[saxon2000]

Let me ask you guys. Is it standard practice to test for voltage from the receiver by placing the coax on your tongue as one installer did at my house?

 

[Dbadone]

Let me ask you guys. Is it standard practice to test for voltage from the receiver by placing the coax on your tongue as one installer did at my house?

Don't think its standard but its either going to be 18v or 13v so it would be out of the question as a pretest I guess. It will not give you an accurate reading but would definately tell if there is some type of current going through it. :lol:

 

[urnote96]

Yeah that is not a good idea....thats what my satbuddy or pocket toner are for

 

[carl6]

Darwin will eventually have his way...

Carl

 

[boba]

In a pinch it will work but in 20 years I've never used that method. All it would take is 1 faulty power supply and your taste buds might be the least of your worries.

 

[bpayne]

Let me ask you guys. Is it standard practice to test for voltage from the receiver by placing the coax on your tongue as one installer did at my house?

Hate to tell you but... yes.

I know, I know... it's a bad habit.

But:

- It's a quick and simple way to see if you have voltage coming out.

- Faster than your pocket toner.

- You can test a line without having to put a fitting on it making it a huge shortcut when you're working with a structured wiring panel with 20+ runs without a single fitting on it.

- I've only touched my tongue to a 90v power supply line twice. Sure it's funny and makes me look dumb, right? It would've blown up my meter had I hooked it up to tone that out so at least my stupidity saved me some money.

80% of the installers that I know that have been doing this 1 or more years do this at least occasionally.

 

[bobnielsen]

I'd be a bit worried if he got to the point where I could tell if it was 13 or 18 volts.

I remember about 50 years ago my dad had some rewiring done in our house and the electrician stuck his finger in the socket to see if it was hot. He said after a while he wasn't as sensitive to the current.