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Here's The Dumbest Question Placed on GJ

Johnny Generic

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Nov 24, 2015
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35 miles NE of Pittsburgh, Pa.
There is only one answer and only one that I know of but is there another solution?
Problem, broken light bulb base stuck in socket and not knowing if socket is on or off by a wall switch.
Solution, turn main breaker off. Number one rule in ******* with electricity, turn the power off. DAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Any alternative way without seeing sparks or getting electrocuted.
Please no negativity commits. Just looking for a solution. Thanks.
 
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PCustoms

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VT
Not really sure I understand the question....

Have removed broken off bulbs using pliers, supposedly you can jam a potato in it and unscrew it too.

I don't always have potatoes, but I do have several pairs of pliers.

Several options for testing if the socket is live or not. Turning breaker off may be safest if you have to ask.
 

geneg

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Midwest
Not really sure I understand the question....

Have removed broken off bulbs using pliers, supposedly you can jam a potato in it and unscrew it too.

I don't always have potatoes, but I do have several pairs of pliers.

Several options for testing if the socket is live or not. Turning breaker off may be safest if you have to ask.
Pliers with handle insulation are sometimes better than bare steel ones. Klein linemans. Non contact voltage detector also can be a benefit.
 

NUTTSGT

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Turn power off at breaker, the answer you already mentioned.


EDIT:
You could also plug something else into the same outlet and see if the power is on/off. Are you trying to walk someone through this over the phone from a distance, like a friend or family member ?
 

geneg

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I can't think of any task where bare steel pliers are "better" then rubber grips. YMMV

I'm curious why the OP thinks there is only one answer. Hope I haven't fallen for a troll thread
Just being a little sarcastic about the pliers. I've heard the potatoe solution for years, but never considered it an option. Power off is the best solution, but not always happening, therefore use some form of protection.
 

JohnX14

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Boston 'burbs
If you want to be very safe, kill the power to the cirtuit, remove the light, and operate on the light socket. But i've never done that. I use a pair of 9" linesmans and expand them to grab the inside of the metal base, and unscrew. If its a candelabra base, I use needlenose. I've heard of the potato method, but never tried it. Never needed to. But I would try it, in a pinch.
 

pi_guy

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I can't think of any task where bare steel pliers are "better" then rubber grips. YMMV

I'm curious why the OP thinks there is only one answer. Hope I haven't fallen for a troll thread
In a Safety Kleen Tank back in the day that **** was a killer on plastic...
 
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LXCam

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There is only one answer and only one that I know of but is there another solution?
Problem, broken light bulb base stuck in socket and not knowing if socket is on or off by a wall switch.
Solution, turn main breaker off. Number one rule in ******* with electricity, turn the power off. DAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Any alternative way without seeing sparks or getting electrocuted.
Please no negativity commits. Just looking for a solution. Thanks.
Sorry Johnny, ya got a sad face out of me. Why you ask (or not - lol) well I'm gonna tell ya.

Here’s the stupidest answer you’re gonna get on GJ

First off your assumption that the switch isn't open (off), so you’re assuming the power is still on. Then you're assuming the main breaker is open and both legs are dead (off). You actually don't know if either is open or closed. So like others have suggested, a simple tick stick is a really good primary source of information.......but always remember to check it on a known live circuit first because once again....... you actually don't know for fact it works properly*.

Now for the fun part. Assuming your right handed (you can swap hands or feet in this example if ya'd like), As long as you don't hold a grounded component (ya know, like the metal part of the light fixture, the kitchen faucet, dip your leg in the pool, WHATEVER) with your left hand (or big toe) all that going to happen if you touch between the ground base (cap) and the filament all that's going to happen is a little bit of a tingle thru your hand.

It's actually not a big deal.

You'd most likely end up hurt from the surprise of getting shocked and coming off the ladder than anything else.

Now why do I espouse such blasphemy regarding such a taboo subject, weeell I'm gonna tell ya. :spit:

My first couple years in this trade the azzhole I worked for was this old Italian straight from the old country. That male chicken sucker would scream at you if you refused to test live 120 or 240 with you fingers. Of it was ok if it was 277 and up, you were allowed to use a wiggy. Anything less, you were a worthless lazy POS. So ya, I've been there hundred of times testing between a couple fingers and I never enjoyed it.....not once.....but it was also not a big deal. Matter of fact, it might have been a good thing because it taught me not to overly react and jerk my entire body away, just the area of contact.


Now is this stupid practice something I have carried on with in over 40yrs of this trade.....F NO!, its just stupid!. This is why they make testers.

The point of this pointless post is simply this. Never EVER assume the power is off. I don't care at what level of the circuit it is, switch, GFI, branch circuit breaker, main breaker. ALWAYS test for power before touch a damn thing.


