What are the issues here?
What can result from the cable being in this condition? Have you seen any real problems arise from something like this?

The most common problem i see is water 'wicking' down the wire into the main breaker and/or panel.

It's also easier for the smaller strands to be damaged and thus compromise the neutral. Rusted galvanized strap in contact with the aluminum strands. Is there any support for the service drop? Coax or phone drop to conductor clearance?

I wonder if the insulation on the polarities
(like that word?, the utility guys use it)has begun to crack yet.
Maybe that will happen on July 4th.

Well I find it hard to list this as a cable assembly since there is no outer jacket. The dissimular metals as for the strap in contact w/ the AL is a good point too.

arseegee, I think that is older SEU with the outer jacket rotted away.

Note the threads around the cable in the lower part of the picture...

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 09-22-2002).]

Sparky66, I know there use to be an outer sheath. I have seen this a bunch around here. Had a job not to long ago where the vinyl guys pulled down the service entrance and then wanted me to strap it back. I told the GC that I wouldn't touch it unless we restacked in RMC. Funny how people are more worried about vinyl siding than safe electricity.

Pardon me for saying, but shouldn't that third phase properly be wrapped under the bare neutral too? ;-)

Can anyone identify what's going on directly beneath the weatherhead on this cable? Looks pretty bad in the pic...

Mike (mamills)

The 'extra' cable that you see here is just a cable TV wire that runs down alongside the weathered service cable.

Bill

Is it just a shadow or is the neutral discolored (from heat?) where it appears to be touching the hot?

jd,

I think it's just shadow.

I've seen many a rusted Meter Pan/Can and Panelboard that had to be replaced because of this. Some close calls where neutral lugs in meter pan rusted away and came loose resulting in loss of some electronics and motors within House. Has anyone else seen similar or worse situations that resulted from the cable being in this condition?

What do you tell or advise a Homeowner when the cable is in this condition?

Bill

Not two hours ago, I talked a customer into the option of PVC and RHW-2 4/0 Al conductors, in liu of SEU.

I told him, even with the newer sunlight resistant SEU, water leaking into the meterbase and trickling down the neutral onto the lug would eventually cause a lost neutral, etc. and, it being a rental property, he decided to go with the more robust installation.

I hate SEU and SER with a passion. It's hard to work with and expensive.

I'd say the difference in cost of the two is less than $75 on an entire "typical back to back" OH installation.

JMHO



[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 09-23-2002).]

Looks like it's time for some electrical grade exterior duct tape.

'66, I'm with you, I won't do an overhead service without a PVC mast.

6 BLKECS40 Strap for 4/0 SEU $0.58 =$3.48
15 WALSEU4/0 4/0 SEU Cable 3 Conductor $1.97 =$29.55
1 BLKWT9 2" SEU Connector for Meter Base $6.43 =$6.43
1 HOLDEH2 2" 4/0 SEU Weather Head $6.56 =$6.56
Total SEU =$46.02


45 WXLP4/0AL #4/0 XLP-USE Al Conductor per foot $0.65 =$29.25
1 BLKDEH2 Mast Head 2" PVC $6.56 =$6.56
10 CONPVC200 2" Conduit PVC Schedule 40 per foot $0.47 =$4.70
6 S-C6H5B 2" Pipe Hanger "Mineralac" $0.59 =$3.54
1 CARE943J 2" Male Adapter PVC = $0.95 $0.95
Total PVC =$45.00

The materials price for PVC is actually cheaper!

And maybe an extra hour labor at the most...

(I hope the columns come out right...)

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 09-24-2002).]