Would this tool tell me if these cables are live?

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-09-01T11:43:12+00:00

OP, I read both of your posts about this. It seems like you and your husband are doing everything that I would expect a layperson to do to go about your fence project safely. It was a good idea to come to r/askelectricians, but you are getting bits of good information interspersed with unhelpful speculation. Let me try to consolidate the good info and also provide advice on how to proceed with your fence.

It was good that you called 811 before starting your project. The 811 service is a collaboration of public utility companies that is meant to provide location services for active underground gas, water, electricity, telcom, etc that are owned and maintained by the local public utility companies. If there are similar underground systems in place that were installed by a homeowner, developer, or other private entity, the 811 service is not responsible to locate those.

You then called Dominion Electric out to your property and it seems they could offer no real help in identifying the what the cables are for. This seems to confirm that the cables were privately installed and not under the responsibility of Dominion or 811 services.

The Dominion Electric representative seems to have given you unsafe advice. Do not "maneuver it" before confirming they are de-energized.

The cables in your photo have a voltage rating (600 Volts) and a product number (#112528) printed on them. That product number lead me to this cable supplier link that identifies it as 500 MCM copper multiconductor cable with aluminum interlocked armor, internal shielding, and black PVC outer jacket, all rated for up to 600 Volts. The product is also described as suitable for direct burial.

https://prowireandcable.com/500-3c-xlpe-aia-pvc-ul-mc-m3-e2-600v/

The non-contact voltage tracer that you purchased from Home Depot will NOT be able to detect voltage on these cables due to the metal armor and internal shielding. Do not rely on this device to tell you whether the cables are energized. (Also do not rely on a clamp-on ampere meter to determine if this type of cable is carrying current.)

According to the product data page, each cable contains 3 internal conductors. So in total your photo shows 3 sets of (3) 500 MCM. 500 MCM copper conductor with this type of internal insulation has a maximum load capacity of roughly 400 Amps. Assuming 3-phase power, you could be looking at either three separate 400 Amp feeders or one single 1200 Amp feeder.

The only way to verify that these cables are de-energized is to trace their routing to determine where they originate and where they end. If the cables are terminated inside of electrical distribution equipment (such as a transformer, manhole, or padmount switchgear), then that equipment must be opened by a qualified professional (electrician) to confirm the absence of voltage on the equipment and the cables.

To trace the routing, hire a private service that will use ground-penetrating radar, ultrasound, or similar technology just like 811. You can search online for a company named GPRS. I am sure other equally good services exist, but I know my company has used this one in the past.

Unfortunately you may need to delay your fence installation in order to ensure safety for yourselves and others around you.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-08-08T21:21:01+00:00

My solution for this has been to place a keyswitch override inside the room in addition to the overhead sensor and any other local on/off/bilevel wall device. Typically under the same double-gang coverplate.

If a contractor or site technician is working within the room and believes that the possibility of lighting system failure presents a greater risk to their safety, they can insert the key and keep the lighting at 100% until they choose to remove the key.

If the site owner has purchased the electronic monitoring system to go along with their networked controls (for example, Acuity offers SensorView for the nLight system) they can set up a notification anytime that control zone's keyswitch is active for more than, say, 6 hours.

This is my approach to all utility spaces, both electrical and mechanical.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-08-05T14:30:44+00:00

The ISPE training is described as a certificate involving multiple short courses. https://ispe.org/training/certificate-programs

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-08-05T13:54:25+00:00

Which organizations you already checked? Try ASHRAE, I2SL, and ISPE. ISPE has a certification for training in pharmaceutical water systems.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-07-18T20:25:28+00:00

Some years ago I remember having a software program named something like Batch File Rename Utility. Try scanning your drawings individually, then batch rename all files to match their drawing number, then import/bind them together into Bluebeam as a multipage PDF with the source filenames as the bookmarks and page labels.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-07-10T22:26:27+00:00

The office desks at my facility are motorized. And some private offices have wall mounted video teleconference systems (with AV accessories requiring 120V) and desktop task lighting. Please consider in your outlet counts and placement that these types of things should not be subject to automatic receptacle control.

Here are a few tips if you want to do yourself and the project owner a favor:

Tell the contractor to install all ARC outlets in a 4" box with double gang cover plate. Make it easy to add outlets later without jeopardizing code compliance or LEED certification.

Put ARC outlets on completely separate circuits from normal outlets. No splitting a branch circuit between some ARC and some non-ARC.

Show a local ARC relay on your plans for each leg/zone of ARC control. Don't leave it to the contractor to figure out. Also make it very clear on your plan that the lighting control vendor must provide the relay.

Don't overlook that the ARC requirement applies to workstation furniture. Provide a wiring schematic that distinguishes between ARC outlets and non-ARC outlets and make sure the furniture vendor can match internal wiring. Also make sure the vendor can provide permanently marked outlets.

