Bain Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I don't know if you've seen one of these, but it comes in handy when you just aren't sure about wire sizes. The diameter of 12-gauge wire has grown as small as it can be and still carry 20 amps, so--for me, anyway--this gauge comes in handy when I'm not certain about what I'm looking at. The thing costs about thirty bucks if you get it from Grainger's. John Download Attachment: DSC05289a.jpg 249.13 KB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I wouldn't use that on electrical stuff. It's conductive and you're liable to short something out. You can get a plastic set of wire gauges from PE that are non-conductive. Just remember to remove the aluminum foil size stickers and engrave the size on them. OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 There's no juice on the wire when it's pulled out of the breaker. How's it gonna short something out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Say what? You're disconnecting wires from breakers to measure them? Why in the world would you do that? OT - OF!!! M. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Katen Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Originally posted by Bain There's no juice on the wire when it's pulled out of the breaker. How's it gonna short something out? That's probably not a very good idea. It's definitely unnecessary -- plastic gauges are easily available. - Jim Katen, Oregon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bradd Judd Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Dear Bain, 1. You have no idea how many hands have hacked the electrical system of the house, so although you may think you have removed the power, The possibility exists from another source. 2. I don't know if youre married, you would be well off not to wear a wedding band or a metal cased watch. 3. As the gauge is conductive,God forbid you have an off day and Jam that bad boy into the Main Bus and off youself. I have seen to many people blow there fingers and hands off from there bodies, as well as find one individual dead. Please use extreme caution when you're in the Panel. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillip Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I have one of those gauges. I got it to check the gauge of the sheet metal I was working with. If you have trouble telling wire sizes take a small piece of each size and put it on a board or something that you can look at while you are at the panel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I sometimes remove the wire from the breaker because the copper can't be readily observed due to the insulation. Maybe I try too hard and maybe I'm a dope. I'll think about what everyone said. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Rushing Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 That instrument, manufactured by Starrett is designed to be a check-gauge for sheet metal and not wire sizes. Additionally, it is (as Mike pointed out) conductive---DO NOT USE inside an electrical panel. One way or the other, this can and may provide you with a fall in your career. You can cause contact issues that were not there before you monkeyed with the conductor to breaker connection, thus opening yourself up to liability. On top of that, your levitation skills may be enhanced by the ghostly apparition that your surviving spouse probably would not be able to identify. Go here to find the plastic type: http://www.professionalequipment.com/xq ... efault.htm Rich Rushing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erby Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 The copper can be easily observed on the neutral bus bar!! You keep using that and I'm afraid I just may NEVER get that cup of coffee! Rich, It is meant to be used for wire gauge, though it is similar to the one for sheet metal. See: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/pr ... 1=Gages%2C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Okay, okay, okay. I think I'm convinced. And I hate it when I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hausdok Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 It's because we care about you John and we don't want to see you hurt. [:-love] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Rushing Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Erby, You're right, that one *IS* for wire. It does look almost identical to the sheet metal version. Do use plastic though... Rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlskfoster Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Bain, Hey I feel your pain with checking the wire size. There have been times in the past that I have convinced myself that they have some # 12 under a 30 amp breaker and the only way I could really get my gage on it was to take it out of the breaker. Every time I have done that I have found that the wire was the correct size. I do use the plastic gage from PE, but, isn't it strange how you can convince yourself that something is a certain way! Buster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bain Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 I'm feeling the love . . . I really am. And I'm likely gonna retire my metal thingy and find another use for it. Hmmm, maybe it'll make a good shuriken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homnspector Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I think you could do the same thing by going to the local hardware store and getting a couple of inches of each gauge to carry as a reference. I keep thinking about that but haven't done it yet. Course, they will think you are a little nuts at the hardware store. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neal Lewis Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 I wouldn't pay thirty bucks for that thing! I don't think it would make a good shuriken.? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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