Question For The Sparkys

threaderman

Hey guys,I was doing a gas pressure test today on 1 1/4" blk. iron pipe.My test gauge is a brass body valve with a 3/4" fip inlet,on the opposite end is simply a an air chuck adapter where I fill and in the middle of the brass body is the sight glass.
My compressor is a small portable unit,porter cable.When I touched my fill chuck to the valve my needle shot all the way to the other end.Thinking maybe a bad gauge ,I changed the gauge.It did the same thing as soon as I touched it,basically saying the system was full of air,which couldn't be.Being the knuckle head I am sometimes ,I grasped the chuck and held it down for a few seconds till a large current threw my arm off the gauge [arm still doesn't feel right].
I use a nice 12/3 cord for my tools and the compressor hose is 15' long or so,all rubber, [non-conductive ,right].So I'm left to believe the blk. iron is energized somewhere.I told them to call a licensed electrician before I went any further.
It look s like a new service on the house,pretty looking big glass sight,and I noticed 2 bare copper wires the meter area to the ground.I did not see any grounding rods.Any opinions? the house is messy so I told them it could even be a live wire touching somewhere,I don't know,I'm a plumber.And how bout my gauges?Think there ruined?I went out and bought 4 more at 20.00 a piece just in case you think these bad.By the way,the gauges I use for that test are not liquid filled since it is a static test.I use liquid gauges when testing flow.
Sorry such a long post.Thanks guys.

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Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

mdshunk

Since this house has a pretty new service, I'd rather think that a neighbor's house has an open or loose neutral, and they're passing current over the gas lines and "out" this house's service. In any event, the electrician will get it sorted out.

220/221

I saw a job once where the electricial got sidetracked and didn't tighten the service neutral lug. Sparks were flying from the stucco wire.

Call the electricial pronto.

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Just because it's within code doesn't make it safe.

Just because it's against code doesn't make it unsafe.

threaderman

Thanks guys.It looks like a new service MD ,but the home is probably 60 yrs old or so,with a few additions,you know how that goes.The gas main is probably plastic by now in this area,so I wouldn't think there would be any continuity from meter to meter[approx.50' spread],in that neighbor-hood,who knows!
Like I said,I walked-off the job until they get that resolved.I'm glad I wasn't in water,that couldn't be good.

__________________
Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park