Posted By Graeme Did he honestly manage to keep a straight face while he was telling you that? I have never seen or heard of such a method ever!!

Posted By Amjad Ata Graeme, he thought that there is no thing worng. (we alaways did it like this & no one harmed) I think that the genral idea behind the way they are carrying out such test is quite correct ... 1- take the fuse out, and 2- confirm that phase is dead after fuses removal (because the fuses removed may be the wrong ones). the main defect now, is the way they confirm phase is dead (short circuit). Yes, Paul it is iportant point to be considered although the possibbility that there is no current in the phase is very low in normal situautions (because the phase feeding many houses so to be with no current means there is no any load connected to it), but the pahse may be disconnected some where before the loads (houses) and in this case there will be no current unitl one touch it as you said to complete its circuit to earth. Any comment on the correct way to perform such test is appreciated. Backgorund: In the workplace where I am working HS is completely neglected so I've bypassed the idea of convincing my management about the crtical role of HS and followed another way (direct contact with workforce whenever there is rik to their HS & try to convince them about the safe way (It is your HS, If you do not care no one else will do!!). one may ask, why then such company appointed safety staff ? Answer: safety for them is the installed fire fighting equipment, and how to be in good order (this is another big story). Regards A.A

Posted By Paul Costelloe CMIOSH Amjad, Get hold of a copy of HSG 85 'Electricity at Work - Safe Working Practices'. It contains excellent advice. Paul

Posted By George Wedgwood The tried and tested way of proving a conductor dead, is to test it with an 'Approved' voltage tester immediately after it has been checked on a 'Proving unit' to ensure that the tester is working correctly. Martindale make such units and they have been in use in the electricity supply industry for years. Have a look at http://www.martindale-el...3-sbWcm4YCFQmEEAodfXgbxg for a tester (SAFETY VOLTAGE INDICATOR VI13700G) and proving Unit(PROVING UNIT PD690). These are typical of what you need to be assured of the highest level of safety from potentially live LV conductors. Incidentally, I remember a fully trained and very good electrician come back on a night shift with a very black face - he said "who wrote that permit - it was live"! The PTW had been issued on the wrong circuit and he had not used his issued tester to prove it dead, instead using his old fashioned trick (like the other contributor) of placing a 10 inch screwdriver across the 415 V terminals!! Well the results speak for themselves - the screwdriver became a 2 inch one! Fortunately he was Ok. So always test the tester, test the circuit conductors for dead, and then test the tester again before proving it dead and starting work (all this after a good PTW of course!). Regards, George

Posted By Amjad Ata Thanks for all responders, Although the a clear & well adhered to PTW is not applicable & will not be so, but I will talk to that foreman about these ideas & encourage him to talk to his boss regarding safe voltage checking device, also I will talk to him about the safe way to perform such test which I think it clear, simple & safe (Test tester, test line & test tester again). The only PTW I've seen here is poor & only used for work on 33/11 KV substations. Once again all thanks Amjad