Tornado vs Meter Pack

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Little Bill

Little Bill

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Tennessee NEC:2017
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Semi-Retired Electrician
I was asked to look at this job for repair/replace. It is the first time I've seen an underground service damaged like this. I've seen conduits pulled loose from the KOs from settling, or concrete poured over the area but nothing like this. The storm took out the pole and wires. It pulled so hard through the underground conduit that it bent the buses.

resized meter pack.jpg
 
Little Bill said:
I was asked to look at this job for repair/replace. It is the first time I've seen an underground service damaged like this. I've seen conduits pulled loose from the KOs from settling, or concrete poured over the area but nothing like this. The storm took out the pole and wires. It pulled so hard through the underground conduit that it bent the buses.
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that is the unintended consequence Of installing service wires in conduit rather than direct bury them.
we see it a lot during storms and car wrecks.
 
romex jockey said:
Not sure that one can, '20 code wise, 'recondition' that Bill....~RJ~
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That’s a point I’ve heard many times, but is it really a code requirement?
I realize listed and labeled assembly, but a part for part replacement should be ok, yes?
what would be different from changing out a part on something like this?
it’s an assembly also, isn’t it?

5B6545F2-10BA-4578-BF99-B044C2B34E41.jpeg
 
Hv&Lv said:
That’s a point I’ve heard many times, but is it really a code requirement?
I realize listed and labeled assembly, but a part for part replacement should be ok, yes?
what would be different from changing out a part on something like this?
it’s an assembly also, isn’t it?

View attachment 2552095
Click to expand...
I think so, wish i stayed awake for that part of the update now....~RJ~
 
We're not on the "20". I have to order the meter pack. If it happens to be the same, I'm going to just change the "guts". But I have a feeling that something will be different and I have to install the whole cabinet. I sure wish the POCO hadn't pulled in those new conductors as they're just in the way now.
 
Had that kind of thing happen on farm installations even with direct bury conductors, with high wind damages pulling one component and underground conductors running to another component or maybe underground was never very deep coupled along with some soil erosion over time and then they come in with some deep tilling activity and catch the line with their equipment. Have also had trenchers or other excavation activity do about same thing when they snag a line.

I guess I have to add, it is not just limited to underground. Many times have had tree falling on service drop or even low clearance drop having a truck or something hit it and end up pulling out attachment point and then give a good yank on the service conductors.
 
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In all these explanations, "reconditioned" is defined as being performed by the original manufacturer or other qualified entity. It does not allow an EC in the field to repair damaged equipment by swapping major parts, etc.

So gone are the days of replacing panel "guts" because the bus is burned or damaged, for instance.

-Hal
 
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