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Thread: polarity tester

  1. #1
    Paul Johnston's Avatar
    Paul Johnston Guest

    Cool polarity tester

    Hi All,
    I have two polarity testers and at a home the other day both (when plugged in) had a very dim amber light on the right. 60 % of the outlets tested like that. Outlets had 110V and wired correctly. Outlets carried a load OK. (microwave on one)
    Anyone had this problem?
    Brought them home and they worked fine in my home.
    Thanks
    Paul

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  2. #2
    Richard Moore's Avatar
    Richard Moore Guest

    Default Re: polarity tester

    If it's a fairly "standard" 3-light tester, I believe that would indicate a very poor grounding connection...somewhere. With 60% testing like that, I would first suspect something screwed up at the panel but it could be elsewhere. How do they wire homes in Costa Rica? NM-cable or some type of conduit? Got a picture of the panel?


  3. #3
    Paul Johnston's Avatar
    Paul Johnston Guest

    Default Re: polarity tester

    You would not believe what I see here. No rules no codes.

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  4. #4
    Richard Moore's Avatar
    Richard Moore Guest

    Default Re: polarity tester

    Yikes! Isn't that...ummm...colorful!!!

    Tough to tell what the hell is going on with all the green wires, but it looks like a lot of circuit grounds have been simply cut-off and just left there at the lower left side. I'd say that is beyond diagnosis from here.

    Good luck down there!


  5. #5
    Join Date
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: polarity tester

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul Johnston View Post
    You would not believe what I see here. No rules no codes.
    Quote Originally Posted by Richard Moore View Post
    Yikes! Isn't that...ummm...colorful!!!
    Paul, Richard,

    That is done so the electrician does not dare "assume" anything!

    They gotta get the multi-meter out and CHECK *EVERY THING THEY ARE GOING TO TOUCH*!

    For a electrician working under those conditions, I would think it would not take them long to 'pal around with' other electricians in the area and say ''Hey, guys, how about we get together and start using some sort of color code. I am sure that each of you spends as much time as I do in making sure I do not kill myself every time I go to touch something. How about it?"

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  6. #6
    Paul Johnston's Avatar
    Paul Johnston Guest

    Default Re: polarity tester

    Believe it or not Jerry you will not find 1 in 25 (claim to be electricians) that have a multimeter. As you can see they mark and color code nothing.
    It is an impossible night mare to try and trace a problem here. Splices are done in the concrete walls and twist and tape is the norm.
    Thanks for the help.


  7. #7
    Shannon Guinn's Avatar
    Shannon Guinn Guest

    Default Re: polarity tester

    Quote Originally Posted by Paul Johnston View Post
    You would not believe what I see here. No rules no codes.


    But they have inspectors? Odd.

    I like the panel though, it's all Christmasy!


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