This has been a worthless PSA from a your local smart *** sparky :D
 
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paulsomlo

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Actually, I think the dumbest question ever placed on GJ was the short lived Jason Huang's post titled "How Do I Fix The Ferrari?".
 

Codyboy

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Jan 31, 2019
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S.E. TEXAS
If you want to be very safe, kill the power to the cirtuit, remove the light, and operate on the light socket. But i've never done that. I use a pair of 9" linesmans and expand them to grab the inside of the metal base, and unscrew. If its a candelabra base, I use needlenose. I've heard of the potato method, but never tried it. Never needed to. But I would try it, in a pinch.
By "kill the power to the circuit" are you referring to the distribution feeder circuit that feeds 6000 customers?
I mean its the only way to be sure.
How can you trust a little plastic breaker? What if you have a zinsco or FPE panel? Oh the horrors!
Not me, no freaking way.

Luckily I have a direct number to RTO.

" hey Jim, this is Codyboy, I need you to trip the OCB and lockout Pinehurst 45 and 47 (47 due to the auto rollover that will try and pick up 45 when it trips)
Yeah uh we ca......
"Dammit Jim! Lock it out, lock it out RF now! before we lose the whole damn sub!"
 
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wssix99

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Mar 2, 2011
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Chicago, IL
This is a trolling question. Nobody has glass Edison light bulbs any more.

But back in the day, everyone who did need to deal with this would just grab the edge with pliers and unscrew it. We all grew up and trained for the task on sophisticated training aids.

1771562283958.png
 

pcmeiners

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In the only town in Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg.
For the adventurous.... without turning off the power, make sure you are un-grounded, using an un-insulated handled needle nose to unscrew the bulb base. If you screw up as to to being un-grounded you will know immediately ( if you wake up) proving you are a candidate for the Darwin award.
 

NUTTSGT

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Northern Central Ohio
By "kill the power to the circuit" are you referring to the distribution feeder circuit that feeds 6000 customers?
I mean its the only way to be sure.
How can you trust a little plastic breaker? What if you have a zinsco or FPE panel? Oh the horrors!
Not me, no freaking way.

Luckily I have a direct number to RTO.

" hey Jim, this is Codyboy, I need you to trip the OCB and lockout Pinehurst 45 and 47 (47 due to the auto rollover that will try and pick up 45 when it trips)
Yeah uh we ca......
"Dammit Jim! Lock it out, lock it out RF now! before we lose the whole damn sub!"
That you Walt ?


1771597401238.jpeg
 

CoogarXR

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Jan 11, 2016
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Location
Ohio
You're lucky it's almost spring time. Just wait until the next severe thunderstorm. When lightning strikes, and the rest of the lights in the neighborhood go out, be ready with your ladder.
 

CV428

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Dec 12, 2019
Messages
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Bribe a local hobo to do it (kidding). That's what my first boss used to do (not kidding).
 

nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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Location
Coronado, CA
To me the dumbest question is the question that we not asked.
I can deal with the Dumb Questions a lot easier than dealing with the Dumb Mistakes.
Ask Away, Dumb Questions are easier to handle than those Dumb Mistakes.
 

whateg01

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Mar 13, 2006
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Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
To me the dumbest question is the question that we not asked.
I can deal with the Dumb Questions a lot easier than dealing with the Dumb Mistakes.
Ask Away, Dumb Questions are easier to handle than those Dumb Mistakes.
I start each of my classes by saying, I'm ex-navy. I don't believe that there are no dumb questions, because I've heard some dumb questions. But ask them anyway because I'd rather hear the dumb question than hear about somebody getting hurt because they didn't ask the dumb question.
 

PassnThru

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Jan 5, 2010
Messages
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Location
Bowling Green KY
Assuming this is a ceiling fixture as you could always just unplug a lamp.
  • Non contact voltage tester - if you don't have one buy one. Seriously - they aren't expensive. Always test on a known working voltage first.
  • Put a meter on it - positive to the center and negative to the metal screw thing that holds it in the socket. Very carefully.
  • Needle nose pliers - bend the metal screw thing out a bit to unscrew it. Don't touch the center part.
  • Just drop the fixture and test the wires.
For the future - if your panel is not clearly labeled then spend some time figuring out what is powered by what breaker. It will come in handy.
 

logical

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Aug 31, 2005
Messages
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Location
Northern fringe of the Motor City Suburbs
Turn power off at breaker, the answer you already mentioned.


EDIT:
You could also plug something else into the same outlet and see if the power is on/off. Are you trying to walk someone through this over the phone from a distance, like a friend or family member ?
If it's a lamp plugged into an outlet I'd recommend unplugging it.

I assume we have a ceiling or wall sconce...I've had good luck with needle nose.
 
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