrical charge.
• Store such devices in a secured location, accessible only to qualified, trained electricians.

You really MUST have a hard on for me Frank........I sat on the toilet, turned on the sink and put my hand in the water while I turned on the light....get real...it was not on video and was a joke ( mainly about your statements to be honest with you )....while taking a break from shooting...get over yourself.