Hey...c'mon guys. Actually, this was a first for me, I must admit. In hindsight my post was probably sideways from some repressed resentment having to deal with my BOSS'S jury rig crap and I was perhaps identifying with the welder. Is there one among us who knows of the welder's circumstances which led to that....contraption? Maybe he was lazy...but hey, probably not....look at how much duct tape he used (would have made Red Green proud). Anyway, and that rig I "hooked up" isn't mine...I was ordered by the foreman to hook up the crap which was already made and we were 40 miles away from civiliztion in the middle of the country. It REALLY was the first time working for this paticular company that I got saddled with three traveling crewdogs don't observe their own company's safety regulations. Of course, they ALWAYS were their hardhats and safety glasses. As a matter of fact, I did protest initially, but the Foreman(lead lineman) told me they had worked that way the previous week and please, just go hook it up(the alligator clips). That was a week ago today....You really want to know the truth?...I lied. The "temp.rig is actually WORSE than I originally described. Four worn out sections of #12 extension cord. The first section is 8 feet (and #14) with two bare automotive type clamps....next, a 100 foot section, followed by a 50 foot, the a 25 foot. Could I have grounded it myself?....No. Almost 200 feet is how far I must trudge through chest high foliage to reach a rusted out meter/disconnect serving a 240v. cathodic protection for an oil pipeline. There is no grounding. The old galvanized pipe leading from the disconnect into the earth, carrying the 240v. to the equipment (about 75 feet away and locked in its own enclosure) has completely corroded and is no longer bonded to the disconnect. I pulled the meter, made the requisite connections, and went back to the site expecting to at least get bit by the Rigid threader pony. Didn't happen...I WAS lucky. Am I responsible for my own safety?...you bet I am. Am I responsible for those three other's safety?....I probably should have been. I have never done it before..nor hae I ever have been told to do something this stupid After identifying my resentments as a motivator in my original post.....I never will again. By the way, Brian...not MY crappy wiring and, with all due respect, you could probably learn a lot from me, if given the chance.
The positive note is that I've finished with station service and the AC dist. box. I also brought in the 4/0 copper cadwelded to the yard's grid and so.... tommorrow I'll take the boss's cheesy cord and connect downstream of the newly installed house (control room) disconnect below the still dead transformer. At least this piece of ----will be fused (even if it doesn't deserve a ten amp rating it is current state) and WELL GROUNDED.
Burns
