[BC] Remote damage

[Charles Ring W3NU]

Gary Peterson wrote:
> " On another occasion I had two tube Marti's damaged when they were
> plugged in to 240 volts, the spare one after the first one wouldn't
> work. This time it wasn't the station guy's fault as an idiot
> electrician had wired 240 volts to two outdoor 120V receptacles. An
> appliance store with its own electrician, scary.
> Charles Ring W3NU "
>
> Our radio station cluster has a mobile DJ service.  A couple of summers ago,
> one set of equipment was plugged into a duplex receptacle, at an Air Force
> base, that was wired to 240 V.  About half of the equipment required fuse
> replacement and the other half had open transformer primaries and other
> serious damage.
>
> I have added a small plug-in voltmeter and an outlet tester to each mobile
> DJ setup and each remote broadcast kit.  Announcers have been instructed to
> test each and every outlet they use because their safety and equipment may
> be at risk.  If the voltmeter doesn't read in the green range or the correct
> two neon lamps don't light, they are to avoid the outlet at all costs.
>   

You must have much better than average announcers if they reliably test 
outlets like that. They are always in a last minute rush and often 
consider themselves above such tasks.
> Using an outlet tester, I found one duplex receptacle, at our studios, with
> hot and neutral reversed.

Just last month I discovered (the hard way) a switched neutral  with 
3-way switches for lights in a detached garage. Yes, at a radio station. 
Old work, looks professional, no idea who did it. Maybe that was 
acceptable at some time in the past? Garage built circa 1960, original 
outlets are all 3 wire and connected properly (hmm i'd better check that).
>   I know this was done by a licensed electrician!
> Trust but *verify.*
>
> Gary, K?CX
>
>   

When I arrived at that appliance store I first used an outlet tester. It 
was the only time I have seen all three lights lit, the two greens and 
one red. Triplett VOM followed and told me 240V. The store's 
"electrician" was present and wouldn't believe me until he got out his 
own meter.