On Sat, 19 Jan 2008 11:12:10 -0600, Steve IA
wrote:

ransley wrote:

...

Get a clamp on amp meter that goes to 0,01 amp, not found a stores but
electric supply houses, a 35$ Greenlee is good. Clamp on each circut
on your panel to check consumption and compare it to what is plugged
in by their watt ratings, then check with everything off, then
unplugged. You might find a direct short to ground.

Can two extension cords, plugged together and covered with ice and snow
cause a direct short without breaking the circuit breaker?

Thanks
Steve


If you think the cords are suspect you can use your kill-a-watt meter.
Check the readings at each end of the cord. If it is leaking at the
junction or at a bad spot in the insulation you might be able to
measure it with the meter.