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Oneill474
Sep 1, 2007, 03:33 PM
Is there an inexpensive meter to test if a conduit metal pipe is hot.
I dropped a metal piece on the pipe or the outlet box and it sparked.
May be a broken hot wire is charging the conduit pipe??

ccanupii
Sep 1, 2007, 05:33 PM
There are a variety of low voltage testers available at Lowe's Hardware. You can also use an ampmeter.

Electrical Tools & Testers (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productList&Ne=9000&category=Electrical+Tools+%26+Testers&N=0+5001300)

tkrussell
Sep 1, 2007, 07:23 PM
How would an amp meter be used on a live conduit?

ccanupii
Sep 2, 2007, 03:17 AM
I am sorry, I intended to say voltmeter/multimeter.

Oneill474
Sep 2, 2007, 04:50 AM
is there an inexpensive meter to test if a conduit metal pipe is hot.
I dropped a metal piece on the pipe or the outlet box and it sparked.
may be a broken hot wire is charging the conduit pipe???

How do you use the meter? Example: one probe on the pipe and other where?
The conduit pipe is in a utility room, goes to an outlet box which has power. The outlet itself has a green ground wire attached to the metal box inside. The water pipe is outside and has a ground strap. Does not run close to the conduit pipe. I'll check again the outlet box for being grounded. So if a broken hotwire is inside the conduit, I guess the outlet box would not have power. Or would it? Maybe its just a question of proper grounding.

tkrussell
Sep 2, 2007, 05:13 AM
If the conduit is live, then it obviously is not grounded properly. You need to find a ground to measure any voltage in the pipe. With one probe on the pipe, touch the other probe to a water line, the ground opening on any 3 wire outlet, etc.