Reminder to forum members answering posts in AOP

[timebuilder]

I'm not one of the mods (as you can tell from my avatar graphic) but I am an AOP committee guy, and I just wanted to gently remind our members of what Beenthere just stated at the end of the thread linked to below.

Not only is this not a DIY site, but we don't want to get into specific instructions or information regarding things like which breaker is appropriate for a unit. That kind of thing can be found elsewhere. In a best case scenario, no homeowner should be putting that information to use unless they have the required electrical knowledge and skill. If they DO have those attributes, it is unlikely that they would have to ask the question in the first place. Right?

So let's try to temper our responses in this open forum, which does get indexed by the search engines and becomes part of a permanent database on the net.

Thanks. Here is the example thread.

http://hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread....eaker-question

[BNME8EZ]

I hear ya. Sometimes I wonder why some people post what they do. Sometimes I wonder if I cross the line. I understand wanting to be helpful and provide info but I also know we need to watch how technical we get. Sometimes it is hard to know at what point you have gone to far. It is also hard to resist the correcting something that wasn't totally correct.

Good reminder.

[fliks]

I hear ya. Sometimes I wonder why some people post what they do. Sometimes I wonder if I cross the line. I understand wanting to be helpful and provide info but I also know we need to watch how technical we get. Sometimes it is hard to know at what point you have gone to far. It is also hard to resist the correcting something that wasn't totally correct.

Good reminder.

Agree

[rundawg]

I agree the listed thread should have been closed, as we do not know the OP’s true intent.

With that said, I find it hard to believe that any of the participants in the thread were doing anything but reaffirming to the OP that the information on the data plate was accurate, and should not be disregarded.

How that is DIY info, I do not know. I have seen worse threads left “OPEN”.

As far as we know, he was concerned of what was being installed at his home.

I do not wish to argue this issue; just voicing my point of view. I do understand that we all need to be vigilant in our posts in the AOP forum.

[timebuilder]

If we look at this thread as just one HO, maybe we are okay. His wording, "what size breaker do I need?" is what set off bells for me. The brand of equipment (often sold on the net) and that question suggests a DIY install. We don't know if he can do it, but we can be certain that others reading this thread are NOT sufficiently skilled to do the job safely.

We have to remember that thousands of unknown folks will also read these threads due to search engine indexing. That means discussions of label info can inspire those without sufficient skill to remain safe will say to themselves, "let's see if I can do this."

To me, a question about which breaker is needed should get a response like, "I recommend you call someone with the skill to answer this and help you remain safe."

It's just a gentle reminder, that's all.