Need multimeter: Do inexpensive ones allow testing through i

On Mar 22, 2:52 pm, ehsjr <eh...@NOSPAMverizon.net> wrote:
Thomas G. Marshall wrote:
I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96308

It's a  $9.99 clamp on ampmeter/dvm

You CANNOT read (all) "the characteristics of a line" without
breaking into it.  You CAN measure the current in the line
without breaking into it, and the meter in question works only
on AC current that way.  For other measurements that this meter
can perform, you need to use the probes to contact uninsulated
ends of the line.  And this meter does not measure everything
you might want to know.  But if you want a cheap AC clamp meter,
it is probably worth the cost.

Ed

OK! Lots of good tips here. Thanks all!
 
On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture. When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run. From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny. But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works! But buzzes & flickers horribly. Lots of noise in the
breaker box too. I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left. I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here. I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.
 
"Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmforum@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:976bd300-7f77-402a-bfc4-
To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.
Sorry to say, but based on your adventures below, you are not only very
inexperienced but worse, you are applying what knowledge you have
incorrectly. You really shouldn't be playing with this stuff.

I am installing a light fixture. When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run. From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.
That is horribly WRONG!

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.
As in you felt a shock??

But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
No, it's probably just doing it's job!
I do hope you have an earth leakage circuit breaker installed too. If not
you should get an electrician to install one, it could save your life.

Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.
OMG, you are seriously asking for trouble.

Light works! But buzzes & flickers horribly. Lots of noise in the
breaker box too. I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left. I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here. I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.
Then seriously you should not be touching this stuff, it will kill you
and/or your family.
Get an electrican in to fix it all and install an earth leakage circuit
breaker.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.
No, no one who knows what they are doing "knows how it is".

Dave.
 
On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.
I rest my case. What research did you perform before you put a self
tapping screw in your breaker to hold it CLOSED? What research did you
perform before deciding that BLACK is GROUND? Some wire left?....there
should not be! One should ALWAYS try ones best to identify all
conductors at an electrical point...and if unused, make sure they are
dead, preferably pull them out if possible, and if they are live and
no other choice at all tape them up with RED tape preferably with a
insulating teminal secured over the top. At risk of appearing pedantic
I will maintain my position that you need some proper training before
touching any more electrical installations. I prefer to be pedantic
and hope my point is taken, than for you to go kill yourself or
others.
Daniel
 
On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.
Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.
 
nidan.danny@gmail.com wrote:
Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.
Indeed! I'm thinking that the original post was too, but it was a bit
subtle to catch. So, he quit beating around the bush:
"From my DC days I know the black wire to be ground, ..."
"... self-tapping screw direction through the top of the [breaker] ..."
"... buzzes & flickers horribly. Lots of noise in the breaker box too."
"There's always some wire left behind ..."

Nothing subtle about those!

Bob
 
On Mar 23, 7:24 pm, Bob Engelhardt <bobengelha...@comcast.net> wrote:
nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:
Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.

Indeed!  I'm thinking that the original post was too, but it was a bit
subtle to catch.  So, he quit beating around the bush:
"From my DC days I know the black wire to be ground, ..."
"... self-tapping screw direction through the top of the [breaker] ..."
"... buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the breaker box too."
"There's always some wire left behind ..."

Nothing subtle about those!

Bob
No troll here. My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm. I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up. Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses. Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad." I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.

Just out of curiosity though: If someone were dense enough to try to
lock a shorted circuit closed in the breaker box, does that heavy
master 200 amp switch act as a breaker and throw? Or is that merely a
switch and not a breaker?
 
On Mar 23, 8:32 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 23, 7:24 pm, Bob Engelhardt <bobengelha...@comcast.net> wrote:

nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:
Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.

Indeed!  I'm thinking that the original post was too, but it was a bit
subtle to catch.  So, he quit beating around the bush:
"From my DC days I know the black wire to be ground, ..."
"... self-tapping screw direction through the top of the [breaker] ..."
"... buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the breaker box too."
"There's always some wire left behind ..."

Nothing subtle about those!

Bob

No troll here.  My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm.  I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up.  Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses.  Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad."  I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.

Just out of curiosity though: If someone were dense enough to try to
lock a shorted circuit closed in the breaker box, does that heavy
master 200 amp switch act as a breaker and throw?  Or is that merely a
switch and not a breaker?
nah, nevermind. I got the suggestions for the MM I needed. Thanks
all.
 
On Mar 23, 5:14 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.
Apparently it was missed that this was pure fiction.
 
On Mar 23, 6:13 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:
On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:



On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.
No troll here. My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm. I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up. Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses. Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad." I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.
 
In article
<bb5e0331-44c5-45e4-8a27-fa291fc2713a@f19g2000yqh.googlegroups.com>,
"Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmforum@gmail.com> wrote:

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Apparently it was missed that this was pure fiction.
Because of the long thread. I forget who claimed not to be in over his
head. Obviously, someone was in over their capability.