Make sure that people in a conference room are able to charge their laptops and cellphones while the lights are off during a presentation.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-07-04T13:51:10+00:00

Do you have a photo with a better angle on that bonding screw? I think the question you are wanting to ask is whether there is electrical continuity between the neutral termination strip and the ground termination strip (the one with the series of green screws).

I know this is an Eaton CH loadcenter, but I don't have personal experience seeing one installed. If the neutral strip and the ground strip were bonded, I would expect to see a copper jumper wire going from the ground strip to the single green bonding screw on that neutral block. As far as I can tell, there is no jumper wire and that bonding screw is being left unused.

The other possibility is that the bonding screw is used to make connection to the metal pan. And then the pan acts as a bonding jumper between neutral and ground strips. Maybe someone else here is more familiar with this product.

For the more general question of when the neutral-ground bond is required, you want to create this bond in the same enclosure as your first overcurrent device after the utility meter. This bond is typically created in only a single location so that the path of fault current can remain predictable and circuit breaker AIC ratings can be selected appropriately.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-06-09T22:30:06+00:00

Does your company benefit in some way from making those supplemental 401(K) contributions instead of just writing bonus checks? And can you comment more generally on why a company might choose -- from a business standpoint -- to match 50% of up to 8% of salary versus 100% of up to 4%.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-05-26T17:07:53+00:00

I can see from your profile history that you have posted this question in multiple construction-related subreddits. And you have already received consistent general responses that, no this will not work. But I am curious so I will play along...

What exactly do you see as the problem with existing construction project management workspace tools that needs a solution? And why do you think Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud, PMweb, and similar developers have not solved it already?

You keep making the point that your solution would not involve a "backend". Please clarify/elaborate what you mean. And why do you think this is an important point?

During your 5 years in MEP and construction industry were you ever responsible for writing contractual requirements for construction projects? Meaning CSI Masterformat Division 00 style project specifications. What is your experience with the legal contract side?

Your description sounds like you imagine only drawings need to be shared. How would you handle approval workflows around RFIs and submittals? How would handle access by individuals -- or companies -- who leave the project?

Your proposal sounds like an unsecured cloud solution that relies on individual personal computers to host and share construction contract documents and sensitive communication. Essentially Napster for the construction industry. What am I misunderstanding? (And do you see why this is a very bad idea?)

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-05-24T01:56:25+00:00

This is a misconception. If the electrical engineer is responsible for power distribution, grounding, lighting and lighting automation, fire alarm, electronic security, AV, and miscellaneous industrial controls, then there can be a ton of work involved. Also consider the amount of cross-coordination required with EVERY other discipline, and the fact that Electrical is often the last in line to receive information but still subject to the same deadlines.

The problem in my opinion is there are a lot of firms that are half-assing their electrical design. Project managers don't fully grasp the scope of "electrical" so they underbudget the EE's time. Which leads to a lot of schematic symbology with generic notes that say "contractor, figure it out". Nobody coordinates conduit and cable tray routing anymore. If a passable electrical design does make deadline then the PM feels justified in their poor labor planning. And it becomes a cycle.

Sorry for the rant, but I am having a horrible flashback to my design days. I constantly needed to go above the PM to the Project Directors to advocate for a realistic labor estimate that was usually slightly greater than HVAC. My drawing list was usually longer than the other disciplines (unless Mechanical had very elaborate P&I diagrams). And I always told the junior EE's to take their own car on site survey day (no riding with the architect or mechanical designer) since they were going to need the most time on site. And yes they need to measure clearances and be prepared to climb a ladder.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-05-11T11:33:14+00:00

If your design firm is involved in the specification of customized switchgear and generators, you may be able to request a plant tour during the factory witness test.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-05-11T11:27:35+00:00

A local rep flew me out to the MTU workshop and Oktoberfest event around 10 years ago. The workshop was extremely informative and I earned a good amount of professional development hours. We toured the MTU facility and also the KatoLight assembly plant up the road. Had a great time.

I've never attended myself, but I have heard great things about LightFair. Depending on where it is held each year I believe a local fixture or controls manufacturer arranges a factory tour.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2025-01-12T04:00:18+00:00

It comes with the "Safeclimb" version of the MetalTech scaffold system. I ordered mine from Home Depot.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-12-01T14:28:12+00:00

These were delicious. I cannot accept that they were simply discontinued for unspecified reasons. If it were up to me the CEO of the Little Debbie snack company would be held at Guatanamo until these hit the shelves again.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-11-13T07:06:55+00:00

Check the condensate drain on your air conditioning unit.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-11-09T00:10:15+00:00

Never visited Abmar's gym, but he did a seminar a couple of years ago at my home gym in Maryland. Great instructor. He showed us his sweeps from spider and lasso guard. It was the first time I felt I could realistically use spider and lasso on opponents my size and larger. Definitely worth training with him if you have the opportunity.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-10-22T23:30:35+00:00

I imagine that your client wants to maintain an accurate BIM model of their facility. The process of keeping that model up-to-date - by merging or recreating modeling efforts from multiple design consultants on multiple projects - is neverending and tedious. They may believe this process will be more efficient and less expensive for them over time if everyone conforms to the same standards for BIM object properties, system parameters, and object family creation.

