Hydro Switch - ECN Electrical Forums

Quote

Dear Joe
I found this disconnect while on a service call.
The customer said they shut off and locked out the disconnect, but still got shocked when they tried to change motor.

Phase A stabs had vise grip marks on them from being squeezed together.

Richard Shroyer
Simco Electric Inc.
Delaware Oh.

why would someone commit such an act of sabotage?

WHEN I FOUND THIS I FIGURED IT WAS SOMEONES ANSWER TO A BROKEN ARC SUPPRESSER, JUST SOLIDIFYS MY THEORY THAT JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN MAKE SOMETHING WORK ELECTRICLY DOSEN'T MAKE YOU AN ELECTRICIAN.

This should re-enforce the fact the "Off" doesn't mean "Off" until you have verified it with a voltage tester.

Tom

Rick,

Glad you could make it!

I would've liked to have seen the vise grips on there! That would've made a great addition to our "Y Files" [Linked Image]

Bill

The way I read it is that the vice was that the vise grip was used to crimp the contacts (stabs) together where the (missing) disconnect knife was supposed to make contact. The vise grip was not needed once the stabs were bent together.

The "moral" of the story is, after shutting off the disconnect, open the door and verify that the mechanical operation occurred and check for power right there.