Try working with an IT supply, I have once, hope never again, incomer to site 11 kV transformed to 10 kV to TBM when transformed to 660 V then 220 volt the last transformer was delta secondary so no neutral or linking to any earth point, the voltage stick or screwdriver was essential safety equipment, iron impregnated water flowing everywhere, drilled holes in bottom of wellies to let the water out, it would be running down your back all day, we had to learn again how to test, had to find another phase to test to, meters were very expensive as IP68, but the money was good, and in Hong Kong it was not cold, so on getting to surface it was wash yourself down with a hose pipe.
But in UK we read the
Emma Shaw case and we realise how easy it is to make an error that results in a spell in prison. So what you do is often due to sucking air through teeth and thinking jobs worth, you may not actually say it, but you do think it.
Once found you can hardly walk away, so you end up with a reel of singles and a long wire to known good earth. Often the problem is your on your own, so switching off circuits and retesting is a long job, then it is which circuit, if it supplies a hifi easy turn it off, but when it supplies lights, not so easy. OK years ago the house did not have electric, but back then there were spigots on the wall with oil lights or candles, finding standard lamps or table lamps to keep the home usable is not easy, and while doing that your not fixing the fault.
At what point do you say sorry you need a hotel for the night I will come back tomorrow, I know I have been at a property into the small hours, but lucky not needed to give up and use Hotel, mainly as Hotel was 20 miles away over the peat so not really an option.
Today with all RCD protected circuits we don't see it as much, and the Emma Shaw death would not have happened if there had been RCD protection back then. Self employed not as much of a problem as cards in, I have gone to a job, found short of some thing, decided next job close so will call back in the morning with bit I need and fix it. Then phone call in the evening, change of plan, urgent job etc. What now? Told in no uncertain terms morning job in other direction, am I going to tell the boss I have left a job in a condition which could be dangerous? OK should never have left it, but now what, pull a sicky? I had to come clean, and it was sorted but not by me. But I know we did it years ago, but today can we really take a chance?
I now only do commercial, so easy, if faulty turn it off until fixed, not saying it does not cause problems from time to time, fault in the hall of residence could mean hotels for 20 workers, but as yet never happened.
The socket circuit that is on the wall of course.
