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Done similar to that recently, no repercussions. Pwer company didn’t even question it. In our case, we had to shorten the electric peckerhead to clear eaves on a new addition. All pwer guy had to do was take off our split bolts, then put on his crimps. Our electrician did it hot, pwer guy cut power at the pole to do his bit.
DP
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Replies
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Done similar to that recently, no repercussions. Pwer company didn't even question it. In our case, we had to shorten the electric peckerhead to clear eaves on a new addition. All pwer guy had to do was take off our split bolts, then put on his crimps. Our electrician did it hot, pwer guy cut power at the pole to do his bit.
DP
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Your power company should have a rule book that explains it. My electrical inspector explained it to me. Use the hot meter as a switch. Temporary wire from the out terminals of the meter to the new mast head. The inspector said to use #12's but I used a #8 extension cable. Put a pair of nails in the new meter socket to power it. Then let the utility company do the rest the next week. Spooked me when I first heard it but worked fine and I never had to terminate hot wires. I actually didn't call the utility untill after I had gone this far.
*Bill, Your method certainly sounds like the safest way to do it. The rule around here is that NOBODY but the power companies (3 different ones) ever touches a meter or company feed line.
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Scooter: If you're going to all that trouble, you might as well bring along a steel eyebolt and a wedgegrip to properly attach the utility line to the building and take up the tension. Other than that, sounds like you did o.k. Lee
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Your note over on Torsion Springs prompted me to look back here. The electrical inspector and the utility actually "suggested" I just splice the temporary from the top of the new mast to the old feeders HOT! I just didn't feel like playing with the unfused line from the pole. Call my chicken. Anyway, I guess by using the meter as a switch was simple and safe.
(All I had to do was snip a little wire on a plastic lookout doo-hickey, no sawzall or damage to my meter box. Also, around here, I do own everything except the feeders from the pole and the actual plug in meter.)
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Bill, My comment wasn't to criticize you or the other guys. You obviously know what you're doing and feel comfortable with it. My point was that this information is out here for everyone to read and it's up to the individual to decide if he/she feels they could do something like this even though it's considered "dangerous".
There are a lot of experienced and knowledgeable people contributing information here. I personally enjoy hearing other people's opinions and ways of doing things. I don't think there's a day goes by that I don't learn something from somebody and I would hope that people don't clam up because they are afraid of getting sued for sharing information...
Have a good day!
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How the heck do you switch drops when the Power Company isn't there? Is there an easier way?
We got stuck this weekend when the power company pulled a no show, and we had to move the drops. Killed the box, cut the 2 hots and neutral off the pole outside the box, taped them, and swung the line over. Spliced the drop onto the new lines out of the weatherhead with split bolts, taped them up, and used some cheap rope to take the tension out of the line. Sawzalled the meter head ring off, and slapped it into the new box, made our connections and called it a day.
Jeez I hope the power guys don't arrest me. Any of you guys got an easier way? Do you guys have to make an appointment where you work? Who moves the meter?
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Well, I basically agree with you - especially about learning something here everyday - and hope no one clams up even if told too - you can sometimes learn a lot from the inexperienced and bad experiences. I do sometimes feel that I would like to clip and attach that warning that appears at the end of the letters-to-the-editors in each issue of FHB to all posts though.