what do you do for a living?

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by bobselectric

Since I started my own business, it's been mostly high end residential, with some commercial (stores,delis) thrown in to stay sharp.

Lot of guys where I work do side work in residential. They have a job to keep benefits, retirement and "steady work". I've thought of it but dont want the liability hassles. We don't have Tort Reform in PA so you have to watch your Ps and Qs or you'll be sued.

Originally Posted by bobselectric

I did most of my "mechanic" work in IBM facilities in upper downstate NY (Fishkill, Poughkeepsie, Kingston). Except for switch gear and transformer work, 480V is where I topped out at. I would rather give the job to someone a lot more experienced with currents over 600V than "try" it myself.

We normally don't work "hot" but sometimes we do. It's pretty scary touching conductors that are carrying 4160 and all you got between you and Eternity are leather and rubber. You can check those gloves over and over but it's still creepy thinking that all you got is a fraction of an inch of shit between you and some real pain.

Some of the guys I work with think I'm a bit touched because I insist on wearing the full monty of gear. I tell them, "NASA thought that the Space Shuttle was 'safe' because it flew fifty flights without mishap too". I guess none of them ever read Richard Feynman's "Minority Report".

In case anyone is curious I've cited Feyman's report here It's good reading, especially for anyone who works with technology or science or just is curious about how professionals look at such things.

Originally Posted by bobselectric

I guess the most voltage I ever "worked" with was 41,600V.

More than me. Of course anything over about 220 is potentially lethal. Kind of like saying, "You can fall 100 feet or 10,000 feet, which makes you more dead?"

Originally Posted by bobselectric

I spent 3 years working in the nuclear industry, albeit as an HP tech, so I mostly watched the big boys do their thing and keep them from glowing--Radiologically.

I work with a former Nuke tech. He's not quite right in the head. Then again, anyone who works with dangerous stuff every day isn't quite "normal".

Normal people die under such conditions. You have to be a bit anxious and uptight to cope with dangerous stuff.

Gene