There was an "incident of concern" at work last week. The local POCO (my relatively recent daytime employer) energized a homeowner installed, underground fed, 120/240v construction temporary. A couple of hours later, the customer calls and says that there's something wrong with "our" power. A serviceman is dispatched, opens up the temp and finds a few "modifications".....One of the #4's from the load side of the meter socket to the little 4 ckt mlo had been removed and replaced with a #6 white thhn and now went from meter lug to NEUTRAL buss! The main bonding jumper had been removed and another piece of white #6 had been jumpered across the lugs of the mlo. This was inspected and "green tagged" by the local AHJ.
Construction Temp
- Thread starter magoo66
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
Re: Construction Temp
Someting doesn't add up here. Was this modified, or maybe even sabotaged after the inspection??
If the "AHJ" couldn't recognize those mistakes, then you're really screwed.
Perhaps the last defense is to have a inspector from your utility company look at the installation before it's connected.
Someting doesn't add up here. Was this modified, or maybe even sabotaged after the inspection??
If the "AHJ" couldn't recognize those mistakes, then you're really screwed.
Perhaps the last defense is to have a inspector from your utility company look at the installation before it's connected.
al hildenbrand
Senior Member
- Location
- Minnesota
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor, Electrical Consultant, Electrical Engineer
Re: Construction Temp
I find what you are describing confusing, also.
Are the meter and MLO panel mounted together, or is the underground feed between them?
Was the meter seal broken when the poco lineman arrived to investigate?
I find what you are describing confusing, also.
Are the meter and MLO panel mounted together, or is the underground feed between them?
Was the meter seal broken when the poco lineman arrived to investigate?
Re: Construction Temp
This temp is a factory assembled, self contained combination meter socket / breaker enclosure / 2-duplex receptacles and 1-20a 240v outlet. Kinda like a 60a meter main w/ built in outlets. This one was not "new" by any means. I can only guess that the AHJ didn't open the enclosure.
These temps are customer owned/maintained and are moved around from job to job. POCO usually leaves about 8-10 feet of #6 USE tailing out of them to hook back into the underground spice box on the next job, so we usually only get into the enclosure once to terminate the line side of the meter.
As for the meter seal....I probably would have heard about it if it was broken when the serviceman arrived.
I have some pics of this at work, I'll try to post them from there on monday.
This temp is a factory assembled, self contained combination meter socket / breaker enclosure / 2-duplex receptacles and 1-20a 240v outlet. Kinda like a 60a meter main w/ built in outlets. This one was not "new" by any means. I can only guess that the AHJ didn't open the enclosure.
These temps are customer owned/maintained and are moved around from job to job. POCO usually leaves about 8-10 feet of #6 USE tailing out of them to hook back into the underground spice box on the next job, so we usually only get into the enclosure once to terminate the line side of the meter.
As for the meter seal....I probably would have heard about it if it was broken when the serviceman arrived.
I have some pics of this at work, I'll try to post them from there on monday.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: Construction Temp
What is your question?
I would like to know who modified this assembly, and when?
Addendum: This change obviously made the entire panel (except for the 2-pole circuit) 240 volts, hot-to-"neutral". My guess is that a disgruntled ex-employee or other enemy wanted to burn out everyones power tools and electronics.
(Disgruntled: a mute pig)
[ October 15, 2005, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: LarryFine ]
What is your question?
I would like to know who modified this assembly, and when?
Addendum: This change obviously made the entire panel (except for the 2-pole circuit) 240 volts, hot-to-"neutral". My guess is that a disgruntled ex-employee or other enemy wanted to burn out everyones power tools and electronics.
(Disgruntled: a mute pig)
[ October 15, 2005, 10:21 PM: Message edited by: LarryFine ]
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