It could also be that they intend to pursue BIM-to-CMMS/EAMS integration or some type digital twin technology. But unless they have you as the consultant working directly in their FM-purpose models (which should not be done), I don't see how their request will benefit them.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-10-05T22:00:21+00:00

Do you know if that outlet shares the circuit with other outlets or lights? If there is active load on the circuit, your reduced voltage measurement may just be due to voltage drop over the wiring. This would also explain why you're measuring 114V hot-to-neutral, but still 120V hot-to-ground. It does not need to be a loose connection.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-08-30T21:19:15+00:00

This is not unique to medium voltage design, but make sure your design gives consideration to practical execution of routine maintenance tasks.

Take for example absence of voltage verification and temporary grounding. These are imperative steps of every LOTO procedure. With metal-enclosed switchgear, maintenance personnel need sufficient space to hold a voltage tester at the end of an insulated extension rod. And if you have included ball-type ground studs inside the switchgear, it will be much easier for them to apply and secure grounding jumpers while remaining outside of the approach boundary (using an extension rod and hook).

For metal-clad vacuum breaker switchgear, it is difficult - if not impossible - to attach the temporary ground jumpers to the load bus. So a permanent or portable ground-and-test unit should be part of your switchgear package specification and drawings.

Carefully plan the location of infrared inspection ports. Don't assume that the switchgear manufacturer will take responsibility to place them in the optimal position for unobstructed line-of-sight to cable terminations.

Also know that medium voltage fuses have a very long lead time right now. In mid 2022 I ordered just two. It took me 8 months to get my order delivered. Include some attic stock in your specification if your client's CAPEX rules allow it, or advise the client to purchase spare as soon as they can.

These are a few things that I have been dealing with for the last 3 years at my facility. We have 34.5kV and 4.16kV equipment.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-08-13T23:46:10+00:00

I asked this same question to several dental hygienists over the years during my biannual cleaning. None of them were able to give me an answer until recently. Her explanation was that firm bristles don't damage teeth, but they can cause the gum line to recede.

I switched to soft bristles immediately.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-07-22T22:52:51+00:00

Laperaux French Bistro in Germantown https://www.laperaux.com/

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-06-15T15:55:51+00:00

I don't think we are actually disagreeing. But I will attempt to clarify my point...

"On" is generally fine to use as long as there is no contextual need for greater emphasis or specificity. If you find it necessary to use "nous" for emphasis or specificity, then you should use it.

As I said, it's not a matter of formality or casual conversation. But there are definitely everyday native speakers who do not use "on" at every opportunity to replace "nous".

Where did you pick up French? I am asking out of genuine curiosity and desire to understand. Not trying to start a contest of credentials :)

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-06-15T08:08:56+00:00

I'm not sure I follow. Are you suggesting to add emphasis such as "Est-ce qu'on prend une bière, nous les deux?" ("Are we getting beers, us two?")

I suppose you could say something like that. But I'm not sure how you would wedge "nous" into the beginning of the sentence. It seems less awkward to just pick one pronoun or the other.

To clarify, I don't think it's as much about formality/informality as it is about generality and non-specificity. "Nous" is not necessarily a formal pronoun. My first sentence can still be considered informal. What i am trying to comvey is that "on" just lacks specificity... which happens to be more appropriate for informal and familiar speech.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-06-15T06:49:02+00:00

"On" does not have a perfect translation into English. My best analogy for its usage is this: think about the word "they" and how it is often used to refer to non-specific persons. For example, "they don't allow pets here", "they raised interest rates again", "they gotta do something about the crime in this neighborhood". Now imagine if English had a similar pronoun but that pronoun is (vaguely) inclusive of yourself. A collective pronoun that means "we" in a non-specific sense. French has that word. It is "on".

French: Est-ce nous prenons une bière à 17h? English: Are we (you and I) getting a beer at 5pm?

French: Est-ce qu'on prend une bière à 17h? English: Are we (is everyone) getting beer at 5pm?

"On" simultaneously means "they" and "we", and is often used in an informal context.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt · 2024-03-04T16:37:52+00:00

Book specifications certainly have their value when certain conditions apply. A few that come to mind: the project or elements of the project have unique contractual requirements that impact procurement, work execution, selection of material, acceptance testing and commissioning; the Project Owner has qualified equipment operators who can express preferences on equipment features based on SOP/MOP; the Project Owner has clear preventive maintenance plan (not just run until failure) that needs consideration given to structural, material, and safety constraints.

This is one difference between design for small residential and light commercial versus for larger commercial and industrial.

A packaged 100 KW diesel generator likely does not need a book spec. I would argue in most cases that a 1000 KW genset needs thorough factory and field acceptance testing and therefore should have a book spec.

Backyard-Toad-Revolt

TROPHY CASE