LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I'd be interested in knowing the open-circuit voltage.
Amp clamp on CATV cable
- Thread starter goldstar
- Start date
- Status
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Larry,
At this point in time I have no reason to return to this project. However, if the problem re-occurs I will re-post my findings here and we can discuss it further.
Phil
At this point in time I have no reason to return to this project. However, if the problem re-occurs I will re-post my findings here and we can discuss it further.
Phil
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
goldstar,
Don
How did you read this current? If the conductor is only connected on one end, you can't have current flow.
Don
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Don,
I don't know the reason for the current. The incoming line was connected to the termination port coupling which, in turn had the house side connected to it. When I removed the house side I clamped onto the street side and read about 2.5 amps. After I properly grounded the coupling and reattached the house side the current on both sides diminished to less than 1 amp. At the time I had an analog meter and not a digital. I can't explain it but that's what I remember about this. The job is right here in my town so I may go by later with my digital amp clamp and get some readings and post my findings here.
Phil
I don't know the reason for the current. The incoming line was connected to the termination port coupling which, in turn had the house side connected to it. When I removed the house side I clamped onto the street side and read about 2.5 amps. After I properly grounded the coupling and reattached the house side the current on both sides diminished to less than 1 amp. At the time I had an analog meter and not a digital. I can't explain it but that's what I remember about this. The job is right here in my town so I may go by later with my digital amp clamp and get some readings and post my findings here.
Phil
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Phil,
Was the grounding connection to the termination port coupling when you checked the current? That would provide a path.
Don
Was the grounding connection to the termination port coupling when you checked the current? That would provide a path.
Don
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Don,
Yes it was but from what I remember the EGC connected to the coupling was not firmly secured to the galvanized pipe for the septic system. Aside from the meter cabinet this was the only available equipment ground available.
Phil
BTW, didn't get a chance to get back there today.
Yes it was but from what I remember the EGC connected to the coupling was not firmly secured to the galvanized pipe for the septic system. Aside from the meter cabinet this was the only available equipment ground available.
Phil
BTW, didn't get a chance to get back there today.
kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
You should see what a piece of CATV coax looks like once it has taken on the full-load of a dwelling's neutral current.
We had a situation where the underground neutral wire burned completely thru, transferring the entire neutral load onto the coax shield.
The entire length of the coax feed literally melted, with long streaks of melted plastic hanging from the outer sheath like icicles.
The connections got so hot, it ignited the CATV pedestal on fire out by the highway!! Now THAT was a sight to see! :roll:
This was a vacation home out at the beach, so the owners never knew about it till a week later when they arrived late on a Friday night, and their electrical system in the house in disarray. Needless to say, their fridge, most of their electronics, TVs, VCR,s microwave oven were all fried beyond repair. And, of course, all the CATV wiring needed to be replaced as well.
Keeping the objectional current under 1 Amp is a task that involves us electricians, for sure.
We had a situation where the underground neutral wire burned completely thru, transferring the entire neutral load onto the coax shield.
The entire length of the coax feed literally melted, with long streaks of melted plastic hanging from the outer sheath like icicles.
The connections got so hot, it ignited the CATV pedestal on fire out by the highway!! Now THAT was a sight to see! :roll:
This was a vacation home out at the beach, so the owners never knew about it till a week later when they arrived late on a Friday night, and their electrical system in the house in disarray. Needless to say, their fridge, most of their electronics, TVs, VCR,s microwave oven were all fried beyond repair. And, of course, all the CATV wiring needed to be replaced as well.
Keeping the objectional current under 1 Amp is a task that involves us electricians, for sure.
- Status