What did you do today not on your truck...

[tutone]

Originally Posted by weq92f

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Yesterday I found myself tinkering with an A/C unit. Trying to remove the fan assembly for replacement. I found the bundle of wires needing disconnected and went to doing so. My buddy standing there with me warned that I should kill the power. My thinking was that since this unit will not be commanded ON while I'm here now, it shouldn't be a problem but went ahead to try and pull the breaker in the box hanging on the wall next to the unit.

After a struggle to get it open I said F'k it and went to unbundling those wires. My buddy says "Famous last words." Leaned down into the machine propping myself up over it with both forearms on the outer metal casing. Then started carefully cutting the tape with my blade.

Then it happened. I had felt this sensation on a few other occasions...electric fences and some vague memory as a child after someone told me to sick my finger into the light socket...but THIS. This was far more powerful and scary. I completed a circuit from my right hand to my right forearm across my body to my left forearm.

Oh man. I suffered no known injuries thankfully. However this will never be forgotten by my small circle of friends and they will let me know how stupid it was over and over again.

-Kevin

When I worked at the paper mill and joined maintenance, they made an industrial electrician out of me. It was a union shop and the HVAC trained guys kept their panties in a wad over "regular" electricians working on units. I developed an attitude of" I dont care if you "burn/freeze" your a$$ off while Im on shift, dont call me to work on your heat or ac.
Eventually we were forced to at least look at the problem and stop at "freon"
I can understand protecting your craft, but it tied our hands.
So... I trained myself in troubleshooting hvac. I still don't mess with freon, even at home and there are sometimes you have to work hot, but be careful. A jolt acrosd your chest can interfere with heart rythym. You are fortunate.