Is it possible

[thebigchill]

to cut twin and earth cable with power running through it without electrocuting yourself? If so, what, if any, special equipment would i need?

[JudgeJ]

I have actually done this (accidentally) when doing some rewiring work at home (pre Jan1st 2005 in case there are any Building Inspectors snooping!). I cut through an old ring main which I thought was dead and which I had not properly tested.

I was not injured but the bang and accompanyinmg sparks shook me up. Fortunately I was standing on a wooden floor at the time and was wearing thick soled boots. Had I been in contact with anything metal at the time I think I may not be telling this tale.

I would imagine that this is not a recommended practice and no special equipment exists.

[woofgang]

why do you want to?

[thebigchill]

...just wondering if its possible...im a curious soul...

[qapmoc]

Funny thing I did notice is, that all your questions in various sections seem to relate to things such as getting around a security lighting system or playing around with someones power cables without switching it off (without them knowing its been done) or damaging somebodies else's car, all things which if not actually illegal are at least of questionable intent!!!

[qapmoc]

Now I know who you are, the ''WIND UP'' machine is back on the AB

[thebigchill]

pmsl

[thebigchill]

god i love these people that act like theyre the guardians of AB! if you dont want to answer a question-dont answer! FYI all these questions are things i need to know to play a joke on someone, someone who has the sense of humour to appreciate it.now if you dont mind naff off out of all my threads and stick to what you know.

[Clanad]

So, you're going to play a joke on some unsuspecting soul by turning the power on when they think it's off? That would be really funny! Not only could you be responsible for their death, with friends like you, who needs... etc., ... I agree with qapmoc on this one... You admit you don't know what you're doing and yet are willing to submit a "friend" to this kind of malicious prank? I'm sure that person would appreciate the humour of it...One doesn't have to be a guardian of anything, much less AB to point out the insanity of your "joke"...

[thebigchill]

Err...no, thats not what im doing at all.What i am trying to find out is if i can cut a cable with current running through it without giving myself a shock.They would be nowhere near the cable, and as such the only person at risk would be myself, which i feel is my choice. Would you rather i didnt ask whether its possible and just go ahead and do it anyway? Perhaps that would put a smile on your face. You know nothing of my friends and i yet you still feel informed enough to judge that what i am doing is unacceptable behaviour? Are you not aware different people have different definitions of humour? I am, and i am also aware once his initial shock has passed he will see the funny side, and we'll all have a good laugh about it in the pub, after which he'll plot revenge on me and so on and so forth. It beggars belief you think you can judge whether i would threaten the life of anyone, nevermind one of my closest friends, from a few relatively simple questions on a website.

[joko]

perhaps he's planning a bank heist!

[thebigchill]

I'd agree with you there pickle.

[aiden]

Make sure you are touching a well earthed metal object (a drain pipe maybe) strip back the wire then grab with both hands, it may get hot, but dont worry. Dialing 999 before hand is optional.

( Disclaimer: Sense the tone. Im not reponsible for your actions )

[mibn2cweus]

This procedure was actually suggested to me by a supervisor. I knew how to do this, nevertheless I slipped up, as people often do, and this is probably the closest brush with death I ever experienced. Many trained professionals die working with "dead" electrical circuits. Please reconsider your idea if you value your life and the life and safety of you friends.

[thebigchill]

Im not pointing fingers here, but some of you seem to have overlooked the fact that my question asks if this is possible, not that i am going to do it and what your opinions are on my carrying out the task. Dont think for a second though that i'm telling you to keep your opinions to yourselves, ive had many great ones given on this site so far and hopefully have many more to come, but simple yes/no/not to my knowledge answers would have sufficed instead of the insults and aggravation i have recieved instead.

ps is the answer still "dont be stupid" if the cable is run off a 13a fused spur?

[ICEMANSAV]

Hi big chill, yes the answer would be the same even if a 13a fused spur, as the voltage is still low 240 and 50Hz but it is the amperage that actually causes death and the human heart can be stopped by an amperage of as little as 6amps, therefore a 13 ampere ringmain would be ample to kill, plus the ring normally backs on to a 32amp consumer board.

[qapmoc]

Sorry to disagree with you icemansav, but it takes a lot less than 6 amps to kill someone, the minimum current required for death at 230vac under the correct circumstances can be as low as 30mA that is 0.03 amps, this is why the recomended value for RCD trips is 30mA for sockets etc....

[mibn2cweus]

13A X 240V = 4.184 horsepower = Ouch!

[joko]

one minute you claim you are 'just curious', then you explain how you'd planned to do it to your friend and even how you knew what his reaction and revenge would be!

are you going to do it or not?

what japes has your friend done to you, to make you think this would be laughed off?

i don't think the cable could just be repaired, and so would need completely replacing - through walls and floorboards etc - so you realise you will have to pay to get the problem fixed by an electrician, and for any damages and losses, such a blown fuses, damage to a computer if this done while the computer is switched on, the contents of defrosted freezer, and melted ice water damage while it gets fixed, perhaps even accommodation for the family in the mean time etc etc, who knows what expenses may arise.

if my friends did this to me there would be trouble

good luck!

[tigga]

thebigchill - Try this one, i done it to one of my friends last night and the look on his face was priceless :

Scan both sides of a �20 and print it out replacing the queen with a silly pic of your friend, then at the pub fold it up and send him to the bar to get himself a drink.

You and the rest of your friends can then look on as the barmaid (who is ideally in on it) asks him "what the hell is this ?" and "you do realise i have to call the police dont you ?"