[dcb]

yah, the mains are usually separated though, but I wouldn't hang c-clamp bolt threads on them, they deserve a *little* more care than that.

Also dissecting an extension cord so you can get to a lead is possible, but the individual appliance thing has been done. I think we want whole house next.

you could shut off the main circuit breakers, and wrap the two legs (not neutral) of the mains in wire (do try not to kill yourself, get some inexpensive thick rubber gloves from the home improvement store, etc. <insert long list of caveats and precaution>, etc.) and see what the voltage reading looks like on those coils. Also you want to monitor system voltage on both legs.