Many utilities have a loading gizmo that they can temporarily attach at a meter socket to flush out problems in their equipment and cables. It’s primary use is to show open neutrals, but it can also show other “hot-lead” problems.
On the customer’s side, sometimes rapping a rubber-handled screwdriver on electrical boxes containing splices or terminations may expose the problem. The trouble spot may show up as a noticeable temperature rise with a “back-of-the-knuckles test.”
Intermittent electrical problems can be hardest to locate. If you’ve spent a lot of time on one day snooping, tell the customer that you need to come back later when you’ve had a chance to thoroughly visualize, conceptually map and mentally explore all of the many components in their electrical system. ;-) Maybe the place was once a haunted disco, or needs some new Feng Shui.
