My dad said skip the multimeter and just touch the wires to check, so I did, and now I owe him a new shop light
My dad has been doing his own electrical work since the 80s and he always says a multimeter is for guys who dont know what theyre doing. Last month I was adding an outlet in my garage in Fresno and he stood there watching me test the wires with the breaker on. He goes just tap them together, if it sparks you know its live. I tapped them together. It sparked, popped the breaker, and fried the shop light I had plugged in on the other wall. Cost me $45 for a new light and I still had to go buy a $25 multimeter anyway to finish the job. The worst part is he still says his way works fine and the light was just old. My mom wont let him near the panel at their house anymore which honestly says a lot. Anyone else got a family member whos convinced they know a shortcut that ends up costing you more than doing it the normal way?