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Posted By: Admin Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/21/05 11:08 PM
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Here are some pics of a fuse panel meltdown. The 30 amp fuse block that overheated was feeding an electric dryer. Before and after pictures of the job. The older woman was awake when this happened and was able to 911 the fire dept.There was a lot of smoke damage in the house but no actual fire broke out.

Also see the use of SEU cable for the new install…which is commonly used in Massachusetts.

- shortcircuit
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Posted By: capt al Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/22/05 01:28 AM
shortcircuit, nice job. Great picture of the proper use of SEU cable.
If that was an FPE panel it sure lived up to its name Fire Prone Equipment.

Al
Posted By: NORCAL Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/22/05 02:16 AM
From the look of the panel trim I would guess it is a Crouse-Hinds/ Murray panel.Good thing no one was hurt.
Posted By: electure Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/22/05 12:33 PM
Thank you! [Linked Image]

That cable looks fine. How's the service drop attached?
Posted By: PCBelarge Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/22/05 09:11 PM
So that is how to modify a panel cover to accept more OCPDs. [Linked Image]

Pierre
Posted By: shortcircuit Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 01/23/05 12:44 AM
Service drop is attached to the left of the weatherhead to a porcelin insulator anchored to the corner of the house.

I also like using the handy straps on the SEU which nail to the wood siding.With one screw in the weatherhead,the whole assembly will release from the building when a branch from the trees in the yard hit the drop during storms without alot of damage to the cable or building.Sometimes we can just clip the SEU right back to the house.

I also will fill the PVC weatherhead with silicone,duct seal the wet connector at the top of the meter can,duct seal the cable inside the meter where it exits the bottom of the meter,and silicone and duct seal where the the SEU penetrates the building. Also punch out the drain hole at bottom of meter and use water stop butt connectors at point of connection to the utility drop...which is the electricians responsibility to make up (live) on service changes and repairs in this area.

shortcircuit
Posted By: mustangelectric Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 02/02/05 04:52 PM
Hi,
Just wondering what protection you have on that se cable between the meterbase and the panel? If there is no breaker or fuse between them, then the se cable requires protection does'nt it?

-Regards

Greg
Posted By: DougW Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 02/02/05 11:53 PM
Not IIRC.

My wife's grandmother's house isn't rigged that way, and neither are any of her heighbors (my only exposure to SEU)
Posted By: shortcircuit Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 02/04/05 12:03 PM
IMO...the SE installed in the pictures is NOT exposed to physical damage.The cable is supported according to 230.51(A).

I don't know of any code that requires extra protection of the SE cable between the meter socket and the service disconnect.

Also take note of compliance with 230.70(A)(1)the service disconnecting means is located inside NEAREST the point of entrance of the service entrance conductors.

shortcircuit
Posted By: electure Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 02/05/05 01:41 AM
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With one screw in the weatherhead,the whole assembly will release from the building

Is this desireable? Are they all done this way?
Posted By: shortcircuit Re: Fuse Panel Meltdown - 02/05/05 10:48 AM
electure...the SE cable is supported securely to the side of the dwelling in the above pictures.The commonly used PVC SE weatherhead only comes with 1 hole for 1 screw at the top.Then I like to use the handy straps to support the cable down the side of the building.

Now when a tree branch comes down on the overhead drop to the house,which pulls the anchor out and the SE pulls off the side of the house with it without much damage (sometimes).

Quick release SE cable supports have been available for years.

I find them desirable...and they are not all done this way.

shortcircuit
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