Lake Ariel Topics: Dont electrocute the cat...

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	Name:	JUA -
	Subject:	Dont electrocute the cat...
	Date:	8/7/2006 12:11:36 AM

....Call an electrician before someone gets killed.
I have seen this type of mystery shock occur before and discovered the 120v switched wire from the breaker (black) and the neutral (white) are reversed somewhere. Carefully check the polarity on the GFI plugs where the wire extends to the next box or device.
Used to work at a police/fire dept in central AL where the wires were reverse polarity between the outlet for the water fountain and the Coke machine. It was a favorite trick to see someone getting a drink of water and grab their arm with one hand and use the other one to grab the coke machine. The chief finally rewired it and ended the "fun."
It is entirely possible to stand and hold a hot wire in one hand without a shock, as long as you are completely insulated from a return path, or make sure your insurance is paid up. This is how much of the work on live transmission lines is done by working one phase leg at a time and not having the helicopter touch ground, or another phase.
The same could be happening at the dock. As long as there isn't a return path or a good return path, you'd get a mild shock.
Wally world, K-Mart, and the hardware stores sell one of the plug in polarity checkers for a few dollars. I keep one in the toolbox and check outlets at a new client every time. You'd be amazed at the number of times a reversed outlet will crop up.
I'll bet APCO isn't at fault. They cannot "reverse feed" the neutral. The neutral and the ground connect together in the main breaker panel at each house, just so this cannot happen. It is also illegal for them to do this.