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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 169
S
Member
Just a quick question. Today 29 june we had a nasty storm in massachuttes. Well mass anyway. Do you guys work in a lightning storm? We stopped the overhead service change and all that was left was in the basement. Even though the POCO had dissconnected the power on Wed the boss called the customer and said we will be back on friday. I thought it was a good call ,but how do you other guys (and gals) call this one. I gave my boss a thumbs up for stopping the work but when do you people call a stop to work. Thanks also for the help on the bonding of the pool pump. Steve

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,876
E
e57 Offline
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Yeah, OH service in the rain, not cool. Not that it cant be done, just not very comfy, and slightly less safe, lightning or not. Work inside OK, the chances of fire-balls flying out are slim, especially if the house has no connection to the rest of the world...


Mark Heller
"Well - I oughta....." -Jackie Gleason
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 193
G
Member
Kind of the same here.

When we are working outside it seems even the slightest bit of sprinkling and JW's are ready to call it.

Most inside work keeps on going though. There's always something to do. I'm sure if it was severe like Tornados or heavy winds they may send us home, but I have yet to see that.


"If common sense was common, everyone would have it"-not sure, someone here

Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 806
N
Member
Will not work a service change if there is even a threat of serious rain within 6 hours of starting the job, unless the customer is willing to risk going a night without power. Doing the tie-in in the rain is simply too risky for my tastes.

Outside work like installing receptacles, fixtures, etc. I will do unless it is a serious downpour or involves working with hot wires (troubleshooting, etc.).

Inside work, no problem barring a hurricane or blizzard or something that might leave me stranded at the job site.

[This message has been edited by NJwirenut (edited 06-30-2006).]

Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 615
J
Member
Steve,

Didn't the boss check the weather the night before? I won't book a servcie change OH or UG if there is a threat of rain. Good call to job the job, but not too sure it was a good call to start it in he first place.

Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 4,294
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Throw a 4x8 sheet of plywood on the ground. If 6 drops of rain fall on it, go home.
(Not really [Linked Image])

We don't do any non-emergency work outdoors in the rain, and absolutely no work on anything energized.
(SoCA, lightning is rare)

Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 869
Likes: 4
R
Member
Same here in New Zealand, Any lightning nearby or in the area, all outside overhead LV and HV and substation work stops.

Can't take the risk if lightning strikes and junps across an ABS or hit the substation earthing rods and finds a strange way via a POCO worker to earth.


The product of rotation, excitation and flux produces electricty.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Hi Steve I am also a MA guy.

I work for a big EC that has different divisions.

Service / smaller projects

Large projects

Voice Data work.

The Voice Data guys do not work in any harsh conditions, they are to delicate. [Linked Image]

The service work is usually undercover but we also get called out in storms to fix whatever needs fixing. Sometimes it gets pretty tough, ever try to tape up large splices in a heavy steady rain?

The large project guys (construction crews) work in all conditions other than lightning.

Burning hot, frigid cold, wind, rain, ice mud etc.

They get paid well but do not get paid for staying home because of rain.

Other than lightning the key is to take the time to buy the right clothes / gear for all conditions and have it with you in the car or truck.

I am in service / "small" projects [Linked Image] and I keep a full change of clothes with me. I could be out in the rain and mud in the mourning and heading to an upscale business in the afternoon.

Bob


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 202
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WFO Offline
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We don't glove the lines (i.e., work them hot)if the humidity is extremely high or drizzling. Otherwise, work is pretty much normal in rainy conditions (usually when we're busiest at a POCO). Lightning is pretty much the call of the lineman, but we often switch during storms to restore power.

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 202
3
Member
Alice Springs, NT, Australia:

Rain: No work outdoors, if power has to be run into the building (first/second fit), I down tools
High Humidity (80+ %), keep working if I feel it is safe to do so, otherwise, tools in the Hilux & I'm offsite
Lightning: Tools in ute, gone in a flash (no pun intended)
High winds/duststorm: get inside, let it pass, inside work continues if it does not interfere with the work going on

We get on average 200mm (8 inches) rain/year so the times it is a problem are rare to say the least & we work around that with the customer/s

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