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Joined: Oct 2000
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I'm just curious how Service Upgrades (Resi) are done in other places. Does the Electrician disconnect and reconnect himself? or what? Are any special precautions taken as these are being done live?

Bill


Bill
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I disconnect / reconnect & tap some juice for lights in bettween. Fiberglass ladder, gloves, goggles. Reconnection after metering out, tap the conductors together once first before connecting.

Joined: Aug 2001
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Bill,

Getting an uprated supply installed in the U.K. is quite easy from the residential electrician's point of view. We're not allowed to interfere with anything on the supply side of the meter (or the meter itself), so it's a call to the utility and a big bill to the customer.

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Quote
Originally posted by pauluk:
Bill,

Getting an uprated supply installed in the U.K. is quite easy from the residential electrician's point of view. We're not allowed to interfere with anything on the supply side of the meter (or the meter itself), so it's a call to the utility and a big bill to the customer.


In Ohio we do the whole Kit & Kaboodle, starting from disconnecting at the point of attachment, rip everything off the house and down to the service panel. Then reinstall the new service, and tie into Ohio Edison. Call the inspector and he calls OE for a formal reconnect. That was before September 4, Now like in the UK, there is a Big bill to the customer for the reconnect, thanks to deregulation.
This diregulation is not going to come to any good, I dont know anyone who wanted it but we sure got it. God I hate socialism.

Joined: Oct 2000
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OK,

From the responses so far it seems like it's the same as here. I was curious because of all the talk of not working live and didn't understand how it could be done otherwise.

Bill


Bill
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Service gets shut down at the Xformer by the PoCo here... I'm unaware of a fee, but there is the requisite inspection at about $80 (it keeps going up...) have to be ready by about 2:00 PM for the hook up or wait another day... They don't like to pay overtime...
We're responsible starting at the masthead/drop ... The PoCo makes the Drop to OH connection.

In WI, we would do it hot and use NM Connectors for splitbolts (I quit that co. very shortly after...) in the wet snow with no PPE... (I've been there too, sparky...)

In a state that has CEU's for Master's too... Go figure... The next co. in WI I worked for was great, to contrast... I'm sure the former was the exception...


-Virgil
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The utilities here are wierd, that's the only word that comes to mind. I suppose if we dereg things wil change..dunno...
Anyways, most of us will do an arieal live. There are many service laterals that we will arrange so as to a minimal downtime swap over once the power boys pull up. And i won't touch those steel JB's they have for thier UG systems..too tight for live work..

My technique for a live arieal bug simply comes from years of watching the power boys. The only difference is the actual connection, the use crimp-on's covered by an 'H-tap' which is only a snap on cover. They'll cut off anything i do, so i will usually use those 2-hole in-line connectors as they are cheap $$$.

If you really think here, the power boys could shut down the serving X-former, but usually don't.

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We do everything from the taps to the panel. Always hot. In fact I'm replacing a rusted UG meter socket next week.
Gloves and faceshield are a must!
BTW,
I use H-Taps with the snap-on cover. at $2-3.00 each, it's cheaper and much quicker than bugs ang taping. Downside-cost of crimper.

[This message has been edited by Redsy (edited 09-15-2001).]

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Hi, folks --first post here!

I will generally work an overhead service hot, as well. I start by opening the main breaker and pulling the meter, then cutting the drop connections with insulated cable shears (fiberglass handles), right at the utility side of the existing splices.

After ripout and replacement of the panel and meter pan, I use my DMM to check for shorts between conductors/neutral/ground, then resplice the new entrance conductors to the drop using a connector called a "KUPLER" manufactured by Ilsco. These are insulation-piercing connectors that require no stripping or handling of the live wires, other than inserting them into a hole, and tightening an (insulated) bolt. The only downside of these things is the price (about $15 each), but I try to get them back from the homeowner once the utility does the permanent hookup. They are reusable several times before the internal teeth wear out.

In addition to the insulated cable shears, I also wear rubber gloves (rated to 1 kV) with leather protectors, and a full-face shield when working with a live service drop. perhaps a bit of overkill, but better safe than sorry! Also, all the safety precautions make a point to the homeowner, who is quite often hanging around watching! [Linked Image]

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Here in Northern CA, one must first acquire a permit from the county, then schedule with the Utility Co. to do a disconnect/reconnect. All meters have a seal and you are not suppose to break them. There is no charge to the customer from the Utility Co (yet).The new service must be inspected and tagged before the Utility Co. can reconnect.

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