ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (gfretwell), 32 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5
#123390 03/27/06 07:49 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,682
Likes: 3
Admin Offline OP
Administrator
Member
Quote
Friday I went about 60 miles North of here to look at pricing a remodel. The building was vacant but the GC told me the entry code over the phone. He said " There's a 1200 amp service existing" When I got there I couldn't see a service drop. When I got inside this smelly old place the power was on.

I went to the basement in search of panels. Sure enough I found the 1200 amp switch, nothing out the top nothing out the bottom, must feed from behind. Immediatly to the left was an unlocked door. I opened said door and saw nothing but dark, but I heard a familiar 60hz hum. Something told me not to stick my hand in fumbling for a light switch. I went to the truck for a
flashlight.

- Rabbit
[Linked Image]

#123391 03/27/06 09:27 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 25
F
Member
that really ticks me off no sign or lock let alone interlocked. And they say industrial locations are bad.

#123392 03/27/06 09:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
Member
Wow!! Talk about a nightmare. I had a friend whose dad lost his arm in a room eerily like this one, exposed buss lugs, a slip while entering (from above, no door) and complete loss of his right arm at the armpit.

The middle and far tubs show signs of oil leakage,too. Older tubs, probably PCB to boot. [Linked Image]

The unlocked door makes this a criminal act. Was the door to the electrical room locked? But even so, this should be accessable by the POCO only!!

What was the primary voltage?


Stupid should be painful.
#123393 03/28/06 12:44 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 144
N
Member
It's good you know what you're dealing with. That ladder back there scares me a little. This is not a place for some unqualified person to be ''just poking around''

#123394 03/28/06 06:06 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
I would be very surprised if this section of the building is not deeded to the electric supply company and it should have power company locks on it.

This is not that unusual around here however I have never found one of these power company vaults left unlocked.

You might want to give the POCO a call about this situation.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#123395 03/28/06 11:25 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 49
S
Member
It's a good thing that humming sound is stuck in your memory.

#123396 03/28/06 10:49 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 943
Likes: 2
N
Member
Good reason to carry a flashlight in a unfamiliar building.

#123397 03/29/06 06:17 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 24
G
Member
What are you complaining about? The HV side is insulated. Surley that LV secondary is harmless.

#123398 03/29/06 07:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 8,443
Likes: 3
Member
Gus,
Quote
What are you complaining about? The HV side is insulated. Surley that LV secondary is harmless.
Personally, I don't think I'd like to trip and fall onto one (or across two [Linked Image] ) of those bare termination lugs.
Simple Ohms Law tells me that the chances of getting off it unscathed would be pretty remote.
Regardless of where these transformers are situated, I reckon there should be shrouds over them, from a Health and Safety perspective. [Linked Image]

#123399 03/29/06 08:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 2
Cat Servant
Member
I really must object to the rounded profiles that the tops of these transformers have. Where else am I supposed to set my tools, papers, and coffer mug?
:-)

Page 1 of 5 1 2 3 4 5

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5