mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It does let him get it into a breaker, at least
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is this to code?
- Thread starter paulmars
- Start date
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Hold the wire with one hand and while wearing shoes with non conductive soles and using a screwdriver that doesn't have a metal handle, loosen the lug just enough to pull the wire out and tighten the lug back up. Done. I don't know how many times I've done the same thing because a furnace man installed a two circuit panel for an AC unit by tapping directly off the main lugs.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
and squint while clenching your **** cheeks tighter than you ever had beforeHold the wire with one hand and while wearing shoes with non conductive soles and using a screwdriver that doesn't have a metal handle, loosen the lug just enough to pull the wire out and tighten the lug back up. Done. I don't know how many times I've done the same thing because a furnace man installed a two circuit panel for an AC unit by tapping directly off the main lugs.
Not for the timid or anyone unsure of their electrical skills. I don't mention this for a reason.Hold the wire with one hand and while wearing shoes with non conductive soles and using a screwdriver that doesn't have a metal handle, loosen the lug just enough to pull the wire out and tighten the lug back up. Done. I don't know how many times I've done the same thing because a furnace man installed a two circuit panel for an AC unit by tapping directly off the main lugs.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
It's not difficult. Don't touch anything metal and all will be well. The most dangerous part is watching where the hand that is holding the wire goes. If it's going to be near the edge of the panel, grab the wire with a pair of pliers that have dipped handles. Or hire someone to come do it. Hell, I'd do it and be carrying on a conversation at the same time. And it's not because I have 30+ years experience, it's because I understand what not being a pathway to ground means.Not for the timid or anyone unsure of their electrical skills. I don't mention this for a reason.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
About the only time my squinters squint and my cheeks clench is when I've changed a main hot. I didn't like that.and squint while clenching your **** cheeks tighter than you ever had before
larry4406
Well-known member
Surely all breakers off first before loosening a load wire lug….
That was my 1st thought, but i dont want to buy non conductive shoes. Id also need to hold main wire in place as i loosen lug screw & I don't have 3 hands, so I decided to cut the spd. Then I hada better idea, but this site wont let me post another pic.Hold the wire with one hand and while wearing shoes with non conductive soles and using a screwdriver that doesn't have a metal handle, loosen the lug just enough to pull the wire out and tighten the lug back up. Done. I don't know how many times I've done the same thing because a furnace man installed a two circuit panel for an AC unit by tapping directly off the main lugs.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
If you're shoes or boots have rubber soles they are non conductive. The main wire isn't going to come out when you tug that little #12 out of there. It's probably stranded so there is nothing that will grab the entrance conductor and even if it did, that larger wire is going to take more to pull out than what you are going to need.That was my 1st thought, but i dont want to buy non conductive shoes. Id also need to hold main wire in place as i loosen lug screw & I don't have 3 hands, so I decided to cut the spd. Then I hada better idea, but this site wont let me post another pic.
It's not difficult.
Didn't say it was.
I'm all for do it yourself, but there's very things that if you need to read an online tutorial you definitely shouldn't be attempting.
I've had to resolve a similar situation to the OP, with the added twist of being inside the meter pan with some very poorly done split bolts among other issues. I did it hot, with fire retardant shirt, rubber gloves and a face shield. Nothing went sideways, but had the connection disintegrated in my hand I would have been glad to have worn some PPE. In other words I had an idea what I was doing.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
Like installing your own service? I remember answering a whole bunch of questions when you undertook that task.Didn't say it was.
I'm all for do it yourself, but there's very things that if you need to read an online tutorial you definitely shouldn't be attempting.
There is a huge difference between screwing around with hot split bolts and loosening up a lug to pull a wire out.I've had to resolve a similar situation to the OP, with the added twist of being inside the meter pan with some very poorly done split bolts among other issues. I did it hot, with fire retardant shirt, rubber gloves and a face shield. Nothing went sideways, but had the connection disintegrated in my hand I would have been glad to have worn some PPE. In other words I had an idea what I was doing.
There is another box same as this. Each has its own poco meter. Two different services. Both feed off the same service drop. Other box has ge surge arrester wired same way but mounted outside box w\shorter wires. Idk why electrician used different spds. The ge has no eol light. Ge wont respond to my questions. So I was going to replace both. But I decided that since other box is electrically closer to the drop I can just add a plug on spd right below its main and be done. That should protect both.
Just because they look like rubber....If you're shoes or boots have rubber soles they are non conductive. The main wire isn't going to come out when you tug that little #12 out of there. It's probably stranded so there is nothing that will grab the entrance conductor and even if it did, that larger wire is going to take more to pull out than what you are going to need.
I always plan for worst possible and knowing my luck that main wire it would pull out
Like installing your own service? I remember answering a whole bunch of questions when you undertook that task.
You got me.
If I ever asked, and argued, something as straightforward as the OP then thanks for answer my questions and keeping me from zapping myself.
Sure, but it's just like the 4 wires under the load lugs of the meter socket (thought it was only 2, turned out it was all a bundle of cutoffs taped together) which is what I was trying to fix when I found the other fun stuff.There is a huge difference between screwing around with hot split bolts and loosening up a lug to pull a wire out.
sparky 1971
Well-known member
You could always stand on a piece of plywood. I've done that or used a kneeling pad when changing out hot receptacles (mounted low) and I'm on a concrete floor.Just because they look like rubber....
So, are you planning on pulling the meter or having the POCO shut it off? If you cut it you still have an extra wire stuck under the lug which screws up the fitment of the entrance conductor which you mentioned in post #56. Then you could put a bushing on the entrance conduit which was the first thing I noticed in the original picture.I always plan for worst possible and knowing my luck that main wire it would pull out
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Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
My best advice is to Call a pro!………. Given the risk and lack of experience your loss may be more than just financial.And im not arguing with anyone. I learn a lot here and other forums like car, plumbing, roofing, etc
A qualified electrician can do this job in less than 5 minutes and will most likely charge you for a "service call"
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Isn't your life is worth more than a call to a licensed experienced electrician?A qualified electrician can do this job in less than 5 minutes and will most likely charge you for a "service call"