jadams624
Member
- Location
- Long Lake, New York
I am very aware that thawing water pipes with electrical current can be dangerous. Yesterday, in Long Lake, NY, I came home from work only to see the Town employees thawing a neighbor's water pipe with the old welder they have been using for many years. As I was outside, talking to my immediate neighbor, he informed me they were coming to his house next because his water had froze. Before I came into my own house, I went to my truck and grabbed my electrical tester. I proceeded to the basement and tested for voltage on the copper water pipe, with the ground still connected to the water pipe, there was 1.1 volts AC. I put one test lead directly on the water pipe and the other to the buss bar in the main circuit panel. When the welder shut down, the voltage dropped to .1 volts.
Then, it was time for them to connect to the house next door. Knowing they were closer, and that they use AC volts, but not knowing how exactly how many volts they use, I disconnected the ground cable to the water pipe. I tested for voltage on the water pipe, there was 0 volts. The Town employee dragged one cable and hooked it to the fire hydrant directly across the road from my house. I assume they connected the other cable to the water pipe in the house next door. They started the machine, but something was wrong, and they shut the machine down. I did not have enough time to test for voltage. They then came over to my curb stop, took the cap off and inserted the key. After he thought he had a good connection, he hooked the cable up to the key. They started the machine and the same thing, something was wrong, so they shut it down. I can only assume they were too far apart with the cable to get the proper amperage.
They ended up hooking the lead to a Curb Stop on the neighbors house on the opposite side of the house they were attempting to thaw. They started the machine and began to charge the water pipe with AC volts. I took a reading at my incoming water pipe. Again, one lead on the water pipe (ground wire disconnected) and the other to the main buss bar. Voltage was now reading 3.4 volts. The voltage dropped to 1.8 volts but would spike to 3.4 volts on occasion. I can only wonder what the voltage would have been had they connected to my curb stop.
One thing that really upset me was the fact that the Town employee did not notify us of what was going to happen, and I think they should have, especially if they were going to be hooked to my curb stop. There has been problems in the past, using this method to thaw water pipes. They have burnt out phone systems, receptacles and electronics in homes. Fortunately, they haven't caused a fire in someone's home, however, that is just a matter of time. I've seen that happen in surrounding Towns and they no longer thaw water pipes with electricity.
In Canada, thawing water pipes with electric is outlawed. I believe the NEC needs to step in and regulate or even outlaw this practice in the United States. I'm surprised they haven't stepped in on this practice, that I know of, yet. Thawing water pipes with electric is not safe, period! I don't care how good one is, or how long they have been doing it, there is always the potential of starting a fire in someone's house or a neighbor's house, plus the chance of electrical shock to those using this practice. Also, thawing with electricity will only work with metallic pipe, it will not work with any plastic pipe. Steam or Hot Water Jetter are the safest way to thaw buried water pipe.
I look forward to reading any and all comments to this thread.
Then, it was time for them to connect to the house next door. Knowing they were closer, and that they use AC volts, but not knowing how exactly how many volts they use, I disconnected the ground cable to the water pipe. I tested for voltage on the water pipe, there was 0 volts. The Town employee dragged one cable and hooked it to the fire hydrant directly across the road from my house. I assume they connected the other cable to the water pipe in the house next door. They started the machine, but something was wrong, and they shut the machine down. I did not have enough time to test for voltage. They then came over to my curb stop, took the cap off and inserted the key. After he thought he had a good connection, he hooked the cable up to the key. They started the machine and the same thing, something was wrong, so they shut it down. I can only assume they were too far apart with the cable to get the proper amperage.
They ended up hooking the lead to a Curb Stop on the neighbors house on the opposite side of the house they were attempting to thaw. They started the machine and began to charge the water pipe with AC volts. I took a reading at my incoming water pipe. Again, one lead on the water pipe (ground wire disconnected) and the other to the main buss bar. Voltage was now reading 3.4 volts. The voltage dropped to 1.8 volts but would spike to 3.4 volts on occasion. I can only wonder what the voltage would have been had they connected to my curb stop.
One thing that really upset me was the fact that the Town employee did not notify us of what was going to happen, and I think they should have, especially if they were going to be hooked to my curb stop. There has been problems in the past, using this method to thaw water pipes. They have burnt out phone systems, receptacles and electronics in homes. Fortunately, they haven't caused a fire in someone's home, however, that is just a matter of time. I've seen that happen in surrounding Towns and they no longer thaw water pipes with electricity.
In Canada, thawing water pipes with electric is outlawed. I believe the NEC needs to step in and regulate or even outlaw this practice in the United States. I'm surprised they haven't stepped in on this practice, that I know of, yet. Thawing water pipes with electric is not safe, period! I don't care how good one is, or how long they have been doing it, there is always the potential of starting a fire in someone's house or a neighbor's house, plus the chance of electrical shock to those using this practice. Also, thawing with electricity will only work with metallic pipe, it will not work with any plastic pipe. Steam or Hot Water Jetter are the safest way to thaw buried water pipe.
I look forward to reading any and all comments to this thread.