Old equipment

[masterinbama]

On my current project I have a 2500 amp switch that has more than likely not been operated since it was installed. (1961 at best guess) should I have any concerns about this switch operating (opening and closing ) during a scheduled shutdown? We are removing the current overhead and replacing with underground.

 

[chris kennedy]

should I have any concerns about this switch operating (opening and closing )

I would be concerned. Did you open the gear and look at the mechanism? What is the system voltage?

 

[zog]

Well those switches are designed to be maintained every fw years, and it looks like you have a nasty atmosphere there. The old grease we be all dried up you could have some corrosion. Good luck, be sure to suit up.

I have a ton of those if you end up needing any parts.

 

[masterinbama]

277/480. Have not had the time to open the gear yet. I plan on suiting up one day next week to do that.

I really like the way it is tapped .

 

[chris kennedy]

277/480. Have not had the time to open the gear yet. I plan on suiting up one day next week to do that.

That gear is fed directly from POCO secondary? Has anyone calculated the IE?

 

[zog]

That gear is fed directly from POCO secondary? Has anyone calculated the IE?

Alabama is only a few states away, we better suit up too

 

[hunt4679]

I have found on a number of jobs a larger switch will open but will not close all the way due to the grease being all gummed up

 

[cadpoint]

At first it seemed from the pictures that it's not the same gear from inside to outside. :-?

But the picture and the note on the gear is correct! The service for the buss is hidden in the picture, ok I'll assume. :roll:

Does it ever become a case where the POCO would want to disconnect in front of this gear, and QA their own gear?

It looks like an outer jack on the load side is drooping across a pole.

Zog, do you ever run a chemical test of how these wires have held up if they are removed and the trannie service is reworked?

I guess my questions would be?

What are the properties of the wires, what has changed in respects to the property specifications that existed the
day they were put in, verse how they have held up over the years? Or can we have some or any assumption that
degrading of MV or HV is only environment based, by still electrically stable?

 

[ivsenroute]

I would hope that this would be used at a minimum.

Is it possible to have the POCO shut down first to increase safety?

Did you get a look at the conditions of the wires and mechanicals inside?

Was this maintained over the years? Who shut it off last?

Lots to consider on old equipment.

 

[AV ELECTRIC]

I would hope that this would be used at a minimum.

Is it possible to have the POCO shut down first to increase safety?

Did you get a look at the conditions of the wires and mechanicals inside?

Was this maintained over the years? Who shut it off last?

Lots to consider on old equipment.

I agree if poco can shut you down that would definitely help

 

[brian john]

That bolted pressure switch is operated by human effort (no springs), the original grease utilized is petroleum based and seizes. Dirt and dust only contributes to this.

Maintenance by someone familiar with bolted pressure switches is necessary regularly.
Normally I would say get a replacement from the manufacture (Pringle I THINK from the picture) or as this is a stand alone switch a newer style CBC bolted pressure switch would serve all involved better.

 

[charlietuna]

1961 sounds NEW to me !

Old is when it will not trip to the open position, and you open it up and find the original manufacturer's trip linkage doesn't operate due to the termites have eaten a wooden dowl which is part of the linkage !

 

[masterinbama]

That's why I come here. Most of my large gear experience comes from the local Government installations. But this is my first bolt lock switch of this size that has not been exercised recently.

 

[masterinbama]

Notice in this photo it says Main, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, and roof.

If you look at this photo the bussing feeds the bolt lock switch, the open conductors above the bussing (the ones going through the red CT's above) feeds the other main in the building. I guess grouping of mains was not that important back then. Just another issue to work out.

 

[masterinbama]

Here's the original gear.

 

[nhfire77]

Unrelated Question

Unrelated Question

Notice in this photo it says Main, 2nd floor, 3rd floor, and roof.

If you look at this photo the bussing feeds the bolt lock switch, the open conductors above the bussing (the ones going through the red CT's above) feeds the other main in the building. I guess grouping of mains was not that important back then. Just another issue to work out.

Do I spy two GOATS on the bottom of the bottom picture?

What is up with that?

 

[iwire]

Awesome, thanks for posting the old equipment.

 

[masterinbama]

Do I spy two GOATS on the bottom of the bottom picture?

What is up with that?

They are in a separate fence along with ducks and chickens. The goats are pets, the chickens and ducks are for consumption.

 

[masterinbama]

I am going to try and schedule a utility shutdown next weekend. Both me and the engineer are pushing for new gear, of course the owners are balking on that.

 

[RETRAINDAILY]

We always get a waiver signed, on old bolt locks saying we are not responsible for the operation of those things.
In your case I would include that you suggest it be changed out.