Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Re: (Photos) Can 1 circuit affect another circuit?

30 November 2012

Re: [DIY] Re: (Photos) Can 1 circuit affect another circuit?

in my neck of the woods (NC), the utility provider is responsible for the service drop from the pole to the middle of the meter base. the service drop you have photographed would be the power company's responsibility around here. the deteriorization pictured would definitely cause problems in the house, due to shortage of power on one line overloading the second phase on 240-volt equipment and low voltage or spikes on the affected 120-volt phase.

From: subprong <subprong@gmail.com>
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2012 2:15 AM
Subject: Re: [DIY] Re: (Photos) Can 1 circuit affect another circuit?

I think I've found the cause of the problem. In the photo you can see one of the crimp (or rubber or what have you) connections has either been chewed or more likely has melted and cracked. The wire is exposed as the covering or sheathing has been pulled away. There were some wax leaf lagustra type branches and even some vines near the lines (I have to trim those back at least 3 times a year). I trimmed them earlier. I haven't noticed any flickering lights this evening. I'm going to assume that a branch or vine or leaf had been coming into contact with that exposed portion causing the flickering (perhaps when a slight gust of wind blew it into it).

Could that be the cause of the flickering?
Is there a way for me to replace, repair or retape that myself?
What will happen if that area gets rained on? We're expecting rain.
Any idea if this would the responsibility of the electric company or property owner? The reason I ask is that if you call them and they come out and discover that it's not on their side then they charge you $50 for their trip and they won't touch it. The electric company operator didn't seem sure if it was or not. I'm pretty sure they've repaired this before but I'm not in the mood for a change of heart and a $50 bill. With that said I'm not in the mood for a disaster either.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DoIt_Yourself/photos/album/283632268/pic/504090673/view

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DoIt_Yourself/photos/album/283632268/pic/376137778/view

On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 6:31 PM, Dale S <dalu@hbcomm.net> wrote:

The connections you are talking about are the normal splices found on all entrance drops. The are normally wrapped with a layer of raw rubber tape and then covered with electrical tape. The tape serves to hold the rubber until natural heat from the sun causes the raw rubbed to mold to the connector. The connector may be either a heavy crimp or compression type or a split bolt which is sometimes called a gurney in the trades.
Dale in the Flatlands.      
subprong wrote:
Dale (anyone), do me a favor and look at this video..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgOQc1L94mI

At about 25 seconds into the video, you see a couple of wires that come out of the metal pole housing and you can see they are joined via an adapter or something because the tape wrapped portion is thicker than the wires. The guy in the video is talking about something else....but I'm wanting to know what those two connections are called at about the 25 second mark. I think one of my connections have tape or insulation or something that has come undone. So I'm trying to figure out what it's called to further research. Thanks.
On Thu, Nov 29, 2012 at 2:37 PM, Dale S <dalu@hbcomm.net> wrote:
Depends on locality and where the meter is located. Home owner responsibility usually begins at the meter. If the meter is on a pole the power company is not responsible for the drop from the meter to the house.
Dale in the Flatlands.      
subprong wrote:
Who is responsible for the line drop connection at a property; the energy company or property owner?