homnspector Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Dusted off my 3 light tester yesterday because I had a bunch of exterior receptacles to test on a farm and figured it would be faster. Second test, I pushed the button and sparks flew. It tripped the breaker but not the GFCI (good shock protection). Tested again with the suretest and it was wired correctly. Yes, these things do blow up. Be careful out there! Download Attachment: IMG4670.JPG 35.98 KB Download Attachment: IMG4671.JPG 41.57 KB Download Attachment: IMG4679.JPG 47.38 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Originally posted by homnspector Dusted off my 3 light tester yesterday because I had a bunch of exterior receptacles to test on a farm and figured it would be faster. Second test, I pushed the button and sparks flew. It tripped the breaker but not the GFCI (good shock protection). Tested again with the suretest and it was wired correctly. Yes, these things do blow up. Be careful out there! Apparently it affected the auto focus feature of your camera as well. - Jim Katen, Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mgbinspect Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 The good news... At least you had the foresight to get a great manicure before it all occurred, Fritz! [:-slaphap About five years ago I had the misfortune of backing out a panel cover screw whose threads cut into the cover of one of the main entry lines. Needless to say it was like the 4th of July. The screw was trashed and the panel cover looked like someone had been arc-welding on it and in fact they had! The home seller was present and had a cow as if it was something I had done. It was the proper type of panel cover screw. The electrician had merely been careless during his installation. Truer words have never been said. "Be careful out there." You never know what's about to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted April 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Autopsy Photo: Download Attachment: IMGP4792.JPG 33.09 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted April 1, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 If anyone is interrested, I think this is how these things are wired. There are a few other resistors I couldn't figure out. Download Attachment: 3-light testerSM.bmp 180.54 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted April 1, 2006 Report Share Posted April 1, 2006 Originally posted by homnspector If anyone is interrested, I think this is how these things are wired. There are a few other resistors I couldn't figure out. I'll bet that a resistor crapped out and when you pushed the button you sent line voltage to ground. - Jim Katen, Oregon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted April 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 I think you are right Jim. The resistor looked OK but that probably doesn't mean anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted April 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2006 Updated wiring diagram of the exploding 3 light tester showing all resistors. Download Attachment: 3 Light tester.jpg 24.03 KB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garcha Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 What was the pucker factor on that one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kteitel Posted April 3, 2006 Report Share Posted April 3, 2006 No pucker factor all movement! Kevin Teitel House-Pro Inspections Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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