Shocking Question

[Greg S. White]

Since I am a new inspector, I want to do everything possible to prevent any shocking experiences. I am told it is a good idea to run the back of your right hand over the dead-front of the panel to determine if there is electrial current. Are there any other precautions inspectors use to help ensure they will not get shocked (or worse?).

[ecolclasure]

get a tick meter and use it not you hand

[Jeffrey R. Wicklander]

Originally Posted by gwhite2

Since I am a new inspector, I want to do everything possible to prevent any shocking experiences. I am told it is a good idea to run the back of your right hand over the dead-front of the panel to determine if there is electrial current. Are there any other precautions inspectors use to help ensure they will not get shocked (or worse?).

The only way running your hand over the panel front to determine voltage presence is if your other hand or feet is/are touching something else to make you grounded. Then you will get a shock.
Wear rubber soled shoes to help insulate against any possibility of grounding yourself to the cement slab floor. Some will say to wear gloves. I don't....too cumbersome when your fiddling with a screwdriver in the panel. Use your eyes more than your hands in the panel. Wear proper eye protection. If you understand the theory on why electricity works and what allows current to flow, you will be more comfortable working with it. That's the key... if you are jumpy or scared when working with electricity, it will bite you. Chances are, if you get bit by 110V, the most that;s going to happen is a few expletives coming out of your mouth. Just remember be comfortable with it and understand why it does what it does.

Jeff

[Jeffrey Moore]

Home built in 1978. 50amp breaker feed to panel in workshop.
Workshop panel cover latch not working properly, opening in cover and can see wires.

This is a small video that makes me glad I checked first.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5uGCy1HgNM

Always be careful when dealing with electricity!

[Larry D. Kage]

Electrical safety is no joke...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGKUopTn1XE

[Paul W. Abernathy]

Just buy yourself a voltage ticker and watch the electrical videos provided by INACHI. You will learn all you need to know regarding that.

[iniquette]

I agree with the rest of the guys here. Get a tick meter instead of your hand.

[Greg S. White]

thanks- tick meter it is

[Mark E. Northrup]

Don't stand in water and touch the panel.
Don't let the client touch the panel.
Don't let kids play around the panel with the cover off.