Changing a service hot

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I used to lay them on the ground and wire nut a GFCI recep for working power.

The last time I did it, the messenger wire came into contact with the fuse link of the pole mounted transformer.

I won't be doing that again.


POCO generally ties them off but this lineman just let it drop.

DSC01276.jpg
 
Yeah, that's what they said.
The HV wires were above but the transformer was below.


It was an old installation from the 50's. Something they NEVER do now.....for obvious reasons :roll: I had the thing in my hand, just about to let it go when it touched.
 
220/221 said:
I used to lay them on the ground and wire nut a GFCI recep for working power.

The last time I did it, the messenger wire came into contact with the fuse link of the pole mounted transformer.

I won't be doing that again.


POCO generally ties them off but this lineman just let it drop.

DSC01276.jpg
Click to expand...

What did you do if the drop crossed the street?

Tom
 
Seriously? I wouldn't trust the insulation on the OH conductors.:-? I know the rubber tape on the end would be good, but who knows with the rest of it.

Tom
 
Davis9 said:
Seriously? I wouldn't trust the insulation on the OH conductors.:-? I know the rubber tape on the end would be good, but who knows with the rest of it.
Click to expand...
I think about that every time I touch an energized wire.



Did I just say that? :cool:
 
Why did the conductors cross the street:grin:

Nothing I ever did crossed a street. There are alleys behind houses here in the older neighborhoods and the utilities were run there.
 
We do them hot every once in a while, if the situation warrants. It used to
be the norm. Every so often a poco field estimate or the local inspector will get upset, but most understand the necessity.

Now that we know must of the inspectors personally its easy to get wiring approval before the work starts. In large metro areas like Atlanta there are dozens of jurisdictions plus ga power has layers of field engineers and estimators. I would imagine it would be alot easier in a small town where you know the inspectors and field crews.

On another note. I am the one that strokes that 20K + check every year for workman's compensation insurance So, I don't mind letting the poco do the disscon/recon and keeping my guys out of harms way.
 
Hot here with at least some kind of gloves on. (Not the right kind - boss won't spring for them). I've crossed the street with triplex once, but not a service triplex, just a line to the people's garage that got knocked down by a tree limb. I set up rigging so that when the road was clear I could get the triplex up between house and pole in a matter of seconds. By myself, after hours, in the dark, then the lady complains that I charge her more than $25/hr. Last time I help that neighbor out... :(
 
I get so tired of customers that tell us that we are not worth the money we charge just so our insurance, bonds and gas are covered. The main one here is you tell them up front the charge and they tell you when done that is not what they are going to pay. So up the Mast I go and cut my side of the wiring, one leg loose from the pole and tell them you pay me half I give you half of the service.

That solves it but it is done hot.
 
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