Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] 220VOLT LINE...HAMS CAN BE DANGEROUS

To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] 220VOLT LINE...HAMS CAN BE DANGEROUS
From: "COLIN LAMB" <k7fm@teleport.com>
Reply-to: k7fm@teleport.com
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 12:09:09 -0800
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
I believe that in most states, to become an electrician one needs to pass a
multiple choice test with a grade of 75%.  What does that mean?

It means that the examinee could have been 25% wrong.  It means he could
have been 100% wrong on the one question that affects your safety. 
Amateurs need to pass a test and only be 75% correct, even though some are
often 100% wrong.  

The whole issue of licensing is not for the weak.  I took and passed the
instrument flight written exam by reading a book over the weekend and prior
to any actual ifr training training.  I know I missed some questions that
would have killed me.  Your airline pilot may have missed critical
questions on his written exam.  

I never did  find out if my Dr., who took my heart and lungs out a number
of years ago to correct a factory defect, had taken a multiple choice exam.
Fortunately, if he made any errors it has not surfaced yet.  Judging by
their success rate, perhaps they only need to be correct on 75% of the
questions.

Thirty years ago I rewired my old house.  At the time, I had seen examples
of fires caused by defective wire nuts - and was involved in litigation of
a house that burned down because of the wire nuts.  So, I checked the code
and wired my house using mechanically secured joints which were soldered
and taped, with pigtails for the receptacles and switches.  The inspector
said he had never seen this and refused my work prior to looking at it. 
So, I prepared a legal action, known as a writ of mandamus, citing the code
section, against the city and the chief inspector.  Prior to filing, I
delivered a copy to the head of the inspection department and told him I
was filing it the next day.  He called a short time later and told me it
was approved.  When the inspector returned, he approved the wiring without
looking at it.  

When I built my new house, I wired it.  As the electrical inspector walked
in, I mentioned that I had two separate systems - one for solar electric. 
He checked the ground wires, glanced at the meter base then approved the
house.  So, none of my houses have had their wiring inspected.  Hopefully,
they do not burn down before my heart repair fails.

Colin  K7FM

_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>