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Tekkie®

posted for all of us...

On Fri, 16 Oct 2015 21:43:45 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 10/16/2015 8:24 PM, wrote:

Does the power *really* need to be killed at the meterhead? I've changed
out breakers without killing main power (so much frikkin' stuff needs to be
reset after a power shutdown that I hate doing it)?

Your main power lug is loose - and quite possibly burned. You may or
may not be able to tighten it. Trying to tighten it with the circuit
live COULD get nasty if the lug is damaged and comes off the buss when
you try to tighten it.

I have had a burned lug on a service panel and was lucky enough to be
able to find a used replacement lug - and even luckier to be able to
replace it and the cable connecting to it which had also been damaged
by the arcing.

And yes, just pushing on it would possibly temporarily correct it.

I agree that it is best to inspect and replace burnt parts as needed.
OTOH, if he can stop the arcing temporarily it is safer than allowing it
to continue until he can do it right. If he wants to be completely
safe, pull the meter until you can get an electrician.
Absolutely no way you need to (or even should) pull the meter. Just
turn off the main breaker and no current can flow. No current means no
arc. No heat. No problem.

How about when he tugs on the hex wrench and braces himself using the
enclosure? Or better yet those $5 gummies on a moist concrete floor.

--
Tekkie