Changing a service hot

[rt66electric]

cut overhead and reconnect

cut overhead and reconnect

I have become aqauinted with the two poco service guys(the trust my work) I turn off the main ,pull the meter, cut the overhead lines, do my changeout, reconnect the overhead lines(with poco supplied connectors -fargo's compression screw type) then call for permit and inspection.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

In MA I always have tied in hot and have not had any problems with the local poco or ahj. Too many variables to coordinate (poco, ahj, weather...) depending on the town your in and when the inspector does the inspection. Some in morning, some in afternoon, some after hours, can't keep up with there times (maybe just call the golf course for times!). I like to use the insulated Polaris burndies they may cost $20 or so but I'm not at the top of ladder using rubber & vinal tape to insulate connection. Also you never know when poco will come to change the connection and for my sake I know it will last until they do change them. As someone stated on another post just tap the conductors together real quick, if you get sparks you have problems.

 

[MrMilbank]

I cut and connect live here, I believe its the norm in NJ. I use split bolts with rubber tape and vinyl tape to create this ball looking thing that takes 15 min or so per conductor. I want to speed this up. JWCELECTRIC tell me more about these polaris bundies. or if anyone else has a speedy reliable way of connecting i would like to hear.

 

[peter d]

I As someone stated on another post just tap the conductors together real quick, if you get sparks you have problems.

Yeah, that's a much better method than doing a continuity check with a VolCon or a meter.

 

[rcarroll]

In my town, POCO will disconnect at a time the EC requests, 7 a.m 8 a.m. whatever. The EC gives the inspectors an approximate time for the inspection, 11 am, 1 pm whatever. We, the inspectors, do our best to get to the job at time requested. If all goes well, usually does, green tag, EC calls POCO for a reconnect. Simple. :wink::smile:

 

[bkludecke]

We do the work hot and deal with the permits, paperwork, inspections later on when it's convenient.

Cal-OSHA does not keep workers safe, the workers' brains keep them safe. I haven't lost a worker to death in several days so I gues we're doin' OK so far this week.

We use the set-screw type butt splices.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

I cut and connect live here, I believe its the norm in NJ. I use split bolts with rubber tape and vinyl tape to create this ball looking thing that takes 15 min or so per conductor. I want to speed this up. JWCELECTRIC tell me more about these polaris bundies. or if anyone else has a speedy reliable way of connecting i would like to hear.

MrM,

Here is the web site (www.polarisconnectors.com/black) they work real quick and are clean. Once you cut the overhead cable from riser strip back then attach the new burndies and you don't have to worry about them touching one another while you install the new service. There are other brands out there but this is what my supply house has.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Yeah, that's a much better method than doing a continuity check with a VolCon or a meter.

Pete,

I know you have always used your meter every time thru the years Right!

 

[MrMilbank]

I use my meter more for the show effect of that an electrician has special tools to deal with problems. If i showed up touching wires togethor a customer will think "well thats how i can do it myself"

JWC- thanks for the link

 

[TOOL_5150]

In my area, the PoCo won't make the permanent connections at the point of service until they receive the OK from the local electrical inspector for the service. This means they generally turn a blind eye to our temporary hookups of laterals and drops.

same for california [bay area]

~Matt

 

[peter d]

Pete,

I know you have always used your meter every time thru the years Right!

Actually when cutting in a service I always check it with a VolCon first. I can't understand why anyone would check for faults on a service drop with massive amounts of available fault current by touching wires together.

I'm simply saying that "touch the wires together first" is extremely bad advice.

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

I use my meter more for the show effect of that an electrician has special tools to deal with problems. If i showed up touching wires togethor a customer will think "well thats how i can do it myself"

JWC- thanks for the link

You can send me the check for all the time you save from now on. Thanks in advance

 

[JWCELECTRIC]

Actually when cutting in a service I always check it with a VolCon first. I can't understand why anyone would check for faults on a service drop with massive amounts of available fault current by touching wires together.

I'm simply saying that "touch the wires together first" is extremely bad advice.

Your right! Learn something new every day! new method for me in the future. Thanks

 

[peter d]

Your right! Learn something new every day! new method for me in the future. Thanks

You're welcome. Because we have to make this connection live I make sure I check and double check everything before hooking it up.

 

[nunu161]

ive replaced 30 year old services that still had someones romex connectors on it. never got it inspected but in my area the poco wont disconnect the power to the home and only put their connections on when its inspected so i might have bugs up there for a couple weeks depending on their scedule but never over a month

 

[220/221]

I'm simply saying that "touch the wires together first" is extremely bad advice.

I often touch wire together, but only as a last resort after proper testing.

Test the meter, test the wires, touch the wires together, touch the wires.

The bigger the wires, the more I test. It still freaks me out at first to grab bus and other "live" parts even though they are deenergized.

 

[peter d]

I often touch wire together, but only as a last resort after proper testing.

If your tests are clear, there should be no reason to expect a "boom."

 

[quogueelectric]

I have been hooking up services hot for 30+ years now and now it is not ok to do. The flash the conductor method is something I have been doing for many years and feel that I repeat I could do it safely but not everyone is capable of repeating the same event safely. I of course would never violate any OSHA requirement. Thats my story and Im sticking to it.

 

[George Stolz]

If your tests are clear, there should be no reason to expect a "boom."

You know, I felt the same way recently, only to watch an FPE panel explode when I re-energized it. I spent the next four hours going over that minute in my mind, and never really figured out what went wrong.

Megger is on the way.

 

[220/221]

If your tests are clear, there should be no reason to expect a "boom."

I don't "expect" a boom. It just makes me feel more comfortable. And I don't jamb them together hard enough for a boom, just a little pffffft.

Here is the tool and the crimps that POCO uses here.