Bill

--
Private Profit; Public Poop! Avoid collateral windfall!
 
On Mar 24, 11:42 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 23, 6:13 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:





On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.

No troll here.  My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm.  I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up.  Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses.  Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad."  I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Suddenly Proteus and Archemides Lever and some others seem quite
acceptable compared to this guy. jeez....try to earnestly help a guy
from killing himself and get sarcastic comments in return. Anyone
involved with electrical installations who does not know what a tong
ammeter (clamp-on) is should not be dealing with electrical
installations. And as far as bringing Usenet into disrepute...you do
not need any help from me...you're doing just fine.
 
"Thomas G. Marshall" wrote:
No troll here. My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm. I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up. Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses. Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad." I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.

Too stupid to live.

--
http://improve-usenet.org/index.html

Goggle Groups, and Web TV users must request to be white listed, or I
will not see your messages.

If you have broadband, your ISP may have a NNTP news server included in
your account: http://www.usenettools.net/ISP.htm
 
On Mar 23, 10:38 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:
On Mar 24, 11:42 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:



On Mar 23, 6:13 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:

On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.

No troll here.  My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm.  I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up.  Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses.  Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad."  I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Suddenly Proteus and Archemides Lever and some others seem quite
acceptable compared to this guy. jeez....try to earnestly help a guy
from killing himself and get sarcastic comments in return. Anyone
involved with electrical installations who does not know what a tong
ammeter (clamp-on) is should not be dealing with electrical
installations. And as far as bringing Usenet into disrepute...you do
not need any help from me...you're doing just fine.
The WAY to earnestly help someone is not to adopt an admonishing tone
without warrant. You launched off with a lecture based upon two
falsehoods: 1. that I implied that I had not consulted proper manuals
before doing anything (you had not yet heard a bit of what I had yet
done) and 2. that not knowing the precise term "clamp-on" somehow
invalidates someone from installing something.

Your response didn't say "If this is something you haven't done
before, then you may like this site <link>". It used words to the
effect of "Someone who knows what you do is asking for trouble". When
you do not even know what I knew.

Your response had NOTHING to do with keeping someone else alive. It
had EVERYTHING to do with posturing, and posturing alone. Hence the
tone you chose.
 
On Mar 24, 2:37 am, "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terr...@earthlink.net>
wrote:
"Thomas G. Marshall" wrote:

No troll here.  My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm.  I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up.  Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses.  Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad."  I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.

   Too stupid to live.

Resorting to ad hominem? Ok asshole, it's what you seem to
understand.
 
On Mar 23, 11:23 pm, Salmon Egg <Salmon...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
In article
bb5e0331-44c5-45e4-8a27-fa291fc27...@f19g2000yqh.googlegroups.com>,
 "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:



To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Apparently it was missed that this was pure fiction.

Because of the long thread. I forget who claimed not to be in over his
head. Obviously, someone was in over their capability.

And THAT statement solidifies your capability to jump to conclusions.
Running to posturing first and asking questions later.....Again.
 
<nidan.danny@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:4ee3cb7c-000d-471a-b08c-c2475c9b66d2@s38g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
OK then. You win. Please continue working on electrical installations.
The sooner you get electrocuted, the sooner you'll be off this group.
Just how many people do you really want to brass off? So far you're
doing really well.
I think he's done spectacularly well!
There should a prize for this. A Golden PLONK award perhaps?

Dave.
 
On Mar 24, 6:19 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 23, 10:38 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:





On Mar 24, 11:42 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mar 23, 6:13 pm, nidan.da...@gmail.com wrote:

On Mar 24, 8:14 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

On Mar 21, 7:39 pm, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

I've noticed here and there that the people servicing my A/C and
Heating system as well as the power company guys all seem to show up
with this wizbang multi-meter that has an attachment that can just
collar an insulated wire and read it.

I honestly don't remember if they were testing nominal voltage, or
current flow, or if one or the other is impossible.

Are such things available inexpensively?  There are many times when
working with house (and car!) wiring that I really would bennefit from
reading the characteristics of a line without breaking into it.

Thanks!

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Please ignore my previous reply. You MUST be a troll.

No troll here.  My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm.  I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up.  Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses.  Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad."  I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

Suddenly Proteus and Archemides Lever and some others seem quite
acceptable compared to this guy. jeez....try to earnestly help a guy
from killing himself and get sarcastic comments in return. Anyone
involved with electrical installations who does not know what a tong
ammeter (clamp-on) is should not be dealing with electrical
installations. And as far as bringing Usenet into disrepute...you do
not need any help from me...you're doing just fine.

