Ever zap yourself with a megger? - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Jlarson · 10-14-2009, 03:12 AM

Heres my story, I pulled some new wire in EMT to replace some damaged wire. After I had the new wire in I put my megger on to check the new stuff. I had accidently put it in timed mode and walked away and started to finish hooking up the other end and I got bit. I was like, I haven't even hooked the other end up yet. I pulled out my T5 and got 500 VDC and did one of these

and then figured out I had must have left the megger on somehow.

macmikeman · 10-14-2009, 03:14 AM

Don't do that anymore ok? ....

Jlarson · 10-14-2009, 03:20 AM

I haven't done it for a long time, but atleast I meg stuff after I install it. I hear a lot of stories about people not doing that then having it blow up.

busymnky · 10-14-2009, 05:12 AM

I haven't done that but I've done similar- have a better one!

shakey pete · 10-14-2009, 07:00 AM

what's a megger?

MechanicalDVR · 10-14-2009, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakey pete

what's a megger?

The thing your mom attaches to her sack occasionally. When you haven't exactly hit the spot.

brian john · 10-14-2009, 07:40 AM

5 KV about 30 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday. WE /I disregarded safety rules and paid the price.

Zog · 10-14-2009, 08:29 AM

I have not zapped myself with my megger, today, yet.

TheRick · 10-14-2009, 09:11 AM

I was using a 500 VDC megger that is older than Brian (hand crank style) Up on a 8' step ladder checking new motor leads I had just pulled in. Wearing a sweaty t-shirt and holding the megger against my midsection with one hand and cranking with the other. My (non-cranking)forearm touching one terminal, stomach the other.

Did NOT fall off the ladder, but learned a valuable lesson!

brian john · 10-14-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRick

I was using a 500 VDC megger that is older than Brian (hand crank style) Up on a 8' step ladder checking new motor leads I had just pulled in. Wearing a sweaty t-shirt and holding the megger against my midsection with one hand and cranking with the other. My (non-cranking)forearm touching one terminal, stomach the other.

Did NOT fall off the ladder, but learned a valuable lesson!

I quit counting the number of times I have been hit by the 1000 VDC.

Once on a EPM I was in a switchboard reaching down (legs in the air head almost on the floor) wedge into a tigh location to make a repair. Another electrician kept trying to megger the switchboard and feeder from 12 floors away. I could hear him on the radio saying weird readings from 200 megs to dead short on and off. When I finally pulled myself out I was ready to kill. We carry radios and have procedures to avoid such debacles.

Mountain Electrician · 10-16-2009, 02:51 PM

I've zapped myself many times, usually because I was in "trouble-shooting mode" and would forget to ground the wire when I was done megging it. Thinking 4 or 5 steps ahead in stead of paying attention to what's in front of me.

Thankfully, the megger I use now discharges itself when you take your finger off the button.

william1978 · 10-16-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MechanicalDVR

The thing your mom attaches to her sack occasionally. When you haven't exactly hit the spot.

goose134 · 10-17-2009, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Once on a EPM I was in a switchboard reaching down (legs in the air head almost on the floor) wedge into a tigh location to make a repair. Another electrician kept trying to megger the switchboard and feeder from 12 floors away. I could hear him on the radio saying weird readings from 200 megs to dead short on and off. When I finally pulled myself out I was ready to kill. We carry radios and have procedures to avoid such debacles.

Classic. I'm still picturing the scene. As John Candy says in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "It's OK, we can laugh about it now" 30 seconds after the accident.

brian john · 10-17-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goose134

Classic. I'm still picturing the scene. As John Candy says in Planes, Trains and Automobiles: "It's OK, we can laugh about it now" 30 seconds after the accident.

OH everybody thought it was hilarious. The few that understood my angst were worried I was going to throw punches. NOT MY STYLE on the job.

Greg · 10-17-2009, 11:40 AM

In the Navy we used to wake guys up for their watch with a Biddle hand crank if they were late. Get hit with 500-1000vdc and you will never be late for watch again.

bobelectric · 10-17-2009, 07:10 PM

I was checking 5 kv cables for a fault with a megger,a co worker was inside a switch,checking bus bar,when we cranked a megger up he got hit.He didn't tell me he was inside.Always call for: "CLEAR?"