On 11/4/2011 6:52 AM, Randy333 wrote:

I have considered the same thing. I am going to guess you are back
feeding the house and not using a transfer switch. I you want to pull
the panel cover off then any DVM or non-contact volt meter will work.
I'm sure none of the following is legal per the NEC, use at your own
risk.


1. put LED or neon light across incoming mains. maybe using Pico
fuses as lead wires to stuff in the main lugs. drill small hole for
light to shine through cover.

2. Sonalert across incoming mains. maybe with a switch on it so you
can leave it connected with panel cover on and just switch it on when
you turn main breaker off.

To be sort of on the safe side since anything across the mains is
totally unfused, use very small wire or pico fuses to make connections
and keep all wires short. If they do go up in smoke you do not want
enough insulated wire to start a fire. Maybe slide some of that
nomex/asbestos insulation from stoves over your wires.


The minor problem is that as the pico fuses and wire are vaporizing they
form a "plasma" conductive path that can turn into a line-to-line arc flash.

There is a real good reason to leave the service conductors alone.

--
bud--