The WAY to earnestly help someone is not to adopt an admonishing tone
without warrant.  You launched off with a lecture based upon two
falsehoods: 1. that I implied that I had not consulted proper manuals
before doing anything (you had not yet heard a bit of what I had yet
done) and 2. that not knowing the precise term "clamp-on" somehow
invalidates someone from installing something.

Your response didn't say "If this is something you haven't done
before, then you may like this site <link>".  It used words to the
effect of "Someone who knows what you do is asking for trouble".  When
you do not even know what I knew.

Your response had NOTHING to do with keeping someone else alive.  It
had EVERYTHING to do with posturing, and posturing alone.  Hence the
tone you chose.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -
OK then. You win. Please continue working on electrical installations.
The sooner you get electrocuted, the sooner you'll be off this group.
Just how many people do you really want to brass off? So far you're
doing really well. Calling people AH's is the icing on the cake.
usually when people join a group (usenet or otherwise) they tend to be
a bit circumspect out of respect for the group. No such reservations
with you. No Siree!!! straight in and cuss people out..people who,
like it or not, are more knowledgable than you and really would like
to save ur sorry arse. Well that's about it from me...you got ur
answer...any 1st year apprentice would have told you what a tong
ammeter was...but you displayed your ignorance and then started with
the insults when people were trying to help you. Most of us do not
play games like you obviously do. We are mostly professionals or time
served tradesmen or engineering academics and for the most part we act
professionally. Electricity CAN KILL!!! it's not a game for
posturing!...GET IT!!!??? If you do not know the rules...then don't
play!
 
"Thomas G. Marshall" wrote:
On Mar 24, 2:37 am, "Michael A. Terrell" <mike.terr...@earthlink.net
wrote:
"Thomas G. Marshall" wrote:

No troll here. My follow up post was indeed intended as directed
sarcasm. I came up with as preposterous a story as I could so it
could be only interpreted as a statement from me to a select few: you
wish to engage in unwarranted extrapolation, then I shall provide you
with what *should* have warranted your reply.

Nope: nothing subtle at all in my fictional follow up. Had it BEEN
subtle it would have wasted time with responses. Ironcially, it
wasn't meant as a time-waster either: more of something to respond to
with "OMG, ok, ok, I get your point, your initial post wasn't that
bad." I'm more than surprised that it was responded to with sincerety
at all----the sarcastic intent being as blatant as it was.

Too stupid to live.

Resorting to ad hominem? Ok asshole, it's what you seem to
understand.

Yawn. You won't live long with your stupid attitude about safety.


--
http://improve-usenet.org/index.html

Goggle Groups, and Web TV users must request to be white listed, or I
will not see your messages.

If you have broadband, your ISP may have a NNTP news server included in
your account: http://www.usenettools.net/ISP.htm
 
On Mar 24, 12:32 am, "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Mar 23, 11:23 pm, Salmon Egg <Salmon...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:



In article
bb5e0331-44c5-45e4-8a27-fa291fc27...@f19g2000yqh.googlegroups.com>,
 "Thomas G. Marshall" <tgmfo...@gmail.com> wrote:

To please a couple of the more pedantic characters in this thread, in
the interest of full disclosure I thought I'd explain how it is I am
hardly inexperienced.

I am installing a light fixture.  When I took the old light fixture
off I noticed in the ceiling that there was a black wire that came in
and was tied to another black wire that continued the run.  From my DC
days I know the black wire to be ground, so I spliced into it and
attached the light's green wire.

I think the fixture is faulty because when I connected it's white wire
to the white wire in the ceiling I felt a little funny.  But my
circuit breaker is also faulty because it threw right away.
Downstairs I couldn't get the breaker to stay in one position, it was
that worn, so I put a self-tapping screw direction through the top of
the switch to hold in the on position.

Light works!  But buzzes & flickers horribly.  Lots of noise in the
breaker box too.  I'm blaming the switch upstairs....it's the only
thing left.  I know that it isn't a 3 way switch because it only goes
two positions, so I'm not quite sure what is going on here.  I can't
even guess what the red wire up there is for.

There's always some wire left behind in all my installations....you
know how it is.

Apparently it was missed that this was pure fiction.

Because of the long thread. I forget who claimed not to be in over his
head. Obviously, someone was in over their capability.

And THAT statement solidifies your capability to jump to conclusions.
Running to posturing first and asking questions later.....Again.
These guys are continuing to address your usenet offenses in terms of
electrical safety, but it has nothing to do with safety now -- it's
really your impolitic approach.
It's not the first time a guy has gone to the barricades over his ego
and hurled bombs and brickbats at all and sundry.
Doesn't make you a bad man.
Believe it or not, when this has blown over you can still come back to
this group and enter into communications, initiating or participating
in threads that have rational contributions from various group
members.
Don't let the slashing drive you away. You gave as good as you got,
so let it go for now.
 

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