Hot Topic, eh?
(It's a new week.. I'm calmer now)
Mike,
Even if the information you overheard being given was technically correct, don't you think that the simple, offhand manner in which it was presented may be putting that person in Danger during the installation process? How do you explain (or leave out) all the cautions and possibilities of working around a service panel where some portion may be energized?
Once you get past the usual arguments offered about Money and "Trade Secrets" there still remains a difficult issue to contend with. Using this example, if this person (or someone else) gets injured during installation or afterwards, who is to blame and could it have been prevented?
It is a difficult call, and there is some merit to both arguments. But when compared side by side it seems to me that one is 'safer' overall. By
not having this information (and having it explained to seem so simple) this person may not have had the confidence to attempt it himself and would have seeked someone more knowledgable and experienced (which would have prevented his injuries). IMO, the part that tips the scales is that, to my knowledge, no one can be held accountable for
not giving such information, whereas giving wrong or incomplete instruction may be quite a different story.
My feeling is that when a topic or question comes up that is potentially dangerous to the asker or others it is best to point the inexperienced and untrained person towards resources and people that can best explain the situation and help them to resolve it. This includes Qualified Electricians, good Books and experienced Teachers.
So, IMO, it's not a Money or 'Trade Secrets' thing, I just think that it's best that people that are not equipped with certain skills and are not aware of all the hazards involved should not be asking or getting instruction in this manner. Additionally, I would not want participants here to be put in the position, or feel obligated to respond with cautious and tedious detail to every question a neophyte can come up with. That is not the purpose of this Forum.
Bill
[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 07-22-2002).]